We love to visit the Hacienda on Fort Hunter Liggett. It's like taking a trip back in time to a hidden oasis. The building was originally the office building for the Hearst Ranch, but nowadays it's an inn for visitors on their way to north or or south. You have to call ahead to make a reservation. Notice that reservations can be canceled if they are having a big event on Fort Hunter Liggett. You book online and then when you arrive, if you're there before 4:30 o'clock, you can get a code that lets you access a key on a lockbox on the door. Be aware that if you arrive after 4:30 you have to call a number and get the code over the phone. The lockbox on the door is a bit tricky and it took us a couple of tries to unlock it. We were glad we booked ahead because they had given us a downstairs tower room and we wanted an upstairs tower room and we were able to transfer. It also takes forethought to get on the base at Hunter-Liggett. You need to have either a real ID or a passport to enter the base nowadays. They no longer require that you show registration or proof of insurance for your car. The rooms have been redecorated in the past five years, and the look and quality of the furniture are much more suited to a lodge that you would stop at in the middle of a long trip. There's a big sturdy double bed and a bureau with a little barn door where they hid the extra blankets. There are two lounge chairs, and a working TV, although it has very limited channels. There are no movie channels and they're only 10 commercial channels out of about 100 that Comcast offers. There's also a small refrigerator with a freezer and a microwave. The coffee maker, however, is the smallest I have ever seen, smaller than even a Keurig and they don't provide cups to use. There were only plastic cups for the coffee and even paper cups with tops would've been preferable. There is a very small amount of coffee and sugar available, but there's no creamer of any kind. The room was big and quiet and even though there was a huge thunderstorm outside with lightning and snow on top of the Santa Cruz mountains, we managed to turn the small portable heater on and keep the room cozy. We were watching the Olympics, so it was kind of icy on TV, but wrapping up in the extra blankets provided a warm and comfortable place to sit out the storm. There is no food available at the Hacienda anymore. There used to be a breakfast with pastries and yogurt and coffee, but that is no longer available from the kitchen. We were also told that we should not access the Mess hall, so we settled for Liggett Lanes, the local bowling alley, which is the only thing open and available to civilians. They were very friendly there and I wrote them up under a different review. We were able to get wonderful taco Tuesday tacos and enjoyed them over at Liggett Lanes. They will also take online orders, which can be picked up there. We had brought a lot of food with us. My husband brought an entire cooked breakfast of sausage and eggs that he was able to warm up in the microwave in the morning. I enjoyed the little BelVita crackers they provided along with my yogurt and berries that I brought from home. We had also brought a small portable coffee maker and creamer which fit in the fridge, so we had nice coffee accompany our breakfast. We're now regarding the inn as kind of a camping site where you should bring all your own food pre-cooked because there aren't any cooking implements available. You could also buy food from a restaurant in King city to the North or south in Paso Robles before you drive up. Check out time is 11am. We had a great nights sleep because the walls are so thick in that building. The room was nice and cozy, so we were able to pop up and explore the base and surrounding countryside. read more

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The place was absolutely fantastic for a getaway. We were welcomed by a really helpful and friendly host named Oscar. He made us feel right at home from the moment we arrived. Seriously, his great personality made the whole experience even better. I'd definitely recommend staying here if you're looking for a wonderful time. If you are looking for a place to eat, I would recommend their restaurant. The food was the best I ever had. Emily was our server and she was friendly and knowledgeable . Be sure to have the seafood pie, it's to die for . read more

Excellent food, top service. A bonus is going when the mariachis are playing. I highly recommend this restaurant. Go early to look at the beautiful artifacts in the building. read more

Love this place. It is authentic California Mission History. If you like The old mission architecture, ca history, and oak trees - this is it! If you are looking for a resort vacation and luxury, don't come here. It is rustic, air conditioning only in the suites if it works, not much lighting at night, no night life unless you create it, not much for food nearby, and tv channels are minimal. No office staff at night. Army wake-up and taps at night. Excellent ambiance, views, hiking, and solitude. Unique experience! read more

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Staying at the Hacienda has been on my bucket list. Getting on base was easier. We brought our passports, since I don't have a Real ID. The rooms are nice here. We stayed in a tower room. The bar was closed, the Subway on the base was closed, but it was still a good time. You're there for the history and the experience. Be warned that since it's on a military base, you'll get a wake up bugle at 6:30am. read more

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Very cool experiencing history. Stayed in the tower suite as well as the mini suite. The architecture is beautiful and the rooms reflected that as well with exposed beams in the rooms. The furniture was a bit dated but comfortable nonetheless. It is located on post at Fort Hunter Liggett but it available to the general public. I recommend staying here just for the experience. I gave it 4 stars because of the dated furniture, otherwise a cool place to stay a night or too...did i mention its cheap!!?? read more

