Opportunity to be wined and dined like William Randolf Hearst's guests approaching

Posted: Sep 11, 2012 4:35 PM by Jeanette Trompeter
Updated: Sep 11, 2012 5:30 PM

It's right in our own backyard, but how many times have you taken advantage of it. Well a once in a lifetime opportunity exists later this month up at Hearst Castle.

To bridge the gap of where state coffers run dry, and needed maintenance continues to add up at the beautiful home on the hill, the Friends of Hearst Castle step in. They hold fundraisers throughout the year to help raise money for the preservation and restoration of the art, artifacts, and basic projects that would otherwise go undone.

One of those events is coming up Saturday, September 22nd. The Friends of Hearst Castle Enchanted evening features a champagne reception on the veranda overlooking the Pacific, a five course dinnner under the stars, gourmet specialites, fine wines, live jazz and a wonderful auction. There is usually a suprise entertainment event as well.

The crowd enjoys the lifestyle William Randolf once offered to friends, celebrities and business associates, and at the same time is helping preserve the history that sits on this enchanted hill above the Pacific.

At last year's Enchanted Evening, some ticket-holders were selected to arrive as Hearst guests did, on a vintage DC-3 plane. Doyle Souders was one of the lucky ones chosen to arrive in style like that. "We came in over the water. We were down just about a 1000 feet off the water and he came in and just greased that airplane onto the runway, it was just fantastic."

For $300 (for Friends of Hearst Castle members, $350 for non-members) guests get to mix and mingle as they would have in Hearst's day on the evening of arrival. Most of us have taken tours of the castle before, but coming here as a guest for exclusive parties is a whole different deal. "We get to pretend we were a part of Mr. Hearst's guests, and it's just a really different feeling." says Souders.

An event like this is like living a dream. Not just of living a life of elegance, but getting a glimpse of what this castle used to be....a home where guests were welcomed and entertained from the moment they arrived to when they said so long. "It's pretty cool. We get dressed up in period outfits and this is really neat to be a part of." says Bobbi Stelzle.

For for more information or to purchase tickets, click here or call the Friends office at (805) 927-2138.