Gibsons is a well-established coastal British Columbia community, first settled by its namesake, George Gibson in 1886. It’s had a long history as a resource town, primarily in forestry and related products, but is slowly becoming more driven by tourism, high tech, and the service industry. You can read a great introduction to Gibsons history on Bigpacific.com.

The Shishalh people were here prior to the first European explorations, and Gospel Rock – accessed via Gower Point Road out of the Landing – is an ancient sacred site.

Since those days many have come to stay, and many more to visit. British Captain George Vancouver is said to have stepped on to the Coast at Chaster Creek down in Bonniebrook (at beachside turn on Gower Point Road).

Nowadays Gibsons Landing, Langdale, Upper Gibsons, Gower Point, and the tiny hamlets like Hopkins and Granthams Landings are home to retirees, B&B operators, families, and Lower Mainland commuters who enjoy the relaxed Sunshine Coast pace while maintaining proximity to Vancouver.

Favorite jaunts for hotel guests are:

• Gibsons Landing – restaurants (including Molly’s Reach of Beachcomber TV series fame and the Coast’s only true Oyster House, Smitty’s) dot the waterfront and main road of Marine Drive, while quaint shops, art galleries and the eclectic mix of Molly’s Lane shops draw the shoppers and gazers alike. The pier is beautiful and invites late evening or early morning strolls, where you can watch the marine traffic and turn and see all of Gibsons climbing up the hills behind the harbour. Kayaks are available for rent in the harbour in the shoulder and high seasons.
• Upper Gibsons has great bakeries and eateries – don’t forget Sailor Dan’s next to the Cedars Inn! – and the Sunnycrest Mall shopping centre, with anchor stores London Drugs and SuperValu. The Royal Bank is right across the street from the hotel, along with the ubiquitous Starbucks.
• Nearby beaches are Bonniebrook Beach and Chaster Beach, down Pratt Road (we’ll help you with directions), and the Roberts Creek beach just 15 minutes’ drive down the road, along with the stunning Cliff Gilker Park and Sunshine Coast Golf Course.
• Next door to The Cedars Inn on the other side is the Gibsons Cinema. This theatre shows first run movies and also offers special events like Yuk-Yuk’s Comedy nights, live performances and other events.
• If you like drives, you have a choice of heading east past the ferry terminal and towards Port Mellon and Howe Sound Pulp & Paper. This is a slow, rambly drive through the forests and creeks, with some sudden views that will take your breath away. If you’re on a motorcyle, watch out for large gravel in turns – this is a working forestry road. Otherwise, go west and you’ll hit the funky community of Roberts Creek, where you’re likely to see suburbanites mixing gregariously with true dyed-in-the-wool hippies. They don’t call it the Gumboot Nation for nothing. There are kayak and mountain bike rentals here and guided trips are available.
• Another 20 minutes down the road is the isthmus community of Sechelt, and beyond that the playground of Pender Harbour, Ruby Lake and Egmont. The Skookumchuck Provincial Park hike (45 minutes) in to see sometimes 16 knot tidal ebbs and flows is a popular destination. Ask us to help point you in the direction for current viewing tides as arriving on slack can be anti-climactic!