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The Hacienda itself is a beautiful building built in 1930 by Julia Morgan, the architect behind the magnificent Hearst Castle some 30 miles away. If you are a fan of the Moorish revival architecture it is quite a sight to behold. The rates for staying are quite reasonable -- we paid $90 for a two bedroom suite! The grounds immediately surrounding this lodging are well kept and it was peaceful and quiet. We were able to enjoy some beers we brought in on the back patio. Now -- the bad, and this is what knocks two stars off: the Hacienda is located on a military base. You have to have current passports or a "Real ID" -- call to find out (if you can get ahold of a live human being -- good luck with that). That's the least of your worries. The problem is the military has no time/manpower to run the Hacienda so they contract it out to quite possibly the least competent "vendor" I've ever seen in my life. 1. Checking in: get this -- you can't check in til 3:00 but if you get there after 4:30 you are SOL! There is sign on the locked check-in door listing a phone number to call if you come after hours -- but the number connects you to an unhelpful message that says the mailbox "is full"!! Double SOS! We frantically looked through our email and found vague instructions on a code to get into our room. 2. The wretched "restaurant." There are two buildings across from each other with a small walkway between the two. There is absolutely no sign on the restaurant so we had to guess. Inside the dimly lit, cavernous room are a hodgepodge collection of mismatched tables and chairs. No sign, no hostess, no clue! A big-screen TV blares "Judge Judy"-style nonsense which quickly gives you an idea of the mentality behind the people who run this place. We sat down and were stared at by three of the lethargic workers who stood by a counter. One of them eventually left to disappear outside, one sighed wearily and went back to the kitchen and the remaining one, dragging her feet, finally came up to us (at this point we were the restaurant's only patrons) telling us we had to order from the counter. A listing of hot dogs and hamburgers greeted us. Better than nothing, I guess. 3. Amenities. Apparently there is a bowling alley, a swimming pool and a movie theater in the vicinity which civilians can use. As there was no MAP given to us (why not leave some out for visitors to utilize?) and no SIGN anywhere that would helpfully show us where these places were we had no idea! We asked the dour barkeep where the bowling alley was -- she said it was in the restaurant a few feet away which they were renovating -- we later found out this was not true! There is one, somewhere else on the base. It would have been fun to bowl a game or two but we had no clue where the alley was and there was literally no one around to help out. 4. Breakfast. The cheapness of the vendor in charge is mind-blowing. Unless you are in the military or retired military you are SOL. From some of the older reviews I read they used to provide at least a continental breakfast. How cheap can you be to not even provide that? Going back to the reviews, apparently some people are able to finagle a breakfast from the Commissary (wherever that was -- again, no maps). The vendors helpfully provided a plastic-packaged "breakfast set" a muffin, a fruit cup and a hard boiled egg in the fridge. Enough for one person. There is a coffee maker but as it was situated on top of the microwave which itself was on top of the small fridge the cord was not long enough. It was a balancing act as I had to hold the coffeemaker in my lap to make coffee -- which was so ghastly when finally brewed I chucked it out (might want to clean this one). They couldn't afford a $10 table to put the coffee maker on? And why couldn't they have the restaurant open in the mornings? As we wanted to visit the nearby (and very cool) Mission, also on the base, we ended up not eating anything til 12:00. There is literally nowhere to eat within 10-20 miles. As others have stated, bring a cooler with PLENTY OF FOOD. My suggestions: I would seriously recommend getting a new vendor to run things. Jack up the price a little if you have to. Have a competent person working the office more than 1.5 hours a day and hire employees who act like they actually enjoy being there. This is a BEAUTIFUL building and I can easily see some energetic people making this inn a wonderful place to visit. read more

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It's a bit unfair to review this place as it's limited access to military and those with access. However, it is a 'must see' if you're there. Before I go into all the wonders - this is a bar - run by a DoD specific organization. Thus, it's a bit basic, service is, a bit basic. So, you're not going to find crazy different craft beer made with unicorn dust and Himalayan herbs. The building, and the room, are something to behold. Built for Randolph Hearst as a lodge, it's all along the lines of Hearst: over the top grandeur. A fire place large enough to stand in. Huge tile floors. Thick adobe style walls. A view of the valley that'll sink your heart. Great walking areas around there. Simply, a beautiful place to see if you're in the area. read more

I love one-of-a-kind historic places, and this lodge has it all. In the Tower Room with the Hearst/Julia Morgan features of handcarved shutters and doors, flower shaped windows, and giant wooden beams, I feel as if Errol Flynn or Jean Harlowe could be in the room next door. It really takes you back to another time. A ranch house with guest rooms, Hearst never finished the second wing, and didn't allow hunting on his property. It is really an away from it all setting that has remained natural since it became part of the Hunter-Liggett military base. There are only a few rooms with bathrooms-the tower rooms are spacious, with soft new bedding on a comfortable queen bed, table, wide screen tv, fridge and microwave, so bring your own food and drink. The cowboy rooms have bathrooms down the hallway. Breakfast is included and is in the main dining room. The giant hall has no food available but serves beer and wine, and was very quiet on this Friday night. A few military stopped in. The views of the pastoral area are amazing, and the Mission San Antonio is just down the road and worth a visit, even if you do have to pass through security point again to access the mission. The road is in the process of being repaved, and circles around the military base to a different gate. Call for reservations since there are few rooms, and if the office isn't open, you will be left a key in a lockbox. Details will be emailed to you. Cell service works great, but since the walls are poured cement, the free wifi didn't work very well in the room. Make sure you book in at the Historic Hacienda and ask for a Tower Room. 831-386-2900. read more

