San Simeon, California

File:San Simeon Pier by Gustavo Gerdel.jpg of San Simeon]]

Humans first settled the local area at least 11,000 years ago. Prehistorically, the local area was inhabited by the Chumash people, including a large village south of San Simeon at Morro Creek.C. Michael Hogan (2008). "[http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=18502 Morro Creek]". The Megalithic Portal, ed. A. Burnham.

In 1542 the coastal exploration of Juan Cabrillo discovered the bay and named it the Bay of Sardines.{{cite book |last1=Hamilton |first1=Geneva |title=Where the Highway Ends |date=1974 |publisher=Williams Printing Co. |location=Cambria, California |page=150}}

The first European land exploration of Alta California, the Spanish Portolà expedition, traveled northwest along the coast in September 1769. On September 11–12, the party passed the future location of San Simeon. At Ragged Point, which is about {{cvt|15|mi}} past San Simeon, the party turned inland across the Santa Lucia Range.{{cite book |last=Bolton |first=Herbert E. |pages=188–191 |year=1927 |title=Fray Juan Crespi: Missionary Explorer on the Pacific Coast, 1769–1774 |url=http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000288788 |publisher=HathiTrust Digital Library |access-date=18 April 2014}}

San Simeon was founded as an asistencia ("sub-mission") to Mission San Miguel Arcángel, founded in 1797, and located to the east across the Santa Lucia Range.{{cite book |author1=Ohles, Wallace V.|title=The Lands Of Misson San Miguel |date=1997-05-01 |publisher=Word Dancer Press |location=Clovis, California |isbn=1884995136 |ol=675073M |pages=1–3|url=https://openlibrary.org/books/OL675073M/The_lands_of_Mission_San_Miguel|ref=refOhles1997}} The Bay of San Simeon is mentioned in the records of San Miguel Mission for 1830. San Simeon was named for Rancho San Simeon, although the town-site is actually north of that rancho, on the former Rancho Piedra Blanca, a Mexican land grant given in 1840 to José de Jesús Pico. In 1865, Pico sold part of the rancho to George Hearst, the father of William Randolph Hearst.

The first Europeans to settle in the immediate area near the bay of San Simeon were Portuguese shore whalers under the command of Captain Joseph Clark (born Machado) from the Cape Verde Islands, around 1864.{{cite web|url=http://www.historyinslocounty.org/Shore%20Whaling%20by%20Pavlik.htm|title=Shore Whaling at San Simeon Bay |author1=Pavlik, Robert C.|website=HISTORY IN SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430110915/http://www.historyinslocounty.org/Shore%20Whaling%20by%20Pavlik.htm|archive-date=2009-04-30}} In 1869, Captain Clark built a wharf near the point for his whaling station. A small community grew near the 1869 wharf, but the waves near the wharf were too high, and the wharf was abandoned. In 1878, Hearst built a new wharf, and the small community moved near the new wharf. A general store (later Sebastian's Store) was built near the Clark wharf, and then relocated near the 1878 wharf.[http://cambriahistory.org/?p=818 History of Sebastian's Store] Shore whaling continued on the point until the mid-1890s. It ceased for a short time, started up again in 1897, and continued until about 1908 when it ceased for good.{{cite web|author1=Bertao, David E. |title=The Portuguese Shore Whalers of California, 1854–1904|url=https://portuguesemuseum.org/?page_id=1808&exhibit=26&event=218|location=San Jose, Calif.|publisher=The Portuguese Historical Museum|date=2006|pages=159–169, 177}}

In 1953, the Hearst Corporation donated the William Randolph Hearst Memorial Beach, including the Hearst Pier, to San Luis Obispo County. It is currently part of Hearst San Simeon State Park.[http://www.slostateparks.com/hearst_memorial/default.asp W.R. Hearst Memorial Beach] at California State Parks The present-day San Simeon pier was built in 1957.{{cite web|url=http://sansimeonchamber.org/about-san-simeon/history/ |title=San Simeon History & Timeline|website=San Simeon, California| publisher=San Simeon Chamber of Commerce}}

