The sun is finally shining, the birds are chirping and the cherry blossoms have made their spectacular debut. All aforementioned signs can only mean one thing – spring has finally sprung here in the Fraser Valley.
Winter dragged on way too long for my liking, which is why I’m eager to go on some local adventures with my family. How about you?
I’ve done a little digging by chatting with some of my favourite top influencers from out this way, and have discovered that there are quite a few places I have yet to explore. In fact, the response was so fantastic that the blog post has spun into a three-part series.
Here is the first round of tried tested and true hot spots and hidden gems that come highly recommended from local Influencers who definitely know their stuff.
1- Kwantlen Park (North Surrey) ~ Rebecca Bollwitt, Miss 604
From kick flips and monkey bars to pool noodles and cannon balls, this North Surrey gem, located at13035 104 Avenue, offers plenty of fun for the whole family.
“I lived near the park growing up and it was a seemingly endless hub of activity,” said Rebecca Bollwitt, a multi-award-winning blogger who provides daily information about life in Metro Vancouver, events, community happenings and local history over at Miss604.com.
2– Duft & Co Bakehouse (Abbotsford) ~ Nicolle Hodges, nicolledoublel.com
“I feel like Abbotsford got a lot cooler right when I was on the verge of leaving,” says CTV Reporter/Blogger/Fashionista Nicolle Hodges, who grew up in the area.
“Then again, maybe my preferences just changed from being a narrow-minded teenager to a young adult who craved feeling “cultured.”
Working for the Abbotsford News from the age of 21, Hodges was exposed to some “pretty interesting people and places,” and found much more joy wandering Historic Downtown Abbotsford than she
had previously.
“That’s where I found (and fell in love with) Duft & Co Bakehouse,” she says.
“I was actually writing a story for ValleyBuzz and had the chance to interview the founders, who were equally passionate about one another as they were about pastries. You could tell everything was made fresh and with love. Because of this, it became my favourite place to hang out and devour as many Lemon Sugar Balls as possible – sweet dough, baked and then filled with house made lemon curd, rolled in sugar. Simple, tart, and delicious!”
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Duft & Co Bakehouse, located at 103, 2636 Montrose Avenue in Abbotsford.
Visit www.duftandco.com.
For freelance writer and mental health advocate Samantha Lenz, there’s a certain Abby watering hole she can usually be spotted at once the mercury rises.
“A favourite family hot spot in Abbotsford (which used to be a hidden gem but now is insanely popular) is Molson Lake,” says the Abbotsford resident and single mom of one.
“I love the fact we live 10 minutes away; there is a path around the whole park – an off-leash area for dogs, the lake, a beach. It’s the perfect combo. I also love that I can take Ry for a walk around the trail, and then this summer take him into the lake for a swim. If you’re not wanting to drive the 45 minutes to Cultus, this is the perfect alternative.”
Type Walmsley Avenue in your GPS to cruise on over to this hidden gem in Abbotsford.
Whether you’re looking to cool off and take a dip in the ocean, soak up the scenic views from the pier and nature trails or partake in some beach volleyball, Crescent Beach has everything one could need for a fun day on the seaside.
Many are unaware of the scenic beauty that can be found in Mission, says Carolyn Bechard of Moments in Mommyland.
