White Rock BC Waterfront Day Trip Ideas
White Rock’s 457-metre pier stretches out as Canada’s longest, giving you the perfect starting point for ocean-side adventures.
We’ve found the 2.2-km promenade offers beautiful seaside walks that you can easily combine with local beer tastings.
You’ll enjoy stopping at West Beach Bar & Grill for sunset cocktails or trying craft beers at 3 Dogs Brewing.
The Sunday Farmers Market brings local flavour to your visit, whilst Fraser Valley wine tours make excellent extensions to your day out.
This coastal spot has plenty more waiting for you to find.
Scenic Walks Along White Rock Pier and Promenade
White Rock Pier extends 470 metres into Semiahmoo Bay, carrying the city’s “Canada’s Longest Pier” sign since reconstruction finished in 2019. The adjoining 2.2 km promenade runs almost the entire foreshore, linking East and West Beaches via level paving and multiple ramp access points. Municipal notices advise that storm or maintenance closures may occur, so checking city social feeds before departure is prudent.
Waterfront Dining and Craft Beer Experiences
Once you’ve worked up an appetite on the pier, you’ll know exactly where to go next – White Rock’s waterfront dining scene serves some of the best ocean-view meals around. We recommend grabbing seats at West Beach Bar & Grill for relaxed dining or Ocean Beach Crafts, Drafts & Eats when you want something special. Both offer stunning sunset views over Semiahmoo Bay. The craft breweries here are brilliant too – 3 Dogs Brewing and White Rock Beach Beer serve unique local brews that pair perfectly with the ocean breeze. Happy hour at Uli’s Restaurant feels different with delicious food and those incredible waterfront views.
Beach Activities and Outdoor Recreation
Water sports
East Beach sets the scene for paddling, with city-licensed operators positioned right on the sand. Feral Boardsports—the area’s only dedicated water-sports shop—rents single kayaks at about CA $25 per hour and stand-up paddleboards from CA $20 per hour. They offer SUP yoga and fitness sessions that operate on Wednesday evenings, providing visitors with structured ways to refine their balance and core strength without venturing far from shore. Early slots (before 10 a.m.) tend to offer the smoothest water and the shortest queuing time for gear collection.
Bird-watching side trip
A ten-minute drive north leads to Blackie Spit Park, one of Canada’s richest urban bird habitats. Up to 200 species have been recorded around the tidal flats and eel-grass beds, which sit directly on the Pacific Flyway migration corridor. Interpretive panels near the car park outline seasonal highlights—wintering dunlin flocks, spring-time plovers, and summer osprey hunts. The site forms part of the South Fraser Bird Trail, so well-signed gravel paths and viewing platforms accommodate both novice and experienced birders while keeping sensitive foreshore zones undisturbed. High tide ninety minutes after sunrise generally yields the densest concentrations of waders, and free telescopes beside the main shelter help visitors confirm distant identifications without specialist equipment.
The White Rock Farmers Market runs every Sunday from 20 April to 12 October 2025, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at Miramar Plaza on Russell Avenue More than ninety growers, bakers, and artisans rotate through the stalls, and live folk duos play short sets at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to keep the atmosphere lively. Entry is free, and underground parking beneath the Community Centre offers a convenient option if waterfront spaces are full.
Two blocks south, the White Rock Museum & Archives occupies the 1913 Great Northern Railway station on Marine Drive. Doors open Tuesday–Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and admission is by donation. Four curated shows each year cover subjects ranging from maritime history to contemporary coastal art, while the small gift counter stocks regional history titles and locally made keepsakes. Accessible entrances and automatic doors allow wheelchairs and prams to move easily through the 1,200-square-foot gallery.
Summer evenings bring the TD Concerts at the Pier, a free outdoor series set for five nights—26 June, 10 July, 24 July, 7 August, and 21 August 2025—against the backdrop of Semiahmoo Bay. Headliner sets begin at 8 p.m. after 7 p.m. openers, with stages alternating between Memorial Park on West Beach and Finlay Street on East Beach. Folding chairs are allowed, but lawn space typically fills 45 minutes before showtime; on-street metres remain active until 10 p.m., while the parkades nearby switch to flat evening rates, helping visitors avoid ticket queues.
Together, these three attractions provide fresh local produce, community heritage, and live music that carries sunset melodies across the shoreline—key ingredients for a well-timed White Rock day trip.
Local Markets and Cultural Attractions
Day Trip Extensions to Nearby Wine Country
Guided vans frequently accept White Rock pick-ups en route to Langley wineries:
Operators generally allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, though some scale refunds within ten days.
Questions Often Asked
Is White Rock, BC Worth Visiting?
Yes, White Rock, BC is absolutely worth visiting. You’ll find Canada’s longest pier stretching into the bay, local craft breweries that we genuinely enjoy, and a beautiful 2.2-kilometre promenade where residents actually spend their time. The seaside town offers genuine coastal charm without the tourist traps you’d expect elsewhere.
What Do You Do in White Rock?
In White Rock, you’ll walk the beautiful Promenade and fish from Canada’s longest pier. We’ll visit local breweries like 3 Dogs for craft beers, relax at East Beach’s quiet shores, and learn our community’s history at the museum. It’s waterfront living at its best.
How Long Is the Promenade in White Rock?
White Rock’s promenade stretches 2.2 kilometres along Semiahmoo Bay.
We’ve walked this beautiful waterfront path countless times, and it never gets old. The promenade runs right along the bay where locals meet up for their daily walks and catch those gorgeous sunsets. It’s become the heart of our community – you’ll always find people chatting, exercising, or just enjoying the seaside views. The length makes it perfect whether you want a quick stroll or a proper walk from end to end.
What Is the #1 Tourist Attraction in British Columbia?
Stanley Park in Vancouver takes the top spot as British Columbia’s most visited attraction. This 1,000-acre gem sits right in the city centre, offering you the famous Seawall for cycling and walking, stunning totem poles showcasing Indigenous culture, and wildlife encounters you wouldn’t expect in an urban setting. We love how it combines natural beauty with city convenience – you can spot raccoons, eagles, and harbour seals whilst enjoying views of the mountains and ocean.
