Surrey is a fast growing city southeast of Vancouver, with sandy beaches on Boundary Bay, big urban forests, a country fair heritage and some of the best Punjabi food in Canada.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
May to September brings dry, sunny days for beaches and parks.
How long
One to two days, easy to pair with Vancouver.
Getting there
Vancouver International Airport is about forty minutes away, and SkyTrain reaches Surrey.
Why visit Surrey
Surrey is one of the largest cities in British Columbia and among the most diverse. Its coastline faces Boundary Bay and the mountains, its parks protect tall second growth forest, and its neighbourhoods range from a modern city centre to the old fairground town of Cloverdale.
Beaches and the coast
Crescent Beach
This laid back seaside community has a sandy shore, a promenade and cafes, with sunsets over Boundary Bay and the Gulf Islands.
Blackie Spit Park
Next to Crescent Beach, Blackie Spit is a sandy spit and tidal flats known for herons, shorebirds and the occasional seal.
White Rock pier
Just next door, the small city of White Rock has a long wooden pier, a beachfront promenade and the white boulder that gave the town its name.
Parks and forests
Green Timbers Urban Forest
Green Timbers was the site of one of the first replanting projects in the province. Today its trails wind past a lake through a quiet forest in the middle of the city.
Redwood Park
Planted by two brothers in the 1890s, Redwood Park holds a grove of tall redwoods and other trees from around the world, plus a treehouse that children love.
Bear Creek Park
Bear Creek Park has colourful gardens, a miniature train and walking paths along the creek.
Heritage and festivals
Historic Stewart Farm
This restored farmhouse on the Nicomekl River shows rural life in the early 1900s, with heritage gardens and seasonal events.
Cloverdale
Cloverdale keeps a small town feel with its historic main street and the Surrey Museum. Each May, the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair brings rodeo events, rides and live music.
Holland Park
Holland Park in the city centre hosts major events including the Fusion Festival, a summer celebration of world music and food.
Food and local flavours
Surrey is famous for Punjabi and South Asian food, especially in Newton and along Scott Road. Try butter chicken, crisp samosas, sweets from a busy mithai shop and a cup of masala chai. You will also find great Chinese, Korean and Filipino restaurants, and in summer the farms of the Fraser Valley sell fresh blueberries and strawberries.
Popular dishes to try in Surrey
Where to stay
Surrey City Centre has modern hotels near SkyTrain, ideal for trips into Vancouver. South Surrey is close to Crescent Beach, White Rock and the US border, while Cloverdale suits visitors coming for the rodeo and fairgrounds.
Where to stay in Surrey
Best time to visit
Summer is dry and sunny, perfect for beaches and festivals. Spring brings blossoms and the rodeo, and fall is crisp and colourful. Winters are mild but wet, typical of the Pacific Northwest coast.
Getting there and getting around
Vancouver International Airport is about forty minutes by car. SkyTrain's Expo Line runs to Surrey Central and King George stations, connecting with buses across the city. A car is the easiest way to reach the beaches, farms and parks in South Surrey and Cloverdale.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Walk the trails in Green Timbers and Redwood Park, then enjoy a Punjabi dinner in Newton.
Second day
Spend the morning at Crescent Beach and Blackie Spit, stroll the White Rock pier and visit Historic Stewart Farm on the way back.
Practical tips
- Bring a rain jacket outside the summer months.
- Use a Compass Card or contactless payment on SkyTrain and buses.
- Check tide times before exploring Blackie Spit.
- Allow time for border lineups if you plan to cross into Washington State.
