White Rock
Sandy beaches with spectacular sunsets and unforgettable ocean experiences
With its sandy beaches, red brick promenade, waterfront eateries, dramatic sunsets, and the warmest ocean water on the Canadian west coast, White Rock is known as the jewel of British Columbia. A quiet, growing, seaside community tucked between Surrey and Washington State, White Rock is a scenic community offering a variety of leisure activities from windsurfing to golfing to oceanfront promenade walks.
Rooted in nature, growing with you
White Rock, British Columbia, is a coastal treasure known for its laid-back charm and stunning ocean views. Perched along the shores of Semiahmoo Bay, this seaside community offers a unique blend of beach-town tranquility and vibrant local culture. Stroll the iconic pier, explore boutique shops and cafés, or unwind with breathtaking sunsets. With a strong sense of community, a relaxed pace of life, and easy access to Metro Vancouver and the United States border, White Rock is a beautiful place to build your career and call home.
Location
Perfectly placed between city and sea
Perched on a gentle hillside overlooking the sparkling waters of the Pacific Ocean and Semiahmoo Bay, White Rock is a coastal gem that blends seaside serenity with vibrant community spirit. Just 45 minutes (45 km) from downtown Vancouver, this charming community offers a peaceful escape without sacrificing urban convenience.
Known for its iconic pier, sun-drenched beaches and the massive white boulder that inspired its name, White Rock is steeped in natural beauty and local lore. With its relaxed pace, artistic flair and panoramic ocean views, White Rock is a welcoming and inspiring place to live, work and explore.
White Rock resides on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the Semiahmoo [semi-ahmoo] First Nation, and is home to the Surrey-Delta Métis Association.
Places to live
Comfort, connection and coastal beauty.
White Rock offers the charm of a small coastal town with the conveniences of a well-connected community, making it a desirable place to live. Each of its neighbourhoods offer a variety of lifestyles—from beachside living to suburban convenience—all within easy reach of White Rock’s scenic coastline and community amenities.
With easy access to Greater Vancouver and nearby U.S. border crossings, White Rock is both peaceful and practical.
Things to do
Seaside strolls and coastal culture
Whether you’re enjoying a seaside picnic, browsing weekend markets, or watching the sunset over Semiahmoo Bay, White Rock offers a perfect blend of culture, community and coastal beauty.
Take a stroll along the iconic White Rock Pier or relax on the sun-warmed sands of East Beach. Wander through the boutiques and cafés along Marine Drive, where ocean views meet local flavour. Explore the vibrant art scene at the White Rock Gallery or catch a performance at the White Rock Players Club. Discover the stories of the region at the White Rock Museum, housed in a historic train station by the sea.
Transportation
Getting around the city
White Rock is easily accessible via Highway 99 and is well-connected to Surrey and the broader Metro Vancouver area. White Rock’s compact layout makes walking and cycling popular choices, especially along the scenic waterfront promenade.
Public transit options, including bus routes linking to SkyTrain stations, support car-free travel, while electric vehicle owners can take advantage of several charging stations throughout the city.
Schools for your children
White Rock is part of the Surrey School District. Though it is an independent municipality, it is geographically small and surrounded entirely by the City of Surrey. This arrangement allows White Rock students to attend schools operated by the Surrey School District, including nearby secondary schools like Earl Marriott Secondary and Semiahmoo Secondary, which are located just outside White Rock’s boundaries in South Surrey.
As the largest school district in B.C., Surrey School District serves over 120 public elementary and secondary schools, offering a wide range of specialized programs that include French Immersion, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate.
The city also features a rich mix of independent and private schools—including faith-based and alternative education options—all committed to creating inclusive, supportive learning environments.
Arriving in B.C.
Making your move easy
While you wait for your moving day, there are a few things you can do to ensure your arrival in B.C. is smooth and you can settle in quickly.
WelcomeBC has information to prepare you for your arrival to B.C. and outlines steps you can take in the first few days to help you settle in.
You’ll also find the B.C. Newcomers’ Guide helpful with tips and information on healthcare, finding a place to live, education, money & banking, and much more. It is available in 13 languages.
FAQs
The Government of British Columbia (Provincial government) health plan is called the Medical Services Plan (MSP). It pays for basic, medically required health services. These include some doctor visits, medical tests, and treatments. Not all health costs are covered by MSP like dental, optometry/vision or physiotherapy to name a few.
MSP is for:
• B.C. residents who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents
• B.C. residents who are government-assisted refugees
• international students with study permits
• some people with work permits for 6 months or more
Click here to find out if you are eligible for MSP.
Registering for MSP
You should register for MSP as soon as you arrive in B.C.
All residents of B.C. must be registered with MSP. You need to apply to register for MSP. On your application, make sure you write your name exactly as it appears on other official documents.
You may have to wait for up to 3 months for your application to be processed. If you do not have MSP, you should buy private medical insurance. If you need medical care in B.C. and you do not have MSP or private medical insurance, you will have to pay all medical costs yourself. These costs can be very high.
Check out the Newcomers Guide for more details on B.C.’s healthcare system.
You will need a BC Services Card to access health care services.
Follow these steps to get your BC Services Card.
1. Apply for MSP.
- Complete and send the BC MSP enrolment form.
- You can also apply online.
