A Crescent Beach Retreat Makes for a Sandy Summer Staycation

Situated on the west coast of South Surrey, Crescent Beach gets its moniker from the distinctive curve of its shoreline. Over the years, this sleepy, well-heeled and relatively hidden paradise—complete with waterfront cottage-style and luxury estate homes—has become a haven for beachgoers from across Metro Vancouver.

Here in this picturesque enclave, you’ll catch people kayaking, hiking, swimming, cycling and birdwatching. Plus, it’s only about an hour from downtown Vancouver (depending on traffic). If you want to do more than just lounge in the sand, here’s how to enjoy a leisurely getaway to Crescent Beach.

DAY ONE

Lunch at Hooked Fish Bar

Opened in 2011, Hooked Fish Bar is a laid-back nautical-themed restaurant with a beachfront patio and a wrap-around deck featuring unobstructed views of Crescent Beach and the Gulf Islands. The casual, seafood-centric menu makes the most of ingredients from local waterways, featuring seaside favourites like fish and chips, fish tacos, chowder, burgers and more. My partner Trace and I both went for the cod-baked tacos. Perfectly messy, they were layered with tender baked cod and covered in vibrant flavours.

Walk Around Blackie Spit Park

Nestled on the shores of Boundary Bay, Blackie Spit Park extends into Mud Bay at the mouth of the Nicomekl River. The 5-kilometre nature trail offers views of Mud Bay and the North Shore Mountains. A major north-south flyway for migratory birds, Blackie Spit is considered one of the best bird-watching areas in Western Canada. Which brings me to our next adventure…

Birds & Brews Tour

We met up with Kris Cu, a biologist and digital media outreach specialist for Birds Canada, at the entrance to Blackie Spit Park. You might be thinking, “Bird watching? Really?” That was my first thought, too.

Cu made the tour fun and interesting—like an exciting scavenger hunt. After a short intro, Cu provided us with binoculars, and we kept our eyes peeled for sandpipers, Savannah sparrows, hummingbirds, yellow-rumped warblers and many others. Each time, we saw a “new” bird, we boasted. Cu has a good ear for identifying bird sounds. Towards the end, Cu pulled out his phone and had us listen to the resonances of some of the birds we spotted. I swear, it sounded like some of them were talking. To round out our tour, we went to Crescent Coffee House for a specialty coffee and a conversation about, you guessed it: birds.

Have Dinner at Palms Beach House

This spot is a new Crescent Beach restaurant for the senses. Opened in 2024, the Palms has quickly become a signature restaurant with understated elegance and a menu crafted by a James Beard-award-winning chef. The ambiance is chic and lively. It’s become a destination for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a curated cocktail or two and a menu crafted from the land and sea.

At the culinary helm is Nikolay Vil, who focuses on using local, organic ingredients. There are Caesar salads, and then there is the Palms’ kale and romaine Caesar salad. It was possibly one of the best I’ve ever had. For entrees, Trace went for the rigatoni bolognese, and I went for the castelvetrano olive and prawn bucatini. Both were showstoppers.

Stay: Best Western Peace Arch Inn

There are no hotels in Crescent Beach proper, but there may be Airbnb or VRBO options. Alternatively, the Best Western Peace Arch Inn is a bright, comfortable and recently renovated hotel that’s just 15 minutes away from Crescent Beach. Friendly and welcoming, the hotel has everything you need for a quick overnight stay, with cozy beds and Smart TVs.

DAY TWO

Breakfast at the Sunflower Cafe

Discovering a truly exceptional cafe is like finding a treasure. Look no further than the Sunflower Cafe, a beloved landmark eatery. Opened more than 20 years ago, it quickly became a go-to destination for breakfast or lunch. The Sunflower Cafe is also celebrated for its colourful artistic flair, evident both inside and out. If you are lucky to find a spot on the blooming patio, grab it.

Whether you’re craving a muffin or a cranberry scone, or you want to indulge in their breakfast wrap or waffles and bacon, everything from the Sunflower Cafe promises a delightful fusion of visual appeal and incredible taste.

Tour and Walk Around Historic Stewart Farm

Nestled within the Elgin Heritage Park along the Nicomekl River, the historic Stewart house was built in the late 1800s by John Stewart for his farming family. Listed on the Canadian Register of Historic Places, this is the only completely intact farm from the late 19th century remaining in Surrey.

You can meander the grounds for hours, check out a host of farm-related buildings, see the apple and pear orchard or tour the house. You can also visit the Totest Aleng: Indigenous Learning House, a gorgeous pavilion-like wood structure that also offers artist-in-residence programs. Guided tours are available.

So, if you are searching for a short, laid-back, coastal vibe retreat from the everyday, Crescent Beach just might be the medicine the doctor ordered. It was for us.