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Beautiful big building with views of a somewhat remote valley with large oaks. My favorite California mission, San Antonio, is nearby. Activities include hiking and swimming in big holes in the Arroyo Seco Creek in the nearby Ventana Wilderness and visiting the historic mission. Bring reading material. We hiked a mile down to the river from Escondido campground in the Los Padres National Forest and found a decent pool. Yeah, torture getting in but great after a few minutes! I'm writing this from one of the Hacienda verandas and it is 104F right now :-). Very dry heat. No problem for us, just more cold Chardonnay. The nice breeze makes the heat comfortable. Some current info: 1. The restaurant is closed for possible renovation into a grill. My guess is won't be open until 2019 or later, maybe. There is a Subway nearby on base for breakfast, lunch, and dinner but with a microwave and refer in our room we brought our own food and wine. Great dinning here while looking over the valley and watching rabbits and owls in late evening! When you sit in the front you don't know the army base exists. 2. The is no guard entering army property but the Hacienda is surrounded on three sides by an active base and since not long after 9/11/01 the Hacienda has been fenced into the base. I used to just drive up to it but now you get a police check so bring your drivers license and vehicle registration. They'll give you a pass for your stay and you have access to the base exchange and gym. 3. The bar is open 5 to 8 on the weekends, but was open much longer last night, Friday. Maybe on weekdays but don't plan on it. It is beautiful and staff is friendly. Staff said it is usually very quiet, and sure is this weekend. 4. We are in a Tower room. This is a small tower, not the main one. Wonderful room! Big and Spanish Colonial with large old style windows. No aircon but the thick walls are keeping it about 76. 5. The pool is gone but I was told you can use the one at the nearby gym if it isn't busy with military. 6. We are mostly alone here. We saw an army guy arrive this morning, Saturday, run up to a Tower room, change into uniform, and leave. That's it except for a few folks at the bar yesterday. We could run around outside naked for hours and no one would notice. We don't want to scare the wildlife though. Really, the whole grounds to ourselves for $90/ night. 7. The coffee pot in the room wasn't clean and broken anyway and there was no breakfast in the refer. We have our camping gear so don't care. When you come, be prepared. Other than that, typical 3 star setup, but vastly better ambiance!!! (One of the two maids just got diagnosed with cancer so that may be the issue. Bad news of course.) 8. There is WiFi and at least ATT Wireless. I have 3 bars on my iPad but less on iPhones. However, no password in the rooms and no staff around but I got the PW from the bartenderess in the evening. hacienda88. However, no connection to the Internet. They have equipment problems. Not that we care but we are Silicon Valley techies and have our computers with us in case of inspiration. 9. No photography allowed but we were told to be subtle and don't shoot the base, period. Shoot only the Hacienda when no one is looking. 10. Normally the office is open on Saturdays but wasn't this Saturday. 11. They play taps at 10 PM and reveille is at 6:30 PM. Apparently some civilian guests don't like the 6:30 wakeup by bugle but you are on an active base so live with it. Besides, if you are there in the summer you need to start your hike early. 12. If you don't want to be there with 8,000 army folks then ask the reservation woman, Annette, to schedule you for a quiet time when the base is very quiet. It was deserted when we were there but the week before the Hacienda was full and lots of activity. 13. The military has priority there. That means if they decide to take over for a weekend or whatever than civilian reservations can be moved or cancelled. They give at least two weeks notice. Also, the bowling alley and such may be off limits to civilians if the fort is busy with exercises. 14. My wife told me to add that she loves this place. Really happy! read more

If you read all the other reviews, you get the big picture. The Hacienda is a historic building(s) built in 1930 that has been mostly modernized. A bit rough around the edges, and more of a retreat than a resort. Typically quiet and not terribly busy, unless there are GIANT army exercises on the post. Had a "cowboy" room sans bathroom (no sink, either), and walking down the ambulatory to the common restrooms/showers brought back memories of church camp and my first college dorm. Pizza and beer at the bowling ally are satisfying but hardly gourmet. We ate on the patio and had the opportunity to chat with reserve soldiers from San Diego. Pretty cool! If you bear in mind that the Hacienda is on a functioning army post--and you like that kind of atmosphere--you'll enjoy your experience. Did I mention that it's on the east end of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road, ~25 miles of two-lane with PCH on the west end? read more

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What an interesting place with a lot of character. I stayed in the tower. At $90 a night, it was well worth the price. However, there's no air con in the room. While it wasn't too for me (May), it could be later in the summer. read more

