Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Fraser River at New Westminster, the capital of British Columbia for a short period in the
1860s.
The incorporated city of Richmond (pop. 190,000) sprawls across
Lulu Island
at the
mouth of the Fraser River. Most visitors to Vancouver cross the island on their way north
from the United States on Highway 99, or to and from the airport or Tsawwassen Ferry
Terminal. Steveston is the main reason to visit Richmond, but on the way, consider escap-
ingthesuburbansprawlat
Richmond Nature Park
atthejunctionofHighways91and99
(access is signposted from Westminster Hwy.). This 85-hectare (210-acre) park has been
left in its natural state; the only development consists of trails leading to duck-filled ponds
and fens. The park is open dawn to dusk daily and a nature house 9am-5pm daily (free).
Steveston
On Lulu Island's southwestern extremity, the historical fishing village of Steveston is a
lively spot worth a visit. In the 1880s it had more than 50 canneries and was the world's
largest fishing port. The harbor still holds Canada's largest fleet of commercial fishing
boats.
One block south of Moncton Street and a short walk from the old cannery is a re-
developed stretch of harbor front that bustles with activity in summer. Casual visitors
and local fishermen mingle at fishing-supply outlets, shops selling packaged seafood
products, boutiques, and restaurants. Below the main wharf, fishing boats sell the day's
catch—halibut, salmon, ling cod, rock cod, crab, and shrimp—to the general public at ex-
cellent prices. The fisherfolk are friendly enough, chatting happily about their catch and
how best to cook it up.
On the harbor front you'll find the
Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site
(12138 4th Ave., 604/664-9009, 10am-5pm daily, adult $7.80, senior $6.55, child $3.90),
acannerythatoperatedbetween1894and1979.Muchoftheoriginalcanneryhasbeenre-
stored. In addition to canning line exhibits and demonstrations of the various machineries,
an audiovisual presentation is offered in the Boiler House Theatre, and the Discovery area
is set aside for children.
Another historical site, the
Britannia Heritage Shipyard
(5180 Westwater Dr., 604/
718-8050, 10am-6pm Tues.-Sun. May-Sept., donation) is reached by following the signs
east along Moncton Street. Dating to 1885, the actual Britannia Shipyard building is cur-
rentlybeingrestored,butitissurroundedbyfouralreadyrestoredbuildingsfromthesame
