City of White Rock, BC: Complete City Guide

White Rock is a small seaside city of about 22,000 people on Semiahmoo Bay, right beside the US border in the southwest corner of Metro Vancouver. Known as the "City by the Sea," it is famous for its long wooden pier, a sandy beach that stretches for kilometres at low tide, a waterfront promenade lined with restaurants and patios, and the giant white boulder that gives the city its name. Almost completely surrounded by South Surrey, White Rock packs ocean views, sunsets over the Gulf Islands and a relaxed beach-town feel into just five square kilometres.

White Rock sits on the traditional and unceded territory of the Semiahmoo First Nation and the wider Coast Salish peoples. The Semiahmoo First Nation's reserve lies along Semiahmoo Bay just east of the city.

White Rock at a Glance: Quick Facts

Statistics Canada counted the population again in May 2026, but city-level results are not expected until 2027. Figures on this page use the 2021 census unless stated.

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History of White Rock

The Semiahmoo and the white rock

For thousands of years the Semiahmoo people, a Coast Salish nation, lived around Semiahmoo Bay and Boundary Bay, harvesting salmon, shellfish and plants from the rich shoreline. The great boulder on the beach, known to the Semiahmoo as P'Quals, is part of their oral history. The rock is a glacial erratic, carried here by ice during the last ice age, and early mariners used its pale colour, once whitened by seabirds, as a landmark. Today the Semiahmoo First Nation's reserve sits along the bay just east of the city.

Railway and resort town

Settlement grew after the 1846 boundary treaty set the border along the 49th parallel just south of here. The Great Northern Railway built its line along the waterfront between Vancouver and Seattle, and the White Rock station opened in 1912. In 1914 the White Rock Pier was built, and the area quickly became a summer resort where Vancouver families came by train for beach holidays, cottages and dance halls. The Peace Arch monument at the nearby border crossing was dedicated in 1921.

Becoming a city

For decades White Rock was part of the District of Surrey. Residents wanted more control over their seaside community, and on April 15, 1957, White Rock separated from Surrey and incorporated as its own city. Cottages gradually gave way to year-round homes, and the city became a popular place to retire.

Recent decades

On December 20, 2018, a powerful windstorm broke the historic pier in two and swept away boats moored to it. The pier was repaired and reopened in 2019. Uptown White Rock has seen a wave of new condo towers, and debates over building heights, views and waterfront parking are a constant theme in local politics. In 2026, Mayor Megan Knight withdrew from the civic race to run for the BC Conservatives in the October 24 provincial election.

Key dates in White Rock history

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Geography of White Rock

White Rock sits on a steep, south-facing hillside above Semiahmoo Bay, with views west across Boundary Bay to the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island and south to Washington State and Mount Baker. South Surrey surrounds the city on the north, east and west, the Semiahmoo First Nation reserve borders it to the east, and the US border and the town of Blaine, Washington, are just to the southeast. The beach is long and shallow, so at low tide the water retreats far out, leaving warm sand flats and tide pools.

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White Rock Neighbourhoods

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White Rock Climate and Weather

White Rock enjoys some of the sunniest and driest weather in Metro Vancouver. Sheltered by the Olympic Mountains to the southwest, it gets noticeably less rain than Vancouver or the North Shore, and the ocean keeps winters mild and summers pleasantly warm.

Figures are approximate, based on Environment and Climate Change Canada normals for the area.

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Urban Planning in White Rock

White Rock's planning debates focus on how tall new buildings should be, especially in Uptown, and how to protect ocean views and the small-town feel of the waterfront. The Official Community Plan concentrates higher-density housing in the Town Centre while keeping the hillside and waterfront mostly low-rise. Other priorities include waterfront parking and access, improving the promenade and Memorial Park, managing the BNSF rail line that runs along the beach, and adding housing for seniors and young families.

