8 Amazing Places to Visit in Point Roberts
I know what you are thinking, for a Victoria based blog, this site sure has a lot of Point Roberts content. And you would be right! This will be my fourth article on Point Roberts and there is a good reason for that. I grew up in Tsawwassen (that actually has never even gotten one article) which is just across the border from Point Roberts and I have family that lives down there. The impetus for this article specifically though actually came from a reader. Consistently, one of my most popular posts every month is an article I wrote on things to do in Point Roberts way back in 2019. Well, one of you left a comment about the new rubber duck museum that had opened up and I knew that on my next trip over I would need to check this place out and maybe do a new article on some of the other great places to visit. Keep in mind as you go through the list that this is my view on the place and you may well have many other sites that you love in Point Roberts that I have not included. Please leave a comment in case I don’t know about it!
As the website says, the “First and Only Historical Rubber Duck Museum”. As I said before, I was tipped off to this addition to Point Roberts only recently by a reader. The museum is located within Kora’s Corner store, which I have written about before. Kora’s Corner is a great variety store with everything from local t-shirts and art, to crystals and candy. You never know what you are going to find in there and so it had always been worth a stop. The addition of the Rubber Duck Museum in my mind makes it a destination in and of itself, if for no other reason, except to say that you have been there. To be honest, I went into the new museum portion of the store with pretty low expectations and thought there would just be a lot of rubber ducks (which there are), but I was actually really impressed by the amount of actual rubber duck history that was being shared here. There are also quite a few really old rubber ducks to look at as well. This all to say that while it is a bit silly and fun, if you are going down to Point Roberts for a drive or a stay, you have to stop at the Rubber Duck Museum. While you are there, make sure to check out the rest of the store as well!
Community and Historical Center
Just down and across the road from Kora’s Corner is the Community and Historical Center. Housed within the old brick schoolhouse, it is worth a visit from an architectural perspective alone. We had heard that there was a market there on the day we were driving by so popped in. There was no market to be found, but we looked around anyways. It really feels like an old school when you walk into the building. There is a large community room to the left, washrooms at the back and a one room historical center on the right when you come in. The Historical Center is run by the Point Roberts Historical Society and has some great photos and information about the unique history of Point Roberts. Having read a lot of colonial history myself, I do know the importance that Point Roberts played in pivotal times in BC history such as the Fraser Gold Rush. But even more recently, Point Roberts has been a fishing and canning industrial centre and a great place to see musical acts (this was even during my lifetime). I know the Historical Society would love to have a larger dedicated museum space, but until that happens this is the place to go if you are interested in finding out more about the history of Point Roberts.
When I was a kid the space that is now occupied by the Historical Center was the library. However the library has actually been given its own building next door. It is an amazing building in its own right and the library in Point Roberts has always been great. If you are on a trip and need a book to read, definitely stop into the library to find something.
Marketplace
One place in Point Roberts that I am certain visit multiple times on each visit is Point Roberts International Marketplace, which is the huge grocery store down there. Apart from being really the only place to get groceries in Point Roberts, it is also has a huge variety of other things that you may or may not need. To be honest, whenever I travel, I love to visit the local grocery stores. Those places that seem so mundane to us, where we know where every product we buy is in the store, are usually stocked with completely different things when you are in a different country. Despite being just a couple of kilometres from the border, Marketplace is like this. You will see so many products that you can’t buy in Canada. Add to that there are sizes of food that you won’t see in Canada too. I love doing a shop for food at Marketplace because you are forced to try new things. For my kids, a visit to the candy section is a must, as there are so many candies that they have never seen before or maybe a couple from previous trips that they have been pining for. It must be the biggest building in Point Roberts so it is hard to miss.
