The Chapman Estate is located at 1243 Ocean Boulevard in Shell Beach. This hidden treasure is nestled in the heart of Shell Beach, conveniently located off Highway 101, and close to dozens of boutique hotels and resorts, restaurants, and shops. The stunning Tudor-style mansion perched above the Pacific Ocean offers breathtaking coastal views and is surrounded by meticulously manicured gardens, a koi pond, a begonia house, a landmark windmill, and even a lighthouse. Inside, the Estate features an eclectic collection of sculptures, paintings, collectables and antiques gathered from around the globe, and antique furnishings preserved from the 1930s Tudor home on the property. Thanks to the generous donation of Clifford Chapman, this historic Estate is now open for public access and community use. Visitors to the Estate can explore the gardens and admire the unique architecture – and soon will be able to enjoy the art collection – all while honoring Mr. Chapman’s legacy.

The Chapman Estate Foundation 

The Chapman Estate Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit public- benefit corporation, has lobbied for the preservation of the Chapman Estate for public access and use, continuing Mr. Chapman’s philanthropic commitment to the arts and community. Throughout his life, Mr. Chapman hosted local artists, musicians, and writers, and created a hub for creative expression. He hosted events for the local opera and symphony, fundraisers for local charities, and opened his Estate to the community for “Celebrate America” afternoon events and festive Christmas Eve gatherings for friends and neighbors. In addition to his love for music, art, and collectables, he loved the serenity of his coastal estate, a true slice of coastal paradise, and he loved his garden. His particularly impressive collection of tuberous begonias continues to be maintained by volunteers of the Foundation and can still be experienced during the blooming season from July to September.

The Chapman Estate Foundation is proud to have led the effort to preserve the Estate for future generations. As of October 1, 2026, following a multi-year campaign, the Foundation has taken over ownership and operations from the City of Pismo Beach which had sought to relinquish the property. In conjunction with taking ownership, the Foundation also achieved the City's recognition of the property as locally historically significant, an additional key step towards the long-term preservation of this historic property.

The windmill once pumped seawater to the swimming pool.

Foundation Mission

As a qualified non-profit 501(c)(3) entity, donations to the Chapman Estate Foundation’s mission are tax deductable to the extent provided by law. Donations are used to support the public access and charitable programs, program development of arts and culture events, improving coastal access and programs that recognize the unique natural shoreline environment and rich cultural history of the property and its prior inhabitants, and maintenance of the Estate home, contents, and gardens. Your support can make all the difference in preserving this coastal gem for the community and the visitors of Pismo Beach.

Support 

Donations to the Chapman Estate Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. Donations are used to support the public access, public use, and maintenance of the Estate home, contents, and gardens. Your support can make all the difference in preserving this coastal gem for the community and the visitors of Pismo Beach.

One of the many unique architectural features on display at the estate.

Open Gates Season

Welcome to our Open Gates season, running from April through October! We invite you to step into the gardens every Tuesday and Thursday between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to take in the serene coastal views and enjoy a relaxing stroll through the beautiful grounds. Feel free to bring along a box lunch to enjoy at your own pace during your visit. 

Admission is just $10 per person, paid directly at the gate. If you would like to dive deeper into the heritage of the estate, we also offer 40-minute docent-led tours of the garden and property history for an additional $10 per person. There is no need to make advanced reservations—simply arrive and enjoy the day.

Sunset in the Garden/Music With a View

Join us on Friday nights from 5:00 p.m. to sunset for a wonderful evening of live music in the garden. For just $10 per person, you can relax and take in the beautiful views while enjoying the weekly performances. We provide tables and chairs, but you are also welcome to bring a blanket to spread out on the grass. 

Feel free to pack a picnic basket or a box dinner to enjoy during the event, and be sure to check our Facebook page to see which musicians and local food vendors will be featured each week. Please note that alcohol and dogs are not permitted on the grounds. If you want to explore the history of the estate, we also offer our docent-led property and garden tours for an additional $10 per person. 

2027 Open Gates Season Passes on Sale December 1

Open Gates season passes can be purchased for an individual, or a Family Pass admits up to 4 on Open Gates dates all season long, April through October. Watch this page for your link to purchase your 2027 passes!

