The beach has made Birch Bay a popular vacation destination but it’s also a nice day trip. Whether it’s sea birds scurrying through the surf or beachcombers picking through the sand, the beaches are teeming with activity.

What’s there: The beach, a state park, dining, miniature golf, go-karts.

Who will enjoy it: Couples, families and out-of-towners.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

How to get there: From Interstate 5, take Exit 270. Head west on Birch Bay-Lynden Road for about four miles. Take a left on Harborview Road to Birch Bay Drive.

Parking: Birch Bay Drive has limited free parking.

Plan to stay: 2-3 hours.

DINING

Breakfast: Tradewinds Café and Gifts, 7856 Birch Bay Drive, 371-8641; hours 8 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.

Lunch: La Cantina, 7876 Birch Bay Drive, 371-9091; hours 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Or try Shores Restaurant, 7848 Birch Bay Drive, 371-3464; hours 9 a.m.-2 a.m. daily.

Dinner: Bluefish Restaurant & Lounge, 7829 Birch Bay Drive, 371-4051. Restaurant hours: 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. Lounge hours: 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m. Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Or try The Thai Steakhouse, 8124 Birch Bay Drive, 371-5910. Lunch: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday. Dinner: 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Tuesday and Thursday-Friday; 4-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed Wednesday.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Birch Bay Sandcastle Contest (June 16)

The Birch Bay community takes advantage of the lowest tide of the year with its annual sandcastle contest. First-, second- and third-place prizes are offered in kids, family, individual and group categories.

Birch Bay Discovery Days (July 21-22).

Birch Bay will hold its annual arts and craft festival on the third weekend of July. Vendors will fill the field behind 7878 Birch Bay Drive from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. The festival will begin with a parade that Saturday.

FOUR THINGS TO DO

1. Birch Bay tide flats

Location: Along Birch Bay Drive

Hours: Dawn to dusk

At low tide, visitors can walk for quite a while before reaching the water line. The wide-open beach is ideal for skim boarding, kite flying and beachcombing. The sunsets also make a great backdrop for a romantic walk on the beach. Birch Bay is also a year-round clamming destination. Visitors can dig for butter clams, oysters and horse clams. All shell fishermen over 15 must have a shell fishing license. For information on shellfish harvesting and possible health concerns, call the Department of Health Shellfish Hotline at 1-800- 562-5632.

2. Birch Bay State Park

Location: At the south end of Birch Bay.

Directions: Drive south on Birch Bay Drive until you see signs for the park. There is a large parking lot near the park entrance.

Hours: 6:30 a.m.-dusk

Birch Bay State Park is 194 acres that has camping and picnic areas, more than 8,000 feet of saltwater shoreline, and Terrell Creek Marsh, one of the few saltwater/ freshwater estuaries in North Puget Sound. Visitors can hike, swim and bike around the park to take in the natural settings and wildlife.

3. Miniature World Family Fun Center

Location: 4620 Birch Bay-Lynden Road, just before Harborview Road, 371-7700

Hours: Starting this weekend, Miniature World is open 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. weekends and Memorial Day. Starting June 23 through Sept. 3, the park is open 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. daily.

Miniature World’s main attractions are an 18-hole miniature golf course, a go-kart track and a miniature train ride. The train ride will open May 19. The gokart track has single- and doubleseated vehicles for driving solo or with a companion. The center also has a snack bar, picnic areas and a small children’s play area.

4. Birch Bay Waterslides

Location: 4874 Birch Bay-Lynden Road, just before Harborview Road, 371-7901.

Hours: 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., weekends starting May 26-June 24 including Memorial Day, then every day from June 25 through Sept. 3.

Birch Bay Waterslides is a four-acre park with six slides, including a speed slide with a 60- foot drop. The park also has kiddie slides, a hot tub, lounging areas and a concession stand. If getting wet is not on the agenda, the park also has volleyball and basketball courts.

“Day Tripping” seeks to explore areas in Whatcom County that can be covered in an afternoon. If you have an idea for “Day Tripping” contact Lance Henderson at lance.henderson@bellinghamherald.com or call 756-2859.