Day trip from Vancouver: Steveston, BC

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Vancouver is a cool city. I live here, I love it. There’s a lot to do, more than you can probably fit in with only a few days here. But if you’re spending more time in Vancouver, I highly recommend getting out of the city a bit. Looks for a fun day trip from Vancouver.

Recently I visited the Sunshine Coast, and Sechelt for a winter cabin getaway. That was a truly relaxing weekend, but it also involves ferries and an overnight stay. If you don’t have time for that, there are plenty of day trip options. Whistler is an hour and a half drive from Vancouver, you can visit Victoria (although this can be a long day so an overnight stay is recommended). But one of my favorite places to spend an afternoon is Steveston. The small fishing village in South Richmond has a great history and is such a lovely little place.

Day trip from Vancouver: getting to Steveston

The easiest way to get to Steveston is by car. It’s the quickest way, and you can be there in less than an hour. There is a lot of street parking with up to 3 hours free parking around the main streets, and there is paid parking if you need longer. If you have a rental car while visiting, this is your best option.

If you do not have a car, fear not, you can still visit Steveston. It might just take a little longer to get there. You can take the Canada Line skytrain from downtown Vancouver, all the way to the last stop which is Richmond-Brighouse. From there, cross the street and find the bus stops along No. 3 Road. There are a few buses that will take you to Steveston (pretty much the end of the line before they head back to the station). The number 401, 403 and 406 are the main ones. I’ve gone this way in the past. The bus ride plus train is still usually about an hour each way.

Things to do in Steveston, BC

Steveston is a great place to visit in the summer. There are great restaurants with patios overlooking the water, farmers markets, cute little shops, riverside walks and museums. There are still things to do in the winter months too. I actually went there in March this year on a nice sunny day and walked around the village for a couple of hours. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Steveston.

Steveston Farmers’ Market

In the summer from May until September, the Steveston Farmers’ & Artisans Market operates every second week on a Sunday. I love a good farmers market and this one is full of great food, as well as crafts and locally made products. There are hot food options so I love getting my lunch there when I visit. I always find a good dessert to finish my meal with too, there are so many baked goods at this market. Then I make sure to stock up on all the fresh fruit and veggies so I can go home and cook my dinner. Take your own reusable bag to load up on all the delicious goodies you will probably end up buying.

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I always end up buying little gifts there too as there are so many amazing products. Homemade cards, jewelry, pictures and more. The market stalls are set up across from the community centre, a short walk from the main streets. When the summer market is not on, they have a smaller version indoors at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery.

Steveston Museums

Speaking of the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, this is somewhere you can visit even on a non-market day. The museum shows the history of fishing in Steveston, and the processing and canning of the local fish. We’ve joined in on the guided tours before which are really informative, and there are interactive displays for kids too.

The gift shop is pretty nice too. It is a museum about the fishing industry though, so don’t expect too much glitz and glamour, but if you want to know more about the fishing village of Steveston, it’s a great place to visit.

The Steveston Museum on Moncton Street is worth checking out. The early 20th Century former bank is a lovely little building. Continue down Moncton Street just past No. 1 Road and you can check out the Steveston Tram which once transported people around Richmond.

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Related post: 7 of Vancouver’s best museums – one for every day of the week

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Eat fish and chips

When in a fishing village, what else should you eat but Fish & Chips. Steveston does have a lot of seafood restaurants, and you’ll be able to get a good plate of fish and chips without trying. There are some places that have decks and patios where you can sit outside on a nice day and watch the world go by. You can even see the boats bringing in the catch of the day, so you know your seafood is about as fresh as it can get.

Visit the Steveston fish market

If you don’t want to eat out, and instead want to cook your own seafood, head straight to the source and buy your own to take away.

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Fisherman’s Wharf in Steveston is that place to go. Walk down to where the fresh fish and seafood is being sold from the boats themselves. All on ice, and at great prices you can get everything from shrimp to salmon.

Walk along the Steveston boardwalk

At No. 1 Road and Bayview Street, at the water’s edge, there is a boardwalk that I like to take for a nice walk along the harbor.

