Explore The Shore Acres State Park

Shore Acres State Park is perched on the rugged cliffs high above the Pacific Ocean. The home once belonged to a lumber baron named Louis Simpson.

Fire destroyed the mansion in 1921 so Simpson began to build a larger home. This home was even bigger. There were 2 stories and 224 feet long. There was a heated indoor swimming pool and a large ballroom.

The picture above is courtesy of Coos County Historical Society.

Financial losses in the 1930’s caused the house and grounds to fall into disrepair. The Simpson’s beloved estate was purchased by the State of Oregon for use as a public park in 1942.

Eventually the structural deterioration of the mansion forced it to be razed.

Don’t forget your camera!

The ground covered five acres of beautiful formal gardens featuring trees, shrubs and flowering plants that were brought from around the world aboard his sailing ships.

The restored formal gardens continue to attract thousand of visitors every year. The garden features year-round displays with something in bloom almost every day of the year.

The landscaped area includes a formal garden, two rose gardens which include an All American Rose Selection display plus an oriental-style pond. The garden features year-round displays of floral and scenic beauty.

Formal Gardens at Shore Acres

There is a large Monterey pine that dates back to the historic Louis J. Simpson estate.

A member of the national Big Tree Register, the pine is 95 feet tall with a 208-inch truck circumference and a 74-foot crown spread.

It shares co-champion honors with a Monterey pine in Carmel, California, which has a smaller trunk, but a wider crown. It was probably planted around 1910.

After you have seen all of the beautiful gardens you can stroll down a trail to a secluded ocean cove at Simpson Beach.

You can walk the cliffs edge to see spectacular ocean vistas like towering waves crashing against the shoreline and even migrating grey whales.

Shore Acres is operated by:

Oregon State Parks
Information center/gift store operated on-site by the Friends of Shore Acres
Visitor Hours: 8:00 AM until Sunset Daily

Christmas At Shore Acres

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, the gardens are ablaze with thousand of colored lights and holiday decorations.

It is a sight that you don’t want to miss.

The picture below shows some of the lights at Christmas time.

Observation Building

The first time we were there they didn’t have anything on the site of Simpson’s vanished mansion.

They have now build a fully enclosed observation building that allows you to view the Pacific Ocean and protect you from the weather.

The observation building has interpretive panels describing the history of the Simpson estate.

Friends of Shore Acres

The Friends of the gardens operate an information and gift center at the entrance to the formal gardens.

Visitors can purchase items that relate to the historical and natural features of the estate.

The Friends also sponsor a variety of horticultural and cultural events at the garden throughout the year.

Remember, Let The Waves Tickle Your Toes.

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