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Super cute place. Inconvenient location and the a/c doesn't work so you have to open the windows or you'll die of heat. However, you can't open the window without opening the blinds so there's no privacy. For the price it really is great and a fun little place to stay! read more

The point of visiting here is the experience. It's not fair to review this place based on regular hospitality-industry expectations. There's nothing regular about The Hacienda. My "five star" rating is about the historic and unique aspect, nothing else. This lodge was completed in 1930 for William Randolph Hearst on his HUGE estate. He then sold it and lots of surrounding land to the US Army in 1940 - supposedly to pay off some tax debts. That means The Hacienda is on an active military base, which requires some patience and understanding. It'll be easier for you to find if you use a real map (as in the paper kind). Staff here is friendly and helpful, but extremely limited. Your patience, kindness and persistence will be rewarded. Most likely, the office will be closed when you arrive and depart, as it was for us. Retrieve your room keys from the lockbox located outside the office using the code provided in your "welcome" e-mail. Drop them off at the same spot in the "leave keys here" box. "Help" phone numbers are posted in the office window, so don't panic. We stayed in a "cowboy room" - total for the night was $50. Communal bathrooms (one for men, one for women) with separate-stall showers are within easy reach a few doors down the ambulatory. Wi-fi is free, check at the bar for the password. Ask for Suzanne and she can tell you about the place and if she has time, maybe even show you around. She has a tough enough job to keep the place running on DoD rules and regulations, so be nice. It's an Army base with bowling alley, post office, PX, movie theater, etc. What's open depends on the level of activity on the base; pretty much everything was closed for our one-day stay. Bar was open, so we could see the huge fireplace. Fortunately, there were some Army personnel with a kegger in the dining hall - and they allowed us to check out the huge mural in exchange for locking up when we left the room. Everything here is basic, almost rustic. Burnt out light bulbs. Tarantulas crossing the road. Peeling paint. To die-for scenery. Cobwebs. Hawks riding thermals. Accept the sub-par in exchange for the rest. Take a drive through Jolon. Everyone will wave at you and people will actually get out of their cars, cross the road and engage you in a conversation. Don't be afraid, they're just friendly that way. Getting to the coast is a beautiful drive over winding and bucolic Nacimiento-Fergusson Road. At the end you find Route 1: turn right to find Big Sur, Monterey and points north; turn left to head south to San Simeon, Cambria, Cayucos, LA. read more

A historic property built by a famous California architect and housed on an active military base surrounded on all sides by national forest lands and not one but two wilderness areas (Ventana, Silver Peak), the Hacienda is not for the faint of heart. Unless you are visiting friends or family at Fort Hunter Liggett, for which the Hacienda provides affordable accomodations, a visit here is something of a California Big Sur road trip pilgrimage, one that will require a little advanced planning on your part, and a fair bit of adventurousness thrown in for good measure. You and your guests will need to secure base access by submitting to an FBI background check, and you'll need to pick up your pass at the Vistor Center before entering the main gate of the base. It can also be difficult to make reservations by phone, since the staffing, while polite and helpful, is pretty minimal, and online reservations are not an option. If you want the deluxe experience, invest the $90/night in a Tower Room, which is the high end of the room choices and offers the best introduction to the historic nature of the former Hearst hunting lodge that catered to the rich, the well-connected, the beautiful, or the famous. Otherwise, a $50 Cowboy Room, which features separate shared (and clean) bathrooms and showers for men and women, as well as a mini-fridge in each room is a cost-effective alternative. While there are food and bar options available, and while the base has a gas station, bowling alley, movie theater, and grocery/convenience store on site to which Hacienda guests have access, a good idea in fair weather (spring, summer, early fall) is to bring your own food and beverages and dine outside on the beautiful patio picnic area, where you can look out over the lush surroundings of the San Antonio valley and savor the setting sun over the Santa Lucia mountains. If you're arriving from US-101 via King City, you should consider a stop at the Schied Family Vineyards tasting room outside Greenfield (11 am-5 pm) to pick up some bottles of wine to enjoy with your meals. An electronic water kettle also gives you the means to make things like tea and pour over coffee (I bring a Hario hand grinder and V60 dripper to make fresh cups using locally roasted beans purchased en route at a place like Vertigo in San Juan Bautista or Dark Nectar in Templeton) as well as breakfast fare like oatmeal, although the room also comes with a basic continental breakfast ($5 for additional ones), which comes with fruit, yogurt, orange juice, muffin, boiled egg, jam or honey, a granola bar, or some variation of the same. A good dinner option is to bring along bread, cheese, and farmers market veg (radishes, cucumbers, tomatoes in season etc), and to enjoy a chilled glass of Scheid white wine (they come with screw top closures rather than corks). Bring your own glasses, though (we bring plastic stemless wine glasses and titanium camping mugs for the coffee), unless you want to use the disposables provided in the rooms. The Hacienda feels like an unlikely place, part living history museum, part base camp for hiking and exploring the Los Padres national forest, part working US army facility where live fire exercises are not uncommon, and where the howls of local coyote packs often break the stillness of the early morning hours. If you are planning an ascent of Junipero Serra Peak and don't want to camp at Indians Station, you can stay at the Hacienda and get an early predawn start to your hike, then return back to the lushly landscaped grounds to enjoy a hearty meal and hot shower when you get back. A more perfect California road trip adventure can hardly be imagined, especially if you leave the Hacienda heading west toward Highway 1 on Fergusson Nacimiento Road, which will drop you off at the foot of the Pacific within easy reach of San Simeon and Hearst Castle to the south, or to Big Sur Station, Monterey, and the Carmel Valley to the north, with iconic stops like Essalen, Nepenthe, the Henry Miller Library, McWay Falls, the Bixby Bridge, and Point Lobos all within a day's drive. If you're looking for a slightly different way to explore the Big Sur interior, build a short 1-2 day stop at the Hacienda into your road trip itinerary. It's a pretty memorable place, utterly unique, and highly unlikely. If the Hacienda did not already exist, it would surely have to be invented. As it is, it hardly seems real, and you will leave with more questions than answers. That condition, in the existential "why are we here and where are we going?" grand scheme of the things, is what makes the Hacienda much more than a place to stop for the night, but a deeply philosophical human experience that cannot be had anytime or anywhere else - even if you are not aware of it at the time. Then again, maybe it's just a room with a view, That's for you to decide; but my mind is already made up, at least until the next visit. read more

