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A resort town, White Rock is a place to sit back, soak up the ambiance and take it easy. No wonder tourists have been flocking here for decades. It offers activities that are at once invigorating and relaxing: unwind along the sweeping, sandy beach, perhaps swimming, whale watching or even scuba diving; relax in a charming restaurant or coffee shop; visit intriguing boutiques and eclectic art galleries. This is a place to stroll along one of Canada’s most famous promenades and take in the spectacular sunsets. Visitors won’t want to miss the celebrated summer farmer’s market, featuring the local bounty of the fertile Fraser Valley.
White Rock is renowned for its 8-km (5-mi) sandy beach as well as its 2.2-km (1.2-mi) promenade. Take a leisurely stroll along the wheelchair-accessible walkway, taking in magnificent views of Semiahmoo Bay as well as the snow-capped peak of Mount Baker rising to the southeast. Another feature of the promenade is a landmark, historic pier that stretches out over the water for 457 m (1,500 ft).
Those who prefer greens to water are in luck: the area is a golfer’s paradise, with more than one dozen excellent golf courses within a 15-20 minute drive of the town. Horseback riding is also available for those of the equestrian bent in Campbell Valley Park near White Rock.
Many visitors come to White Rock for the beach, the promenade, the ocean and the views, but there’s so much more to see and do. White Rock Museum, located in a historic train station, offers intriguing displays and exhibits that highlight the area’s natural, First Nation, railway and settlement histories.
Art has long been a focus of White Rock, and there are now more than a dozen galleries to visit year-round, as well as exhibitions and shows of local artists during the summer months. Vibrant artwork is also found in public spaces, evidenced by the colourful sides of buildings and the mosaic work on the stairs down to the beach that depicts the town’s memorable sunsets. Of particular note is the 21-m (69-ft) “Whale Wall” mural, which greets visitors as they enter White Rock off Johnson Road.
The Whale Wall is also the site of White Rock’s renowned Farmer’s Market, which is open Sundays from June to October. This market celebrates the growing bounty of this area, with many stalls offering freshly picked fruits and vegetables for sale. Baked goods and unique crafts are also available here. Those interested in the farming history of the area should head to historic Stewart Farm, a restored 1894 farmhouse with heirloom gardens on the shores of the Nicomekl River. Year-round tours are led by staff and volunteers dressed in Victorian-style costumes.
While White Rock is most famous as a resort town, it also hosts some exciting events. This includes the yearly Festival of the Sea, which celebrates life along Semiahmoo Bay and features a parade, dinner, sand-castle competition and fireworks. Wings over White Rock, a free air show held each August, features the legendary Canadian Air Force Snowbirds as well as many other aerobatic teams. Visitors pack the beach, promenade and waterfront restaurants to gaze at the planes in thrilling action.
There are over 32.4 ha (80 ac) of parks and green spaces that provide White Rock with a variety of picnic facilities and nature trails. Of particular note is Lions Lookout Park on East Beach. Totem poles designed by Coast Salish and Haida artists stand at the entrance to this park, a gift to the residents of the Semiahmoo Peninsula by the RCMP in 1998 that commemorated its 125 years of service in the area.
In addition to White Rock’s promenade, there are leisurely walks worth taking. This includes the 4-km (2.5-mi) trail in Crescent Beach Park that leads to the namesake beach. For those seeking a more challenging route, a 10-minute drive brings you to Campbell Valley Reach Park Trail (at the end of 208th Street just south of Surrey). This 14-km (8.7-mi) invigorating trail leads hikers and horseback riders to a breathtaking, panoramic view of Mount Baker.
If ever there was a town made for rest and relaxation, White Rock is it. The enchanting atmosphere, ocean breezes, quaint restaurants, charming boutiques, delightful promenade and endless beach serve to make White Rock irresistible to visitors and residents alike.
As White Rock is located on the shores of Semiahmoo Bay, water activities have become a focus of the town. The bay offers superlative sailing conditions and is home to the Lower Mainland Yacht Club. Its protected waters also make it an idyllic paddling destination, with many outfitters in the area offering canoeing and kayaking lessons and tours. This is also an ideal location from which to launch a whale-watching tour. Some of BC’s top dive spots are found here, too. Marine life on view includes the Pacific Octopus and Wolf Eels.
White Rock is just over a 60-minute drive to the North Shore Mountains' three renowned ski areas: Cypress Mountain, Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour. All boast spectacular views of Greater Vancouver, the Pacific Ocean and Vancouver Island; are blessed by abundant snowfalls; and offer numerous winter activities that include skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snow-tubing and cross-country skiing. The Whistler/Blackcomb ski area is just a 2-1/2-hour drive along Highway 99. North America’s largest ski resort with over 3,306 ha (8,171 ac) of terrain and more than 200 marked runs, Whistler/Blackcomb is consistently ranked among the top winter resorts on the continent. Whistler will host many alpine, Nordic and sliding events in the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
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