White Rock together with South Surrey, the southern part of the City of Surrey, is located on the Semiahmoo Peninsula overlooking Semiahmoo Bay and surrounds the quaint seaside City on three sides.

White Rock offers a destination for all to enjoy. Just south of Vancouver and only five minutes north of the US - Canada border, it is distinguished for its quaint B&Bs, galleries, boutiques and fine waterfront dining with spectacular sunsets over the Georgia Strait.

The City of Vancouver is a 30 to 60 minute freeway drive north. The Canada - US Border is 5 minutes away to the south, with 2 crossings to choose from Pacific, at BC Hwy 15 and Douglas at BC hwy 99. Both crossings are located in Blaine, WA and are accessible from US I-5. Blaine is approximately 1.5 hours north of the Greater Seattle area. The Vancouver International Airport is only 20 minutes away.

The sun smiles on the Semiahmoo Peninsula more hours than most other Southern Coastal Communities. The average temperature during the summer months is 23 degrees Celsius (76 degrees Fahrenheit) and 6 degrees Celsius (42 F) during the winter months. The fairest month is July with only 40 mm (1.6″) of rain on average.

This makes the White Rock area the perfect place to enjoy swimming, golfing, kayaking, sailing, whale watching, biking, hiking or even just strolling. It’s also home to tennis courts, lawn bowling, 2 ice arenas, many golf courses and the famous International Women’s Fast Pitch Tournament.

While in the White Rock area you should experience the many lush nature trails and parks. Serpentine Fen, a bird sanctuary, as well as Crescent Beach are two great areas to see over 200 species of birds on their migration. There is the Historical Stewart Farmhouse, a turn of the century museum, “Blackie Spit” and “1000 Steps” are other must see attractions that give you a rustic feel.

Stretching 1,559 feet into the ocean is the White Rock pier. It was first constructed in 1915 and officially re-opened in 1977. For a pleasant stroll along the wooden planked pier and watch the crab fisherman of all ages try their luck. You can also visit the great white boulder for which the city is named. Native legends claim the son of a sea god tossed this 486.63-ton magical rock across the seas to prove his strength and it was later used as a navigational beacon.

The Promenade along White Rock’s famous sandy beach is always a pleasant place to stroll and visit. Approximately 2.19 Km (1.36 miles) of level, paved walkway, every inch with a spectacular Ocean Vista which can extend as far as the Cascade Mountains in Washington State. A sweeping view of the Canadian Gulf Islands and southern Vancouver Island across the Georgia Strait is a common reason that some folks stroll the entire length each day. Head out one way along the water and meander back along Marine Drive window shopping or stopping for coffee in one of the many shops, restaurants and cafes.

Marine Drive follows The Promenade through White Rock. With the ocean view on one side, the other side of the Drive meanders through a busy section of the downtown with shops, galleries, restaurants and sidewalk cafes, all with oceanfront views. There are numerous B&B’s in this area that also face the ocean. An ample selection of hotels and motels can be found farther south between White Rock and the US border.

White Rock and the surrounding areas offer some of the finest residential neighborhoods in the Greater Vancouver area, including the growing Morgan Creek area surrounding the Morgan Creek Golf Course (one of fifteen Golf Courses in the area). The Lifestyle is decidedly upmarket and real estate prices tend to be higher than other areas of Surrey and other suburban parts of Greater Vancouver. It is within a reasonable distance to commute to Downtown Vancouver and has become a popular area for corporate executives with offices in Vancouver, Richmond and Burnaby. It is far enough away from the dense urban areas, yet close enough to be central to major corporate centers and still offer all the social and entertainment opportunities of a major North American venue.

So, too, is it an excellent place to retire. The year-round mild climate has made White Rock and the Semiahmoo Peninsula the choice for many senior Canadians. The City of White Rock, with its spectacular ocean views and the City of Surrey with quality new developments offer many condominium home opportunities geared to the older generation who don’t want to spend their time maintaining a house.

If you are looking to build your dream home, you will find that White Rock offers some of the highest quality builders in the Greater Vancouver district. There are many building lots available, ranging in size from a typical “city” lot to multi-acre estates or hobby farms. White Rock’s quiet, safe neighborhoods will surely offer you the home you have been searching for, whether its an ocean view no-hassle condominium, a large treed lot to raise your family, or anything in between.

