Birch Bay is set in a cove between Bellingham and Blaine, Washington. The tide takes all day and creeps out for ages. At low tide there is a wide mud flat with all sorts of critters to discover like sand dollars, baby crabs, clams, and blue herons. The boat launch and State Park beach area is rocky and covered in driftwood to mess around on. The area near the village is sandy and perfect for building massive castles to wait for the ocean waves to destroy. The water and tidal pools are warm. The pelicans and seagulls are always scavenging. Up in the state park you can explore Terrell Creek Marsh, a Pudget Sound freshwater estuary with pretty bullrushes and wetland plants. There is a half mile loop hiking trail near the park entrance that is easy to follow and great for kids.
Now that the kids are older I tend to bike everywhere to avoid DUI charges. It takes about 20 minutes to peddle from town to the start of the state park where the playground is located. About 30 mins to the campground or Beachwood resort. These breezy morning rides are a lovely way to work off your hangover. If you want a shorter jaunt the Birch Bay Café is about 10 minutes and does a decent latte.
Town is a general store, a few restaurants, liquor store, café, and the C Shop. The latter is an ice cream, candy, pizza, fudge place that attracts all the tourists. They serve a mean milk shake. All the local eateries are good. Most are oceanfront and have a great patio to lounge on munching appies and sipping cocktails. There is a gift shop that rents paddle and pedal toys. Birch Bay Waterslides has a hot tub, kid section and 8 rides. Up the highway a little there is now a strip mall complex with a bigger grocery store, fast food options and a cannabis shop.
The Beach on the oceanfront is the best little dive bar in the State. There is live music and karaoke almost every night. The Happy Hour prices are insanely good. The bands are rock and roll. The clientele is there for a party and love to dance. It’s a colourful mix of good time characters. Last time I was there it was a Mom’s Night Out trip. The specials were $2 highballs at 2pm, $3 at 3pm and $4 at 4pm. Needless to say we were politely cut off and asked to leave that night. When our group of ladies strutted in the next evening the bartender enthusiastically shouted “Kelly B!!” at our group. Bloody hell. It appears I had made quite an impression if the mixologist and I were on a first name basis.
The kids always want to hit up Miniature World. Thomas the train will take you for a spin. There is a decent mini golf course and go cart track. The video arcade is fun for a few minutes. Unfortunately, the Station 49 Saloon has never been open when we visit but it looks like a swanky, fun, outdoor, western bar. This place is a money pit but the kids love it.
Hopefully the powers that be deem the border safe enough to open soon and we can return to this little slice of sentimental paradise. Until then, please include my Dad and Matt’s mom in your prayers as they are both paying an insane amount for trailers they can’t get to without quarantining for on their way back home.
Birch Bay, WA
2016 – Present
Kids Ages: Infant to 6
paRty of 4 