The park is very well maintained with a lot of trails. You can easily get to the beach in many places. The views were spectacular and the sunset was impressive. The rock formations from the waves as well as the sea lions are not to be missed
I live in Coos Bay and from Thanksgiving to New Years Day, it is decorated with hundreds of thousands of lights. Very impressive at night. While you're here, drive just a mile or so further to Cape Arago and view Simpson Reef and the sea lions.
Would check the time involving the gardens bloom but shore acres sits on a loop that has one of the nicest short drive and stops on the Oregon coast, cape Arago highway.With Christmas lights being a major draw, personally like Rhodie bloom, storm watching with a shelter and Breath freshest ocean air! Views, hikes, strolls nearby! Enjoy!
Oregon state parks provide enhancements for those travelers who picnic, camp and hike. This location has trails along the rugged coast and to the Arago light house. In the winter the parking for those activities is ample as visitation is relatively low especially on weekdays. Local visitors come primarily on the weekends.
In addition to seeing the waves it has beautiful gardens with blooms even in January.Allow 4 hours if possible there is a lot to see. Great fun even on a rainy day The view from the viewing pavilion is wonderful
This park is a must see and once you have been there, it sticks with you and you want to go again. The gardens are beautiful year round and even if it starts to rain, cover up and enjoy because after all, it is the Oregon coast. Don't forget your camera!!!
A must every holiday season...go early when you can get a parking place. Gardens pretty before dark.
Though we visited in January, the beach and gardens still offered a great way to enjoy the afternoon. It was wet walking the trails through the trees, but thoroughly enjoyable. We enjoyed watching a sea lion sunning himself on the beach and, of course, just sat and watched the ocean. The garden was very tidy for the down season and was still amazing to see. We had the place to ourselves and were quite impressed with the design and maintenance. We'll definitely return.
We visited Shore Acres between Christmas and New Years after dark in order to see the lights. The displays are beautiful and cover an extensive area, including water arrangements and progressive lighting such as jumping frogs and splashing whales. Some of the latest additions were lighted creatures peaking over the back fence. They offer a chance to warm up in a warm building and hot cider/chocolate as well as cookies for free, although they do have a jar on the counter for a donation. We've been to Shore Acres in the daylight hours in the spring as well and the gardens are beautiful when in season. If you want to see the seascape as well as the holiday lights plan on visiting the park at least an hour before dark during the Christmas/New Year season.
When my wife and I pulled over to Shore Acres, we had no idea what awaited us. It was supposedly a botanical garden. It was much, much more than that. We parked in front of the visitor center and proceeded into the formal garden. As we walked and were amazed with the rhodos and the serenity, my wife wondered as to the location of the original mansion. 'What mansion?' I ask. 'There was a mansion here that belonged to the Simpsons. We wander over to the observation building by the bluff and sure enough, all the information about the burned-down mansion is there. And the tragic history of the Simpson clan is there. My wife stays and reads. I go outside to photograph the wild scenery. I cannot believe that this entire peninsula was once in private hands. Go there. Spend hours. Be reminded of your own mortality. Be reminded of this splendor that is around us. Be reminded that it is fleeting. Enjoy every moment. Every second. Then go into old town and have a delicious glass of red chianti.