Surrey is located within the Greater Vancouver Regional District and geographically at the centre of the larger region known as the Lower Mainland of BC. It is the province's second-largest city by population, surpassed only by Vancouver.

Six town centers make up Surrey: Fleetwood, Whalley, Gilford, Newton, Cloverdale and South Surrey.

Also known as the City of Parks, Surrey has over 5,400 acres (22 km²) of passive and active parks, 15 golf courses and driving ranges, including the Northview Golf & Country Club, home to the former Air Canada Championship. Approximately 35% of the land is designated as agricultural and still being actively farmed today. One such park is the internationally renowned Darts Hill Garden Park, featuring thousands of species of plants. Other notable attractions include Bear Creek Park, a large recreation area that is a favourite among kids, and Stewart Farm, a restored 1894 homestead offering interpretive programs. Beach goers should head to the popular Crescent Beach, which is a great place to break out the beach towel and bask in Surrey's vast glory.