A Day in Cloverdale: Surrey’s Walkable, Original Downtown
This itinerary was hosted and sponsored by Discover Surrey.
To be honest, growing up in North Surrey, Cloverdale was never our final stop, more of a scenic detour on the way to visit family in Langley or White Rock. Still, it earned memorable moments like an afternoon movie at the old Clova Theatre, a spin through that quirky Mighty Mouse coin-op booth in the mall, some unregulated ice skating when the fields froze over near Fry’s Corner, or catching Surrey Canada Day festivities at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre.
Fast forward to this week: I had the chance to properly explore Cloverdale’s historic core with a thoughtfully curated itinerary and a handful of standout local experiences. From unique cafés and charming boutiques to walkable streets and rich heritage, Cloverdale in Surrey is more than a detour, it’s a destination.
Itinerary | Getting There | Surrey Signature Experiences
Cloverdale in Surrey is situated on the unceded and ancestral lands of the Salish peoples, including the q̓ic̓əy̓ (Katzie), q̓ʷɑ:n̓ƛ̓ən̓ (Kwantlen), and se’mya’me (Semiahmoo) Nations.
A Day in Cloverdale
I packed my bags and left Downtown Vancouver for an overnight in Cloverdale at the Holiday Inn & Suites. I’ve actually stayed there before when I used to cover Surrey Canada Day since it’s so close to the festival grounds. It’s very up-to-date, clean, it has a restaurant and pool, and the staff is friendly and helpful.
Our morning then started with a stop at nearby Elena’s Cafe (5630 176 St Unit 1, Surrey) where, if you follow me on Facebook you would have already seen, I got to experience North America’s first colour-printed latte art. They were kind enough to print me a Miss604 logo on my oat milk macchiato, and also a colourful cat on my mom’s coffee. Fuelled by savoury Avocado Toast and some cinnamon-sweet French Toast, I looked up the shops on our itinerary and it was delightful to find they were all within walking distance, along the same stretch of 176 Street.
La Belle Vie (5709 176 St, Surrey) is a unique home decor store with gifts and goods for many occasions, from baby showers and house warmings, to everyday supplies (I got a dish towel and some LED tea lights), and jewelry (my mom got a bracelet).
Thrive Greenery and Gifts (5723 176 St #5, Surrey) is a locally owned, family-run florist, plant shop, and gift boutique—and it smells incredible the moment you walk in. My mom made a beeline for their collection of local puzzles, while I explored the plant section in search of something even my not-so-green thumb couldn’t kill. I also picked up some Saltspring Soapworks items while watching the team prepare some gorgeous bouquets for pick-up.
The next stop was the Museum of Surrey and the City of Surrey Archives. Cloverdale is an historic community and town centre founded in 1870. It is known by some as the historic centre of Surrey and is home to many heritage sites showcasing a unique blend of western and railroad heritage.
At the archives, we tried to look up some family history since my grandfather built the old family home in 1956 along a dirt road which is now one of the busiest thoroughfares in the city. While we didn’t find anything in the archives about the house, we found my mom mentioned several times in the Surrey Now Leader newspaper archives for some of her high school and college activities.
At the Museum of Surrey, you can enjoy free admission and a variety of permanent and featured exhibitions, including the Indigenous Hall, and the current Ocean Bound exhibit.
We weren’t quite ready for lunch after all that shopping and walking, so we hopped in the car and went out to Hi-Knoll Park (19569 Colebrook Rd, Surrey) for a forest walk. I really enjoyed using my Merlin Bird ID app to identify a Swainson’s Thrush, a Western Flycatcher, and more along with photographing some gorgeous native plant species.
Our final stop, after working up quite an appetite on the 1.5km of trails, plus all of our downtown strolling earlier, was at The Vault (5764 176 St, Surrey) known for its refined classics and comfort foods. My mom and I had some mocktails, garlic fries, and then two versions of their ravioli: Butternut Squash for me (without bacon), and Lobster & Prawn for her. They also have daily specials, and we were there on a Thursday which is schnitzel day.
I’ll definitely be making Cloverdale a destination again, including Elevated Music Shop (which was closed at the time we went by), the Create-It Emporium, a paint-your-own pottery studio, Habitat Wellness for a relaxing sauna ‘n soak, and the newly re-opened Surrey Heritage Railway which runs a tram on Sundays and live music at the station on Saturdays.
Getting to Cloverdale
- This part of Cloverdale that I visited in Surrey is located just off the crossroads of Highway 10 and Highway 15, and in the 5 block by 5 block grid encompassing 145 and 177b, and 58th Ave to 56th Ave.
- There is free 2 hour parking in this downtown area along 176 Street.
- If you’re taking the bus, there are a few connecting routes including the R1 Rapid Bus through Newton but the most direct would be the 320 from Surrey Central if you’re starting at the SkyTrain.
- Once you get to Cloverdale, the core is pedestrian-friendly with lovely hanging flower planters, murals, and statues.
Surrey Signature Experiences
Discover Surrey has just launched 8 locally crafted Surrey Signature Experiences. From a calming sound healing journey and expert-led birdwatching to whisky tastings at a small-batch distillery and high-energy Bollywood dance classes, each experience offers a unique lens into Surrey’s vibrant culture. Decorate cupcakes alongside a Netflix baking star, explore family-run vineyards, get up close with honeybee hives, and savour a guided tasting along Surrey’s celebrated Spice Trail. Learn more and plan your experience here.
Follow Discover Surrey on Facebook and Instagram for updates throughout the year and to plan your own adventures.
