Point Roberts

As a US enclave accessible only from Canada by land, Point Roberts is effectively a gated community guarded by the US Department of Homeland Security. Sometimes visitors to Canada making a day trip to Point Roberts, but lacking a multiple entry visa to Canada, get stuck in Point Roberts. US Law Enforcement has used the Point, perceived as almost part of Canada, to trap US fugitives hiding in Canada. Once lured onto US soil on a false pretense, the Feds swoop in on the hapless crook who now has nowhere to run except into the ocean or back to the border and into the arms of US Border Patrol.

By car

If by land, Point Roberts is only accessible through the U.S. Border Station on Tyee Drive, which can be reached from 56th Street in (southern) Tsawwassen, Delta, British Columbia, Canada. For details, see Get in — By car section of the Northwest Cascades region article.

By plane

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  By water

  • Point Roberts Marina

    phone: +1 360 945-2255
    address: 713 Simundson Dr
    Marina with fuel, boat launch. Pier Restaurant at +1 360-945-7437 (945-PIER) with bar and grill, pizza, seafood, burgers, salads.

  • Westwind Marine

    phone: +1 360 945-5523
    address: 721 Simundson Dr
    Boat repair service.
  
  

Public transit

• Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) Vanpool, Phone: +1 360-945-2844. Convenient and relatively inexpensive local van service.

Taxi service

• Point Roberts Cab Company, 1800 Benson Road, Phone: +1 360-945-2757. The only local taxi service in Point Roberts.

The line separating Point Roberts from Canada is the westernmost land border between Canada and the continental US. The westernmost spot is marked by a large monument honoring several UK soldiers from the 1800s. The monument is in a small park with a bench looking out over the Georgia Straight, the Gulf Islands, and Vancouver Island.

• Roosevelt DriveAlong this unassuming lane, the "undefended international border" is concretely visible. A narrow trench and periodic metre-high obelisks mark the boundary. To the north, back yards and wood fences of suburban Tsawwassen homes crowd in. To the south, groves of trees reveal the pastoral spirit of Point Roberts. No forbidding wall or cleared no-man's-land mars the scene.

• Monument ParkThis small park includes a monument marking the establishment of the border between Canada and the USA. There is also a short but steep walk to the beach.

• Point Roberts Golf & Country Club

  phone: +1 360 945-4653
  address: 1350 Pelican Pl
  Championship-sized golf & country club attracts golfers from around North America. Eagle's Roost restaurant serves breakfast and lunch. Due to slightly dryer and sunnier conditions compared to the Fraser Valley, weather in Point Roberts is ideal for golfing.
• There are many mountain bike trails that run through Point Roberts to the South East corner of the peninsula. Ramps and jumps are set up for beginner to intermediate level mountain bike riders.

• Lighthouse Marine Park

  phone: +1 360 945-4911
  Park on southwest corner of the peninsula with beach and public restrooms, 21 acres with unobstructed view over the Georgia Straight to the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island. Thirty camp sites with fire pit, picnic table and parking. Whales can be spotted from here at times.

• Maple BeachThe largest public beach in Point Roberts. Free parking at the northern end of the beach.

• Lily Point Marine Park

  address: 2315 APA Road
  Lovely park with a few well-maintained tracks and beach access. This used to be the site of a salmon cannery.

• Point Roberts main business is selling gas in litres (lower tax rates), dairy products and US postal services to Canadians. The post office rents far more boxes to Canadian residents than to local residents.

• Maple Tree Gallery

  phone: +1 360 945-1266
  address: 1365 Gulf Rd
  This charming shop showcases the artwork of the owners, and local artists they selected. The friendly proprietors, Rose Momsen and George Wright, are happy to tell you about their textiles and carved-wood pieces (respectively) .

• South Beach House Restaurant

  phone: +1 360 945-0717
  address: 725 S Beach Rd
  Beachfront seafood restaurant, wine and beer, full bar, oceanfront patio. Dogs welcomed outside. Seasonal.

• The Shell Center

  phone: +1 360 945-2454
  address: 423 Tyee Dr
  Breakfast, pizza, ice cream, coffee, wine and beer, gourmet sandwiches. Eat-in and takeout.

• Saltwater Cafe

  phone: +1-360-945-7258
  address: 1345 Gulf Rd

• Kiniski's Reef Tavern

  phone: +1 360 945-4042
  address: 1334 Gulf Rd

• Maple Meadows Inn

  phone: +1 360 945-5536
  address: 101 Goodman Rd
  Wi-fi, fridge, microwave, breakfast room service, deck/patio.

Note that due to the proximity to Canada and distance from the rest of the United States, a US mobile phone plan not from Verizon (the only US carrier to place a cell site in the area) may not work or require an additional roaming add-on to function while in Point Roberts. If you need mobile coverage while here and are coming from the US, make sure your plan includes Canadian coverage. Conversely, if you are coming from the rest of Canada, your plan will likely function in Point Roberts as it does in Canada; all three major providers completely cover the community while Freedom Mobile may be spotty away from the border.

• Delta (British Columbia)