Timing: leave KPU campus around 1pm (if taking the bus). Tour to Gulf of Georgia Cannery starts at 2 PM. See below for transit options; round trip bus tickets valued at $6.30 are provided courtesy of KPU) Join us on a walking tour of Steveston, a picturesque fishing village on the Fraser River in Richmond with a rich history. It is a wonderful place to explore on foot with a quaint main street, riverside walking paths, several historic sites, and an active small-craft fishery. It’s a popular
filming location, too, so you may recognize it from shows like
Once Upon a Time.
We will start at the entrance to Gulf of Georgia Cannery at 2 PM. We will start with a guided tour of this National Historic Site which will give an overview of the history of the fishing industry on the Westcoast and touch on the social history of the Cannery and its relationship with the local community, while giving you a feel for life on the canning line. You’ll then have some free time to check out the Cannery’s gift shop and/or stroll through town where you can buy refreshments at any number of spots.
If you would like to stay for a longer tour, rejoin the group outside the wonderfully restored
Steveston Tram (a great selfie spot) for a guided walk to another National Historic Site, the
Britannia Shipyards. After walking back to the bus stop, the group will head back to KPU by transit. You can choose to leave anytime or stay in Steveston for dinner if you wish; for these options, you would need to make your own way back.
Getting to Steveston by bus:There are several bus routes which go to Steveston. Roundtrip bus tickets are provided courtesy of KPU. The tour leader will be catching the #407 direct bus from right outside the KPU campus on Lansdowne Street at 1 PM. Please note that we cannot reserve space on the bus; other routes are available, but involve transfers (our volunteers will be happy to assist you); bus travel times range from 25-45 minutes, depending on the route, so please give yourself enough time to get to the tour starting point.
Getting to Steveston by car:Steveston is a 15-minute drive from the KPU Richmond campus. There is usually ample free street parking available, but if you’d like to be sure of a spot, please let us know when you check in at WILU, and we will try to reserve you a free space in the Cannery parking lot which will be valid for the full outing.
Accessibility:Public buses are wheelchair-accessible; Gulf of Georgia Cannery
Accessibility info; Britannia Shipyards
Accessibility info (scroll down the “Plan Your Visit” page)
What to wear: We will be walking several kilometers, so wear comfortable walking shoes. The Cannery is indoors but is not heated. The second half of the outing will be outdoors. You’ll want to dress in layers and have a waterproof jacket (just in case).
