California

Hearst Castle is one of the top 10 most Instagram-worthy homes in the world, site says

Fog swirls around Hearst Castle in the hills above San Simeon.
Fog swirls around Hearst Castle in the hills above San Simeon. Victoria Garagliano Hearst Castle/California State Parks

Hearst Castle is one of the top 10 most Instagram-worthy homes in the world, according to British interior design site Swift Direct Blinds.

From photos of Greek statues posing beside a sky-blue swimming pool to zebras galloping through the hillside, the former San Simeon estate of publishing mogul William Randolph Hearst was featured in 154,947 Instagram posts, according to a news release.

Hearst Castle ranked 10th on the list, which featured such historic structures as Buckingham Palace in London and the Palace of Versailles in France, the release said.

The San Luis Obispo County landmark was one of two locations in the United States that landed in the top 10. The White House in Washington, D.C., landed in sixth place.

Swift Direct Blinds ranked the homes by their number of Instagram hashtags, search data, and reviews containing the word “beautiful” on Yelp and TripAdvisor, according to the release.

The façade of Casa Grande at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. designed by Julia Morgan, as included in a new anthology about the groundbreaking architect.
The façade of Casa Grande at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. designed by Julia Morgan, as included in a new anthology about the groundbreaking architect. 1000Photography/Shutterstock Photo courtesy of RizzoliElecta

Online searches for Hearst Castle increased by 15.12% since June 2021, and 29.15% of reviews of Hearst Castle on Yelp and Trip Advisor include the word “beautiful,” the release said.

Buckingham Palace was the most popular stately home on Instagram, garnering more than 1.5 million posts on the social media app, according to Swift Direct Blinds.

Though Castle Howard in North Yorkshire, England, didn’t make it on the list, Swift Direct Blinds called it “the world’s most beautiful stately home,” noting that more than 47% of all reviews of the site included the word “beautiful.”

Hearst Castle in San Simeon hosted a gathering Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, to celebrate the restoration and reopening of the Neptune Pool.
Hearst Castle in San Simeon hosted a gathering Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018, to celebrate the restoration and reopening of the Neptune Pool. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com

Here’s Swift Direct Blinds’ complete list of the top 10 most Instagrammable stately homes in the world:

  1. Buckingham Palace in London, England
  2. Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland
  3. Prague Castle in Prague, Czech Republic
  4. Windsor Castle in Windsor, England
  5. Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany
  6. The White House in Washington, D.C.
  7. Palace of Versailles in Versailles, France
  8. Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England
  9. Hampton Court Palace in Richmond, England
  10. Hearst Castle in San Luis Obispo, California

Meanwhile, check out more photos of Hearst Castle:

Hearst Castle in San Simeon reopened May 11, 2022, welcoming back guests after a two-year closure due to COVID-19 and road repairs.
Hearst Castle in San Simeon reopened May 11, 2022, welcoming back guests after a two-year closure due to COVID-19 and road repairs. Courtesy of California State Parks
The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle is framed by the railing on the dressing room level on April 6, 2022.
The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle is framed by the railing on the dressing room level on April 6, 2022. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Hearst Castle second-floor sitting room.
Hearst Castle second-floor sitting room. Victoria Garagliano Hearst Castle/California State Parks
Neptune Pool at dusk.
Neptune Pool at dusk. Victoria Garagliano Hearst Castle/California State Parks
Hearst Castle in San Simeon offers daily tours. The National Historic Landmark and California Historical Landmark was built by publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan, between 1919 and 1947.
Hearst Castle in San Simeon offers daily tours. The National Historic Landmark and California Historical Landmark was built by publishing tycoon William Randolph Hearst and architect Julia Morgan, between 1919 and 1947. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
Tracy Kosinski a guide 1 at Hearst Castle gives a virtual art and architecture tour to third graders. She explains the Neptune pool and fields text questions from the class. Guides are conducting virtual tours of the castle for school groups and other organizations.
Tracy Kosinski a guide 1 at Hearst Castle gives a virtual art and architecture tour to third graders. She explains the Neptune pool and fields text questions from the class. Guides are conducting virtual tours of the castle for school groups and other organizations. David Middlecamp dmiddlecamp@thetribunenews.com
A rarely seen view of Hearst Castle’s lavish indoor Roman Pool at La Casa Grande in San Simeon. Shown are by Camille Solon and groundbreaking Castle architect Julia Morgan.
A rarely seen view of Hearst Castle’s lavish indoor Roman Pool at La Casa Grande in San Simeon. Shown are by Camille Solon and groundbreaking Castle architect Julia Morgan. ©americanspirit/123RF.com Photo courtesy of RizzoliElecta

This story was originally published July 21, 2023 at 11:07 AM with the headline "Hearst Castle is one of the top 10 most Instagram-worthy homes in the world, site says."

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Stephanie Zappelli is the environment and immigration reporter for The Tribune. Born and raised in San Diego, they graduated from Cal Poly with a journalism degree. When not writing, they enjoy playing guitar, reading and exploring the outdoors. 
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