Hiking Sunset Bay to Shore Acres on the Oregon Coast

Looking to explore more on Oregon’s “Adventure Coast”?
Try camping at Sunset Bay State Park and check out my guide to Coos Bay on a Rainy Day: Restaurants, Museums, and Beautiful Beaches.

CURRENT INFO

Information and maps for the hike from Sunset Bay to Shore Acres State Park (plus options for longer hikes) are available on both the OregonHikers website and the AllTrails website. More information about both state parks and neighboring Cape Arago State Park are found on the Oregon State Parks website.

GOOD TO KNOW

• Parking is free at both Sunset Bay and Shore Acres State Parks. You can set out on the trail from either park, and campers at Sunset Bay can start their hike directly from the campground. A convenient pedestrian tunnel leads under the road from the campground to the day use area and trailhead.
• Restrooms are available at the Sunset Bay trailhead and at Shore Acres State Park.
• Remember to pack the 10 Essentials. Bring water, snacks, and extra layers, as the weather on the Oregon Coast changes frequently. You may need sunscreen on a sunny day, or find it unexpectedly chilly due to wind on an otherwise warm day.
• Wear closed shoes with good traction. While not difficult, the trail can be muddy, and there are a few brief steep sections.
• Download a trail map ahead of time if you can, such as the one from AllTrails. There are a lot of short side trails leading to viewpoints, and a few unsigned junctions where you can choose different routes. Fortunately, it’s hard to get lost, but you may find yourself on a different route than expected.
• Pets on leash are welcome in Sunset Bay State Park, but are not allowed in Shore Acres State Park. On the hike described below, we hiked as far as the observation pavilion in Shore Acres, which lies just beyond the border with Sunset Bay. Technically, even this was off limits to dogs. Since Buddy, our golden retriever, was with us, we limited our time there and ate lunch at one of the trailside benches just over the border in Sunset Bay State Park.
• Always follow Leave No Trace principles.

HIGHLIGHTS

If a picture is worth a thousand words, is there anything left to say? I’ll simply add that if you love ocean vistas, complete with swirling turquoise water, gnarled sandstone cliffs, and windswept trees, you will find no shortage of delights on the hike from Sunset Bay to Shore Acres. Oh, and the chance to spot wildlife here is high — keep an eye on the offshore rocks for seals, sea lions, and sea birds.

THE KIDS’ TAKE

Both Sunset Bay and Shore Acres State Parks are fantastic places for kids to play and explore. Connecting the two with a hike opens up even more possibilities, from seal sightings to hidden coves and tide pools (check the tide tables before you go to plan for tide pooling). Watch the waves crash at Shore Acres, then explore the alien-looking sandstone shelf just down the trail. Back at Sunset Bay, spend some serious sand time digging on the sheltered beach. This hike is so much fun that your kids might forget they’re actually hiking!

Special note: There are some steep drop-offs near the trail in a few areas. Be sure kids know to stay on the trail and keep a safe distance from the edge of the cliffs.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE

Sunset Bay State Park is a great place to camp, and this hike can be done directly from the campground. You can make it longer by hiking through the formal gardens at Shore Acres to Simpson Beach (important note: no dogs allowed). A couple miles beyond Shore Acres lies stunning Cape Arago State Park, and yes, you can hike all the way there, too. If you’re visiting between Thanksgiving and New’s Year’s Eve, be sure to make an advance reservation to see the amazing holiday lights at Shore Acres.

Visiting on a grey day? Check out my guide to Coos Bay on a Rainy Day: Restaurants, Museums, and Beautiful Beaches. This area is perfect to explore in any weather.

The coastline here is windswept and wild, perfect for storm watching. At low tide, both Sunset Bay and Cape Arago are home to fascinating tide pools. To learn more about the incredible marine life of this region, stop by the Marine Life Center in nearby Charleston, which is run by the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology through the University of Oregon.

Feeling hungry? In Coos Bay, The Boat offers delicious fish and chips, and 7 Devils Brewery features local food and beer at both their Brewery and Taproom and Waterfront Alehouse. For a quick caffeine fix, Oregon favorite Dutch Bros Coffee has a few locations in town.

We awoke to another sunny November day at Sunset Bay State Park. And yes, the Oregon Coast does sometimes see the sun, even in November. These are days to cherish, and the perfect time to go on an oceanside hike.

Luckily for us, we didn’t have to go far to start our hike. All we had to do was walk out of our campsite and head toward the beach. As you leave the campground, a trail to the right of the entrance leads to a pedestrian tunnel that passes below the road (see photo above). From here, we continued on to the first day use parking lot, just beyond the amphitheater. There, opposite the restroom, a bridge marked the start of the trail to Shore Acres State Park.

