The beach is White Rock's biggest draw whether it's for family picnics, sandcastle competitions or kayaking excursions. Natural West Coast Adventures launches kayaks from the far west shores of West Beach, and provides instruction and rentals for the novice to experienced paddler. The pier is equally fun. With its boardwalk striding into the water for some 46m/1500ft, it's a favourite spot for fishing, crabbing, swimming and enjoying the views of Mount Baker and the San Juan Islands in Washington State.
Festival & Events
Benches along the promenade make good resting spots to share a sunset, enjoy a gelato ice cream or simply enjoy the swirl of activity that always happens during one of the community's many events such as Spirit of the Sea Festival, the Polar Bear Swim and Tour de White Rock. Local painters, landscape artists and bead jewelry artisans often migrate from their at-home studios to set up easels around the old Station House, now a delightful museum and gift store.
Shopping & Dining
Busy Marine Drive always pulsates with people having a good time. Restaurant patios are numerous and spill over with patrons enjoying everything from traditional fish 'n chips at Moby Dick's to top quality steaks at Pearl on the Rock. Shops and specialty boutiques invite browsing and range from beachwear and bling to intriguing book stores featuring local authors past and present – W. P. Kinsella, Pummy Kaur and Kaylea Cross to name a few, while selling aromatherapy candles alongside palm-reading sessions.
Artist & Art Galleries
Head up the hill via the calorie-burning staircase pathways to explore Uptown White Rock and art galleries. In addition to exceptional showcases such as White Rock Art Gallery, look for the work of local talent in the newly renovated Coast Capital Theatre Playhouse and art shows at the new community centre uptown.
Land Activities - The Surrey Factor
Bordering City of Surrey, there's easy access to a myriad of other activities such as horseback riding, fishing, and kayaking the Nicomekl River and bay areas, as well as numerous nature walks. A favourite is the 4-km/2.5-mi trail in Crescent Beach Park that leads to the namesake beach, and the self-guided interpretative walks at Sunnyside Acres Urban Forest; Wally Trail is wheelchair accessible. Travel along 16th Avenue towards South Langley and discover Campbell Valley Regional Park, a 549-ha/1,357-ac nature park with multiple facilities and hiking/bridal paths, including the moderately easy Shaggy Mane Trail that sweeps around the park's 14-km/8.7-mi perimeter. Mountain bikers can head for South Surrey bike park where trails include dirt jumps, obstacles and training areas for all skill levels.
Bird Watching
Because White Rock is so close to Boundary Bay, one of Canada's top places for bird watching, it's easy to spend an afternoon at Blackie's Spit, Serpentine Fen, Mud Bay Park or Elgin Park. Free birding walks take place every third Saturday, September through May, rain or shine.
Golf
There are more than a dozen golf courses within a 20-minute drive of White Rock, many of which are year-round destinations. The closest courses to White Rock are the historic Peace Portal Golf Course, a tight layout established in 1928 amid 200 year old fir trees, Hazelmere Golf & Tennis Club, a tournament course that also offers extensive natural grass practice greens and fairway bunker, and Morgan Creek with its Thomas McBroom-designed championship golf course.
For information about what to see and do in White Rock, head to the Visitor Centre on the promenade.
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