Abbotsford is a city of about 140,000 people in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia. With mountains visible in nearly every direction, it is in one of the most geographically stunning regions of British Columbia. Abbotsford is an agriculture-based city that is a popular visitor stop over point for U.S. travellers north bound to the Yukon and Alaska and Canadians travelling east and west along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Abbotsford's colonial development began when the Royal Engineers surveyed the area in response to the gold rush along the Fraser River in 1858. This led to the building of Yale Road (today Old Yale Road), the first transportation route to link the Fraser Valley. The settlement grew and the production of butter, milk and tobacco began by the late 1860s. In 1889, former Royal Engineer John Cunningham Maclure applied for a Crown grant to obtain the 160 acres (0.65 km²) that would become Abbotsford.
There is some controversy over the origin of the Abbotsford name. The most commonly cited origin is that Maclure named the land "Abbotsford" after family friend Henry Braithwaite Abbott, the western superintendent of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Until 1922 the name was spelled Abottsford. Maclure's sons later stated that the property had been named for Sir Walter Scott's home, Abbotsford, and pronounced it with the accent on ford, while in his later years Maclure claimed that the naming had been "a combination of two ideas".
The title passed hands to Robert Ward, who filed a townsite subdivision on July 9, 1891. Also in 1891, the CPR built a railway line through the area that connected Mission with the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern Railway at Sumas, Washington. This route was the only rail connection between Vancouver and Seattle until 1904. In 1892, Robert Ward sold many of the lots to private investors, and sold a significant portion to the Great Northern Railway’s subsidiary company the Vancouver, Victoria and Eastern Railway. The British Columbia Electric Railway (BCER) arrived in 1910. The Interurban, as the BCER tram linking Abbotsford with Vancouver and Chilliwack was called, was discontinued in 1950.
Abbotsford is well known for its agri-tourism attractions. Tourism Abbotsford publishes annually a Circle Farm Tour Guide highlighting some of British Columbia's most unique rural attractions during the summer. A winter version of the publication is available, named Passport to Christmas.
Other popular activities include visiting Clayburn Village Store for tea or coffee, learning about our pioneer heritage at Trethewey House Museum and unique shopping in Historic Downtown Abbotsford. For kids, the Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery and Castle Fun Park are popular spots.
Abbotsford boasts some of the finest sports facilities and parks in British Columbia which are popular among visitors. Known also as "Sports Town Canada," Abbotsford attracts dozens of provincial and national sports events annually.
During a visit to Abbotsford, be sure to learn more about the City's history, attractions and ethnic diversity by stopping at one of the City's two Visitor Centres on Sumas Way (Highway 11) and domestic arrivals lounge in the Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) Terminal.
- Abbotsford International Air Show. Held the second weekend in August, it attracts visitors from all over the world. Flight demonstrations primarily by Canadian and US craft. Static displays of aircraft, Canadian Forces units, and local police and RCMP detachments. $25/person, up to maximum $80/vehicle.
- The Dog Show at Tradex is one of the biggest in Canada
- Agrifair is a popular country fair and rodeo. It is held annually on B.C. Day long weekend.
- Vancouver Motor Cycle Show is one of the largest of its kind in Canada held annually in February at Tradex.
- Berry Festival at the end of July celebrates Abbotsford's status as the "Berry Capital of Canada."
- Lotusland Vineyards tasting & tour, 28450 King Rd, +1 604 857-4188. W-Sa 11AM-5PM, Su-M noon-5PM. Grape and fruit wines, made from organic local fruit. Previously known as "A'Very Fine Winery", playing on the names of the owners, Liz and David Avery. Book winery tours 1-2 weeks in advance for groups of 6 or more. Tasting fees waived with purchase. Tasting $2/person, tour+tasting $10/person.
Abbotsford International Air Show. Held the second weekend in August, it attracts visitors from all over the world. Flight demonstrations primarily by Canadian and US craft. Static displays of aircraft, Canadian Forces units, and local police and RCMP detachments. $25/person, up to maximum $80/vehicle.