White Rock has something to offer everyone with shopping, recreational facilities, just ambling along the ocean front Promenade and fine dining. Whether for the day or for much longer, it’s an excellent destination whether for the busy vacationer or for the weary traveler.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Canada Vacation
http://canada-vacation-guides.com/
 

One thing Vancouver Island is famous for is the “great outdoors”, and if you are one of those travelers who loves the adventure of walking, climbing, pot-holing, mountain biking and generally carrying large weights on your back, then have I got a challenge for you!

Besides the outstanding, pristine scenery, the wildlife, both marine and land locked and the opportunity to experience the outdoors safely, Vancouver Island has some of the most challenging hiking trails in the world. But let’s work up to it slowly: I have seen first hand what it can do to the so-called amateur outdoors man.

On the south end of the island, starting in Saanich and winding its way around Victoria to the south-west coast, is the famous ‘Galloping Goose Trail’. Named after a rather strange looking railway carriage of earlier times, this former railway line right of way extends for fifty-five kilometers along wheelchair accessible terrain. Besides passing through a great variety of scenery it also has access to fishing, beaches, and areas for pot holing, kayaking and other water activities. To start us out on our fitness trails, take the Galloping Goose and try the fifty five kilometer walk: or maybe cycling would be easier for you to start out!

Well, while we are all warmed up, why not drive up to Strathcona Provincial Park, in the centre of the island, and do a bit of wilderness hiking. This is not only the oldest Provincial park on the island but the largest, and has the highest mountain peaks of the Vancouver Island Range; with several towering at over 2,000 meters in height. This list includes The Golden Hinde, which at nearly 2,200 meters is the tallest in the park and Elkhorn Mountain, just tens of meters shorter. One of the tallest waterfalls in Canada can also be found in this Park. Della Falls is 440 meters up which provides some astonishing and majestic views to those brave enough to manage the steep hike.. Of course all of this makes an ideal getaway for outdoor enthusiasts and those who feel at home in nature and its surroundings. However, there are bears, cougars and other potentially dangerous animals.

Within Strathcona Provincial Park are dozens of different trails, ranging from easy to advanced. Some trails can be easily done in a less strenuous hike while others are several days long; all are wilderness trails with few amenities. Now I have you aching for more, so to speak, we can take a look at the Vancouver Island special, the West Coast Trail. What the big boys call “The real Canadian experience”. This is one tough hike! Besides being 75 kilometers in length it can take anywhere from five to ten days to travel. You will need to bring all your own supplies including food and water, and because of the location on the pacific coast side of the island it is only open to use between May and September. You have to get a permit, you will get lots of rain and mud, you will have to deal with tide changes, long steep climbs, tree ladders, steep cliffs, natural bridges and manually operated cable cars over deep chasms: and don’t forget the wolves and bears!

Vancouver Island is full of adventures for you to discover, so if you think you can handle a real hiking experience, head to the Pacific North-west and give these three suggestions a try. But come prepared, the British Army training group didn’t find it very easy, and neither will you. Think you are up to it?

Want to Discover more about Vancouver Island and the hiking trails? Visit http://www.Discover-Vancouver-Island.com a popular website that provides inside information for visitors to the island, including maps, pictures and videos.

About the Author

http://www.sunshinecoast-bc.com - Your portal to the communities of the Sunshine Coast.

As a resident, business owner and frequent skiier at Whistler, I have realized that there are “secrets”, things to see and do that the average visitor to Whistler has NO idea about. I’ll try to pass along a local’s knowledge, but know that Whistler is a paradise all of its own - these secrets merely add to the magic!

Hotels can be $300 a night and up during ski season, and peak summer season - but three ideas have saved me money on accommodation. First, there is a condo booking agency called ResortQuest that can offer off season specials - I stayed in a gorgeous townhouse a block from the village square, with hot tub, fireplace, kitchen, sleeping 4-6 people for $100 in the early fall - ask about any deals like that!

If you are sociable, and willing to both ENJOY and put up with the common areas of a bed and breakfast - Chalet Beau Sejour had bed and breakfast in a spectacular chalet looking out on the mountains for $90-125. Very social hosts, and a dining table looking out on the mountains with double sided fireplace and mulled wine while visitors from around the world discuss snow and ski conditions simply can’t be beat!

Lastly, there are two hostels - the venerable Shoestring Lodge, just north of Whistler maybe ten blocks distance, and slated to be “developed” into townhouses before the Olympics, has beds for $25, as does the hostel across the Lake from Whistler - you may share a room with some interesting strangers, but that price leaves plenty of money for food and entertainment!

Whistler has an incredible array of high end restaurants, but one I found outstanding was the Edgewater Lodge, just north of Whistler a few miles. Check the picture in the website, combined with the Zagat quote “venison to die for” (they have their own venison farm) and you’ll be on your way!

