1980s Neptune Pool, Hearst Castle, San Simeon, California

Step into the sun-drenched grandeur of Hearst Castle atop the Enchanted Hill, where the Neptune Pool glistens like a private Roman ruin set against the rolling hills of San Simeon. This vintage postcard captures the turquoise waters of the pool stretching 104 feet long and up to 95 feet wide in the alcove, lined with light-veined Vermont marble and serpentine tiles. Sunlight dances across the checkerboard and diamond pattern of the marble floor, while cream-colored pedestals rise from the edges, one crowned with a sculpted herm holding a smooth globe.

Across the pool, a grand Roman temple facade stands with tall, slender columns supporting a triangular pediment, inside which marble statues recline in classical poses. To the right, a curving colonnade of open arches frames the distant green mountains and coastline, creating a serene blend of art, architecture, and landscape. Playful sculptures of cherubs and sea creatures decorate the pool’s edge, while the bright cyan sky reflects perfectly in the water, completing the picture of timeless elegance.

Designed by pioneering architect Julia Morgan for media magnate William Randolph Hearst, the pool was constructed between 1924 and 1936, incorporating imported elements from Europe. French sculptor Charles Cassou contributed the Art Deco figures, including cupids, mermaids, and the iconic Birth of Venus.

This postcard was distributed by Roger K. Lee of San Simeon and printed with Plastichrome by Colourpicture in Boston. The Neptune Pool holds 345,000 gallons of spring-fed water and remains one of California’s most opulent landmarks. Framed or displayed, it makes a striking addition to any collection of vintage California postcards, historic estates, or architectural treasures.

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