r/WhiteRock • u/Fzwzy • 10d ago
Trip to White Rock
Im starting to plan a trip to Whiterock for summer of 2027. (I know that its a year away but I like to plan :)) I have 3 boys who will be 8, 6, and 4 next summer. We live in Saskatoon and plan to road trip, and the point of going to Whiterock is to show the ocean to my boys. I know it is close to Vancouver as well and so we do plan to visit Vancouver during our time there. Hopefully do a 10 day road trip and stay 3 nights at white rock. Plan to hotel it as well so any recommendations to where to stay would help as well.
I am just looking to see if anyone knows of any gems that I should plan to do or see with my family in or around Whiterock? Beaches to check out the ocean? Thanks!
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u/Mariss716 10d ago
The Ocean Promenade Hotel is on east beach and locally owned. I would know, my family is one of the owners. Dogs and kids welcome and the beach is across the street. I happen to admin the big White Rock Facebook group as well, all 110,000 of our “small” community. We welcome questions and visitors! :) happy to send a link or whatever
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u/plantbasedstitches 9d ago
I spent my wedding night at this hotel even though I'm a local - it was wonderful! While it's an older hotel, it has the beach vibes and location you want. There aren't any other hotels near the beach and with this one you can walk across the street to the ocean and have a near by "base camp" for the kids. I grew up in white rock and cherish the few 'originals' we have left
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u/Otherwise-Truck-7389 9d ago
But don’t welcome differing opinions and ban people for reactions to comments even in said group ! 🥴
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u/Mariss716 9d ago
Looks like the right call was made.
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u/Otherwise-Truck-7389 8d ago
The point of a community group is to have differing opinions and view points, not to be one sided and outright ban differing opinions and views, to say the right call was made without knowing me reflects more on your small mindedness than me
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u/Unusual_Okra_5214 9d ago
Stayed at this hotel with my then 5 year old before moving to the area. Two nights max is perfect for the littles. Instead, add an extra day staying at a hotel off the marina/close to Stanley Park.
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u/HealthConscious6125 10d ago
I think there's literally only one hotel in white Rock so that part will be easy.I'm not sure if you are aware of how small white Rock is.
if you want to spend a day here at the beach go for it but there's nicer and more scenic beaches around. If you're coming all the way from Saskatchewan I would probably go and take in Stanley park and north shore
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u/thriftingforgold 9d ago
Yes to this. White Rock is tiny. Huge beach, tons of restaurants but not much to do.
Parking at the beach can be quite expensive so keep that in mind but more than one day at White rock Beach is overkill, I think. Campbell Valley might be fun for the kids. It’s about a 10 minute drive and there’s lots of trails and lots of birds to see. Historic Stewart farmhouse is also about a 10 minute drive. Crescent Beach is close with a quieter vibe. There’s a lot more touristy things to do in Vancouver, such as Stanley Park, Granville Island, science world.•
u/andymacdaddy 8d ago
They have no idea how small it is. It’s only 16 streets to the north. Loved there for 10 years. White Rock will be very boring after day three for a tourist. Definitely visit but plan other places
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u/OverEstate4925 10d ago edited 9d ago
Kids love hanging out at the beach. There's A LOT of Beach during Low Tide. There is also restaurants on both East and West Beach for all budgets. The vibe here's mostly chill as the ocean has managed to keep the addicted away. Its family friendly but unfortunately not pet friendly. You and your kids will love it here and you are more than welcome.
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u/vanmachinist 10d ago
Skimboarding on East Beach during low tide in the tidal pools is great fun and lots of restaurants along the strip. Crescent Beach is my favourite though which is only about a 10 minute drive away. It’s quieter and still has some old school cottages/beach houses remaining.
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u/Apart_Surprise_2018 9d ago
At 8, 6, and 4, I would strongly recommend Centennial Beach in Tsawwassen as well. Crescent Beach and White Rock Beach are beautiful in the summer. While they offer unique experiences, Centennial has a large playground that the other two don't have. My kids personally prefer Centennial Beach over the other two. White Rock will let your kids experience a sandy beach experience but Centennial offers that too. Crescent Beach offers a small town vibe. I think it's great for reading a book and sipping coffee but the kids might get bored pretty quickly there since the beach is more rocky.