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My dad and I stayed at the Hacienda during our recent trip to the Paso Robles/Southern Monterey County region. This review will cover both the history of the Hacienda itself, as well as my personal experience. Before I begin, I should warn of one thing: As one reviewer stated, The Hacienda is on an active Army base. You will have to either be with someone who has a Department of Defense ID to get onto the base (my dad is a retired Marine and Vietnam veteran, so I was able to visit with him). If you're a civilian however, be prepared to have to go through security measures, depending on the current alert status. Make sure everyone in your party has TWO forms of current, valid ID (the more the better), and current vehicle registration. If something is even remotely fishy, the MPs may turn you away at the gate, despite reservation status. Now to the history: This historical property was a summer home and hunting lodge. once owned by newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, and is located just over the Coast Range from his more famous abode, Hearst Castle. Hearst used this as guest housing during activities in the area. Designed by architect Julia Morgan, The Hacienda replaced and expanded an earlier structure known as the Milpitas Ranch House that was destroyed by a fire in the 1920s. The valley The Hacienda is in also has had some historical figures predating Hearst visit the area. The San Antonio Valley was first visited by Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portolà in 1769. It was based on his recommendation that Saint Fr. Junípero Serra established Mission San Antonio de Padua (the 3rd in the chain of 21 missions) in 1771. The mission, which is just adjacent to the base, thrived until the secularization of the missions in the 1830s. The original El Camino Real runs just off of the hill the Hacienda is on. So for those of you who wish to follow in Serra's footsteps, or are just history buffs, I recommend visiting. The town of Jolon was established on the base site in the 1860s as a gold mining town. Once the gold ran out, the town went bust. It is still the namesake for Jolon Rd, the roadway used to get to the base from either San Miguel or King City. When the gold petered out in the early 20th Century, Hearst came into the picture and bought up all the land. He hired Morgan to replace the burned Ranch House, and the rest is history. The building itself was built of poured concrete, instead of adobe brick, but was given a Moorish Revival style. Despite being owned by him, Hearst himself never stayed at this property, as confirmed by multiple staff members. As it turns out, a proposed southern wing for Hearst's private quarters was never completed. So the plan was that he would have his own quarters, but they never built it. This property also has connections to the era's Hollywood elite. Guests of Hearst at The Hacienda included: Spencer Tracy, Dick Powell, western star Will Rogers, "Gone with the Wind" leading man Clark Gable, President Herbert Hoover, starlets Jean Harlow and Leslie Howard, and swashbuckling star Errol Flynn. Eventually, Hearst sold the land and The Hacienda to the US Government, who created Fort Hunter Liggett around the land donated to them. During WWII, The Hacienda served as housing for the base's CO, and the current bar functioned as the Officers' Club. In 1999, Fort Hunter Liggett and The Hacienda were studied during the Base Realignment and Closure commission. The historical structure was deemed to be a valuable cultural asset due to its connection to Hearst, and was thus spared from the closure axe. Today it is a integral part of the base, and is well worth a visit. That wraps up the history, now to my personal review. My dad and I stayed in Tower Room B, which was on the bottom floor and was quite spacious. The DirecTV was wonderful; I managed to catch old episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as the local news on KSBW. The room itself was very nice, with wooden shutters, and a comfortable couch bed. Our particular night stay was on Super Bowl Sunday. The staff put on a Super Bowl party for the guests and locals on the base itself. It was the first time I was able to share a Super Bowl Sunday with my dad in 20 years (PERSONAL NOTE: the last time was Super Bowl XXIX, the last time the 49ers won a Super Bowl). That alone made this trip extremely special. So whether you're a current or retired soldier on the road, or a civilian history buff seeking to see and experience something unique, definitely give this place a stay. You won't be disappointed. read more

