Few places better capture the opulence of early–20th century California than Hearst Castle ... In 2014, the pool was drained because it was leaking up to 5,000 gallons of water a day.

I arrive in the early evening after a torrentially rainy day via BART with a bursting overnight bag, packed with the means to make the most of my short stay. Workout clothes, shoes and other ...

The billiards room features an antique fireplace from another of Hearst’s trophy homes: Hearst Castle in San Simeon ... a tennis pavilion and an Olympic-sized pool, the Beverly Hills estate ...