Shore Acres Gardens is a State Park on the South-Central Oregon Coast's Cape Arago Highway.
There are over five acres of formal gardens, including this Oriental garden.
The gardens originated in the early 1900s as part of an estate built and developed by lumber baron Louis Simpson. His wife named it Shore Acres.
The oriental garden is almost exactly as it was originally built by the Simpsons' landscape architect. (It's my favorite spot on the grounds.)
(This picture was taken a little ways up the Cape Arago Highway from the park.)
There's an observation tower at the place where the Simpson family's mansion was originally sited (it was destroyed by a fire). Just as did the original home, the tower looks over the ocean and a pathway to the beach. The roar of sea lions can be heard as you walk in the gardens.
Because of the fire and other financial losses, in 1942 Simpson sold the estate to the State of Oregon for use of the public . More information here about the park and its fascinating history.
LINKING to SCENIC WEEKENDS (thank you Gemma) and OUR WORLD (with thanks to Lady Fi and the Our World Team).
Excellent reflections there. Those sea lions were a surprise.
Posted by: Fun60 | September 24, 2013 at 06:34 AM
Sallie - At first I thought those birds were real and then I realized they weren't changing position in the photos! What a green world.
Posted by: Barb | September 23, 2013 at 06:26 PM
a very nice garden :)
Posted by: NatureFootstep Photo | September 23, 2013 at 02:06 PM
Love sea lions!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Posted by: Boom & Gary | September 23, 2013 at 12:10 PM
OMG, dearest Sallie;
When I saw the pictures of this post of yours, I felt the Japanese atmosphere in the Shore Acres Gardens. Oriental garden is included; I'm SO happy to see you could enjoy the sense of Japanese in the gardn♡♡♡ I guessed the birds must be cranes and I loved the lantern in the pond♡♡♡
I wish I could have the chance to hear the roar of sea lions with you♬♬♬
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan to my dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid | September 22, 2013 at 02:52 AM
da kann man sich wohlfühlen Sallie
WUNDERSCHÖN
LG vom katerchen
Posted by: katerchen | September 21, 2013 at 10:55 PM
A peaceful looking garden.
Posted by: Gaelyn | September 21, 2013 at 10:32 PM
Looks like a beautiful place to walk and enjoy!
Lovely reflection shot!
Posted by: Carletta | September 21, 2013 at 05:36 PM
What a fabulous place to visit, thanks for sharing your photos with us.
Posted by: Pearl Maple | September 21, 2013 at 04:01 PM
I never made it to Shore Acres to walk around, but I did drive to the end of Cape Arago and saw the sea lions.
Posted by: Sally in WA | September 21, 2013 at 10:38 AM
Love your photos!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | September 21, 2013 at 08:03 AM
Look at those good looking birds. Lovely to find a beautiful Oriental garden in USA.
Posted by: eastcoastlife | September 21, 2013 at 06:48 AM
I love to visit parks and garden and this one seams to be so interessant... with the roaring of the sea lions : never heard it !
Posted by: Annie | September 21, 2013 at 06:00 AM
Oh, how I would love to visit here, and I so enjoyed your photos of the Oriental garden, Sallie.
Posted by: Penny | September 21, 2013 at 05:51 AM
Beautiful photoseries. Have a nice weekend!
Posted by: Daniela Augustka | September 21, 2013 at 01:18 AM
These birds are very elegant ! what a nice place to visit !
Posted by: Gattina | September 21, 2013 at 12:46 AM
A lovely spot and photos! I love the first photo and the reflections.
Posted by: Hazel | September 20, 2013 at 11:13 PM
Nice bird shot!! Although I think you may have cheated!!
I really like the harvest colours in the last post as well!
Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | September 20, 2013 at 07:30 PM
I just adore Asian gardens with their lush green foliage and oriental feel. These shots are beautiful.
Posted by: Poeticshutterbug.blogspot.com | September 20, 2013 at 07:24 PM
What a pretty spot. Gosh, I may need new glasses, I thought the birds were real at first glance! LOL
Posted by: Karen, Pixel Posts | September 20, 2013 at 06:04 PM
A wonderful series of photos Sallie, loved the garden and what a sight all those seals must have been. Great post!
Posted by: Denise | September 20, 2013 at 05:21 PM
How sad that they had to sell it....but nice that it is available for all.... Michelle
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | September 20, 2013 at 04:52 PM
Beautiful photos of a lovely place ~ stunning! ~ carol, xo
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | September 20, 2013 at 03:14 PM
i just love the oriental gardens! so gorgeous!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | September 20, 2013 at 03:05 PM
What a wonderful garden. Great shots.
Posted by: Carver | September 20, 2013 at 02:26 PM
Lovely green reflections and graceful birds. Enjoyed your trip to London. If you go again, try living in Kent, visit Sissinghurst Castle restored by Vita Sackville West and diplomat husband
Harold Nicholson. There is a fascinating biography of her by Victoria Glendinning. I lived in a flat in Earls Court until I emigrated to U.S. with husband in 1960.
Posted by: Margaret Gosden | September 20, 2013 at 01:55 PM
What a beautiful garden, it's nice to have parks like that. There are very few, if any, gardens like that where I live.
Posted by: Al | September 20, 2013 at 01:17 PM
Such a scenic garden. Love those birds in the first photo. And such pretty reflections. A great place for wandering and photography.
Posted by: Gemma Wiseman | September 20, 2013 at 01:15 PM