Northwest United States Travel...Oregon Beaches belongs to YOU!

The beach access is a few miles up the road.

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NOTE: THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED EARLIER ON MY BLOG Retire in Style

Even though I raised my family in the era of Governor Tom McCall, I still marvel at all he was able to accomplish for our state. He was directly responsible for some of the most progressive legislation our state has ever seen.

McCall was the leader of our state during the 1960's. He was a forward looking and determined son of rural farmers raised in a small remote community called Burns Oregon. One of his great legacies was the passage of the Beach Bill (House Bill 1601) in 1967. As a result, access to our beaches is so complete we have come to take it for granted.

My husband and I are native Oregonians and we remember a time when use of the beach above the high tide line was given at the discretion of beach front property owners and resort management companies. We could not walk in many places and sitting in the dry sand under an umbrella to watch the tide roll in was impossible on many occasions. The rights we have today to walk in the soft sand was insured my Tom McCall's leadership and his call to action by the citizens of the state.

When the media published stories about the restriction, the people of the state demanded that the law be passed. As a result, in the 26 miles between Lincoln City and Newport, there are 9 state parks with parking and beach access. The Central Oregon Coast from Lincoln City to Florence has a total of 37 state parks available for the public use. And that is only the central coastline Anyone that chooses to visit the Oregon Coast has the right to walk on it's beaches. Tom McCall saw to that. It is amazing...or at least I think so.

In June, 1967, after months of stalling, the Oregon Legislature passed House bill 1601, which guarantees public access to the state's beaches and establishes a state easement on all beaches between the low water mark and the vegetation line. The bill expanded upon an almost-60-year-old law that decreed public ownership of beaches between low- and high-water lines, but still allowed for privatization of the "dry sands" area between the high water line and the vegetation line. In 1966, a coastal motel owner barricaded the beach above the high water line, and the need for further protection was discovered. McCall's bold response set the tone for the rest of his administration.

Vacation at the beach...

My husband and I just returned from a 5 day vacation at the beach here in Oregon. We gathered with our family in Lincoln City (map) for our 50th Wedding Anniversary. A beach house was rented and 19 people came for 2 days to eat and play at the shore. Our house was a short walk from the Roads End State Recreation Site north of Lincoln City. Kite surfers provided the entertainment. . We snapped hundreds of photos and played in the incoming surf. Grandchildren played on skim boards. We flew $6 kites I purchases at a local store. My daughter called it "The Perfect Weekend!" We were all a little sad when it came time to head home.

BACK ROAD HOME

When we left Lincoln City yesterday we took Hwy 101 north toward Tillamook, home of that famous cheese you see in the grocery. As you travel north on this road you will notice a turnoff labeled simply Three Capes Scenic Loop. If you turn west and choose the side trip you will not be disappointed. The drive is not a long one and there are many 'escape routes' heading back toward the main road. When I was trying to compare this drive with one we made in California along the Big Sur, I could only think that California would love to be so lucky. Lofty views punctuated with easy access to one after another gorgeous beach make the drive perfect...some beaches even allow you to drive your car to the water's edge. Because it is so close to the Portland Metro area, people come to the beaches for a day of picnicing. I love that motels are plentiful but they do not control the beach.

A few years ago my husband and I camped in our motor home at the Cape Lookout State Park and scored a camping spot just across from the beach. It was a million dollar location at a state park rate. These spots are reserved as far ahead as a year and reservations are made through the Oregon State Parks system and you will find information on the Cape Lookout website.

We stopped in Pacific City for lunch at a little brew pub called Pelican Pub and Brew. The pizza was mediocre and the beer was $6 for a pint but the view was second to none. On up the road at Oceanside we found several very promising looking restaurants and I wished we had waited to eat. That is one of the things that will happen when you travel down a new road. We did the hard part for you!

Oregon is a wonderful place to visit. Come on over and see us sometime!