Nit Wit Ridge
Continuing the travelogue, on Friday my wife and I drove up north from San Luis Obispo and did the tour of Hearst Castle. It was worth seeing, but for my money it wasn't as interesting as "Nit Wit Ridge" located about fifteen minutes away in nearby Cambria. Nit Wit Ridge is like the anti-Hearst Castle, being a mansion built entirely out of junk. From sierrasol.com:[Nit Wit Ridge] is considered a fine example of folk art and is a California State Historic Landmark. It was built by one man (Arthur Harold Beal) over the course of 51 years. Art began his creation in 1928 by digging out a hillside in Cambria. He used rocks, abalone shells, wood, beer cans, tile, car parts and other assorted junk to create his "Hearst Castle".
They're not kidding when they say it's built out of assorted junk. How many toilets can you spot in the picture below? (I see at least four.) Unfortunately Nit Wit Ridge is not open to the public, so I was only able to admire it from the outside.
Comments
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Listed in chronological order. Newest comments at the end.
Hey, I was stuck in Cambria for a couple days back in 1991ish (long story). I had no idea about this place! Wah!
Posted by MadCarlotta on 08/16 at 10:06 AM
No entry to public?
When I was there in April, we just stopped outside for a picture and a guy came out begging for us to go on the tour. We didnt have time, though I'm wishing we did, as it's unlikely I'll be that way again.
When I was there in April, we just stopped outside for a picture and a guy came out begging for us to go on the tour. We didnt have time, though I'm wishing we did, as it's unlikely I'll be that way again.
Posted by AussieBruce on 08/18 at 02:55 AM
I'm named after that town and didn't know of this building's existence! I'll have to remember this.
Posted by Cambria on 08/26 at 03:40 PM
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Category: Travel, Landmarks, Alex