Lifestyles.
Families love the Sunshine Coast. That’s because though it’s only 35 minutes from the huge metropolitan area of Greater Vancouver (population 2.1 million) everything here still feels rural and there’s a strong sense of community.
Much of the Coast's waterfront is relatively undeveloped compared to Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Bellingham and points south. There are literally miles of beaches to ramble along, and scores of parks - from recreational parks with bike paths to family picnicking areas.
The Sunshine Coast has a complete school system; from pre-school straight through to Capilano College's first and second year university transfer programs.
There are also sports leagues for T-ball, softball, hardball, hockey (of course!), golf, swimming, soccer, rugby and more. There are soon to be three ice rinks on the Sunshine Coast, located in Sechelt, and three public swimming pools, located in Gibsons, Sechelt and Pender Harbour.
Though many young families call the Sunshine Coast home, there is also a large senior population, and an active Seniors Centre in Central Sechelt. The Centre offers monthly get-togethers, bridge nights, crafts and woodworking as well as access to numerous recreational activities.
Sechelt has a higher population of seniors than any other area on the Coast, mainly due to level walking throughout the village area, and easy access to the region's only hospital, St. Mary's Hospital, located on Highway 101 right before entering Sechelt from Selma Park. The hospital has 33 acute beds, 50 extended care beds and provides medical, surgical, obstetrical, pediatric, extended care and emergency care services.
There are Medical Clinics located in the three major population centres of Sechelt, Gibsons and Pender Harbour, as well as Coast Garibaldi Public Health Units. Dentistry, physiotherapy and chiropractic are also widely available on the Coast. There are also three long-term care facilities on the Coast, Totem Lodge (extended care) next to the hospital, and Shornecliff (intermediate care).
Outdoors & Recreation
If you're looking for physical activity, then look no further than the Sunshine Coast. Our region is world renowned for spectacular outdoor recreation activities including:
- Mountain biking (parks, road, and off-road forestry trails)
- Hiking - ranging from easy flat walking through to strenuous hikes
- Kayaking - ocean kayaking both in the protected waters of the Sechelt Inlet, and on the "outside" in the Georgia Strait
- Golf - there are three full 18 hole courses
- Skateboarding - park located near Chatelech High School, Sechelt
- Boating - Sailing, canoeing, powerboating, cruising
- Cross Country Skiing
- Dakota Ridge and the Tetrahedron
- Fishing - saltwater for Springs and Coho, freshwater and bottomfishing
- Scuba Diving - the Skookumchuck and Tzoonie Narrows are world class, and the Coast has an artificial reef, the Chaudiere, located in the Sechelt Inlet
- Windsurfing (and recreational "kayaksurfing" at Davis Bay)
- Swimming - saltwater and lake swimming (there are 6 large lakes on the Coast, as well as many small ones).
Cultural Life
Many artists and artisans have made the Sunshine Coast their home. Often they open their studios to the public, where you’ll find unique crafts, home made soaps, woodworked treasures and gorgeous landscape paintings.
Everyone is Welcome!
The Sunshine Coast is a diverse region, and we don’t just mean topographically. People here come from a variety of backgrounds. Many regions on the Coast are made up of eclectic mixes of locals, and at our grocery stores it’s common to see homesteaders, family vacationers, bohemians and retired stockbrokers in the checkout line. The Coast is an incredibly welcoming region of BC, which is why so many people have decided to call it home. We hope you’ll come to see for yourself what makes this region is so very special.