The name San Simeon also refers to some geologic structures of the area, particularly elements of the coastal Jurassic-age landforms and ophiolite rock formations.{{cite book|author1=Wright, James E. |author2=Shervais, John W. |date=2008|title=Ophiolites, Arcs, and Batholiths: A Tribute to Cliff Hopson |url=https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/books/edited-volume/588/Ophiolites-Arcs-and-Batholiths-A-Tribute-to-Cliff|publisher=Geological Society of America| ISBN=0-8137-2438-4|pages=572}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the census-designated place covers an area of 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²), all of it land. The original townsite of San Simeon is at San Simeon Bay, and was the important 19th-century shipping point with the successive wharves that were built. San Simeon Acres, about 4 mi south of the original townsite at the mouth of Pico Creek, about halfway between old San Simeon and Cambria, was established in the 1950s. Most of the development at San Simeon Acres was in the 1960s to the 1980s. Many motels and cafes serve visitors to Hearst Castle, Big Sur and the beaches.{{cite web |url=http://www.big-sur-lodging.com/Big-Sur-California-Visitor-Guide/Pacific-Coast-Highway-Photo-Tour/pg-Big_Sur_CA_PCH-1_Vacation_Gallery/-05-San_Simeon_Acres_California_Motels_Hotels_Coastal_Resorts_near_Hearst_Castle.htm|title=San Simeon Acres|website=Big Sur Lodging | date=2004 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131212080536/http://www.big-sur-lodging.com/Big-Sur-California-Visitor-Guide/Pacific-Coast-Highway-Photo-Tour/pg-Big_Sur_CA_PCH-1_Vacation_Gallery/-05-San_Simeon_Acres_California_Motels_Hotels_Coastal_Resorts_near_Hearst_Castle.htm|archive-date=2013-12-12}}

San Simeon and the Hearst Castle area has a mild warm-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csb) featuring warm, dry summers & cool, wet winters that is moderated by its relative proximity to the Pacific coastline. NOW Data has readings from the San Simeon weather station since December 1999.

{{cite web

| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=lox

| title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data

| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

| accessdate = 1 September 2023}}

{{Weather box

|location = San Simeon, California (Hearst Castle), 1999–2020 averages, extremes 1999–present