Lily Point Park
If we want to go for a nature walk in Point Roberts, Lily Point is almost always our first choice. Located at the south-east corner of Point Roberts, Lily Point is a huge, county park with trails, beaches and quite a few historical markers. Lily Point used to be the home of the Alaska Packers Association Cannery. If you take the longer walk that goes all the way down to the beach, you can see where the huge wharves and buildings used to be. That said, considering just how massive a complex it used to be, the land seems relatively wild now. If you do that longer walk you can also see the clay cliffs that make up Lily Point. I would encourage you to not climb on them, as they are eroding and a little more of the park falls down into the ocean each year (plus it can also be a little dangerous). This really is a beautiful park, with lots of amazing views. Definitely shouldn’t be missed on a longer visit to the Point.
The Reef Tavern
The Reef is the only real pub left in Point Roberts. At one time, Point Roberts had at least three or four drinking establishments, and was a destination for Canadians to watch live music. That changed when I was a kid with the liberalization of drinking laws in British Columbia which made staying on this side of the border much more appealing. Still having The Reef as the only option is still a good one as it is as near perfect an American west coast, small town bar as you could find. Apart from the interior that will definitely fill you with nostalgia if you have ever watched a movie, the pub also has an amazing patio that goes right up to the water’s edge. The patio looks out towards the Gulf Islands and the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. Due to this direction, you can enjoy some of the most perfect sunsets while drinking a cold Rolling Rock beer. If you are staying down in Point Roberts, a night at The Reef is a must. The Reef is currently open Thursday to Monday 4pm to 9pm except Saturday and Sunday where it opens at noon.
The Saltwater Cafe
Just half a block from The Reef is the Saltwater Cafe. Despite being the only full-service cafe in Point Roberts, the Saltwater would do well even if there was some actual competition. This little place was a clothing store when I was a kid, but has been the Saltwater for a long time at this point. They have great coffee and a large assortment of fresh baked goodies ready every morning. If you want to sit down for breakfast or lunch, they always have a good assortment of delicious options. If it is a nice day, I would highly recommend taking a spot on the patio so you can enjoy the view out towards the Gulf Islands. When you are staying in Point Roberts, if you want to relax and enjoy some amazing food, stop in at the Saltwater Cafe. The Saltwater is currently open 9am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday.
Lighthouse Park
If you are not wanting the forest vibe of Lily Point for your walk and instead want an easy seaside stroll, Lighthouse Park is where you want to go. While the park does have a lighthouse, don’t expect it to be an old majestic monument, it is just a metal scaffold tower with a light on top. The walk to the diminutive lighthouse is great though. The path follows along the top of the beach with views of the Gulf Islands, the San Juan Islands and off towards Bellingham. You can sometimes see Orcas off the beach here so keep your eyes open. The water here is likely the coldest you are going to find in Point Roberts, so it wouldn’t be my first choice for a swim, but it is a beautiful park. The park also has a raised boardwalk style picnic space and washrooms. This area has been rebuilt recently. When I was a kid it was about three times the size and had a little museum at it. Across the street from the park entrance is the campground portion and there are a bunch single and group sites. You do need to book early for the summer weekends as it gets busy. While I have heard that there are plans for a new campground elsewhere on the Point, this is currently the only one open. If you are looking for a calming seaside walk in a natural setting, Lighthouse Park is the perfect choice.
Ollie Otter Bakery Box
Apart from the Rubber Duck Museum there seemed to not be anything new in Point Roberts, and then we heard of the Ollie Otter Bakery Box. The Ollie Otter Bakery is run by Kathleen Pierce-Friedman and is available in two locations in Point Roberts depending on the day and time. We had heard that if you are lucky you can find the baked goodies at Maple Beach from a coffee cart. Unfortunately, by the time we got there it was gone for the day. So we proceeded onto the Bakery Box location, which for Victorians is much like a little free library full of sweet treats. We were able to pick an assortment of cookies and cupcakes and they were all amazing. For the most part I think things are available from the Bakery on the weekends from May to October. If you are nearby during this time, you have to go and check it out. The bakery box is just off Boundary Bay Road on Sunrise Drive.
Let me know if there is another place you would add to the list in the comments!