Spring is finally here in White Rock, South Surrey, with the days getting longer, the weather getting warmer and the spring flowers blooming, we think it's the perfect time to start planning your spring adventures. One of the places you would want to stay at that's convenient to our USA neighbours and is Best Western Peace Arch Inn. You can be close enough to the city and not that far off from the country! Here are a few must do springtime activities.
Cherry Blossom Festival
Every April, Vancouverites celebrate the arrival of spring with the annual Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival. The actual start date varies, depending on weather, but the festival is a great excuse, if there ever was one, to celebrate those magical pink blossoms that line the streets. Inspired by the age old Sakura festivals of Japan, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival puts on a wide range of events - concerts, haiku contests, a Japanese cultural fair, bike riding, film screenings, and of course, the cherry blossom viewings. Take part in the events or simply look up the map and head out exploring on your own.
Hiking on one of the best Islands
The ferry is not that far from the Best Western Peace Arch hotel and Hiking on Bowen Island favourite day trip destination, Bowen Island can be reached by a short ferry ride. There are a couple of different options for a hike, depending on how energetic you feel. The Killarney Lake Trail is an easy stroll that, in two hours, meanders through groves of Cedar and Hemlock, with viewpoints of the lake. Or, challenge yourself with the 6-hour hike up Mount Gardner and back with an obligatory stop for a hot chocolate at Cocoa West. Hikers are rewarded with spectacular views of the North Shore mountains, Howe Sound and the Sunshine Coast.
Go for a Bike ride
Grab your bike and brush off those cobwebs! With warmer weather it's a perfect time to hit the trails and breathe in that fresh air. There are so many wonderful riding circuits around the region and whether you're looking for a leisurely ride through pastoral farmlands or a heart-pumping descent through old-growth forests, there is something for everyone. Head to Richmond and ride the West Dyke Trail, a beautiful, peaceful trail that goes along the Richmond Dyke and leads to the South Dyke into historic Steveston Village. Or, if you're an advanced rider and are feeling adventurous, check out the Sunshine Coast's Coast Gravity Park. This year round mountain bike park has downhill trails for all levels.
