02 The story
The pier and the promenade
West Beach is where White Rock’s seaside story began. The Great Northern Railway ran trains along the shore from the early 1900s, bringing summer visitors from Vancouver and Washington State, and a pier was built to serve steamships. After an early floating dock was lost to storms, the pier opened in 1914 and was soon extended to its current length of about 470 metres.
The pier has survived fires, storms and decades of wear. In December 2018 a severe windstorm drove loose boats into it and destroyed a large middle section. The damaged part was repaired and reopened in 2019, and the city has plans to rebuild the remaining older sections, so check for any closures before you go.
Walking West Beach
The promenade runs along the shore between the railway tracks and the sand, and it is flat, wide and good for strollers. From the pier, you can walk west toward the end of the promenade or east toward East Beach. The 1912 railway station on the waterfront now houses the White Rock Museum and Archives, with exhibits on local history.
Across the tracks, Marine Drive is lined with restaurants, patios, fish and chip shops and ice cream counters, many with views of the bay. On a clear evening, the sunset over the water and the lights of the pier draw a crowd.
West Beach suits visitors looking for a classic beach day and residents who want to live steps from the water. Bikes, skateboards and smoking are not allowed on the pier or promenade. Trains still use the line, so cross the tracks only at marked crossings.