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u/atticus_trotting 9d ago
We also like the centennial beach.
OP, there are more hotels (and perhaps cheaper, because its close to the ferry dock) in Tsawwassen. Plenty of amenities in town. Centennial beach's bathrooms are nicer and the park has a good playground.
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u/poignanttv 10d ago
If you want the true Pacific ocean, visit Tofino, on the west coast of Vancouver Island. They have a ton of stuff for kids to do, like surfing, etc. You can take a float plane from the mainland (Richmond or Vancouver) as the ferry and drive is a pain.
White Rock beach is nice, but it’s more of a calm bay. I would visit Vancouver for a few days and then head to Tofino. All the best to you!
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u/tiggertootwo 9d ago
I don't personally equate the White Rock beaches with the ocean. Its salt water, but Vancouver Island is 'in the way'. I'd miss the waves. I agree, Tofino/Ucluelet is the true Pacific Ocean. But yes, it definitely adds travel time.
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u/newwerraa 9d ago
And an insane amount of cost. Staying in tofino in the summer is no joke
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u/tiggertootwo 9d ago
LOL. OK. That too. Ucluelet has some cheaper motels though. I actually like it better to stay in Ucluelet, personally.
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u/JollyButterscotch232 10d ago
Tofino is beautiful but would add too much travel time with little kids in my opinion.
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u/Opening_Occasion8016 9d ago
Do you realize how far that is from the middle of Saskatchewan? By car? With three little kids?
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u/SoftballLesbian 9d ago
I always tell people traveling here to see them ocean to make sure they spend time up in the sunshine coast. If you can swing it, take a trip to Vancouver Island and spend a lot of time there. It's the best West Coast experience you could ask for. Tofino and Ucluelet, literally on the West coast, are overwhelmingly beautiful and the Ocean Village resort is family and pet friendly. Drive up to Coombs, with their goats on a roof store, and continue to Parksville for the night. Lots of family friendly stuff all over the Island that you should Google and pick what you want to see. San Josef park on the very north point is another jawdroppingly beautiful beach the kids would have fun running around on.
Here in Vancouver, there's beaches in Stanley Park including Third Beach (my absolute favourite), Spanish Banks which has a shallow sandbar that goes 1 km out into the ocean to play in, the Maritime Museum and Planetarium nearby are fun, and the UBC Museum of Anthropology is a must see. The North Shore has Lynn Valley Canyon park including a suspension bridge, Lighthouse Park, and Whytecliffe Park which has a fantastic rocky beach for the kids to explore and swim in.
Make sure you also visit one of the local lakes, these are gorgeous in their own way and will be completely different than SK lakes. I recommend Buntzen or Hayward if you have a regular car or Weaver if you have a 4x4.
Be sure to stop at Christina Lake in the Kootenays and Mabel Lake near Kelowna on your way to the lower mainland. Just gorgeous.
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u/Ok-Cauliflower-8791 9d ago
Crescent beach and white rock beach will both offer them tons of fun days at the beach, jumping off piers and making sandcastles.
At crescent beach you’ll have lovely dinners at both The Cabin and also at Palms. At white rock beach the food is more casual but there’s an amazing restaurant called Uli’s that I highly recommend.
There’s a great ice cream shop with a ton of flavors at crescent beach but it’s cash or debit only.
When you’re out here you have to try the sushi because PNW sushi is some of the best in the world, and both Sapporo Kitchen and Nami in white rock will be absolute home runs for you.
For some non beach activities, there’s a pitch and putt at The Hills Peace Portal. If it’s a bad weather day, the Morgan Play Center is cheap and will entertain them and tire them out.
If you have passports, I recommend spending half a day crossing the border and go grab goodies at Trader Joes in Bellingham, grab some Chic Fil A, and bring back some pie from The Birch Door Cafe.
