Surrey is part of the Metro Vancouver area, situated between the U.S. border and the Fraser River. It’s position on stunning coastline, and its myriad of green spaces, make it an oasis for nature lovers.
Equally, Surrey also boasts galleries, museums and heritage locations for those who crave a city break.
Visit the border
The remarkable Peace Arch rises from the lush green lawn on the border between Canada and the United States.
It’s absolutely worth heading here, as this international park amalgamates the US’s Peace Arch Historical State Park with Canada’s Peace Arch Provincial Park, and the results are stunning. The Peace Arch itself was dedicated in 1921 by Washington businessman Samuel Hill, to celebrate a century of peace between Canada and the United States.
Watch migrating birds
Blackie Spit is located in the Crescent Beach area of South Surrey, and from here you’ll be able to enjoy beautiful views of Mud Bay and the North Shore Mountains.
This is the place to be if bird watching is your passion. Over the course of the year, the park welcomes around 200 species of birds, with many beginning their arrival for the fall around late August and September. Spring migrants start arriving during the middle of March and, in general, are on their way again by the end of May.
Although birds are this area’s most famous visitors, you’re also likely to be treated to the presence of harbour seals and their pups resting on the sandy shoals.
Enjoy some shore time after, heading one kilometre along to Crescent Beach. If you time your trip right you can even catch the beautiful sunset – famous far and wide.
Take a journey back in time and spend a day in ‘Smallville’
Just 3.6 kilometres away from Crescent Beach is the Historic Stewart Farm. This late-1800s home shows how a pioneer family lived and the staff are even dressed in period costumes. This picturesque Victorian farmhouse is great for the whole family, with a range of activities offered throughout the year. The gardens and farmland surrounding the building are also a sight to behold.
Initially founded as a small farm community, Cloverdale is one of Surrey’s seven town centres and has built a reputation as a top filming location.
For fans of the early 2000s television show Smallville, Cloverdale will be a very familiar sight indeed. Cloverdale was used as the backdrop for ‘downtown’ and the ‘main street’ of the fictional Kansas town.
Cloverdale has also been used for many other filming projects including The X-Files, Andy Samberg’s ‘Hot Rod’ and a Coca-Cola commercial.
Pull on your walking boots
Love walking? Surrey is the city for you, as there are a myriad of trails, parks and green spaces to explore.
Peace Arch and Blackie Spit might be the most iconic, but there are more than 200 parks and gardens, so explore further and become inspired by the natural beauty of this British Columbian treasure.
Try Green Timbers Urban Forest for a fabulous five kilometre walk where you’ll come across a small lake and the Surrey Nature Centre. There’s even a car park off 100th Avenue between 148th and 144th Street, which is easily accessible.
With car rental in Surrey, all this – and plenty of other things to see and do – are at your complete disposal.
