Just thirteen miles southwest of Coos Bay, Oregon and Hwy 101, lies the treasure that is Shore Acres State Park. Shore Acres is perched on a scenic bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Shore Acres began as an elaborate estate featuring extravagant gardens bearing plants from all around the world brought back aboard the sailing ships of pioneer lumberman and shipbuilder Louis J. Simpson. According to the history given on the website, shoreacres.net, “Simpson developed the summer home into a showplace three-story mansion complete with a heated, indoor swimming pool and a large ballroom. The grounds contained five acres of formal gardens, including a Japanese-style garden built around a 100-foot lily pond. When fire destroyed the mansion in 1921, Simpson began to build an even larger replacement – two stories high and 224 feet long. However, financial losses in the 1930s caused both house and grounds to fall into disrepair. In 1942, Simpson’s beloved Shore Acres was purchased by the state of Oregon for use as a public park. While structural deterioration eventually forced the mansion to be razed, the restored formal gardens continue to attract thousands of visitors. The garden features year-round displays of floral and scenic beauty and the annual “Holiday Lights at Shore Acres” from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. A fully enclosed observation building now occupies the site of Simpson’s mansions, offering spectacular view of rugged seascapes, towering storm waves, and glimpses of migrating whales from December through June.” Every night from Thanksgiving through New Years Eve from 4:00-9:30pm, you can visit the holiday light display which features over 300,000 twinkling lights. You can stop in the Open Garden House for hot cider, coffee, punch and cookies! The holiday light display was started in 1987 when the “Friends of Shore Acres” decided to “string a few lights” and drew quite a crowd. It has since grown into a beloved community tradition drawing nearly 50,000 visitors each season! As for the lights, you will see Pelicans, Puffins, Jellyfish, Shore Acres’ Cranes, Life-size leaping Orca whale, Life-size spouting Gray whale, Tulips, Rhododendron, Rose, Dahlia, Dungeness crab, Sea Star, Sea Urchin, Sea Anemone, Sea horse, Octopus, Kelp, Frogs, Butterflies, dragonfly, playful sea lions, leaping frog in pond, ship, fuchsia flower and hummingbird, Koi carp and more! There is plenty of parking available at just $5 per vehicle, and viewing the lights is free. No pets are allowed outside of vehicles, and it is wheelchair accesible. If you are thinking of visiting the coast to experience this lovely display and maybe even start a family tradition of your own, you’ll want a great place to park your RV. As luck would have it, just one mile north of Shore Acres, is the beautiful Sunset Bay State Park. Sunset Bay is open year round offering 35 full hook up sites ($24), 30 sites with electrical and water ($22), and 8 yurts($40) as well as flush toilets and hot showers. You can call ahead to reserve a space at 800-452-5687. Have you visited the Holiday Light display at Shore Acres? We would love to hear about it, get some tips, or see your pictures! You can comment here, or share it with us on our Facebook page!
