Searching for the White Rock in White Rock

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I’ve called Vancouver home for the vast majority of my life, but I can count on one hand the number of times that I have visited this particular area in Greater Vancouver.

Welcome to White Rock!

White Rock is a city south of Vancouver, close to the US border. I’ve driven past it multiple times en route to the border, but hardly ever stop. It is named so because, wait for it…, of (shockingly!) a white rock that sits on the beach near the promenade.

The famed White Rock

As legend goes:

“A tall, handsome Sea God who ruled the Gulf of Georgia. He fell in love with the mortal daughter of a Cowichan chief and when both families refused to accept their marriage, he hurled a huge white rock over the water and declared they would make their home where it landed.” – HelloBC

But really, the white rock is a glacial erratic from the Coast Mountains from the last ice age. Not as romantic, but just as cool of a story.

I felt like I was on a beach vacation the whole time I was wandering around. An hour from downtown Vancouver and there is a completely different vibe to the area. More relaxed, quieter and with the water gently lapping at the edges of the shore.

We had dinner at Moby Dick’s Famous Fish and Chips which is famous for its fish and chips (since 1975!). You can eat in the restaurant or order take out to eat on the beach. Surprisingly the wait to take food away was longer than to sit in so we opted to do that.

We managed to snag a seat on the patio with views of the ocean and the occasionally passing train. It was a gloriously warm and sunny day so it was nice to be outside. A well known secret to regulars, (though not mentioned on the menu) is that when you’re ordering a two piece dinner, it actually comes with an extra piece. Good thing I was there with Jason of The Imperfect Traveller who knew the secrets of the menu! I ended up sharing one plate with my boyfriend which was more than enough for the both of us.

Crunch!

Post dinner we went for a stroll along the promenade. The path follows the train tracks and runs the length of the beach with plenty of places to stop for a quick paddle in the water. Beware of the rocky beach though. Opposite, a street lined with shops, restaurants and bars is busy with beach goers. We walked out onto the pier that takes you out to a dock and viewpoint.

Looking back at the city.

There were a lot of people using the pier as a launching point to jump into the water. I don’t know how they braved the water though. Even though the air was warmish still, the water was most definitely cold!

There were also people trying their luck with fishing.

So much patience needed to fish.

We watched the sunset before heading to Crescent Beach – another well known area for beach lovers. Light was dwindling at this point and we couldn’t see much, but the sunset was gorgeous.