The Oregon Coast Trail is a long-distance route along Oregon’s Pacific shore from the Columbia River to the California border near Brookings. Proposed in 1959 by University of Oregon geography professor Samuel N. Dicken, approved in 1971, and developed within the state park system, it is a linked coastal route rather than a continuous footpath. Beaches, paved roads, streets, and inland trail connections combine to form a journey shaped by headlands, tides, river crossings, and seasonal restrictions. Its existence is closely tied to Oregon’s strong public beach access tradition, especially the Oregon Beach Bill of 1967, and it remains one of the state’s signature long walks.