Tsawwassen

The mostly residential community of Tsawwassen is situated in southern British Columbia within the southwestern corner of the Corporation of Delta. This small city is situated on a peninsula and offers the only access road to Point Roberts, USA; through 56th Street.

One of the two main BC Ferry Terminals is located within the southern region of Tsawwassen. The Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal was built during the year 1959, and provides entry for foot-passengers and motor vehicles to the Southern Gulf Islands and the southern part of Vancouver Island. Because the city of Tsawwassen touches such a shallow bank, the ferry terminal was constructed at the southwestern end of a 3 km long causeway which juts out into the Strait of Georgia. This North America's biggest ferry terminal. The ferry dock and causeway are part of Highway 17.

From the Tsawwassen ferry terminal, the ferries transport passengers to the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island by crossing the Strait of Georgia. It is possible to drive your vehicle below deck or walk onto the ferry. Journeying to the island is exciting since you get to travel through fantastic islands and sail over clear water. On a sunny day it is fun to explore the outer decks and you may be able to see bald eagles, killer whales or seals.

Situated only 10 minutes away from the city is the Boundary Bay Airport, one of Canada's busiest general aviation airports. The Vancouver International Airport is likewise near-by in Richmond and the Roberts Bank Superport is located close to Tsawwassen.

Just off of Highway 17, in the vicinity of the Canada and USA border, the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal is situated 35 km or 22 miles south of Vancouver and 35 km or 22 miles west of White Rock and the Peace Arch border post.

The traditional home of the Tsawwassen First Nation people is the Lower Mainland area. At present, they have a 700 acre reserve that is located in the vicinity of the Ferry Terminal. The Tsawwassen People are one of the 54 Coast Salish nations who initially inhabited this area for over 10,000 years.

Boundary Bay is a community located in the southeast corner of the peninsula. It was established in the 1890's and commonly goes by the name Boundary Bay. A seaside summer community has emerged here for better-off people of Vancouver. Some of the original cottages are still standing at present. Many of the first cottages have been updated and renovated as modern contemporary single family dwellings and waterfront architectural houses.

"The Bay" as it is referred to by residents is situated further south on the edge of Maple Bay within Point Roberts, Washington. There used to be a USA and Canada customs checkpoint at the foot of 67th Street, that connects the two communities. In the 1970s, this checkpoint was closed. Presently, Boundary Bay Road provides the only current access route.

Tsawwassen Town Centre Mall is the largest shopping centre within South Delta. Other business merchants in the area comprise: McDonalds, Tim Hortons, White Spot, dairy Queen, Cold Stone Creamery, Jsu Design, JohnMichael Menswear, Safeway, two Starbucks, Thrifty Foods, and an Indian Restaurant known as Connaught Place Restaurant, amongst several others.