The Dog Show at Tradex is one of the biggest in Canada
Agrifair is a popular country fair and rodeo. It is held annually on B.C. Day long weekend.
Vancouver Motor Cycle Show is one of the largest of its kind in Canada held annually in February at Tradex.
Berry Festival at the end of July celebrates Abbotsford's status as the "Berry Capital of Canada."
Lotusland Vineyards tasting & tour, 28450 King Rd, +1 604 857-4188. W-Sa 11AM-5PM, Su-M noon-5PM. Grape and fruit wines, made from organic local fruit. Previously known as "A'Very Fine Winery", playing on the names of the owners, Liz and David Avery. Book winery tours 1-2 weeks in advance for groups of 6 or more. Tasting fees waived with purchase. Tasting $2/person, tour+tasting $10/person.
For a unique shopping experience, be sure to check out Historic Downtown Abbotsford and Clayburn Village Store in the community of Clayburn Village.
For the literary crowd, Hemingway's New and Used Bookstore, located in the heart of Historic Downtown Abbotsford, has one of the largest selections of new and used books in the area. Specializing in fiction and military history, the store holds thousands of titles in numerous categories, and is open 7 days a week.
Rural retailers can be found throughout the City's agricultural areas. Refer to the Passport to Christmas and Circle Farm Tour Guide available at one of two Visitor Centres on Sumas Way (Highway 11) or in the Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) Terminal.
Abbotsford boasts many large shopping plazas, plus one indoor mall - Sevenoaks Shopping Centre. Almost all of Canada's major retailers can be found in Abbotsford.
There are many places to eat in Abbotsford.
- Restaurant 62, 2001 McCallum Rd (In the Gateway Building, +1 604 855-3545. Lunch: M-F 11:30AM; brunch: Su 10AM; dinner: daily 5PM. Executive Chef Jeff Massey (former restaurant Chef of "Coast" seafood restaurant in Yaletown and also Cioppino's) prepares a variety of dishes utilizing local ingredients. Fraser Valley duck duo, pan seared breast of duck over local vegetables with handpicked blackberry jus and confit of duck leg over pistachio whipped potatoes. Restaurant 62 also boasts a wine list with over 200 selections from around the world, and 20 single and blended malts
- Dragon Fort, 2421 Pauline St, +1 604 852-6891. Fantastic Chinese place with excellent lunch specials.
Restaurant 62, 2001 McCallum Rd (In the Gateway Building, +1 604 855-3545. Lunch: M-F 11:30AM; brunch: Su 10AM; dinner: daily 5PM. Executive Chef Jeff Massey (former restaurant Chef of "Coast" seafood restaurant in Yaletown and also Cioppino's) prepares a variety of dishes utilizing local ingredients. Fraser Valley duck duo, pan seared breast of duck over local vegetables with handpicked blackberry jus and confit of duck leg over pistachio whipped potatoes. Restaurant 62 also boasts a wine list with over 200 selections from around the world, and 20 single and blended malts
Dragon Fort, 2421 Pauline St, +1 604 852-6891. Fantastic Chinese place with excellent lunch specials.
- Town Hall, 33720 South Fraser Way, +1 604 746-2000. Excellent $4.00 breakfast on weekends after 10:30AM.
- Airfare Lounge, 33790 Essendene Ave, +1 604 217-2707. Great small bar in the middle of downtown Abbotsford, open seven days a week. Drink specials start at $2, and there is often live music (every Wednesday local band Harma White puts on a fantastic show).
Town Hall, 33720 South Fraser Way, +1 604 746-2000. Excellent $4.00 breakfast on weekends after 10:30AM.
Airfare Lounge, 33790 Essendene Ave, +1 604 217-2707. Great small bar in the middle of downtown Abbotsford, open seven days a week. Drink specials start at $2, and there is often live music (every Wednesday local band Harma White puts on a fantastic show).