White Rock is a city located in the Metro Vancouver Regional District of British Columbia, Canada. It sits on the southern coast, bordered by Semiahmoo Bay to the south and surrounded on three sides by the city of Surrey. The Semiahmoo First Nation lies to the southeast across a footbridge within Surrey's borders. This coastal municipality serves as a distinct administrative entity within the broader regional district, maintaining its own local government while benefiting from its proximity to major urban centers.

The area was historically dominated by the Straits Salish people, with Semiahmoo First Nation encampments existing from 1791 until European settlement began in the 1850s. The Oregon Treaty of 1846 established the border, and the modern city's development became tied to the railway linking British Columbia to Washington state in the early 1900s. White Rock officially became a city on April 15, 1957, through a special warrant from the Government of British Columbia, separating it from the District of Surrey.

The city is named for a large white boulder on its beach, a 486-ton granite glacial erratic kept white by seabird guano and later by paint. The White Rock Pier, opened in 1914, is a notable landmark, though it was damaged in 2018 and rebuilt. Uptown White Rock features medium-rise condos, while cliffside dwellings have largely been replaced by large homes. The town center at Marine Drive is at sea level, contrasting with the residential areas perched on a bench several hundred feet above.

White Rock gained international fame for its annual sandcastle competition, organized in 1979 and revived in 2008, which draws thousands of guests to the long sandy beach. The city has a reputation as a retirement center due to its moderate climate and low rainfall. Peace Arch Hospital remains a major employer, and the area attracts visitors seeking a weekend getaway from Vancouver, with the beach serving as a primary attraction for both locals and tourists throughout the year.

As of 2021, White Rock had a population of 21,939 living in 10,735 private dwellings. The city experiences a moderate climate with average summer highs of 23 degrees Celsius and winter lows of 6 degrees Celsius, receiving less fog and rain than Vancouver. Access is provided via Highway 99 and TransLink public transit, including buses and the nearby George Massey Tunnel, making it a convenient suburban bedroom community for the Lower Mainland.