For some back to school shopping you’re only a 25 minute drive away from the outlet mall in Tsawwassen and while you’re there, grab some sandwiches from Ossi’s deli.
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u/rohoho929 9d ago
There are beaches in many Greater Vancouver municipalities.
Vancouver has a stretch of beaches along the Kitsilano side. Kits, Jericho, Locarno and Spanish Banks. Lovely views of the mountains and the city skyline and English Bay.
There are beaches around the perimeter of Stanley Park as well.
It's pretty cool to be able to visit the beach within a large city.
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u/Obvious-Antelope-354 9d ago
I’ve never heard of anyone going to White Rock on holiday! But I guess it makes sense if you’re coming from Sask. I see Centennial/Boundary Bay mentioned above and echo that - perfect beach for kids (I live in Vancouver proper and often took my kids there for beach days - White Rock only once ever. You could stay in Tswassen for that (white rock-ish area really, but closer to Vancouver).
Also don’t miss on Vancouver things with your kids if you are all the way out here! Stanley park and the aquarium for sure (loads of ocean to see surrounding here). Aqua bus, Granville Island… up the mountains… if you’re coming all this way I’d for sure do a lot more than White Rock! Curious what made you choose there actually? Do you know anyone there? Maybe because I have always lived right in city, I don’t get what the draw would be?
Have fun!
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u/Sensitive_March8309 4d ago
Agree! Vancouver has some great beaches as well, Kitsilano Beach, Jericho Beach and.. third beach? Been years since I’ve been there so correct me if I’m wrong. But definitely good call on the Aqua bus!! OP - they’re little taxi boats that take you to different parts of the city so you can go from downtown to Granville island to Stanley park to Yale town etc.. super fun!! I used to take them just for fun when I lived there. White Rock is pretty and it’s special to me as my grandparents lived there and my Grandfather used to own a shop along the main drag back in the 60’s and 70’s (before my time) but if you’re coming all the way from sask I highly recommend spending more time in Vancouver and maybe doing a day trip out to white rock for a beach and fish and chips!
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u/Fzwzy 3d ago
Hey! Haha too be honest we definitely want to go to vancouver. We were thinking something smaller and quieter to dtay at that has the beach. Im aware it isnt the true pacific but for them it will be just right. Especially if they see wild life.
If you do have recommendations for things to see or do id take them. We were not planning to stay at white rock the whole time but for it to be our base? If that makes sense.
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u/Sad-Smile7060 9d ago
Make the extra effort and come over to Parksville. Kids are prime age for it and the beaches are much better. Plus, flatlanders love the ferry.
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u/BracketWI 9d ago
In addition to seeing white rock, crescent beach etc, I'd recommend a ferry experience for you and the kids if you can fit it in. It's a great way to see the coast.
If you only want to do a day trip, I'd recommend Bowen Island. 20 min ferry, grab lunch at one of the local bistros and go to Alder cove.
If you have time for an overnight or two, go to Vancouver Island (Swartz Bay), see Victoria (Beacon Hill park and the nearby beach off Dallas road are beautiful). If you want more incredible coastline look up East Sooke park, China beach & Mystic beach. If you want cold but gorgeous freshwater swimming, Sooke potholes.
Other notable mentions: Lighthouse park in West Van, Grouse mountain coaster for the kids, & Lynn Valley in North Van.
Every now and then you'll see a pod of whales off the ferry. This was coming into Swarts Bay earlier this month.
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u/AnxiousRemove 6d ago
I am from Saskatoon and have lived in White Rock for many years, so i understand why you chose White Rock. I doubt anyone else here gets it.
With only 3 days, your time is limited so don’t waste it in the car by trying to hit every tourist spot in Greater Vancouver. You want the full WR experience, so book the Promenade and use it as a hub. You can walk to the beach, pier and all the restaurants from there.
Day 2: drive up Marine Drive all the way to Crescent Beach/ Blackie Spit. It’s 10 minutes away. More restaurants and coffee shops.