For all those complaining out there, do your due diligence and research where you're going. You're paying pennies for this room. Don't expect the waldorf! What we had learned before we arrived: there are no amenities at this hotel. The pool was closed, the restaurant closed, the staff leaves after 430 pm. If you are active duty or retired you can shop at the commissary but since we went on July 4 weekend, we didn't expect it to be open. They provide you breakfast via a breakfast box every morning (only 1). An extra would cost $5. The hotel is old, and the army hasn't put any money in it for maintenance. With this said, you'll find cobwebs, chipped doors, fuzzy lights. However, your room is clean, the bed soft, the bathroom is clean, and there's a tv & dvd player. We knew the closest restaurant was 25 minutes away, so we packed all of our food in a cooler. What we were happy to discover: The commissary was open. There is a redbox open to the public. There actually was an air conditioning unit in the room! They had free wifi I used the entire trip. There was a vending machine with drinks and snacks if you become desperate. What I was disappointed to find: The bar never opened. We couldn't find the grill others have mentioned. They changed our room number without informing us. We had to call them at 3 am when we arrived to verify. They answered so this wasn't an issue for us. However, another couple checked in a few days later with a similar issue. I'm not sure if it was rectified, but we noticed we never saw their car again. Lastly, and probably the worst: At one point drain gnats were flying up the shower drain. This only happened one morning because the rest of the stay they were gone. However, that is pretty nasty. Bring shower shoes. read more

Five Stars for historic import of this place alone. The feds make it a pretty tall order to stay here with all the paperwork, but if you are a California native, the tie in with Hearst and Julia Morgan is worth the visit. Don't complain about the room; you are staying in a piece of California history! read more

We stayed on a Saturday night and it was great! We had a tower room and the queen bed was fine, the hot shower in the cute bathroom was excellent. It's VERY quiet and peaceful, despite being an active Army base and quiet was what we were after. The Verizon cell service was fine, if that's important to you. We had the bowling alley to ourselves at 16.30 and it's just $3.25 per game. It was too hot for my liking for any hiking except early mornings (we were there in early June). You can hunt and fish on base and I'll be back for deer and pig hunting this fall. Bring your own food and water; the rooms have small refrigerators and a microwave. You can get pizza at the bowling alley. There is movie theater and post office next door to the theater. The mission is a very nice experience also. This is nice place and a unique experience. Lots of history here and overall a relaxing time. read more

I come here on a monthly basis due to military duties. The Hacienda, which I did not know about was a historic property building by a famous California architect. He lived on an active military base, which was (is) surrounded on all sides by national forest lands. The Hacienda was nice... with natural beauty. However, it was (is) located inside Fort Hunter Liggett, which means not just anyone can come in. Need government ID. But I liked it. It was nice. Had fun talking to my battalion commander. Enjoyed the evening. read more

I can't.. this place. Ugh kill me please. If youre into the.. how do I say this...olden days type stuff, then youd have a blast here. I like hot water, and clean sheets, and heat, and maybe a television that kinda works. if you dont get the better of the rooms, youre stuck in the 'cowboy' room that has no bathroom. Seriously! You have to walk out to the community bathroom thats across from a bar. If you have small children, I recommend walking them there. The carpet smells moldy too, dont take your shoes off :( Last time I stayed here the power in our room blew out, and there little plug in heater was of no use. So glad I brought a comforter with me, otherwise im sure I would have died from being so cold. Giving it two stars because the better of the rooms are a little better, but still so sketch!! read more

Very unpleasant. The pictures that our hostess provided were beautiful, however when we arrived the rooms looked nothing like in the pictures. The hostess notified us of a "slight remodeling" but failed to mention that it was not just minor changes but the entire magic of the hacienda was lost. Everything is filthy. Rat poop on the patio table, grime on all the skillets, and the place looked like it hadn't been vacuumed in years (only the cutlery was clean)The bar that was said to be open is closed and there is no immediate staff available to access the main office. Just yesterday, a man who rented a room somehow found his way to where my family was staying to ask where the staff was as no one told him where his room was and where to get the key to unlock it. The previous reviews are from before remodeling. Now it is completely different read more

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Loved this place! Very quite and serene... Perfect for a family or a couple trying to get away from busy metropolitan life! The place has historic significance and is very charming. We stayed in the cowboy room (no adjacent bathroom) and loved it! The room had charm and our window opened up to the yard area overlooking the grass trees and flowering bushes. There was a bunny that I think lives there because people feed it occasionally, so cute! We discovered a mission near by about 5 min away, which was a wonderful surprise to see and explore, an unexpected bonus! Be ware that there are no real grocery stores or eateries within 20 miles so either bring food with you (they have a mini refrigerator in the room) or plan to eat in the bar that is only open Wed-Sat. Continental breakfast is served daily. read more

