Overview
Blaine, "The Peace Arch City", is the most northwestern town in the contiguous 48 states. It is at the Washington state side of the major land border crossing between Northwest Washington and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, on Semiahmoo Bay. This article also includes Birch Bay, about 5 mi to the south.
1 sights · 2 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Blaine
Peace Arch State Park
A grand white arch in a grassy lawn marks the US-Canada international border. On either side of the park are frequently lines of cars crawling slowly through the border checkpoint lines. You can enter the park from eithe…
Birch Bay State Park
Birch Bay Waterslides
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 70°F; winter lows dip to about 33°F. Wettest: Dec and Nov. (climate data from nearby Port Angeles)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BLI Bellingham International Airport, Bellingham — 16 mi away. Directions
- ESD Orcas Island Airport, Eastsound — 21 mi away. Directions
- SEA Seattle–Tacoma International Airport, Seattle — 108 mi away (major hub). Directions
Blaine is the northern terminus of Interstate 5.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Peace Arch State Park, Birch Bay Waterslides
- Lunch Drayton Harbor Oyster Company
- Afternoon Birch Bay State Park
- Dinner Bordertown Mexican Grill
- Evening Beach Cat Brewing
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Blaine was settled by Europeans in the mid-1800s and named after James G. Blaine, secretary of state and presidential candidate. It was incorporated as a city in 1890. Its population was estimated to be 5,400 in 2018.
Blaine is a border town and the northern terminus of Interstate 5 which becomes BC-99 as one crosses into Canada. A great deal of Blaine's economy is based on legal trade across the Canadian border and Blaine also has a long history of smuggling.
Blaine has two large marinas with hundreds of boats. Salmon, crab, and other seafood are widely available.
Get in
By car
Blaine is the northern terminus of Interstate 5.
It has two primary ports of entry into Canada, across from Surrey, BC:
Go Surrey - Blaine (Peach Arch Crossing)
Open to passenger vehicles, but not commercial trucks and buses.
See the Get in – By car section of the Northwest Washington article for details.
By plane
The nearest commercial airport is Bellingham International Airport (BLI).
Vancouver International Airport (YVR), while across the border in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, Canada, offers a much wider range of destinations.
By bus
Go Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA)
Operates public transit bus service in Whatcom County including Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden, and Sumas. Also operates bus route 80X traveling north from Burlington and Mount Vernon in Skagit County to Bellingham.
- Route 75 operates from Monday to Saturday between Blaine and Bellingham via Ferndale.
Get around
By taxi
Place Red Cab Taxi
See
See Peace Arch State Park
A grand white arch in a grassy lawn marks the US-Canada international border. On either side of the park are frequently lines of cars crawling slowly through the border checkpoint lines. You can enter the park from either the US or Canadian side, and walk all around it, but you must leave by the side you entered, or else formally pass through the border checkpoint.
Do
There are many biking & walking trails, including along Boundary Bay. Blaine is a major birdwatching area. There is a casino in Blaine, a library, and various small businesses.
Buy
Eat
Eat Drayton Harbor Oyster Company
Eat Bordertown Mexican Grill
Drink
Drink The Wheelhouse Bar and Grill
Sports bar with billiards and pull-tabs. Full menu including sandwiches, burgers, and pizza.
Sleep
Go next
Go north to Canada's West Coast gem Vancouver, or head south to Seattle for a great time on the Sound.
Nearby
Ferndale
City / town · 30 listings · 12 mi away
Lynden
City / town · 15 listings · 13 mi away
Point Roberts
City / town · 19 listings · 14 mi away
Bellingham
City / town · 78 listings · 20 mi away
Lummi Island
City / town · 2 listings · 21 mi away
Eastsound
City / town · 30 listings · 21 mi away
Sumas
City / town · 10 listings · 22 mi away
Waldron Island
Rural area · 1 listings · 25 mi away
My experience
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