The world 's largest salmon cannery was operated by the Alaska Packers ' Association for decades in Blaine ; the cannery site has been converted to a waterfront destination resort on Semiahmoo Spit . Several saw mills once operated on Blaine 's waterfront , and much of the lumber was transported from its wharves and docks to help rebuild San Francisco following the 1906 fire there . The forests were soon logged , but Blaine 's fishing industry remained strong and robust into the second half of the 20th century . Into the 1970s Blaine was home to hundreds of commercial purse seiners and gillnetters plying the waters offshore of British Columbia , between Washington State and southeast Alaska . Blaine 's two large marinas are still home to hundreds of recreational sailboats and yachts , and a small fleet of determined local fishers provide visitors with dockside sale of fresh salmon , crab and oysters . Nature lovers have always appreciated Blaine 's coastal location , its accessible bike and walking trails , and view of mountains and water . Birdwatchers across the continent have discovered the area 's high content of migratory birds and waterfowl : Blaine 's Drayton Harbor , Semiahmoo Spit and Boundary Bay are ranked as Important Birding Areas by the Audubon Society
1906 fire
1906 San Francisco earthquake
Blaine, Washington