Estate Tours

Garden, propery and history tours are offered each Open Gates date, Tuesdays and Thursdays 11-2 and Fridays 5-7:30, without the need for advance reservations. Entry plus the Docent-led Garden/Property History tours are $20/person. Tours run about 40 minutes and your entry fee covers the full hours of your tour date, so feel free to bring a lunch or dinner and enjoy the garden and the view before or after your tour! 

Cash is best for the entry and tour fee, however we will also accept checks payable to the Chapman Estate Foundation or you may make your entry fee donation online via credit card through our donation site. 

Group Tours 

If you are planning a group tour of eight or more people, please do reach out to us to plan your date in advance. Contact us at contact@chapmanestatefoundation.org and provide your preferred tour dates and group size in your message. 

House Tours 

Unfortunately, the City of Pismo Beach has put a temporary stay on public access to the house, so we are unable to offer house tours at this time. We are working to get City approval to install a new fire protection system per City mandate, in order to reopen the house for public tours and events. Please watch this website and our Facebook page for future tour options. 

Private and Charitable Events

The Chapman Estate is best suited for intimate gatherings of 50 people or less. If you are interested in scheduling an event at the Estate, please complete this survey form and a Foundation events facilitator will contact you to discuss availability and options.

Click here to access survey.

Please contact us at contact@chapmanestatefoundation.org to add your name to a reservation list for future tour dates. Provide your preferred tour dates and group size in your message. You can also check our Facebook page for latest updates.

We'll keep you posted on future dates if you can't make these. We look forward to seeing you soon at the Chapman Estate!

The original name of the house was Artede

Origins

The Tudor-style home on the Chapman Estate was constructed in 1930 by Arthur and Celia Rogers. The Guest House, known as the Gull Cottage, has a questionable history. It is believed it is one of the first structures built in the area, around 1914. The Rogers purchased it from Shell Beach resident, Henrietta Fletcher, around 1936. Mr. Rogers, an oil man from the Bakersfield area, purchased the first 3 lots for $10.00 in 1929 and gradually purchased additional lots along the blufftop, until they owned twelve lots. It is reported that the additional lots were purchased for $100 each.

The Rogers completed the original home, an English Tudor mansion designed by local architect Charles Maino, formerly known as Artede, in 1930 and during their ownership, made improvements to the Estate. The Rogers visited on weekends and moved to Shell Beach permanently in 1946. Before their passing, the Rogers started to sell back off some of the parcels they had acquired. After Celia’s death in 1962, Parcels 3-7 were sold to Rose and Clifford Chapman. Later, in 1967, Rose and Clifford also acquired lots 8 and 9, creating the Chapman Estate property as we know it today.

Chapman purchased the estate in 1962. As a young child, traveling with his father along the coast, Clifford would often see the house. It came to have great meaning for him. Chapman and his longtime partner Don Shidler “got together on August 28th, 1964” according to an interview with Shidler. Don attended Cal Poly and received a B.S. in English. He later taught English in Santa Maria.

Clifford's Wishes

In the trust, Clifford Chapman gifted his estate to the City of Pismo Beach and in December of 2013 the City accepted the property (click here to read the eulogy given by Clayton Marsh for Clifford Chapman). Per Clifford’s directives, the Estate will be open for neighborhood gatherings, private occasions and other activities as well as to the designated non-profit organizations.

Board Officers 2016-2027

Board Members

City of Pismo Beach Liaisons

Here's a sneak peek inside the Chapman Estate!

Photo Credit: Amy Joseph

Docent Opportunities

The Foundation staffs volunteer docents for garden and house tours during “Open Gates”, Saturday morning tours, and for private group events. Training is available. Docents are knowledgeable about the history of the Estate and its structures such as the Windmill, Begonia House, and Lighthouse.

Gardening Club

Gardeners meet on Monday morning at the Estate for pruning, planting, weeding and various garden projects on the estate that keep the Estate beautiful all year round. The Gardening group also helps with Holiday decorations and other general Estate grounds maintenance. It’s a gorgeous place to get your gardening fix!

Begonia Club

The famous tuberous begonias are maintained by begonia experts Paul and Laurel Carlisle to keep those colorful blooms coming year after year. If you’d like to learn about how they do it and help care for the begonias, we’ve got a job for you!

Event Volunteers

Volunteers are also needed for Open Gates Season, the annual “Swingin’ by the Sea” fundraiser event held each September and dinners, BBQs, free neighborhood events, and other special events that may be scheduled at the Estate.

Please complete the form at this link and a board member will contact you shortly.

contact@chapmanestatefoundation.org