Hearst Ranch in California: History, What It Raises, How It Makes Money and How to Contact It
Profile updated November 2026
Hearst Ranch in San Simeon has been a working cattle ranch since George Hearst bought the Piedra Blanca rancho in 1865. The ranch says it covers about 83,000 acres surrounding Hearst Castle, and it sells grass-finished beef under the Hearst Ranch Beef label.
| Location | San Simeon, San Luis Obispo County, California |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1865 |
| Sectors | grass-fed cattle; beef program; wine; renewable energy |
| Scale | About 83,000 acres at San Simeon per the ranch; The Land Report also describes about 73,000 acres at Jack Ranch near Paso Robles |
| Why it is notable | Large working coastal ranch with a perpetual conservation easement on 80,200 acres and humane handling certification |
| Ownership | Hearst family; The Land Report profile names a fifth-generation family member as manager |
| Official website | Hearst Ranch official site |
History of Hearst Ranch
George Hearst bought nearly 50,000 acres of Piedra Blanca Rancho in 1865, and the ranch grew past 250,000 acres in the early 20th century. In 1940 the family sold about 153,000 inland acres to the U.S. Army, which became Fort Hunter Liggett.
In 2005 a conservation project placed a perpetual easement on 80,200 acres east of Highway 1 and transferred 13 miles of coastline to the state. The California Rangeland Trust holds the easement and monitors it, according to The Land Report.
What Hearst Ranch Grows and Raises
The Land Report says San Simeon and Jack Ranch are traditional cattle operations: calves are born in fall, weaned in summer, and moved to a certified humane processor at around 1,200 pounds. The beef is finished only on native rangeland or irrigated pasture, about 1,400 acres of which are irrigated.
The ranch notes humane handling certification through Global Animal Partnership and an upgrade of its Herefords to purebreds early in its history. Its site also lists a winery and a renewable energy page.
How Hearst Ranch Makes Money
Grass-fed beef
The ranch sells Hearst Ranch Beef, including a seasonal program with Whole Foods Market's Southern Pacific region that began in 2011 and reached 41 stores by 2017, as the ranch states.
Visitor sales
A Hearst Ranch Beef kiosk opened at the Hearst Castle Visitor Center in 2007, tying direct sales to a high-traffic site.
Wine and land stewardship
The ranch lists a winery, renewable energy and conservation work as part of how it uses its land.
Farm Insight: What Other Operators Can Learn from Hearst Ranch
Hearst Ranch shows how a large ranch can add value instead of volume: a recognized label, verified practices and one big retail partner. Smaller ranches can copy the pattern with local grocers and third-party verified claims.
A second lesson is that a conservation easement can pay off for both the land and the brand. It protects the working landscape and gives the beef program a credible story. Landowners should compare easement terms with a land trust and tax adviser before signing.
Hearst Ranch is a place where the cows have a better view than most hotel guests. At farm.FM we file the coastline under farm satire, because grass-fed steers grazing beside a castle is a scene no sitcom could script. Our farm humor and ranch humor readers say the farm jokes here come with an ocean breeze.
Readers who want the full experience can pair the jokes with Tractor Tunes, the country music for farmers that farm.FM, the nation's first satirical farm site, plays between stories. This author page is a fine starting point.
How to Contact Hearst Ranch
Website: https://www.hearstranch.com/
Address: P.O. Box 66, San Simeon, CA 93452
Phone: 805-927-4611
Contact details as published on the ranch's own website, November 2026. The ranch is a working operation; confirm before traveling.
Hearst Ranch Sources and Agriculture Authority Links
- Hearst Ranch official site - The ranch's own website
- Hearst Ranch: Piedra Blanca history - Acreage, timeline and awards
- The Land Report: Hearst Ranch case study - Independent coverage of the cattle and beef program
- USDA Census of Agriculture - Federal farm counts and sector data
- USDA NASS Quick Stats - County and state crop and livestock statistics
Hearst Ranch FAQ
Where is Hearst Ranch?
It is in San Simeon on the central California coast.
How big is Hearst Ranch?
The ranch says about 83,000 acres at San Simeon.
What does Hearst Ranch sell?
It sells grass-fed beef under the Hearst Ranch Beef label and also lists a winery.
Is the land protected?
Yes. A 2005 conservation project placed a perpetual easement on 80,200 acres.
Hearst Ranch shows how a historic Central Coast ranch pairs scale with stewardship and a recognizable beef brand. For wider context on California ranching, read the California farms guide and the other profiled operations.