The area of Roberts Creek is thinly populated and home to just a few Thousand people, many of whom live on an acreage or view property. Since the area was pretty much “cottage country” for decades, there is still plenty of evidence of this relaxed lifestyle.

Also in Roberts Creek, the central shopping area is regarded as a bit of a jewel. Famous highlights are the general store, the local post office and of course the Gumboot Cafe.

Some of the Sunshine Coast’s largest and most famous camps are in Roberts Creek, catering to social and religious groups of various kinds.

A little bit of local history

The name “Roberts Creek” was given to the area thanks to one Harry Roberts, an early settler who was not at all a hardy pioneer but instead an art student from England.

In the early Nineteen Hundreds, the area was “party central” for visitors from Vancouver who would arrive by the boat load. Mr Roberts managed to cash in on this by starting a little village with a store and even a post office.

The rich forest lands provided excellent timber and a sawmill was started, providing lumber for local bridges, homes and for shipment to the city. A tourist trade sprung up and cottages as well as more substantial houses were erected.

Transportation remained a problem and several wharves were attempted but eventually all failed. A loading hall near one of those wharves had the text “Sunshine Belt” written on it, so large that this could be seen from passing ships.

It is therefore now believed that the name “Sunshine Coast” may have sprung from the text on this one hall. The name caught on and now covers all the land on both Sunshine Coasts, even including the “Upper” Sunshine Coast as far away as Powell River.

The longest beach

The Roberts Creek shoreline stretches all the way and provides many points of access, some at nicely carved out little Provincial parks. Many waterfront homes along this shoreline soak up the sun – the South-facing views across the Straight of Georgia and all the way to Vancouver Island are magnificent.

The beach is pebbly, rocky and sometimes slippery as wild creeks cross the beach to make their way from the hills to the salt waters of the ocean. As it goes, the beaches are public and it’s virtually impossible to get lost. Watch for wildlife including seals and sea lions.

Below or above the highway

There is a bit of a difference between Roberts Creek below and above the highway. Below the highway, the area is mostly residential with many walking trails connecting various points of interest.

Above the highway, the land parcels are generally larger and there is more farmland. Many hiking trails up into the hills and to the mountains, start here.

The SCRD (Sunshine Coast Regional District) proudly maintains recreation areas up the mountains, the most famous probably being Dakota Ridge.

Services

Services are limited in Roberts Creek for as far as shopping is concerned. Other than the central area around the “General Store”, the post office and the Gumboot Cafe, it would be the proximity to both Sechelt and Gibsons that will serve most locals’ shopping needs.
Continue on to the town of Sechelt: PLEASE CLICK HERE for the Sechelt feature page.