CALIFORNIA'S: Central Coast

For the frequent visitors who have exhausted San Francisco's highlights and popular tourist attractions, or simply for those who want to escape from the fast-paced life of the city, I strongly recommend a leisurely drive along California's central coast.

Among the many sights of interest is the Monterey Peninsula, a charming Pacific Coastal area and the 17 Mile Drive that is home to a number of small seaside communities each with its own appeal and character. There are unique shops, fabulous restaurants and an overwhelming feeling of uniqueness that will surely captivate you immediately.

Visitors can also enjoy such world famous attractions as the Cannery Row - known for its aquarium, Pebble Beach - where the game of golf is at its best, Cypress Point Lookout with its dramatic panoramic view of the Pacific Coastline and the Lone Cypress, one of California's most enduring landmarks that still prevails on its rocky perch for over 250 years.

Of interest is Carmel Valley, the land that Father Junipero Serra cultivated in 1773 and where Spanish rancheros once lived and worked. It manages to maintain its quaint inner core despite the pressures of tourism.

Halfway between Monterey and Santa Barbara are the fog-shrouded fishing villages of Morro Bay and Pismo Beach. But the most notable place in this area is San Simeon where the Hearst Castle sits high above the town in the Sta. Lucia Range. This is where my story begins.

The tour starts with a five-mile bus ride from the Visitor Center to the hilltop estate. Exotic animals from the Hearst private zoo including zebras, tahr goats, sheep and fallow deer may be spotted along the way. William Randolph Hearst, noted publisher, art collector and movie producer, envisioned his weekend ranch retreat as an architectural masterpiece. He called his residence La Cuesta Encantada (The Enchanted Hill) and opened its art-filled halls and guests houses to many world-famous figures and celebrities.

The estate, now a California Historical Monument drawing nearly one million visitors each year, covers 137 acres, capped by four impressive residences, which were created by architect Julia Morgan.

Antiques and classical subjects abound in virtually every medium at Hearst Castle. The most splendid collection is that of the Greek vases, which range from the early 8th century to the end of the fourth century B.C. They illustrate Greek figure paintings at its finest.

The imposing Refectory where Hearst and his guests dined is dominated by the Palio banners suspended on staffs high above the room. The banners date back to the 18th century but are now too fragile for permanent use. The originals were removed for conservation purposes and replaced with painstakingly made reproductions. The Neptune Pool with a Greek temple façade and statue-filled alcoves is perhaps the most splendid outdoor pool which took twelve years to complete.

Those who received the irresistible invitation for a weekend or more stay at the castle is a virtual roll call of influential twentieth century personalities that included the duke and duchess of Windsor, aviators Charles Lindberg and Amelia Earhart; Hollywood producers Louis B. Mayer and the Warner brothers; political figures Winston Churchill, Calvin and Grace Coolidge; also movie stars Greta Garbo, Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Charlie Chaplin, Joan Crawford and James Stewart.

On Augst 14, 1951, William Randolph Hearst died at the age of 88 from a stroke complicated by ailments of advanced age. A portion of the estate believed to total nearly $220 million was left in trust to his family, the remainder was bequeathed to the California Charities (now the Hearst Foundation) as a charitable trust. Hearst estate is well named for the pleasure it has shared with his family and today with visitors from all over the globe.

This dream of a lifetime experience can be arranged by tour specialist Baby Dy of Grand Hope Travel located at the basement of SM Cebu and Philippine Airlines whose daily flights to San Francisco offer convenient schedules with impeccable service and comfort.