This used to be more of a dirt path but with the new condominiums that were built a few years ago, Steveston also created a nice boardwalk for people to take. On a nice day, it’s a lovely walk, and if you walk far enough you can reach the Britannia Shipyards. I have been here a couple of times now, and like the Gulf of Georgia Cannery, this historical site details the 19th century fishing village that was here. There are even former residences you can go inside to learn more.

Whale Watching from Steveston

Steveston is right on the water, which means it’s the perfect place to start a whale-watching tour from. I’ve never done a tour from Steveston but have done others around the Vancouver area. Steveston have a couple of whale watching companies here you can check out.

Some of them even offer a pick up and drop off service from downtown Vancouver for an additional fee. I’ve done whale watching around here though, and between May and September you have some really good chances of seeing great wildlife, including Orcas.

Browse the Steveston gift shops

Who doesn’t love a good gift shop? Not just ones with tacky souvenirs like snowglobes, pencils, and the Canadian classic: a stuffed moose/bear. But a real gift shop. One where you can buy really nice local made products, and things that people will actually want and use. Steveston has some cute one-of-a-kind stores selling jewelry, clothing and crafts. Walking up and down Moncton street and the side streets towards Bayview Street I can spend ages wandering in and out of these individual shops.

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I’m a sucker for a good book, so I always go into the Steveston Bookstore. It’s easy to get lost in there, and it’s not too organized, but there are some good finds if you really want to put in the effort.

Eat the most delicious snacks

If you’re looking for a day trip from Vancouver where you’ll eat non-stop, it might be Steveston. Even if it’s not market day, there are still so many things you can find to eat. I don’t often sit down for a meal when I’m there. Most often I just buy foods on the go. Along No.1 Road between Moncton and Bayview Street there is a little bakery which has some pretty nice cakes and breads.

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On a warm day there’s a hole in the wall ice cream place on Second Ave. With every flavor you can imagine, and a couple of picnic benches outside, there’s no reason not to stop. I went there even recently on a winter’s day so it doesn’t have to be summer.

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Next door to the ice cream shop is a donut place. Outpost Mini Donut Company have the most adorable mini donuts. I’m partial to the maple ones, but the lemon or blueberry are just as good. Get a couple of each to go, or sit in the comfy chairs of this eclectically decorated eatery.

Back along Moncton Street is a bakery that sells country style Romanian bread. It looks straight out of the 19th Century, with a little window to order from, and you can watch them making the bread inside.

Local art in Steveston

At the farmers markets and in some of the little gift shops you can find local art, and pictures of Steveston. Some of the more popular are old pictures from the height of its fishing era.

But there is some street art if you look hard enough. Most of it reflects the connection to the sea, like this building with some wonderful artwork depicting the fishing industry.

Then while walking down Second Ave, close to the ice cream shop, I found this mural in a parking lot. It only makes sense that if this place is famous for its salmon, that you won’t have to go far to encounter whales.

Best quick day trip from Vancouver: Steveston is a delightful place

Steveston is not as picturesque as Victoria, not as bustling as Vancouver, and not as popular as Whistler, but it has its own charm. The village takes pride in its close connection to the ocean and its fishing past. The main central area is concentrated to a few blocks so you don’t have to walk far if you don’t want to. There’s a hotel if you want to stay longer, with a pub attached. There are some beautiful walks around Garry Point Park, and the water of the harbour is often so tranquil that you can sit on a bench watching the fishing boats while you eat whatever snacks you’ve bought.

I have managed to see some wildlife around the area too, especially with so much fresh fish there. River otters often wander over the rocks at the water’s edge, and there are sealions that sometimes come a little too close for comfort. But if you have time to spend, I would recommend a nice little day trip from Vancouver out to Steveston. Just make sure to go there with an empty stomach, as you’ll want to eat everything you see.

If you’ve enjoyed this post please share using the social media buttons below or leave a comment. Have you been to Steveston before? What is another day trip from Vancouver you’ve done?