(Photo from Explore White Rock)
Travelling outside of downtown Vancouver might seem daunting at first. There are 21 separate municipalities in Metro Vancouver, all with their own diverse atmospheres. From the seaside fishing community of Steveston to the rural wine country of Langley, our region boasts an incredible amount of diversity to be appreciated. Still, more often than not, the focus is placed on downtown. As someone living outside of Vancouver proper, I’d like to change that. I’ll be your tour guide, so join me in an exploration of everything Metro Vancouver has to offer!
- Kwomais Point & Crescent Beach, Surrey
If you live in Vancouver, you’ve no doubt heard of Crescent Beach. Located along the east bank of Mud Bay in Surrey, its panoramas are unparalleled. From the beach, the entirety of the western Lower Mainland is visible, from the skyscrapers in Burnaby to the new Oakridge development in Vancouver. If you’re looking for recreation, there are paddleboard rentals available near Blackie Spit Park, which is itself a perfect spot for birdwatching. But just up the hill, about 5 minutes from the beach, sits the true highlight of the area: Kwomais Point. This lookout, which rests on the site of a historic place of observation and spiritualty for the Semiahmoo First Nation, later a Methodist campground, provides the most incredible view of the sunset in the Metro (tied with English Bay).
2. Alouette Lake, Maple Ridge
Moving a bit further into the wilderness, Maple Ridge is home to some of the densest forests in the area, the best escape from the rat race that often is downtown. The highlight of the area is undoubtedly Golden Ears Provincial Park, which features a campground, woodland trails, and, most impressively, Alouette Lake. The water is perfect for a summer dip, and like Crescent Beach, equipment can be rented on-site. The lake is a photographer’s dream, as the nearby mountains turn the site into a grand, picture-esque wonderland.
3. Fort Langley, Langley Township
Fort Langley is the colonial heart of Vancouver; the province itself was proclaimed in Langley due to its strategic history in the province’s fur trade. In the modern day, the neighborhood of Fort Langley is a humble slice of pioneer country, with authentic colonial architecture, and of course, the Fort itself, which is still used to this day, now as a tourist attraction. If you’re a fan of fine cuisine, antiquing, and a cozy atmosphere, Fort Langley is a must-visit.
4. White Rock Pier, White Rock
One of Metro Vancouver’s more iconic symbols is White Rock’s pier, the jewel in the city’s crown. It’s the longest pier of its kind in the country, providing spectacular views of Boundary Bay, the Gulf Islands, Vancouver Island, and Whatcom County, Washington. For the thrillseekers, an everyday summertime activity is jumping off the end of the pier, usually in front of a crowd of onlookers. The pier isn’t all White Rock has to offer, as there’s plenty of shopping and dining dotted across the waterfront. Oh, and if it’s your first visit, Moby Dick’s Fish & Chips is by far the most iconic restaurant on the beach; no trip is complete without it!
5. Larry Berg Flight Park, Richmond
This one is more of an acquired taste than the others, but I had to mention Larry Berg Flight Park. As the name suggests, Larry Berg is situated near YVR, at the end of the south runway, to be exact. Massive commercial aircraft take off directly above your head, so bring a lawn chair to situate yourself in a perfect viewing spot. There’s nothing quite like getting your hat blown off by the wind from a 747 takeoff, and together with the educational displays at the park (which includes a giant half-globe map you can walk on), it had to be on my list.
So there’s evidently a lot to do in Metro Vancouver, but it doesn’t stop here. There are hundreds, if not thousands, more places worth visiting, so what are you waiting for? Go out and explore! Take advantage of everything we’ve got, because it doesn’t matter if you’re not a fan of aviation, or beaches, or history; there’s something for everyone. Go find it!
Written by Noah Schmidt
Contact: nschmidt20@my.bcit.ca