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This historical mission style building is really fun to stay at! If you appreciate old architecture, you will love this building built by Hearst in 1930. I loved the carved wood doors, spanish cut-outs and adobe style construction. The rooms were super clean and had beautiful windows. The view from the top of the grassy hill was amazing and the sunset lasted forever. Beautiful and serene country. This is an operating Army reserve training facility...so don't expect a McDonalds or Starbucks close by! read more

This place is a hidden gem for self sufficient travelers, it offers a unique experience in a very interesting historical location. The hard working staff is very friendly and the building is unique. Come for the ambiance and local history, be aware that the property is part of an active military base so proper check in procedures (valid ID, vehicle registration, insurance and background check) are required. This is NOT the spot for folks who demand constant attention from hotel staff and then complain about every little thing. This IS a GREAT place for folks who enjoy peaceful locations loaded with history and surrounded by awesome natural settings! read more

I stayed at the Hacienda for a weekend getaway and enjoyed it quite a bit. The rooms are small, simple, and quite cheap. The location, despite being in the heart of an Army base, is absolutely amazing. About 1/2 mile from the Hacienda is Mission San Antonio de Padua. It has been rebuilt (and moved a bit) after the original Mission fell into disrepair. A 30 minute drive toward the mountains puts you in pristine California wilderness. This place is called the Valley of the Oaks for a reason. There are endless fields of old gnarled oak trees in the valleys between the hills. There was one rock formation along Del Venturi road that was pretty impressive and would have been fun to climb if we had has more daylight. A 1.5 hour drive through a narrow, winding mountain road dumps you right out onto highway 1 at Mill Creek beach. We found it a great place to picnic (climb the rock right in the middle of the beach for a good lookout). There was plenty of sealife to look at in the tide pools - star fish, anemonies, crabs and limpets galore. The sign at this place says its a sea otter preserve, but we didn't see any. Unfortunately, since a large kelp bed is right there, it makes you think that everything is a sea otter. But I'm getting off track-back to the Hacienda. They have "cowboy" rooms at the Hacienda for $50 a night. It's just like any other hotel room except that you use a shared bathroom. Its kept quite clean and the showers are actually very nice. There was plenty of hot water and the pressure was very high. They also have tower and garden rooms, but neither of these were available. You should note that the number to reach the Hacienda on this review: http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/hearstcastle/a/hacienda.htm is wrong. The right phone number is listed above. My only complaint is that the walls are a little thin, but that's the case with any hotel. I was told not to trust the water on base - not because they've found problems with it, just that the annual report on the water quality didn't actually come out when it was due to. I expect that it's exactly the same as the water in LA. There is no cell phone reception on the base, and you have to go to one of the cafe's on the base to get online (and pay something like $6 a day to do so). Eating options are limited. There's a bowling alley on the base with a a cafe that servers burgers, pizza, clubs, etc. Nothing special. The cafe (the one with the internet access) is the same. There is a mess hall, and that seems to be the best option. They're cheap, and its all you can eat, but they try to serve DoD personell before civilians. They made an exception for us on a day it was supposed to be military-only because there was nobody in line behind us. (It was $4.25 per person for pretty decent cafeteria food.) I should note that one of us is vegetarian and we left satisfied. Getting to the fort is the hard part. It's quite out of the way, and the directions on Google maps can be confusing. Google maps' naming of streets on the base is for the most part inaccurate (except for Jolon Rd. and Mission Rd.), and the approach from the south can be confusing. Basically, after getting off of 101, you want to stay on Jolon Rd (G18) until you reach the checkpoint for the base. There is a point at which there is a sign that says "G18 End" on Jolon Rd. You continue going straight here, no need to turn even though your directions might say to follow G18. Once you reach the checkpoint the guards can give you easy directions anywhere on the base. They will not let you on to the base without ID for each passenger, a valid registration and proof of insurance. If you forget these you'll be turned back (or so I've heard). Overall, it was a great experience read more

We spent one night here and there was only one other guest in the place way on the other side of the building. Being two women we were a bit nervous but had a great time. The room we had was huge but dark. There is a pool behind a chain link fence and had maybe two chairs next to the pool for seating. There was something magical about the water in that pool. Maybe it is from a spring but we even got up early in the morning to take a swim because it was so magical. The restaurant was closed so we had to eat microwave food at the bowling alley for dinner. They left juice, coffee and rolls in the room for breakfast and we enjoyed them on in the sun at the picnic table outside out room - very quiet no one around. We went to visit the mission and after walking around the outer ground found out that the area is full of rattlesnakes - stay in your car. read more

Came onto Army base to see old mission San Antonio and Hacienda. Mission was great. Hacienda not available to visitors. It was fenced off. Looked neat from the road. read more

I was stationed at ft hunter liggett in 1982,83, ARMY..I Lived on this base for 2 yrs, it was a very isolated place for a soldier without a car, so most of us had a car to get off base and go to S.F OR L.A...I always seen people at the Hacienda and it was a true getaway, it seems like your in a different world there, check out the mission also, very cool stuff...I was 21 then, now I'm 51, memories abound there for me, Enjoy!!! read more

