Gibsons, BC

This past weekend I was fortunate enough to go visit the beautiful town of Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast. Getting to Gibsons from Vancouver was a smooth trip, even without the use of a car!

Getting there…

There is an Express bus (257) from Downtown Vancouver that goes all the way to Horseshoe Bay, where you can then take a short 40min ferry ride over to the Langdale ferry terminal. You could also catch the 250 bus line from downtown, but it’s more scenic and takes a bit longer than the express.

Tickets are $ 13.45 per adult unless you pay using a BC Ferries Experience card which will grant you a 30%off discount on all smaller routes such as this one.

Navigating the Town…

Luckily in Gibsons and the Sunshine coast in general, there is a transit system in place. Bus times are not as frequent as that of a city such as Vancouver, however, so be sure to double-check schedules. Another thing to note is that, unlike the transit in Vancouver, the buses in Gibsons do not accept Credit/debit cards. Coin, Cash, ticket, or day pass only.

Riding the bus costs $2.00 per ride, and a day pass costs $4.00 for unlimited rides within a day. There is also more than one taxi service available which offers good service. (See pictures)

Local Celebrities…

In the photos displayed below you can spot two famous TV icons from the well-known Canadian television show called “The Beach Combers”, which aired from 1972 until 1990. One of these icons is the restaurant known as “Molly’s Reach” which was originally a made-up restaurant for the TV series but is now a real restaurant that you yourself can visit and dine in.

The other icon from the famous series is the “Persephone” tugboat which was also seen frequently on the show. Both of these nostalgic attractions are located in the heart of Gibsons, BC. (The tugboat has been moved for safe storage, but Molly’s Reach remains!)

Places to Visit in Gibsons…

A notable aspect of Gibsons is its public Market which features an educational aquarium for visitors and locals to enjoy. Admission is only $9.00 per adult, a student discount brings it down to a mere $7.00 for those of us currently enrolled in continuing studies.

From my short visit there I was able to see and learn about many different kinds of sea creatures including but not limited to Sea urchins, sea anemones, a shy octopus, a sea cucumber, crabs, a sunflower fish or two, and many many starfish! It was a Covid-Friendly experience that left me feeling enlightened and intrigued.

Also, it should be noted that the creatures kept inside the aquarium are kept only for a short time period before being released back into their natural habitats.

Of course, a highlight of any coastal town is the beaches! Gibsons surely doesn’t lack anything in this breathtaking department. The view of the coastline is stunning and can be seen from virtually every vantage point, especially in Lower Gibsons. Nature seems to be truly flourishing not only at the beaches but also can be witnessed by a simple stroll down a residential lane.

Lush foliage lines the borders of where the town stops and the seaside begins. Even the rocks and pebbles on the beaches seem to be bursting with vibrant colours and life. It seems that Gibsons is one of the true BC gems that hasn’t been tainted by capitalism and smog. It remains seemingly untouched in a sense, with a feeling of spirituality circulating through the community and shops.

As a city dweller, I can testify that Gibsons offers a sweet mental and spiritual break from the noise and pressure of city life. A little Sunshine Coast slice of paradise if you will.

Gibsons also has it’s own Museum, Library, and Public Art Gallery among other shops and sights. Personally, I find Gibsons to exude a romantic atmosphere in which a person could get lost in thought while gazing out to sea or sipping on a hot coffee from one of its local cafés. The marina is also very beautiful and filled with varying types of sailboats and houseboats.

Food

You’ll be sure to work up an appetite from all your walking and trekking while in Gibsons! When we first began exploring, the steep hills and inclines took my mind back to the city of San Francisco with its similar but even more impressive roads. There is luckily no shortage of cuisine choices at hand that offer a well-deserved reward after all your exploring.

There is a nice variety of dinner and lunch restaurants that feature Western, Greek, Chinese, Mexican, and Seafood dining options. The donuts pictured below are baked (not fried) at a nice donut place found inside Beachcomber Coffee called Deadly Donuts. Very tasty!

My partner and I were lucky enough to grab a couple of hot drinks and fresh baked goods from Black Bean Café. Their fruit scone was delectably full of fresh berries and satisfied my appetite. When we arrived, they had just brought out a fresh batch of muffins from the oven.

It is so amazing to find local spots that bake their own products rather than receiving a heated boxed item. Overall, this café left us with a good impression and happy tummies.