John surveys the fog-covered expanse of the Hearst estate, which at one time occupied more than 250,000 acres, or roughly one third the size of the entire state of Rhode Island.
Historically accurate place settings are accented with vintage Heinz ketchup and French's mustard bottles.
John found these historically accurate blue and white vases at the Pic 'N Save in San Jose.
When guests visiting Hearst went riding, servants met them at this entrance with their horses.
24-carat gold flakes off of an iron ring. Once treated, the gold is weatherproof and must only be replaced after many years.
On a foggy day, the Castle appears to be sitting on top of the world.
The guest house layout is perfectly symmetrical, a nod to Gothic architecture.
The New World Liberation Front detonated a bomb at the Castle in 1976 during Patty Hearst's trial. Monument staff have woven support threads into this tapestry to preserve it for as long as possible.
The antique oil lamps in the mirror-image guest house bedrooms are solid silver.
John pauses to greet some friends as we cross the giant plaza to the main house. Hearst designed the Castle to mimic a traditional European city where this would have been a common sight.
The enormous tapestries that line the great hall share design traits with many tapestries in The Louvre.
The mosaic at the entrance to the great hall was recently painstakingly recreated by Castle staff, piece by piece, after renovations.
A chair in the great hall bears the symbol of the vatican.
John recounts how renowned jeweler Tiffany's attempted to track down an intricate silver vase they hold sold nearly a century ago. They discovered that Hearst had it turned into a lamp.
The view from the loft bedroom, one of the most popular stops on the Castle tours.
This library, reserved for guests, is packed with antiquities from ancient Greece and Rome.
These ancient Grecian rytons are among the dozens of priceless antiquities that line the walls of the guest library.
John looks at the Spanish-inspired ceiling in W.R. Hearst's private bedroom. It is one of the most unique ceilings in the Castle.
One of the most valuable paintings in the Castle, a similar piece by 13th century artist Duccio recently sold for nearly $50 million.
The Castle is a mishmash of architectural and artistic styles. Marion Davies' modern art deco lighted clock sits feet from centuries-old paintings.
John explains the process that created this pre-Renaissance painting. Master artists did not sign their paintings at the time, so most of the work is uncredited.
Hearst's personal office space.
John comments on the electrically-adapted gaslights that stand behind Hearst's desk, while W.R. Hearst looks on in portrait.
The tiny door to Hearst's personal library, adorned with this intricate wood carving, houses untold treasures and first editions. Hearst was particularly fond of Dickens.
After dinner, the gentlemen would retire to the billiards room for a drink and a game.
Guests enjoyed screenings from Hearst's personal production company.
24-carat gold is pressed into the tiles surrounding the pool. Replacements are ordered as needed from the original Italian manufacturer.
The bathing cabins are still off limits to visitors, but John gives me a sneak preview of the restored changing rooms that adjoin the spectacular roman pool.
ACSS Labor Rep Tom Considine (left) jokes with John and two of his co-workers, including Aja Milne (right) who worked under John during his tenure as Guide Supervisor.
John maintains a personal library in his office of books and films covering the Hearst legacy.
John keeps one of the original dies used to manually print visitor passes to the Castle. Since stepping in as Admin Officer I to run the Visitor Center, John has worked to modernize the ticketing process.