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White Rock Landmarks and Architecture

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White Rock Demographics and Population

The 2021 census counted 21,939 people in White Rock, up 10% from 2016. White Rock has one of the oldest populations in Canada, with a median age in the mid-50s and a large share of retirees. Most residents live in apartments and condos, and the city is one of the most densely populated in the region for its size.

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Ethnicity and Cultural Diversity

Figures are rounded from the Statistics Canada 2021 Census Profile.

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Languages Spoken in White Rock

English is the main language for most residents. Other languages commonly spoken at home include Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Punjabi, Persian, German, Spanish and French.

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Religion in White Rock

Roughly half of residents identified as Christian in 2021, with Catholic, Anglican, United and Evangelical churches across the city, and a large share reported no religion. Smaller Sikh, Buddhist, Muslim and Jewish communities are also present, with more places of worship nearby in South Surrey.

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LGBTQ2S+ White Rock

White Rock is a welcoming community for LGBTQ2S+ residents and visitors, with Pride celebrations on the Semiahmoo Peninsula, inclusive programs at the library and community centre, and support groups in nearby South Surrey. Most of the region's queer nightlife is in Vancouver.

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Homelessness in White Rock

Homelessness in White Rock is small in number but has become more visible in recent years. The 2023 Greater Vancouver homeless count found 11 people experiencing homelessness in White Rock, an increase from the previous count, partly because a nearby shelter program closed before the count. Shelters and outreach services for the area are mostly located in South Surrey.

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White Rock Economy

White Rock's economy is built on tourism, hospitality, health care and retail. The waterfront's restaurants, cafes, patios and shops draw visitors year-round, especially in summer. Peace Arch Hospital is the city's largest employer. Uptown along Johnston Road has grocery stores, services and boutiques, and real estate, construction and professional services are also important. Many residents are retirees, and others commute to jobs in Surrey and Vancouver.

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City Government, Mayor and Council

White Rock is governed by a mayor and six councillors, all elected city-wide for four-year terms. Voters also elect one trustee to the Surrey Board of Education (School District 36), representing White Rock. City Hall is at 15322 Buena Vista Avenue.

Mayor and city councillors (term 2022–2026)

Two seats became vacant in 2025 when Councillor Ernie Klassen was elected Member of Parliament for South Surrey–White Rock and Councillor Michele Partridge resigned. They were filled in a by-election on September 27, 2025.

The next civic election is Saturday, October 17, 2026. Mayor Knight withdrew from the race to run for the BC Conservatives in Surrey South in the October 24 provincial election, leaving two mayoral candidates on the ballot: Councillor Susan Bains (Together for White Rock) and realtor Chris Shields.

Other levels of government

White Rock is in the federal riding of South Surrey–White Rock and the provincial riding of Surrey-White Rock. Metro Vancouver provides regional services, and TransLink runs transit. Unusually, White Rock runs its own drinking water utility, supplied by local wells.

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Policing and Crime in White Rock

White Rock is policed by its own RCMP detachment under contract with the City, and White Rock Fire Rescue provides fire services. White Rock is one of the safest communities in the region. Most reported crime is property crime such as thefts from cars parked along the waterfront, so visitors should keep valuables out of sight.

For emergencies call 9-1-1. For non-emergency police matters, contact the White Rock RCMP detachment.

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Military in White Rock

White Rock has no Canadian Armed Forces base. The Royal Canadian Legion is active in the city, local cadet units train on the Semiahmoo Peninsula, and a Remembrance Day ceremony is held each November 11.

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White Rock Sister Cities

White Rock does not currently promote any formal sister city relationships. Check with the City of White Rock for the latest information.

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Public Transport and Getting Around White Rock

White Rock has no SkyTrain, but bus routes connect it to the rest of the region.

Driving and parking

Highway 99 runs just west of the city, and the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway border crossings to Washington State are only a few minutes away. Marine Drive runs along the waterfront. Parking on the waterfront is paid and fills up quickly on sunny weekends, so arrive early or take the bus.

Walking

The waterfront promenade is about 2.5 km long and perfect for walking. Steep stairways and hillside paths connect the beach with Uptown, and they double as a popular local workout. The BNSF railway runs between the promenade and the beach, so always use the marked crossings.

