You don't say how long you have, but if your base is Monterey and you only have a couple of days, I would say that trying to fit in Hearst Castle might not be worth it, as there is so much to see in the Big Sur area - your intuitions may be just the thing to follow. read more
Hearst Castle sits high on a hill with 360 degree views of the ocean and the coastal mountain range. On a clear day the views are impressive. Heck, on a cloudy day the views are impressive. Not so much if it's foggy. Yes, you would have to take a tour to see any part of the castle grounds. read more