The most well known (and beautiful) spaces at San Simeon are the pools. While the
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My favorite shot of the pool - the shaded loggia which surrounds the pool with views of the ocean, the mountains and up the Big Sur. Can't you just see yourself here with a stack of magazines and cool drinks?
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In the background, notice the lights on concrete 'terms' which I discussed in my post on
lanterns. I love those ionic columns!
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This pool was known as the temporary pool, built originally for the visit of Hearst's semi-estranged sons in 1924 who were living with his wife in NY and eventually rebuilt 3 times by 1936 into what we see today.
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The focus of the pool is the temple, pieced together from Hearst's extensive collection of Roman antiquities. The entire estate feels like one big jig-saw puzzle at times! The parts which were missing were simply recreated to finish off the building.
Above you see the pool filler, a bit fancier than yours at home?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07u0QKl5zfOU8PlgevXLvDSYrP67Vmj3Cxi8VMnZTgmIaa-jORAqv1z_UeQtdj1uwLKc-x9yKc7kk074PnYUhJUp2Vvpx6nuBY7TBmuVjkIYky9TN2fkKZJS2LBSOQtK4i9-Z7VVY_Kk/s400/pool+ladder.jpg)
Another beautiful marble pool ladder.
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The white marble glows blue, as you can see, due to the blue tilework. We need more blue pools like this today, so refreshing!
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The ceilings of the loggia were also marble with a light fixture in each coffer.
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This grouping of statues depicting the birth of Venus in the corner against the hillside was not antique but rather carved in the 1930s by Italian artisans.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1skL8Sb8Q0IY49BB7k8XrsYpp1239Z1EbjF0BSqvKHNeHDUMeBjZcIk8sPhBGBwET9on6jLr79gUp7niMT37YOMYmhb6lDAI_0ofnp3VcA1oFEVMgtR-alTd7QFGZaIURt-Uud8H5WFs/s400/marble+statues.jpg)
As you can tell from the shot below, the estate is located 5 miles on the top of a huge hill from the base at the ocean (and route 1). The 'camp' of houses exists further up the hill from the pool.
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I hope you enjoyed the tour of the Neptune Pool, just what we need in this record heat!