There aren't many castles in the United States.  The closest thing we have to one is the Hearst Castle.  It was designed and built starting in 1919.  The building process continued through 1947. It was built for newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.  Go here for a Wikipedia review of the Castle: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearst_Castle.  

In 1957, the castle was turned over to the State of California which operates tours of the facility.  I've been there a number of times.  The last of which was about this time of year.  While I managed to get here at the  right time of day, all the good outdoor tours were booked so I booked one of the "upstairs" tours.  They keep you on a pretty tight leash so you can't wander too far away from the group so it cramps my "style" a bit ... but here's a few shots.

Here a "side" view of the main building:

1/ 4000s, at f/4 || E.Comp:-10 / 6 || 24mm || WB: AUTO 0. || ISO: 400 || Tone: || Sharp: || Camera: NIKON D3on: 2011:11:21 16:25:37

By turning around, you get this really great view:

1/ 3200s, at f/4 || E.Comp:-8 / 6 || 34mm || WB: AUTO 0. || ISO: 400 || Tone: || Sharp: || Camera: NIKON D3on: 2011:11:21 16:23:04

I don't think I could watch a Sunday afternoon football game or take a good nap on the couch in this room, but it also had a nice view and some sweet light!

1/ 500s, at f/4 || E.Comp:2/6 || 24mm || WB: AUTO 0. || ISO: 1000 || Tone: || Sharp: || Camera: NIKON D3on: 2011:11:21 16:17:15

This room might be one I could hang out in and catch a few of those afternoon naps ... though I'd need a little softer pillow for that velvet red couch:

1/ 80s, at f/4 || E.Comp:-4 / 6 || 24mm || WB: AUTO 0. || ISO: 800 || Tone: || Sharp: || Camera: NIKON D3on: 2011:11:21 16:05:04

On our way out, we were taken through the kitchen and wine cellar and I took this shot of a little "display" they had set up:

1/ 8s, at f/22 || E.Comp:-6 / 6 || 58mm || WB: AUTO 0. || ISO: 2500 || Tone: || Sharp: || Camera: NIKON D3on: 2011:11:21 16:35:13

My favorite shot of the day was taken from the bus going back down the hill to the Vistor's Center:

1/ 50s, at f/4 || E.Comp:-6 / 6 || 120mm || WB: AUTO 0. || ISO: 400 || Tone: || Sharp: || Camera: NIKON D3on: 2011:11:21 17:02:48

The California Central Coast is really beautifulI, and if you are ever in the area, I recommend a stop and tour of the Hearst Castle.  I hope you enjoyed this very brief look at it.

Adam