Day Trip Diaries is a Cascadia Daily News travel series profiling communities within two hours’ travel of Bellingham. Do you have a suggestion for where to cover next? Send tips to cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com.
White Rock: Quick facts
Distance from Bellingham: 40 minutes (plus border crossing time)
Population: 21,939
Notable: Lively waterfront promenade and pier, warm water, diverse food scene, antique and thrift stores
Community at a glance
Located just a hop and skip from the Peace Arch border crossing, White Rock, British Columbia, is a popular seaside escape for Vancouverites — yet perhaps overlooked by folks in Whatcom County.
If you ask a local what to do here, their first answer might come in the form of a question: “Have you seen the pier?” Honestly, it’s hard not to see the pier. It’s among the longest in Canada, coming in at 1,542 feet and decisively hard to miss. The structure was built in 1914, shortly after the Great Northern Railway rerouted along Semiahmoo Bay and prompted population growth.
White Rock is also known for its, well, white rock — a 486-ton boulder left behind by glaciers around 11,000 years ago.
But this beachfront escape is more than the sum of its tourist attractions. With its pristine waterfront and cafe-dotted promenade, the vibe is similar to that of a British seaside town (and you may forget how close you are to home). It’s drop-dead gorgeous on a sunny day, with views of Mount Baker and the Salish Sea in the same panorama. Its waters are warmer than usual — at least by Washington standards — so if you’re searching for somewhere to swim this summer, you needn’t look far.
White Rock residents are also friendly as can be, and I mapped out a chunk of my day by asking locals where they like to go. For example: The man at the bubble tea shop sent me to his favorite pho restaurant. Sisters at a diner advised I visit a locally owned thrift store just down the street. Two girls at the Hawaiian coffee shop recommended I grab Jamaican food. A beertender sent me to a Greek joint; the list goes on.
Luckily, White Rock residents’ recommendations didn’t disappoint. With so much to see and do (and an international border to cross), a day trip is very doable — but I’d happily spend a whole weekend exploring.
To-do list
Morning: The best way to acquaint yourself with White Rock is to stroll the promenade and pier, preferably before afternoon crowds roll in. The promenade stretches 7,200 feet — nearly the entire length of White Rock’s beach — alongside shops, eateries and commemorative totem poles. Walk north and you’ll wind up at the historic pier.
But while the promenade is White Rock’s crown jewel, my personal favorite vistas came from wandering the residential streets above the waterfront. Note that this is more of a hike than walk: White Rock is pretty hilly, with some streets at a 23% gradient. Even so, walkers will be rewarded with sights of Mount Baker to the southeast and the glimmering bay below.
If you need even more incentive, pair your explorations with a cup of coffee. Islands Café & Coffee Roaster has freshly-roasted Hawaiian coffee plus acai bowls, and Laura’s Coffee Corner is a beloved homey cafe serving lattes, sandwiches and treats to a crowd of mostly locals.
For something more substantial, Wooden Spoon is a popular pick for brunch, with four styles of eggs benedict as well as a few plant-based options. I was personally smitten with the quirky, nostalgic vibe at Five Corners Cafe, an iconic ‘50s-style diner now owned by longtime employee Catherine Honeywell and her family.
Afternoon: After getting acquainted with the waterfront, wander uptown and browse White Rock’s surprisingly vast selection of vintage and thrift shops. For example, The Peace Arch Hospital Auxiliary Superfluity Thrift Store has been a local institution since 1950, whereas other shops like The Wilder Thrift Store are newer additions. You’ll also find upscale boutiques like slow fashion house Harly Jae.
White Rock also has a burgeoning arts scene, with public fine arts displays along the promenade and exhibitions at spots like White Rock Gallery. Nomad Gallery also does custom framing, and The Shop Next Door — located right next to Five Corners and also owned by the Honeywells — carries an eclectic mix of goods from local artisans and vintage clothes.
When lunchtime rolls around, consider leaning into the English beach town feel and enjoying fish and chips al fresco. White Rock has no shortage of this classic British cuisine, and popular spots include Moby Dick Restaurant, Coney Island Seafood and Montgomery’s Cottage Lunch. No matter where you choose, the salty, golden batter should pair perfectly with the (equally salty) sea air.
For something less fried, Bread Box Market is a gem of a local grocer, offering fresh produce and deli goods to hungry locals for decades. Grab some meat, cheese and grapes and you’ve got yourself a party.
If (or in my case, when) the afternoon sugar craving hits, Chez Cristophe has a dizzying selection of French pastries and chocolates. Mr. Chu Tea & Coffee is also a must-stop, whether or not you think you like bubble tea. I ordered the house favorite — a brown sugar latte with boba — and finished it off in five minutes flat.
Evening: Beer aficionados will be pleased to know White Rock has several local breweries to choose from. White Rock Beach Beer Company is the O.G., serving locals and tourists alike since 2013, while 3 Dogs Brewing is popular for its frequent events and solid food menu. Galaxie Craft Brewhouse on the promenade has space-themed beer and arguably the best location.
As far as White Rock classics go, Uli’s Restaurant can’t be beat. They’ve been offering farm-to-table, bistro-style eats just across from the pier for more than three decades. Another local standby, Washington Avenue Grill (or WAG for short), is known for its quirky decor and award-winning wine list.
Since you’re in Canada, you’d be remiss not to eat sushi at least once — and White Rock’s oldest sushi joint, tiny Kappa Sushi, doesn’t disappoint. Other international options include Pho 777, Five Corners Vietnamese Restaurant and Cosmos Greek Restaurant.
When I travel, I like to scout out cuisines I couldn’t get back home — and Bellingham is sorely lacking in Jamaican food. But family-owned PG’s Jamaican Restaurant, tucked away on a nondescript corner near Semiahmoo Square, has authentic Jamaican eats, a juice/rum bar and even the occasional barbecue. They’re also a fun weekend spot, with occasional breakdancing performances and Friday night DJs often spinning hip-hop and reggae until late.
On the subject of nightlife — White Rock doesn’t have much of it, but Blue Frog Studios is among Canada’s best live recording studios and a great place to catch a concert. Galaxie’s second location, Galaxie Public House, also has live music, cocktails and pinball.
The city also plans to introduce a night market this summer from 3–10 p.m. on the last Friday of the month. Though not open until May 31, it promises to bring together local musicians, entertainers and food vendors along the promenade.
Cocoa Laney is CDN’s lifestyle editor; reach her at cocoalaney@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 128.
