Harmony California is a nice side trip on your way to Hearst Castle. Take the time to stop and visit this little town on your next trip along the central coast.
Farmers from northern California settled in this area because of the vast grasslands in San Luis Obispo County. Some started dairy farms, leasing the property from landowners in the area, including William Hearst, who built nearby Hearst Castle.
Many Swiss settlers were enchanted with the grass, the climate, and the gently rolling hills. The Harmony Valley Creamery was established in the 1860s to service the surrounding dairy farms.
The Harmony Valley Creamery Association comprised these farms and thrived for over 90 years. William Hearst and his guests sometimes stopped at the creamery to pick up fresh buttermilk and butter.
The residents were granted a post office with their Harmony Valley Creamery, making it an official town. The post office opened in 1915 and was in continuous operation until 2005.
Plan on spending about an hour wandering around this tiny central coast town. Things to see in Harmony include the Backroads Gallery, a small gift and art shop. Harmony Glassworks is an excellent little glass-making and blowing shop where you can watch demonstrations, get a tour, or even take classes.
The Harmony Post Office has been closed for several years, but you can look inside. The road running through the town center used to be the main highway along the California coast. Today, the road ends in a field, but at one time, it was the main access point to Hearst Castle.
Shaped like a wine barrel, the unique hand-carved door to the Harmony Chapel invites couples who wish to be United in Harmony. The chapel seats about 40 guests and can be reserved for around $700.00, making Harmony an affordable and unique wedding location.
Harmony Cellars Winery
Harmony Cellars sits on a hill overlooking the town of Harmony. The winery has several award-winning wines that you can taste and a small gift shop. You can roam around; and take beautiful photographs of the views from the top of the hill, where you can see the coast and the rolling hills from all directions.
Harmony Cellars is a small family-owned winery dedicated to producing high-quality wines at reasonable prices since its establishment in 1989 by Chuck and Kim Mulligan. You can taste six wines and keep the glass, which is an excellent deal. The winery offers a beautiful outdoor seating area with a stunning view of the rolling hills and the charming little town below. Take a moment to unwind, sip a glass of wine, and savor the scenery.
There is not much to Harmony’s town, just a few buildings, including the Harmony Valley Creamery, which also served as the post office until it closed a few years ago. At one time, this road was the main highway between San Luis Obispo and Hearst Castle.
Travelers along Hwy 1 used to stop for fresh buttermilk, including publisher William Randolph Hearst on his way to his home in San Simeon, 12 miles northwest.
During its peak, Harmony had a garage, a blacksmith’s shop, a post office, and a service station. Today, the town has about 15 residents and is a tourist stop for visitors traveling to Hearst Castle.
Where is Harmony, California
The little town of Harmony is along Highway 1 between Moro Bay and Hearst Castle.
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