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Schools in White Rock

White Rock is part of the Surrey School District (School District 36). Public elementary schools in the city include White Rock Elementary and Peace Arch Elementary, and students attend nearby secondary schools such as Semiahmoo Secondary and Earl Marriott Secondary in South Surrey. Star of the Sea is a local Catholic independent school. The nearest post-secondary campuses are Kwantlen Polytechnic University and SFU Surrey.

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White Rock Library

The White Rock Library is part of the Fraser Valley Regional Library system. Membership is free for residents and includes books, e-books, streaming, programs and study space.

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Arts and Culture in White Rock

Filming locations

White Rock's pier, promenade and seaside streets regularly appear in film and TV productions looking for a picturesque beach town.

Media

• Local news: Peace Arch News, Surrey Citizen
• Regional: CBC, CTV, Global BC and CityNews

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White Rock Nightlife

White Rock's evenings are relaxed and centred on the waterfront. Marine Drive is lined with restaurants, pubs, wine bars and patios with sunset views, from casual fish and chips to fine dining. Summer evenings bring live music, busy patios and strolls on the promenade. For clubs, most people head to Vancouver.

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Parks and Beaches in White Rock

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Natural Attractions Near White Rock

White Rock's beach is its big natural attraction. Because the bay is so shallow, the sun warms the tidal flats and water at low tide, making it one of the best places in Metro Vancouver for wading, skimboarding and beachcombing for crabs and sand dollars. Semiahmoo Bay is also an important stop for migrating birds. Nearby are Crescent Beach and Blackie Spit in South Surrey, Peace Arch Park on the border, Redwood Park and the forest trails of Sunnyside Acres.

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Things to Do in White Rock: Top Attractions

1. Walk the White Rock Pier and watch the sunset.
2. See the white rock on West Beach.
3. Stroll the promenade from West Beach to East Beach.
4. Eat on Marine Drive, from fish and chips to patio dining.
5. Explore the tide flats at low tide.
6. Visit the White Rock Museum in the historic railway station.
7. See a show at the Coast Capital Playhouse.
8. Climb the hillside stairs for ocean views.
9. Visit Peace Arch Park at the border.
10. Catch a summer festival on the waterfront.

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Sports and Recreation in White Rock

White Rock's recreation centres on the outdoors: walking the promenade, beach volleyball, kayaking, paddleboarding, skimboarding and cycling. The White Rock Community Centre, Kent Street Activity Centre for seniors, and Centennial Park's arena and fields host programs and leagues. Junior A hockey's Surrey Eagles play nearby at the South Surrey Arena, and the city hosts the Tour de White Rock cycling race.

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Annual Events and Festivals in White Rock

Dates change from year to year, so check with organizers before you go.

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Sustainability and Green City Goals

White Rock's environmental priorities include protecting the water quality of Semiahmoo Bay and its beaches, managing its own groundwater-based drinking water system, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for sea-level rise and storm surges along the waterfront. The 2018 windstorm that damaged the pier highlighted the city's exposure to coastal storms.

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City Services and Amenities

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White Rock FAQ

Is White Rock part of Surrey?

No. White Rock has been a separate city since 1957, although it is almost completely surrounded by South Surrey.

Why is it called White Rock?

The city is named after the large white boulder on its beach, a glacial erratic left by ice-age glaciers that early sailors used as a landmark.

How long is the White Rock Pier?

About 470 metres, making it one of the longest piers in Canada.

How far is White Rock from Vancouver?

About 45 to 60 minutes by car, or about an hour by bus and Canada Line via Bridgeport Station.

What is the population of White Rock?

The 2021 census counted 21,939 people.

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Sources

• City of White Rock: Mayor and Council
• City of White Rock: History of City Council
• City of White Rock: 2025 by-election councillors sworn in
• City of White Rock: 2026 Municipal Election
• Statistics Canada: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population

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