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Gibsons
Gibsons is a small community located on the south edge of the Sunshine
Coast north-west of West Vancouver just across from Keats
Island in Howe Sound. Gibsons is located 5 km (3 miles) from
the BC Ferries terminal at Langdale and is part of the Sunshine
Coast Regional District
Take
BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale
If you have a vehicle, you have to either take the regular scheduled
BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay in
West Vancouver to Langdale or, if on Vancouver Island, you take
the ferry from Little River near Comox to Powell
River. The Powell River route involves another BC Ferry trip
at Saltery Bay to Earl's Cove near Egmont,
then travelling south on Hwy 101 through Sechelt
to Gibsons - approximately two hours.
South-Westerly
View
Gibsons is situated on a slight hill with a south-westerly view
towards Howe Sound, Keats and Bowen Islands. The area of Gibsons
that is on the waterfront is referred to as Gibsons Landing whereas
the area going up the hill on Hwy 101 is called, 'The Centre' or
'Upper Gibsons.'
Molly's
Reach and 'The Beachcombers'
While you're visiting Gibsons Landing, you may notice a café
called Molly's Reach. This may sound familiar - Molly's Reach was
the star attraction in a CBC TV series called 'The Beachcombers'
which aired from 1971 to 1990. This series showcased Gibsons to
the rest of Canada and the world. The atmosphere is friendly and
the food good.
Wide
Array of Eating Establishments
Gibsons Landing also has a wide array of cafés, specialty
coffee shops, marine pubs and fine restaurants if you happen to
be hungry. The selection of food choice is quite varied from ethnic
to a wide selection of fresh fish along the waterfront. One is Gamma's
Pub located next to the government dock and another favourite is
the fish & chips at Gibsons Fish near Winegarden Waterfront
Park.
'The
Centre'
The Centre section of Gibsons situated on Hwy 101 has the majority
of fast-food restaurants including a Tim Hortons, Starbucks
and the Blackfish Pub. The Centre also has the majority of retail
shopping outlets, including the Gibson Park Plaza. Also located
on Hwy 101 going through the Centre is the Gibsons pool and recreation
centre.
Waterfront
Trail
For walkers and beachcombers there is the Waterfront Trail to take
in which meanders along lower Gibsons throughout the Landing. The
trail follows the beach area near Holland Park towards the Sunshine
Coast Museum & Archives, eventually tying into the Heritage
Walk.
Armour's
Beach
If you're here in the summer time another good place to take kids
is Armour's Beach situated just off Marine Drive. Armour's Beach
features a very safe swimming and beach area.
Sunshine
Coast Museum & Archives
Highlighting the communities from Port Mellon to Egmont is the Sunshine
Coast Museum & Archives. The museum was established in 2002
with the amalgamation of Elphinstone Pioneer Museum and Sunshine
Coast Maritime Museum and is located at 716 Winn Road.
Coast
Salish First Nations
The museum's highlights are artifacts from the local Coast Salish
First Nations and the relationships of European settlements in the
area. Other displays include the Charles Bedford shell collection
- one of the largest in Canada as well as great maritime information
and photos regarding the Sunshine Coast.
Winegarden
Waterfront Park
Situated right next to the museum is Winegarden Waterfront Park.
This park is located near the waterfront and is easy to walk to
from the downtown strip of Gibsons. For boaters, the Gibsons Marina
is situated next to Winegarden Waterfront Park.
Trail
and Cycle Network
Gibsons has developed an extensive trail-and-cycle network throughout
the various parts of the community. Some of the routes are laid
out so that you can take in panoramic views of the waterfront towards
the south-west. If you like, there are three routes that you can
take near the Landing: the Bay Walk, Heritage Walk and the Inglis
Trail.
Gibsons
Travel Info Centre
An excellent reference map you might consider is the Sunshine Coast
Super Map available at the Tourist Info Centre located on Marine
Drive in Gibsons Landing next to the statue of town founder, George
W. Gibson. The volunteers are quite helpful assisting with directions,
maps and locations to visit.
Soames
Hill
If you enjoy a good hike, try the walk up to the top of Soames Hill
which starts 2 km (1.25 miles) from Gibsons towards Langdale. The
trail meanders through some incredibly huge trees on its way to
an astonishing view. Once at the top, you can look towards Gibsons,
Keats Island and Paisley Islands with West Vancouver way in the
background.
