-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 SMFUdaHy4hpT89BKP+UHu3UbspY9542K+sryVq8m+pYlISHz3n9mYvLaD3NduWxo
 wH9i0jBu+4vjZ5RQ39qFhw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001225208-04-001462.txt : 20040826
<SEC-HEADER>0001225208-04-001462.hdr.sgml : 20040826
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040826164816
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001225208-04-001462
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040816
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040826
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040826

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NATIONWIDE HEALTH PROPERTIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000780053
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS [6798]
		IRS NUMBER:				953997619
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		610 NEWPORT CENTER DR
		STREET 2:		STE 1150
		CITY:			NEWPORT BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92660-6429
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9497184400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		610 NEWPORT CENTER DR
		STREET 2:		STE 1150
		CITY:			NEWPORT BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92660-6429

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	BEVERLY INVESTMENT PROPERTIES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19890515

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KHOURY ABDO H
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001073166

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09028
		FILM NUMBER:		04999460

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ARV ASSISTED LIVING INC
		STREET 2:		245 FISCHER AVE SUITE D-1
		CITY:			COSTA MESA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92626
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7147517400

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ARV ASSISTED LIVING INC
		STREET 2:		245 FISCHER AVE SUITE D-1
		CITY:			COSTA MESA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92626
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc3.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-08-16</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000780053</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NATIONWIDE HEALTH PROPERTIES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NHP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001073166</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KHOURY ABDO H</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>610 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 1150</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEWPORT BEACH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92660</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <officerTitle>SVP &amp; Chief Portfolio Ofc</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3518.1752</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Trust</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Abdo  Khoury</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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