At first, the trail climbed steeply, but it soon leveled off. We quickly came to an unsigned fork in the path. Here, the main trail heads left, but don’t be too hasty. Turn right first for a short walk to some absolutely stunning views.

This short side trail leads to a bench and viewpoint looking out across the Pacific, but don’t forget to look inland, where a few overlooks offer a glimpse of beautiful Sunset Bay.

The views just kept getting better as we continued our hike along the main trail, alternating between sweeping vistas and coastal forest. Eventually, we came to another junction near the road, this time with a sign. Unfortunately, the angle of the sign led us to head down the trail toward Norton Gulch, when we meant to continue to Shore Acres. If you come across this sign on your hike, please note that in order to reach Shore Acres, you need to continue your hike along the road rather than taking the downhill trail.

On the other hand, if you have time for a small detour, Norton Gulch is a lovely spot to explore, and only 0.2 miles from the main trail. The kids were fascinated by the tangle of kelp washed ashore by the tide. At high tide, all these rocks may be under water, but low tide exposes a whole new world.

Our visit to Norton Gulch was brief, and soon we were hiking along the road. While not the most scenic part of the hike, it actually wasn’t bad. There was little traffic, and the fall scenery captured my attention over the pavement.

Up ahead, a “Trails Open Dawn to Dusk” sign greeted us where the path veered back into the woods and away from the road. Shortly past this point we came to — you guessed it — yet another fork in the road, also unsigned. Hmm… where to go? Straight ahead? Or to the right? I had a feeling both led to Shore Acres.

We chose the path straight ahead, and sure enough, before long we passed between two concrete pillars, remnants of the expansive estate that once graced this stretch of coastline. Shore Acres State Park was almost within our grasp.

Unfortunately, I discovered that Shore Acres does not allow dogs within the park. I knew this was the case for the formal gardens, but I hadn’t realized this was true for the entire park. We had Buddy with us, so I kept him on a tight leash as we skirted the parking lot and headed toward the observation area. Fortunately, it wasn’t busy. This area of Shore Acres is quite close to the border with Sunset Bay State Park, where pets on leash are welcome, so I tried to limit my time at Shore Acres to avoid any issues.

The observation area at Shore Acres is well worth a visit. An enclosed pavilion features signs highlighting the history of the area as well as the flora and fauna. This location is famous for its crashing waves, which put on a tremendous show in stormy weather. The tide was going out during our visit and the seas were calm, but it was still a fantastic observation point. We spotted a few boats in the distance and admired the cliffs.

This is also the place for a bathroom break, as public restrooms are available. For those not up for a hike, ample parking makes it easy to visit Shore Acres without all the legwork.

Back on the Sunset Bay side of the border (as noted by a helpful sign), we enjoyed a picnic lunch with a view from a wooden bench, then set out to explore the cliffs. Dog owners, take heart: Fido is welcome here (leashed of course), and these cliffs are a worthy destination for any hiker, even without a stop at Shore Acres. Here, the elements have carved the sandstone into a whimsical landscape of swirling stone, reminding me more of an alien sci-fi planet than the Oregon Coast.

We took our time enjoying this strange new terrain. It’s one of the few areas along the hike where you can go off trail, and definitely a favorite stop for the kids. OK, not just the kids — it’s one of my favorite spots, too! Besides, will I ever tire of these views?

From here, the trail followed the cliffs as we made our way back toward Sunset Bay. This was the trail we had opted not to take on our outbound journey. Luckily, it was a great option for the return trip, and worked out perfectly. Be aware that while much more scenic, this route is longer than the other path. It’s also more strenuous, with a few short but steep hilly sections. For those who are up for it, it’s well worth the extra effort, and the elevation gain is still minimal.

As we made our way back, there was one more surprise in store. Below us, on the one of the rocky islands near shore, a group of seals took the opportunity to enjoy some November sunbathing. We watched as another seal bobbed through the water, then pulled itself ashore to join the others. For several minutes we were mesmerized. Take a close look at the photo below, and you may find a few yourself.

Not long after spotting the seals, we rejoined the main trail near the road. From here, we headed back the same way we had come. The tide had receded, offering glimpses of newly exposed shoreline from each viewpoint. Soon, we were back at Sunset Bay Campground, still relishing the amazing sights we discovered along our hike. From Sunset Bay to Shore Acres, there’s always more to explore.