The point lies on the western edge of Richmond, out where the city gives way to the mudflats and marshes of the Fraser River delta. Richmond is built almost entirely on flat delta land, protected by dykes from the river and the sea, and the western shore, along Sturgeon Bank, is a wide expanse of mud, eelgrass and tidal channels, important for migrating birds. On a clear day, the view across the Strait of Georgia to the mountains of Vancouver Island is wide and calming, and the sunsets are often spectacular.
At the south-western corner of Richmond lies Steveston, an old fishing village at the mouth of the Fraser, where boats still sell fresh fish and prawns directly from the dock. The Gulf of Georgia Cannery, once one of the largest salmon canneries in British Columbia, is now a national historic site and museum, telling the story of the fishing industry and the many Japanese Canadian, Chinese and Indigenous workers who made it run.
Richmond also has one of the most vibrant Asian food scenes in North America. The city has a large Chinese Canadian population, and its malls and restaurants serve some of the best dim sum, noodles and seafood outside Asia. In summer, the night markets are a lively, crowded experience with food stalls of every kind.
As a starting point for the Sunshine Coast ferry ride, Richmond is practical but requires a trip through Vancouver. The route north crosses the city, the Lions Gate Bridge or the Second Narrows, and then heads west along the North Shore to Horseshoe Bay, where ferries leave for Langdale on the Sunshine Coast. Traffic in the Vancouver area can be heavy, so allow plenty of time and leave early. Richmond has fuel and services everywhere. The weather on the coast is mild but often wet, especially from October to April, so good rain gear is essential.