Shore Acres State Park
🌊 Oregon’s Most Spectacular Coastal Park — Dramatic sandstone cliffs where 30-foot storm waves explode into sea spray, a world-class botanical garden with formal English, Japanese, and rose gardens perched above the Pacific, 300,000+ holiday lights from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, and the ruins of a timber baron’s estate on the wildest stretch of coast in Oregon
On a wind-battered headland above the Pacific Ocean — 13 miles southwest of Coos Bay on the rugged southern Oregon coast — a scene of almost impossible beauty plays out every day. Shore Acres State Park is where the raw power of the Pacific meets the refined elegance of a formal botanical garden, and the contrast is staggering. On one side of the trail, ocean swells detonate against towering sandstone cliffs, sending spray 100 feet into the air. On the other side, manicured rose bushes, Japanese-style ponds, and exotic plantings from around the world bloom in a garden that was once the private paradise of Louis J. Simpson — Oregon’s “Timber Baron” — who built his estate on these cliffs in the early 1900s.
The mansion is gone now, destroyed by fire and storms, but the gardens survive and thrive — maintained by volunteers and park staff as one of the finest botanical gardens on the West Coast. And every winter, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, those gardens transform into one of Oregon’s most beloved traditions: the Shore Acres Holiday Lights, a dazzling display of over 300,000 lights that draws visitors from across the Pacific Northwest.
The Gardens
| Garden | Highlights |
|---|---|
| Formal English Garden | Geometric beds, seasonal flowers, manicured hedges |
| Japanese-Style Garden | Lily pond, ornamental bridge, Asian plantings |
| Rose Gardens (2) | Hundreds of varieties — peak bloom June-September |
| Exotic Plantings | Rhododendrons, azaleas, hydrangeas from worldwide |
Storm Watching
Shore Acres is considered one of the best storm-watching locations on the Oregon coast. During winter storms (November–March), massive Pacific swells collide with the sandstone cliffs, creating explosive spray that can reach over 100 feet. An enclosed observation shelter — built on the site of Simpson’s original mansion — provides weather-protected viewing with interpretive panels telling the history of the estate.
Holiday Lights — Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Season | Thanksgiving through December 31st |
| Lights | 300,000+ LED lights and sculptures |
| Parking | Pre-purchased, time-specific reservation REQUIRED |
| Shuttle | Free shuttle from Charleston Marina (select evenings) |
Trails and Beaches
- Cliff Trail: Connects Shore Acres to Sunset Bay SP (1 mile north) and Cape Arago SP (south)
- Simpson Beach: Secluded cove accessible by trail — tidepools, sea lions nearby
- Cape Arago Connection: Continue south for seal and sea lion viewing colonies
Essential Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | 13 miles SW of Coos Bay, Oregon |
| Hours | 8 AM to dusk daily |
| Parking Fee | $10/day (or Oregon State Parks pass) |
| Camping | At nearby Sunset Bay SP (1 mile north) |
When is the best time for storm watching at Shore Acres?
The best storm watching at Shore Acres is from November through March, when powerful Pacific winter storms drive massive swells against the sandstone cliffs. The most dramatic displays occur during high swells combined with high tide — waves can send spray over 100 feet into the air. The enclosed observation shelter provides weather-protected viewing. Check wave height forecasts (NOAA) and plan visits during storms with 15+ foot swells for the most spectacular displays.
Wildlife & Nature
Shore Acres — the former estate of lumber baron Louis J. Simpson — features one of Oregon’s most extraordinary juxtapositions: formal botanical gardens perched on dramatic ocean cliffs. The gardens — originally designed by Simpson in the early 1900s — include a Japanese garden, rose garden, and extensive plantings from around the world. The cliff-edge viewpoints provide some of the most dramatic wave-watching opportunities on the Oregon coast — during winter storms, waves crash against the sandstone cliffs with forces reaching 6,000+ pounds per square foot, sending spray 100+ feet into the air. Harbor seals rest on protected rocks below. Gray whales are visible during migration. The annual Holiday Lights display (Thanksgiving through New Year’s) transforms the gardens into one of Oregon’s most beloved seasonal attractions.
Nearby Attractions
Cape Arago State Park — next along the highway — offers Simpson Reef marine mammal viewing. Sunset Bay State Park provides sheltered swimming. South Slough NERR — the first National Estuarine Research Reserve in the US (1974) — protects pristine estuary habitat. Coos Bay has the Coos Art Museum. Charleston — the fishing village between the three parks — offers fresh seafood and charter boats. Oregon Islands NWR protects 1,853 islands and rocks along the coast.
Insider Tips
Garden by the sea: Shore Acres features a meticulously maintained botanical garden on dramatic ocean cliffs — originally the estate of timber baron Louis Simpson. Pro tip: The Holiday Lights display (Thanksgiving through New Year’s) draws 50,000+ visitors annually. Storm watching: Winter waves crash 100+ feet against the cliffs.
Best Time to Visit
Winter: Storm watching and Holiday Lights. Spring: Garden in bloom. Summer: Perfect weather. Fall: Whale migration begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Shore Acres Holiday Lights display?
The Holiday Lights at Shore Acres runs from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, 4-10 PM nightly. Over 325,000 LED lights transform the botanical gardens into a spectacular display. Admission to the lights is free — only a $5 parking fee applies. It’s one of the most beloved holiday traditions on the Oregon Coast.
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