Nudists in the Bay Area enjoyed decades of freedom to go topless wherever they pleased — whether on bike rides, lounging at Baker Beach or running in Bay to Breakers races. Unfortunately, times have changed, and public toplessness is now illegal.

San Francisco Supervisor Scott Wiener began to focus on quality-of-life issues in 2011, sparking heated discussions around nudity. He proposed banning nudity at streets, plazas and sidewalks – with exceptions made for street fairs and public transit services – including regular nude protests during meetings on this subject and hosting her own nude talk show by longtime nudist Oxane “Gypsy” Taub who often held nude demonstrations at meetings concerning it.

Taub and others decided to go to court to challenge the ban, which eventually was overturned; but, due to new laws being put in place, this issue continues to generate heated discussion – now, with laws against exposure in many places around the country, it’s against the law to expose your genitals, perineum or anal region in many locations across America.

National forests provide some of the more relaxed policies regarding topless behavior, with state and local ordinances taking precedence (Lane County is notable in its detailed ban of any form). Oregon state parks, wilderness areas managed by BLM, and tribal lands all follow similar policies; however if your nakedness makes someone else uncomfortable (as is often the case) you could face arrest for indecent exposure as well as being banned from certain parks, trails or beaches.