The City of New Westminster
is situated in the center of the Greater Vancouver Regional District,
otherwise referred to as the Lower Mainland. The City, roughly 15
square kilometers in area, is attractively located on a hillside
overlooking the Fraser River, 20 km east of Vancouver. The City
Center slopes down from Royal Avenue to the Waterfront, offering
excellent views up-river to the Golden Ears Mountains, southeast
to Mount Baker and down river towards Richmond and Delta and the
Straight of Georgia. The Downtown section of New Westminster with
its sloping streets, waterfront views and heritage buildings reminds
one of San Francisco.
As the oldest incorporated City in British Columbia, the Royal City
has its historic evolution from pioneer settlement as a destination
point along the gold rush route. The Royal City evolved into a stately
Victorian town as is reflected in the fine period architecture of
several commercial, residential and institutional buildings. The
City of New Westminster was the first capital of British Columbia.
The fortunes of the City have ebbed and flowed during its 126 year
history. Today, New Westminster is re known for an excellent collection
of Victorian and Edwardian buildings in all neighbourhoods of the
City.
New Westminster is connected through SkyTrain, a light rapid transit
system, to Vancouver by a 25 minute trip. With the recent announcement
by the GVRD and the Provincial Government, New Westminster will
be connected to Coquitlam by SkyTrain in the next few years. Tranlink
bus service also plays a helpful role in moving people in and around
the region. A major bus terminal is located in New Westminster at
Eighth Street.All of the major transportation systems go by New Westminster,
thus making New Westminster the Transportation Hub of the GVRD.
You can drive onto Highway #1 and be in Vancouver in 40 min. or
head east to the rest of Canada. The Alex Fraser Bridge makes commuting
to Surrey, Delta and Richmond easier.