Day 3: now that you’re climatized to the area, more of the same, or venture to Centennial Beach (30 minutes) or even Stanley Park. Just be aware that Vancouver traffic is very crowded and stressful — especially if you’re not used to it. (I still can’t stand it and rarely go downtown)
There’s a Best Western 5 minutes from the beach if you want to save a bit of money.
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u/BeachGuy604 6d ago
White Rock is nice but not the greatest beach destination for a bunch of younger children for an extended stay.
Consider some others that have more family oriented amenities
Crescent (near white rock) Centennial Beach (Tsawassen) Kits/Jericho/Lacarno 2nd Beach (Stanley Park)
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u/Spork604 3d ago
The carvery sandwich shop!!
Technically south surrey but still close and the best sandwich shop ive been too
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u/AnxiousRemove 3d ago
Yes, the aquarium is worthwhile for the kids, then maybe go up the gondola for lunch on Grouse Mountain. Then back for dinner on Granville Island (Dockside or Bridges). Lots of parking and you can walk around the market. Local vibe and not touristy like Gastown etc.
40 minute drive back to White Rock, assuming later in the evening.
There are a million great restaurants, but you only have one day in Vancouver. Cardero’s in Coal Harbour, Beach Avenue Grill under the Burrard Bridge, or Bae Side False Creek are some other top view spots.
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u/djbaerg 9d ago
Coming all the way from Sask, I'd just spend all the time you can in Vancouver. White Rock is a great local beach but you'll find a lot more interesting things to do at Stanley Park and Jericho beach. Not to mention all the other non-beach activities as you drive through the Rockies and the BC interior.
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u/Fzwzy 3d ago
Do you have any recommendations for non beach activites? I was thinking of stopping here and there while we drive to the coast.
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u/djbaerg 1d ago
Yeah, I've got a few.
On the way through Alberta, stop at the Royal Tyrell Dino museum. It's incredible. Nearby is Barney's Adventure Park, which we thought was totally worth the money when we went in 2024. There's also a quick visit to the Hoodoos.
Going through the Rockies, there's almost too much to mention, especially the Banff area. There's a gonda, there's a hot spring pool, there's all sorts of tours. And a short drive North you can go on an excursion to walk on a glacier. Not to mention, the Icefield Parkway is just incredible to drive on.
Revelstoke has a gondoa then a race-track cart thing back down the hill.
Nearby on the highway there's the Enchanted forest, which is a charming little spot. It's hard to catagorize but basically a woman who lived there, long before the highway went in, made all these little concrete statues of fairy tale creatures. Now there's also a forest adventure park with ziplines and such.
Getting into Sicamous, if you've got a couple of days, you can rent a houseboat and explore the lake.
Then there's the BC Wildlife Park in Kamloops. Kamloops, like many cities, also has a great downtown park, with a beach, where the North and South Thompson rivers join. And a playground, and a splash park.
From there the fastest way is to take the Coq highway, which doesn't have much for attractions but does have some great views. Be aware, after Merritt, it's about 120km to the next fuel stop.
Just before Hope is the Othello tunnels. It's an old train route so it's a super easy walk through the canyon. It was damaged in storms a few years ago and has been partially repaired. There's also a picnic area in the parking lot.
Bridal Falls is another short hike just outside Chilliwack, it's a gentle uphill but is walkable for most 4 year olds.
Once you're in the Vancouver area, you have a ton of options. Suspension Bridges in the North Shore mountains. Walk the convention center and watch the float planes land and take off. See Flyover Canada. Science World, Stanley Park, the Aquarium, the Planetarium, the Maritime Museum, Kits Beach, False Creek water taxi, Granville island, and a ton of other things.
And then even more if you opt to go to Whistler or Victoria.
And there's also other (longer) routes you can take through the BC interior.
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u/SignificantEbb1893 8d ago
Toms of Indian restaurants and Tons other Indian restaurants. Serially go to USA even Blaine for better food options
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u/iamsofakingcrazy 9d ago
Centennial beach is nice too
But I’d seriously get a discover pass and go across the line to birch bay and go visit state parks around there
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u/Turbulent_Ear56 10d ago
Crescent beach is also very nice and is about a 10 minute drive from White Rock beach.