At the other end of the spectrum, the mall beside the Whistler Conference Center hosts Shakespeare’s Pies - Australian meat pies for under $4 that you will come back for over and over, especially after visiting Whistler’s bars and nightclubs!

Three bars stand out as amongst Whistler’s best, and offer a unique experience. Tommy Africa’s will attract the early 20s crowd, with glass DJ booth, the best local DJs and a zebra striped door! The Savage Beagle is a two level bar on the main walkway, with a crowded dance floor downstairs, and a “belly up to the bar” section upstairs. The “cougar bar” for 30s and up is Buffalo Bills, at the other end of the main walkway - live bands, great DJs and comedians have offered many great nights over the years.

Ski lift passes are often available at the 7-11 in Squamish or Vancouver on your way to Whistler for a discount that can be $10-20 per lift ticket. Lift lines are shortest at the Whistler Creekside lift, if you want to get going quickly, but I prefer the skiing at Blackcomb, the other mountain (they are joined at Whistler Village)

The best kept secrets about Whistler are the summer activities - there are a group of pristine lakes to swim or canoe, mountain bikes with full protection gear are rocketed to the top of the mountain for rapid or tricky, descents, and the ski hill has a glacier at the top that is kept open until August!

Oh yeah, some guys named Palmer and Nicholas have golf courses, and there are ski camps, tennis camps, zip trek lines, heli hiking, white water rafting, fishing, horseback riding, ATVs - there are a LOT of great things to do, but bring money!!

Enjoy it now, before the Olympics - because 2 weeks of staring at this on TV is going to make the world go crazy for Whistler!

Author: Andrew Larder
Whistler BC Canada - Greatest Skiing In North America!
 

There aren’t many pacific islands where you can surf in the morning and ski in the afternoon, especially ones that are ranked number one by more than one famous travel magazine, many years running!

But there is one!

An island with a history stretching back as far as the ice age, that perches on the western edge of a great continent and one that is growing very quickly as a “must see” destination.

Only about three hundred and fifty miles in length , Vancouver Island sits in the Straits of Georgia, north-west of Seattle and an hour and forty minutes by ferry from the mainland of British Columbia, on the west coast of Canada. Vancouver Island is home to the capital city of British Columbia, Victoria, and has been since 1850 at which time the interior gold rush brought prospectors and a supporting cast of many people to this pristine island.

Today, the temperate climate, stunning scenery and world class amenities make this island a travelers mecca, and for good reason: or to be precise, many good reasons. English speaking, well actually “Canadian” speaking, easy to drive and everything within fairly short distances helps make any vacation here very enjoyable and relatively stress free, especially as accommodations and food services are widespread, well located and of the highest standard: many rated the best on the continent and some, the best in the world.

But it’s the diversity that is the main attraction. Whale watching, body surfing, long cycling trails, wilderness camping, world class spa-resorts, museums, historical sites, famous gardens, ski-ing, sailing, salmon fishing, diving, real wild-life, or spa treatment with a Pacific ocean view. Home grown produce markets, fresh seafoods, local wineries, breweries and cideries, wilderness camping, bed and breakfast or famous five star hotels,

Vancouver Island supports it all and it’s there to be discovered. Jazz festivals, art festivals, opera, book fairs, antique fairs, garden tours, agricultural fairs, theaters and ghost walks. Marathons, cycling races, golf, lacrosse, soccer and ice hockey: and even the tall ships make an appearance!

Vancouver island is a celebration of agricultural, maritime and historical; of First Nations peoples and others from many nations. Of British and Spanish and Asian influences against a backdrop of stunning mountain scenery: a wilderness with all the amenities. Quality shopping, extensive tourist services, modern transportation and yet, the unusual. Float plane services, eagles on the lamp posts, art galleries on the walls, eight hundred year old trees, sea kayaking and afternoon tea with triangular sandwiches.

But more to the point, what shall we have for lunch!

How about some local oysters to start with, followed by a home grown emu burger on a home baked bun with garden grown tomatoes and locally grown herbs picked fresh for the table. Perhaps some locally made goat cheese and a pint of ale brewed on the premises. Actually I think I will have a small glass of the locally made blueberry port wine with my home grown strawberries, although the flambe’ pears look rather nice!

Hey, take some time to Discover Vancouver Island for yourself, you will be glad you did.

About the Author

Dave is a retired Canadian who has taken up building websites. For more, in-depth information for the traveler to Vancouver Island visit ‘Discover Vancouver Island.com’ and check out the FREE travel videos!