1959 Map of San Simeon

About this map

Hearst Castle and the expansive Hearst San Simeon State Historical Mon dominate the coastal hills of northern San Luis Obispo County in this late-1950s survey. The landscape transitions from the Pacific shoreline along the Cabrillo Highway to the steep peaks of the Santa Lucia Range, including Rocky Butte and Pine Mountain. This period shows the region's diverse land use, from the agricultural and ranching operations at Hearst Ranch to the industrial presence of the Buckeye and Almaden mines tucked into the canyons. Further south, the map details the growing community of Cambria, noting essential civic landmarks like the Coast Union High Sch, the Cambria Cemetery, and the nearby Cambria Air Force Station, reflecting the Cold War era's impact on this coastal stretch.