View from Garry Point Park, Steveston – Photo credit: Lisa Voormeij
If you’ve visited all the Kits beaches and want to liven up your Vancouver summer staycation, Steveston village in Richmond is a fun day trip for young families, boat enthusiasts, and couples looking for a casual stroll in a charming historic fishing community.
Steveston is about a 30min drive (20km) south from Kitsilano. Here’s an itinerary for the perfect day in Steveston including sights, activities and eats.
See
Gulf of Georgia Cannery
Built in 1894, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery was at one time the largest building of its kind and the leading producer of canned salmon in BC. Now, as a historic site, more than 10,000 objects are on display including century-old canning machinery, fishing equipment, and photographs illustrating the history of the prolific West Coast fishing industry. Open daily 10am-5pm. Admission.
Gulf of Georgia Cannery, 12138 Fourth Avenue, Steveston, (604) 664-9009, Gulfofgeorgiacannery.com
London Heritage Farm
Situated on 4 park-like acres overlooking the south arm of the Fraser River is the restored London Heritage Farm home dating back to the 1880s. Step inside and see the displays set up to reflect the life of a pioneer farming family in Steveston over a century ago. Outside are some lovely herb gardens, a big bright red barn, some historic farming equipment, bees, and of course, chickens. On August 18th, from 10am-4pm, the Farm will be hosting the Family Farm Fair featuring a petting zoo, pony rides, a bouncy castle, face painting, live entertainment, a bake sale, craft fair, and more. Regular July and August hours are Wednesday-Sunday 12pm-5pm. Small admission.
London Heritage Farm, 6511 Dyke Road, Steveston, (604) 271-5220, Londonfarm.ca
Britannia Heritage Shipyard
Celebrate Steveston’s waterfront heritage at the 10th annual Richmond Maritime Festival at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard. Learn local lore and try your hand at a variety of arts and crafts. Food, music, artists, storytellers, dancers, drummers, and an outdoor concert will be included. Visit boats moored at the dock including the tall ship Lady Washington used in various tv shows and movies including the Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. August 9-11 11am-6pm. Free.
Richmond Maritime Festival at the Britannia Heritage Shipyard, 5180 Westwater Drive, Steveston, (604) 718-8050, Richmondmaritimefestival.ca
Do
West Dyke Trail
Bring or rent bicycles from Village Bikes and explore the miles of shoreside dykes and trails. Try the West Dyke Trail starting at Garry Point Park with views of the tidal flats, various species of wetland birds, and a scruffy herd of Belted Galloway cattle that lazily graze along the dyke’s edge.
Village Bikes, 3891 Moncton Street, Steveston, (604) 274-3865, Village-bikes.ca
Eat
Pajo’s Fish & Chips
You can’t visit Steveston without having a bite of their well-known speciality: fish and chips. Try Pajo’s Fish & Chips at Garry Point Park for al fresco dining on the beach with views of the mouth of the Fraser River, and across the Strait of Georgia all the way to the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State.
Pajo’s Fish & Chips, 12011 Seventh Avenue, Steveston, (604) 204-0767, Pajos.com
Steveston’s Fishermen’s Wharf
Don’t go home without fresh seafood straight off the boats at the Public Fish Sales Float at Steveston’s Fishermen’s Wharf. Choose from seasonal wild-caught salmon, halibut, tuna, crab, oysters, clams, prawns and more. Open daily.
Steveston’s Fishermen’s Wharf, 3800 Bayview Street, Steveston, Stevestonharbour.com
For further information on Steveston, visit or contact the Steveston Museum and Visitor Centre at 3811 Moncton Street, Steveston, (604) 271-8280
Last modified: July 24, 2013
