All About Birch Bay, WA

- by Jodie Vinson

Birch Bay is a small community of around 4,000 residents. It is an ideal getaway for those wanting to take in quiet coastal views of the Northwest landscape. With so much shoreline to explore, Birch Bay is a beachcombers paradise. Easily accessible activities at Mt. Baker, Bellingham, and Vancouver also draw many visitors to it peaceful shores.

The Birch Bay community has been defined by its expansive shorelines for centuries. These were covered with black birch trees when it was first discovered by Captain George Vancouver in 1792. A member of the expedition, Archibald Menzies, christened the bay for the abundant species of birch. Before this, the tree-lined coast was inhabited by Semiahmoo, Lummi and Nooksack tribes. Many of the large fir trees were logged at the beginning of the 20th century, but the bay remains a preserved refuge for shoreline wildlife, including many species of migratory birds. Its protected shores are conveniently located just north of Bellingham and fifty miles south of Vancouver.

Community Links:

Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce

BirchBay.net Community Info

Birch Bay Leisure Park Association

Birch Bay Village

Birch Bay Retirement Village

The Northern Light Community Newspaper

Birch Bay Steering Committee