White Rock, British Columbia
White Rock is a city in British Columbia, Canada, and a member municipality of the Metro Vancouver Regional District. It is bordered by Semiahmoo Bay to the south and is surrounded on three sides by Surrey. To the southeast across a footbridge lies the Semiahmoo First Nation, which is within the borders of Surrey. Semiahmoo Bay and the Southern Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia are also to the south.
White Rock
Canada
April 15, 1957
White Rock City Hall
White Rock City Council
Megan Knight
5.17 km2 (2.00 sq mi)
54.23 km2 (20.94 sq mi)
80 m (260 ft)
21,939
21,807
4,240.6/km2 (10,983/sq mi)
109,167
2,013.1/km2 (5,214/sq mi)
UTC−07:00 (Pacific Daylight Time)
White Rock is named for a large white boulder on its beach near the promenade, a glacial erratic that migrated south during the last glaciation. The 486-ton granite boulder was kept white by shellfish-eating seabirds whose guano covered the rock so much that 19th-century sailors used it as a beacon. It is now kept white through monthly applications of white paint by the city parks department and has been a graffiti target. The White Rock Pier is located nearby.
Annual events[edit]
Every year in July, the city hosts the Tour de White Rock, a bicycle road race that attracts over 150 local and international riders. In 2005, the event was part of the Canadian Cycling Association's national Road Race Series.
Every year during the first weekend of August, the Spirit of the Sea Festival is held on White Rock beach. It usually includes a parade, fireworks, music stages, a sandcastle competition, and various other beach-related activities. The festival began in 1949.