2. Visit an ICBC driver licensing office. After you send your documents and enrolment form, you will receive a letter in
the mail. Take the letter to an ICBC driver licensing office. You will also need to take 2 pieces of identification.
- Find out what kind of identification you will need. icbc.com – Search for “Service card
accepted ID” - Find an ICBC office near you.
Children under 19, people 75 and older, and people with study and work permits do not have to visit an ICBC office. You will receive a BC Services Card without a photo. Click here for more information.
Check out the Newcomers Guide for more details on B.C.’s health care system.
There are many real estate sites that list local rentals and sales of homes in New Westminster. Here are some to choose from:
Buyers:
Renters:
- apartments.com
- realtor.ca
- rentals.ca
- Join a local Facebook group
Tips:
- Check out the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) website for information on mortgages for newcomers to B.C.
- Visit financial institutions like RBC, TD, Scotiabank or a Credit Union for newcomer mortgage programs and book a meeting with a mortgage advisor.
- BC Housing can help you find out about affordable housing and first-time home buyer programs.
White Rock is part of the Surrey School District, offering access to a wide range of public, private, and specialty education options—all within inclusive, community-focused learning environments. Learn more on the Surrey School District site.
Tip: Ensure you have all the documentation needed to register your children in school:
- Birth Certificate
- Proof of Residence (home address)
The child care facilities listed here are licensed by Fraser Health. This list is regulated under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act of B.C. and is updated approximately every four months.
Recreation Facilities & Sport Fields
Recreation & Culture | White Rock, BC
Parks
Click here to discover over 80 acres of parkland to enjoy.
Live Theatre
White Rock Players’ Club | Community Theatre
More fun activities
For shopping, restaurant, arts, entertainment activities and more, check out Explore White Rock for their recommendations on:
From oceanfront patios to cozy cafés and bustling markets, White Rock serves up a dining experience as vibrant as its views. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood, global cuisine, or a quick bite by the beach, there’s something for everyone.
Check out Explore White Rock for their recommendations.
- Vancouver – 50 minutes by car
- Burnaby – 45 minutes by car
- New Westminster – 35 minutes by car
- Richmond – 35 minutes by car
- Langley – 30 minutes by car
- Whistler – 2 ½ hour drive by car
Click here to find information on schedules, routes and pricing.
The only way to get to Vancouver Island from the mainland is by ferry or airplane.
Ferry
The main ferry services are run by BC Ferries, which operates vessels between these ferry terminals:
- Tsawwassen (Vancouver) and Swartz Bay (for Victoria)
- Tsawwassen and Duke Point (Nanaimo)
- Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) and Departure Bay (Nanaimo).
Seaplane
You can take a seaplane between the downtown Vancouver and Victoria harbours through Harbour Air.
Airplane
You can take a commercial airline and fly between Vancouver International Airport and Victoria International Airport.
Area Facts
Nestled on the coastline on the most south-western side of neighbouring city, Surrey, White Rock is approximately 50 minutes (48 km) from Vancouver’s city centre and a quick five-minute trip to the Canada/USA Peace Arch border crossing. In fact, you can see parts of Washington state across the water.
White Rock offers schooling for kindergarten through to grade 12 as part of the Surrey school district, with post-secondary and higher education opportunities in nearby cities.
Primary industries in White Rock consist of tourism, food and beverage, and, entertainment, including the film/television sector.
Things To Do
Known for its historic waterfront pier and promenade, and one of the best beaches in the province, any season is the perfect time to be in the charming community of White Rock. Visit a beach-front restaurant for the best views to watch the sunset, check out Totem Park, explore the local breweries and nearby wineries, or, grab your paddleboard for a view of the city from the water.
Explore Our Region
Nestled on the coastline on the most south-western side of neighbouring city, Surrey, White Rock is approximately 50 minutes (48 km) from Vancouver’s city centre.
Peace Arch Hospital
As a community hospital in Fraser Health’s integrated network of care, the role of Peace Arch Hospital is to provide primary, secondary, and some specialty services, such as 24/7 emergency, general medicine, surgery, maternity, inpatient, and outpatient care, with some services requiring a referral while others can be accessed directly. Peace Arch Hospital has a capacity of 171 acute care beds as of July 2018. It provides care and services primarily to local community residents, and, to a limited extent, residents of the surrounding communities.
In 2010/11, Peace Arch Hospital saw 51,251 emergency room visits, provided care to 8,377 inpatient and 7,613 surgical daycare cases, delivered 1,060 newborns, and had 119,438 visits to ambulatory care.
In keeping with the network and systems approach to organizing and delivering services in Fraser Health, Peace Arch Hospital primarily serves its local communities of South Surrey and White Rock, referring patients who require higher level of care to Surrey Memorial or Royal Columbian Hospitals.
In addition to service delivery, Peace Arch Hospital is a teaching hospital affiliated with UBC’s family medicine and psychiatry residency programs.
Emergency Department Expansion and Upgrades
Peace Arch Hospital has completed an Emergency Department expansion and upgrades project that includes five upgraded perioperative suites (operating rooms), and a new Medical Device Reprocessing department.
Peace Arch Hospital
Peace Arch Hospital
15521 Russell Ave, White Rock, BC, V4B 5M2, Canada
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Fraser Health is generously supported by a network of health care foundations. Donations to our health care foundations build upon government health care funding to help support priority equipment, education, research, facility enhancements and/or other projects in our hospitals and surrounding communities.
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