Semiahmoo Spit

Head out the 1.5-mile-long Semiahmoo Spit to Semiahmoo County Park (360/371-5513), where you’ll find restored salmon cannery buildings, a gift shop and art gallery, and a museum (noon–4 p.m. Fri.–Mon. June–Aug. only) that depicts early fishing and cannery operations. The park itself is open daily year-round. The Raven-Salmon Woman Totem Pole stands outside. A paved bike path parallels the road along Semiahmoo Spit.

The M.V. Plover was built in 1944 as a ferry for cannery workers at Semiahmoo. Today the 32-foot boat has been lovingly restored and serves as a passenger and bike ferry (360/332-5742, donation requested). It operates between the harbor at Blaine and the Inn at Semiahmoo noon–8 p.m. Friday–Saturday and 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Sunday summers only, departing on the hour from Blaine and on the half hour from Semiahmoo.

Accommodations and Food

Located at the end of a long sand spit guarding Blaine’s Drayton Harbor, Semiahmoo Resort (9565 Semiahmoo Pkwy., 360/371-2000 or 800/770-7992, www.semiahmoo.com [1]) is Washington’s largest destination resort. The Inn at Semiahmoo is a part of a massive 800-acre development with facilities such as a 300-slip marina, athletic club, indoor/outdoor pool, hot tub, racquetball and tennis courts, full European spa, a movie theater, two championship golf courses (including one designed by Arnold Palmer), restaurants, lounges, and plenty of Puget Sound beachfront. Rates range widely, depending upon the room and amenities, from $189 d for a standard room up to $399 d for an executive suite with fireplace. Package rates are also available.

The Semiahmoo Resort (360/371-2000 or 800/770-7992, www.semiahmoo.com [1]) has a formal restaurant, Stars, featuring expensive Northwest cuisine and a popular Sunday brunch, plus the less fancy Packers Lounge, with delicious fish and chips.