The Pier and Beach at Wonderful White Rock! White Rock, B.C.

I love White Rock!  As a child my family often headed out to the Beach at White Rock - Fish and Chips at Moby Dicks.........walks along the Pier.........dropping pennies on the railway tracks...... 

 This exciting seaside community is renowned for its beaches, quaint restaurants and art galleries and spectacular sunsets! 

This wooden pier was constructed in 1915 and stretches more than 1500 feet into the ocean.  Its a perfect place for couples to take romantic strolls, and for joggers to enjoy the sea air...

                   Many come to sail, or drop crabtraps from the pier....yep its allowed :-)

                    The sandy beach stretches for more thean 8 km along the warm shallow waters of Semiahmoo Bay....

How did White Rock get its name?  Legend tells us that long before the arrival of the discoverers Cook and Vancover, this area was ruled by a Sea God worshipped by the Cowichan Indians.  The story goes, that the the Sea God had a son who dweal with his father in a subterranean cavern...On the shores of the gulf lived a tribe of Cowichans, whose Chief had a beautiful daughter, whom many young raves had wooed, but she refused them all.

Then one day, the lovely Princess was bathing in the waters of the Gulf, the son of the Sea God rose to the surface eside her and fell in love at first sight.  He seized her and carried her off to his father's mansion.  the Sea God was so angry with his son for bringing a mortal to his Kingdom and, refused his blessing on their marriage and ordered them to return to the girl's tribe.

The young man raised in his powerful arms a huge white rock which stood on the shore and said to the Princess:  "I will hurl this stone over the water!  Wherever it falls there we will make our home and establish our tribe."  So saying, he cast the stone.The son of the Sea God then took his bridge in his arms, dived into the sea and swam in the direction of the great boulder.  There on the shores of a bay shaped like a crescent moon they made their home.  :-)

 Whether you indulge in fish and chips, lunch or fine dining, the selection of restaurants is fantastic along this oceanfront promenade...

The historic White Rock Train Station station houses the White Rock Museum & Archives...The station was built by the Great Northern Railway in 1912.  Over the years the Station has servesd as both a Customs Office and Jail....Situated just next to the Pier, the Museum captures the history of White Rock. 

Its like stepping back into time when you see the terrific re-creation of an old-time ticket office....and take a peek at the quirky permanent collection of memorabilia!

 The White Rock Museum and Archives launched a fundraiser aimed at restoring the station to its former glory. The Train Campaign, as it is called, is expected to raise $450,000 towards a $1 million project to restore the station in a three year project 2008-2010. To support the project, people can purchase a train shaped brass plaque for $600 which can then be engraved in memory of someone (or yourself). The plaques are installed on the promenade outside the station. For more information call the Museum at 604-541-2222

Today the beach area is a popular tourist destination.  With million dollar view homes .....a boardwalk.......and a fabulous view of  the U.S. across Semhiamo Bay. There are great seaside shops, boutiques......coffee bars and spectacular restaurants......There is nothing like the warm sea breeze and the smell of salt in the air!

 If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. -  or if you would like more information please give Liz  Moras a call!  - 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@shaw.ca.     

                                                  Copyright © 2008 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved