Gibsons

Gibsons is a coastal community of 4,600 (2016) on the lower Sunshine Coast in British Columbia, Canada. It is the main marine gateway to the Sunshine Coast.

Understand


Although Gibsons is on the British Columbia mainland, the Sunshine Coast is not accessible by road. Vehicle access is by BC Ferries from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, a 40-minute crossing or a ferry from Vancouver Island. Gibsons is best known in Canada as the setting of the popular and long running CBC Television series The Beachcombers, which aired from 1972 to 1990. The storefront "Molly's Reach", now a cafe, the restored tug Persephone, and a display about the series at the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives are popular Gibsons attractions. Gibsons is a popular retirement destination, and has also attracted many artists and musicians.

History
The town was established in 1886 by George Gibson and his sons. It was incorporated in 1929 as "Gibson's Landing", and in 1947 the name was changed to "Gibsons" at the request of the residents. The town is now split between the seaside area known as "Lower Gibsons" and "Upper Gibsons. "Lower Gibsons" is mostly residential, but also has shops and restaurants that cater mostly to vacationers. "Upper Gibsons", which is clustered along Highway 101, contains the commercial areas of town, including Sunnycrest Mall, the town's two major supermarkets, and a variety of fast food restaurants.

By boat

 * Routes
 * Vehicle ferry from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal in West Vancouver (40 minutes crossing) departs almost every 2 hours. Normally, the daily first inbound departure is at 7:30 am, the first outbound departure is at 6:20 am. Last departures vary seasonally from around 9 pm to as nearly 11 pm. The fare to Langdale is return, so you do not have to pay to travel from Langdale to West Vancouver. The ferries carry vehicles and foot passengers.
 * Passenger only ferry that travels to Gambier island and Keats island, stopping mostly at Gambier (New Brighton) ferry terminal and Keats (Keats Island) ferry terminal, though a couple of daily trips reach Keats (Eastbourne) ferry terminal. Crossing time ranges from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the destination and whether the trip includes a stop along the way.
 * Reservations
 * Reservations can be completed on BC Ferries' website or by phone.
 * Reservations are a generally good idea, as ferries can fill up, especially heading toward the Sunshine Coast from the Vancouver area. If you book far enough in advance and prepay with saver fare is available, you may even pay less than showing up at the terminal. Otherwise, reservations increase the cost of the trip, between increasing cost between $2.50 extra and $17, depending on which option you choose.
 * Even though you pay for a return fare for trips involving Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal, there is a charge to reserve in each direction.
 * Drivers must redeem their reservation at the ferry terminal at least 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing or they lose their guarantee to be on the sailing and are given the same priority as anyone else showing up at the ferry terminal without a reservation.
 * Public transit
 * Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) ferry terminal is served by several of TransLink's bus routes including:
 * Route 250, connecting to downtown Vancouver. Enables connections with Burrard station (SkyTrain Expo Line) at its stop on Georgia St at Burrard St, and with Granville station (SkyTrain Expo Line) and Vancouver City Centre station (SkyTrain Canada Line) at its stop on Georgia St at Granville St
 * Route 257, a limited stop service connecting to downtown Vancouver. Enables connections with Burrard station (SkyTrain Expo Line) at its stop on Georgia St at Burrard St, and with Granville station (SkyTrain Expo Line) and Vancouver City Centre station (SkyTrain Canada Line) at its stop on Georgia St at Granville St
 * Route 262, connecting to Lions Bay and parts of West Vancouver
 * Sunshine Coast (Langdale) ferry terminal is served by bus routes operated by BC Transit:
 * Route 1 connects with Sechelt via Gibsons
 * Route 90 connects with Sechelt via Gibsons, but includes less detours, resulting in faster travel time to and from Sechelt
 * Parking options
 * Short-term and long-term parking are available at the ferry terminal. BC Ferries' website identifies the current amount of long-term parking remaining.
 * Amenities
 * Wi-Fi: Free service at the ferry terminal. Not offered on the ferries.
 * Washrooms: Available in the terminal and on board ferries.
 * Eating and shopping: Vending machines selling snacks are in the terminal. A cafeteria style-restaurant and gift shop are on board the ferries.
 * Washrooms: Available in the terminal and on board ferries.
 * Eating and shopping: Vending machines selling snacks are in the terminal. A cafeteria style-restaurant and gift shop are on board the ferries.

By plane
Gibsons is accessible by float plane to the harbour and by small aircraft to Sechelt Airport (), approximately northwest of town. The nearest major airport is located in Vancouver .

By car
Gibsons is on the south end of Highway 101 (Sunshine Coast Highway); however, ferry travel is required. Highway 101 continues northwest.

By public transit

 * Route 1 operates multiple times daily between Langdale ferry terminal and Sechelt with stops in Gibsons and Roberts Creek. Travel time between Gibson's Sunnycrest Mall and the ferry terminal is 20 to 23 minutes and between Gibsons and Sechelt is 45 to 50 minutes.
 * Route 90 operates multiple times daily between Langdale ferry terminal and Sechelt with stops in Gibsons and Roberts Creek. Travel time between Gibsons and the ferry terminal is 10 to 15 minutes and between Gibsons and Sechelt is 30 minutes. Some trips travel and stop near Lower Gibsons (harbour area).
 * Route 90 operates multiple times daily between Langdale ferry terminal and Sechelt with stops in Gibsons and Roberts Creek. Travel time between Gibsons and the ferry terminal is 10 to 15 minutes and between Gibsons and Sechelt is 30 minutes. Some trips travel and stop near Lower Gibsons (harbour area).

Do

 * Kayak or canoe - explore the waters off Gibsons Harbour, venturing over to local islands like Keats Island and Gambier Island. Alternatively, kayak up Sechelt Inlet, watching out for dolphins and deer.
 * Fishing - Gibsons offers prime salmon fishing: coho, chinook, chum, pink, and sockeye. Further up the coast, anglers love the trout fishing at Trout Lake, Sakinaw Lake, and Ruby Lake. Fishing charters and equipment rentals are available.
 * Hiking up offers a superb view of the region around Gibsons

Cope

 * The nearest hospital is in Sechelt.