Fun, historical property. Clean rooms with special touches like a gas fireplace in addition to the wall heat. Room is a bit dark but wonderful for a late sleep and very quiet surroundings. Soft comfy mattress and extremely nice bedding. Scalding hot water, just takes a while to arrive. Clever "breakfast" box in the room with enough goodies to satisfy any diet restrictions. read more

For anyone who wants to stay at the Hacienda and hasn't before, READ THIS. This is not a review - there are lots of those - but an explanation as to how to reserve and what to expect. Background: I reserved and paid online on Friday, September 1 at 6am for a 1-night stay on Saturday, September 2. I never received the "Welcome" email or phone call that explains what is required to pass entry at the Fort Hunter-Leggett base guard gate, and how to obtain the room key. Ultimately, on the morning of September 2, started calling numbers on the base found on the website, and eventually made contact with someone at the Recreation center. I explained my dilemma and he eventually tracked down the Hacienda housekeeper, who called me. Thankfully, we were able to work out the arrangements and I got base access with no issue and access to the room. Here's what you need to do if you want to stay at the Hacienda: * Make arrangements as far in advance as possible so that you can confirm your reservation and ensure that you have all of the needed information, at least several days. o Call the reservation number (831) 386-2900. If you don't reach someone on your first attempt (and you probably won't), be prepared to leave multiple voice messages and hopefully your call will be returned. o Determine availability and make a reservation online here: https://webtrac.mwr.army.mil/webtrac103/wbwsc/hunterrectrac.wsc/wbsplash.html?wbsi=91734b5c-e52f-72b1-2c14-b762509d08bf. You will need to register a user name and password AND send a message to the web master at this email address webmaster@fhlfmwr.com to confirm your registration. Once confirmed, you will be able to log-on and then choose the Reservations option for the Hacienda Lodge. * After making and paying for your reservation, you should receive a "Welcome" message by email confirming your Room Number and providing a code for a lockbox that will contain your room key. If you don't, keep calling the reservation number to obtain this information. * Base access: At the gate, you will need an official government ID (I used my driver's license), vehicle registration (I had a rental car and so advised, they said "OK"), and a printed copy of your reservation/payment receipt. Explain to the guard that you are a Hacienda guest. The guard spent about 10 minutes running what I presume to be a background check. I was then given a full-page base pass and was told to keep in on my person at all times, not to go more than 25mph and not more than 10mph when base personnel were present on streets. I've read in some reviews that the guards asked for proof of automobile insurance; I wasn't. I don't think it would hurt to have it available. * Room access: Make sure you push each button the lockbox completely, in order to open your lockbox; it took me 3 tries. * My experience: o I arrived at 6:30pm Saturday night, Labor Day weekend. The base was literally a ghost town, as was the Hacienda; no other cars. o The bar was open, but with no customers. The bartender said that all of the suites, garden and tower rooms were booked, as a couple of the cowboy rooms. I never saw or heard any other guests, except 2 people the next morning. The bartender closes the bar arbitrarily based on customers, and I observed it closed at around 8:30pm. o The bartender kindly unlocked the Hacienda dining room so that I could see the murals and artwork. While the gate guard did not warn me not to take photographs of anything on the base, the bartender so advised me. Other than for the Hacienda, I needed her warning. o Things to do: Bowling Center (5 lanes) with snack bar (pizza, sandwiches, salads, hot dogs, etc.), Recreation Center (billiards and snacks which are less expensive but not as varied as the Bowling Center), Subway (opens at 6am but was closed at 8:30pm Saturday night, maybe due to the holiday weekend), Sports Center (gym, pool (has been closed for at least a month), whirlpool), Movie Theatre (free movie at 7pm allegedly Thu-Sat). o Vending Machines are at the Post Exchange and the gas station. o Post Exchange, Commissary - I don't know if these are open to the public. o Mess Hall - The Recreation Center attendant told me on Saturday night I could have breakfast at the Mess Hall since most of the military personnel were away. However, I was turned away by the Mess Hall attendant being advised that you must be military or retired, or DoD employee/contractor. There were only 2 people in the Mess Hall at 7am when I tried to eat there. o All the phone numbers for the base: http://www.liggett.army.mil/sites/contactus.php. Print these and bring them. o To Mariah and Gabriel - thank you! If it weren't for you, my "Hearst" adventure would not have happened! read more

Great place for a social venue. The alcohol is a bit pricey considering its 2-3 bars on base within 45 miles. One doesn't come for cheap beer but the social venue. read more

I was here on business, and the Hacienda was the only game in town. It proved to be rustic, reassuring, and very comfortable, with architectural grace notes that reminded me that I was in a Julia Morgan building. (Those beams!) The rooms are showing their age (for example, I had trouble locking my door), but the sense of history more than made up for that. The price was right, and the staff was nice. My only wish was that the continental breakfast included coffee, or that there was someone in the kitchen to rectify that absence. A heads-up: To get to the Hacienda, you have to go through base security, which can be a bit time-consuming. read more