|single line = Y

|Jan record high F = 84

|Feb record high F = 83

|Mar record high F = 85

|Apr record high F = 95

|May record high F = 94

|Jun record high F = 102

|Jul record high F = 101

|Aug record high F = 102

|Sep record high F = 109

|Oct record high F = 100

|Nov record high F = 89

|Dec record high F = 80

|Jan avg record high F = 74.6

|Feb avg record high F = 73.9

|Mar avg record high F = 76.8

|Apr avg record high F = 81.9

|May avg record high F = 84.6

|Jun avg record high F = 91.0

|Jul avg record high F = 91.9

|Aug avg record high F = 94.7

|Sep avg record high F = 96.1

|Oct avg record high F = 90.9

|Nov avg record high F = 83.1

|Dec avg record high F = 72.1

|year avg record high F = 100.3

|Jan high F = 59.8

|Feb high F = 59.5

|Mar high F = 62.3

|Apr high F = 64.9

|May high F = 69.3

|Jun high F = 72.9

|Jul high F = 75.0

|Aug high F = 77.3

|Sep high F = 78.2

|Oct high F = 74.0

|Nov high F = 65.6

|Dec high F = 58.9

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 53.2

|Feb mean F = 52.4

|Mar mean F = 54.6

|Apr mean F = 56.2

|May mean F = 60.5

|Jun mean F = 63.9

|Jul mean F = 66.1

|Aug mean F = 67.8

|Sep mean F = 69.1

|Oct mean F = 65.1

|Nov mean F = 58.0

|Dec mean F = 52.4

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 46.5

|Feb low F = 45.3

|Mar low F = 46.9

|Apr low F = 47.4

|May low F = 51.6

|Jun low F = 54.9

|Jul low F = 57.1

|Aug low F = 58.3

|Sep low F = 60.0

|Oct low F = 54.3

|Nov low F = 50.3

|Dec low F = 45.8

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 36.5

|Feb avg record low F = 34.5

|Mar avg record low F = 36.4

|Apr avg record low F = 37.3

|May avg record low F = 41.3

|Jun avg record low F = 44.7

|Jul avg record low F = 47.3

|Aug avg record low F = 48.2

|Sep avg record low F = 46.9

|Oct avg record low F = 46.4

|Nov avg record low F = 40.0

|Dec avg record low F = 35.5

|year avg record low F = 32.4

|Jan record low F = 28

|Feb record low F = 25

|Mar record low F = 32

|Apr record low F = 34

|May record low F = 38

|Jun record low F = 42

|Jul record low F = 45

|Aug record low F = 46

|Sep record low F = 42

|Oct record low F = 42

|Nov record low F = 32

|Dec record low F = 32

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 5.96

|Feb precipitation inch = 6.15

|Mar precipitation inch = 4.80

|Apr precipitation inch = 2.00

|May precipitation inch = 0.71

|Jun precipitation inch = 0.06

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.08

|Aug precipitation inch = 0.01

|Sep precipitation inch = 0.07

|Oct precipitation inch = 1.11

|Nov precipitation inch = 2.34

|Dec precipitation inch = 6.05

|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 7.6

|Feb precipitation days = 8.9

|Mar precipitation days = 7.3

|Apr precipitation days = 5.2

|May precipitation days = 2.4

|Jun precipitation days = 0.3

|Jul precipitation days = 0.2

|Aug precipitation days = 0.2

|Sep precipitation days = 0.5

|Oct precipitation days = 3.3

|Nov precipitation days = 4.6

|Dec precipitation days = 8.4

|Jan snow inch =

|Feb snow inch =

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|Apr snow inch =

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|Jun snow inch =

|Jul snow inch =

|Aug snow inch =

|Sep snow inch =

|Oct snow inch =

|Nov snow inch =

|Dec snow inch =

|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days =

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|Mar snow days =

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|May snow days =

|Jun snow days =

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|Aug snow days =

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|Dec snow days =

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00043882&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Hearst Castle, CA

|access-date = September 3, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 2006–2020)

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=lox

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Los Angeles

|access-date = September 3, 2023

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|2010= 462

|2020= 445

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2016}}

}}

File:Hearst pier, San Simeon.jpg.]]

File:Northern Elephant Seal rookery at San Simeon.jpg rookery, 7 miles north of San Simeon, California.]]

For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau has defined San Simeon as a census-designated place (CDP). The 2020 United States census reported that San Simeon had a population of 445. The population density was {{convert|558.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of San Simeon was 141 (31.7%) White, 1 (0.2%) African American, 10 (2.2%) Native American, 10 (2.2%) Asian, 0 (0.0%) Pacific Islander, 213 (47.9%) from other races, and 70 (15.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 296 persons (66.5%).{{cite web |title=San Simeon CDP, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=1600000US0668434 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 3, 2025}}

The whole population lived in households. There were 187 households, out of which 50 (26.7%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 74 (39.6%) were married-couple households, 10 (5.3%) were cohabiting couple households, 46 (24.6%) had a female householder with no partner present, and 57 (30.5%) had a male householder with no partner present. 71 households (38.0%) were one person, and 41 (21.9%) were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38. There were 108 families (57.8% of all households).{{cite web |title=San Simeon CDP, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.P16?g=1600000US0668434 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 3, 2025}}

The age distribution was 106 people (23.8%) under the age of 18, 37 people (8.3%) aged 18 to 24, 87 people (19.6%) aged 25 to 44, 123 people (27.6%) aged 45 to 64, and 92 people (20.7%) who were 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 43.5{{nbsp}}years. For every 100 females, there were 102.3 males.

There were 292 housing units at an average density of {{convert|366.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, of which 187 (64.0%) were occupied. Of these, 79 (42.2%) were owner-occupied, and 108 (57.8%) were occupied by renters.

{{clear}}

The San Simeon Community Services District provides water and sewerage.{{Cite news |last=Tanner |first=Kathe |date=December 8, 2023 |title=A tiny SLO County CSD considers calling it quits, plagued by lawsuits, regulatory hurdles |work=The Tribune |url=https://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article282768648.html}} The wastewater treatment plant is operated by a private company under contract with the district.{{Cite web |last=Velie |first=Karen |date=February 7, 2023 |title=State cites San Simeon for failures at wastewater facility |url=https://calcoastnews.com/2023/02/state-cites-san-simeon-for-failures-at-wastewater-facility/ |access-date=2023-02-09 |website=Cal Coast News}} The facility also processes sewage for Hearst Castle.{{Cite web |last=Velie |first=Karen |date=2024-07-10 |title=Hearst Castle agreement with San Simeon throws wrench into divestiture |url=https://calcoastnews.com/2024/07/hearst-castle-agreement-with-san-simeon-throws-wrench-into-divestiture/ |access-date=2024-07-10 |website=Cal Coast News |language=en-US}}

It is in the Coast Unified School District.{{cite news|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06079_san_luis_obispo/DC20SD_C06079.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: San Luis Obispo County, CA|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|date=December 18, 2020|page=1 (PDF p. 2/3)|access-date=2025-06-01}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st06_ca/schooldistrict_maps/c06079_san_luis_obispo/DC20SD_C06079_SD2MS.txt Text list] It also includes surrounding rural areas.

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|San Simeon, California}}

{{Wikivoyage|San Simeon}}

• [https://visitsansimeonca.com/ Chamber of Commerce]
• [https://visitsansimeonca.com/san-simeon-history/ History of San Simeon and the Hearst Family]
• [http://cambriahistory.org/?p=818 History of San Simeon and Sebastian store]
• [https://www.photohound.co/spot/san-simeon-pier-1002086 San Simeon pier on Photohound]

{{San Luis Obispo County, California}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Census-designated places in San Luis Obispo County, California

Category:Populated coastal places in California

Category:Census-designated places in California