At South Surrey’s Morgan Heights, you can escape to your own seaside getaway in a matter of minutes.
If you’ve lived in the lower mainland for any length of time, you know White Rock is a great place to be in the summertime (and for those of you who are new to the area, take note). That means Morgan Heights, located minutes from White Rock beach, is not only a great a locale for your everyday needs – it’s also a short trip from one of the best beach days in the area.
White Rock beach is accessible by the C52 Seaside/White Rock Centre shuttle. But you may want to rev up your 64 Ford Mustang instead. It seems the city’s warm weather and easy disposition attracts many vintage car enthusiasts, and you’ll see various classics cruising the town’s main strip all summer long.
But the best way to take in White Rock’s scenic beaches is on foot. White Rock’s 2.5 kilometre long beach promenade connects the community’s east and west beaches together. As you walk its length, you’ll breathe fresh sea air all the while, and enjoy an iconic, nostalgic seaside feel. The promenade draws visitors from downtown Vancouver, the tri-cities and the neighbouring U.S. alike. Families with strollers, young couples and youths – all out to enjoy the beauty of this strip. Pause to appreciate the view of Mount Baker and the San Juan islands before heading to the historic white rock.
The rock, from which the city derives its name, lies along the beach beside the promenade. It is, in fact, a glacial erratic left behind from the last ice age, but the rock is also central to a mythological tale about the beginnings of White Rock’s Semiahmoo tribe. (White Rock/South Surrey has a rich past worth learning about, if you’re so inclined.)
Of course, a day by the beach wouldn’t be a day by the beach without the feel of wet sand sifting through your toes and a refreshing dip in the water. The bay’s protected waters are safe for swimming and kayaking. And when the tide is out, there is plenty of exploring to be done in the tidal pools.
Parallel to the sea runs Marine Drive – White Rock’s main strip for funky boutique shops, bustling bistros and fine restaurants. After a day at the beach, you’re sure to feel a little peckish, so take some time check out what’s on offer. Whether you’re looking to treat yourself to some homemade ice cream at Seaside Scoops Ice Cream Café or indulge in a fine dining experience complete with a bottle of robust cabernet sauvignon at Cielo’s Tapas and Oyster Bar, you’ll have no trouble satisfying your palate here.
Wrap up the day with one last stroll along the promenade to White Rock’s historic pier. Dating back to the 1920s, White Rock Pier features a boat launch and 1,559 feet of boardwalk. The Pier underwent restoration about 20 years ago, and still serves as a Canada Customs point of entry for small boats. It is the perfect vantage point to watch a summer sunset.
Clearly, there’s plenty to do in the summer at White Rock. And as a resident at Morgan Heights, you can access it all.
