Oregonians have always enjoyed visiting the coast; a tradition that was officially protected in 1913 when Governor Oswald West and the Oregon legislature established the state's 362 miles of shoreline as a public highway. In 1967 the Oregon Beach Bill established a permanent public easement for access and recreation along the ocean shore, and later, statewide land use Goal 17 established a requirement for the protection and improvement of public access to and along coastal waters by local governments. As a result, there are many opportunities to access and enjoy Oregon coastal waters. Visit the Oregon Shore Explorer tool to learn more!