Start
of the trail
To get to the start of the Soames Hill Trail, travel on North Road
towards the BC Ferries Terminal. When you see Reed Road turn right,
then left on Chamberlin Road. Watch for the sign that directs you
onto Bridgeman Road. Take Bridgeman to the Soames Hill parking lot
and look for an information kiosk.
Mount
Elphinstone
For another great view, try 1,266 m (4,154 feet) Mount Elphinstone.
This hike is located close to Gibsons and is another spot to get
an incredible panoramic view of the Strait of Georgia and surrounding
Howe Sound. There are three main trails you can choose throughout
the Mount Elphinstone Heritage system. They are K2, Tramway and
Waterfall Trail.
Tramway
Trail
To get to the trailhead of Tramway Trail, take North Road when going
to Langdale from Gibsons. Once you're on North Road, turn left on
Cemetery Road for 1 km until Keith Road. Turn right here and go
up the hill until you see a sign for Boothill Ranch. Just before
Boothill Ranch, turn left down a dirt road towards a yellow gate
and parking lot next to the gate.
Chaster
Creek
The Tramway Trail is great in the summer because there is a chance
to cool off in the hidden swimming holes. Chaster Creek features
small pools with waterfalls.
Langdale
Creek Waterfalls
For another great hike and mountain bike area where you can see
some more waterfalls is up Langdale Creek. Take North Road towards
Langdale, once on Stewart Road, stay to the left just where the
Hwy 101 Bypass starts. Take the left curve on Stewart, where at
the end, you can find some trail information.
Mount
Elphinstone Provincial Park
Access to Mount Elphinstone Provincial Park is located north of
Gibsons off Highway 101 on the B&K Forest Service Road at Cliff
Gilker Park in Roberts Creek. Once you're on the B&K, turn on
the Roberts-Flume Forest Service Road.
Roberts
Creek
If you're travelling north on Hwy 101 try and take the opportunity
to visit the small community of Roberts
Creek about halfway to Sechelt. Longtime a summer camp destination
for Vancouverites, Roberts Creek has a friendly relaxed atmosphere
with various shops displaying local artisans, craftspeople and artists
plus a great local restaurant called the Gumboot.
Roberts
Creek Provincial Park
There is a small rustic campground available at Roberts Creek Provincial
Park located 14 km (9 miles) west of Gibsons. The park features
a rocky beach set along a grove of hemlock, Douglas fir and some
fairly large cedar trees. Access to the beach area is via a walking
path 1.4 km (.9 mile) from the campsite.
Port
Mellon - Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Mill
Located just 10 km (6 miles) from Langdale down the Port Mellon
Highway is Port Mellon, home to the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Mill.
British
Columbia's Oldest Pulp Mill
Historically, one of the largest employers in the Gibsons area,
the mill has supported the economy since 1908. Howe Sound Pulp and
Paper Mill conduct free tours during the summer months for visitors
to learn about British Columbia's oldest pulp mill.
Plumper
Cove Marine Provincial Parks
There are two Marine Provincial Parks near Gibsons. One is at Plumper
Cove Marine Provincial Park over on Keats Island, a short walk-on
Gibsons' Harbour Ferry, by private boat or Sunshine Coast Water
Taxi.
Halkett
Bay Marine Park
The other is at Halkett Bay Marine Park located on Gambier Island
also requiring water taxi or private vessel.
Sea
Kayaking
Located just south-west of Keats Island is Pasley and Worlcombe
Islands the site of some excellent sea kayaking. Pasley Island involves
around eight small islands all closely grouped together with Worlcombe.
You can leave Gibsons and do a loop through the islands with a chance
to see some wildlife, including bald eagles and seals.
Drinking
Water - 'Best in World'
A side note: One time Gibsons' drinking water was judged to be the
best in the world by Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting.
Make sure when you go to a restaurant or café, rather than
order bottled water, try taking it right out of the tap. The taste
is absolutely refreshing with no after taste.
Langdale
Heights RV & Golf
There is an RV Resort at Langdale Heights RV & Golf where they
advertise, "Bring your RV and Play for Free." The resort
is well-run, very clean and features a nice par-3 golf course and
is close to the Langdale Ferry Terminal.
Wilson
Creek
For people travelling through Gibsons on Hwy 101 who don't care
for golf, try staying at The Creekside Campground and RV Park where
the sites are private and where tenting is permitted. Located next
to the campground at Field Road in Wilson
Creek is a Canadian Tire, IGA Marketplace, Shell Service Station
and a great coffee shop called Strait Coffee Traders.
Information
on Gibsons
Information
on Keats Island
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