VANCOUVER AREA PARKS, BEACHES, and GARDENS

In Vancouver---" Life's a beach "

PARKS:

Cypress Falls Park :: Well-marked hiking trails, huge moss-laden trees, deep canyons heavy with mist, and a cascading waterfall...need we say more!
Location : Across Lions Gate Bridge, turn left to West Vancouver, right on Taylor Way and west on Hwy #1 to Woodgreen Drive and Woodgreen Place

Fraser River Park :: Ponds, marshes and thick grasses frame the wooden boardwalk along the Fraser River. Information signs along the walk tell you of the history of the river and its ecological importance to the city.
Location : At south foot of Granville St. on 75th Avenue between Barnard Street and Bentley Street

Lighthouse Park : Old growth forest edged by rocky oceanside cliffs create a mesmerizing setting in this wonderful park. Enjoy walking along the trails to the ocean and make sure you stop at Point Atkinson Lighthouse for a daily tour in the summertime.
Location : Over Lions Gate Bridge, take Marine Drive through village of West Vancouver to Beacon Lane.

Lynn Canyon Park : Rushing water falls through a narrow, twisting gorge into crystal green pools below. The old growth forest walks dizzy the senses. Walk over a 250 meter high suspension bridge, through the trails, and stop to watch the daring youngsters dive from rock formations into sparkling pools below. This is a stunning area where you can experience wilderness just outside the city. For the hikers, there are wonderful walks in Lynn Headwaters Regional Park :
Location:In North Vancouver. Take Second Narrows Bridge to Mountain Highway, right on Lynn Valley Road, right on Peters Rd.

Pacific Spirit Park : 2000 acres of wilderness bordering the University of British Columbia, Pacific Spirit Park has 34 miles of trails for joggers, cyclists and horseback riders. You’ll never know that you’re in the city as you wander through these forests
Location : Between NW Marine Drive and SW Marine Drive, Camosan Street and UBC

Queen Elizabeth Park : A magnificent public multi- use park with tennis courts, pitch and putt golf course, baseball stadium but best noted for its gardens. The park is known locally as " Little Mountain " as it is the highest point in the city. Once a quarry, the area is now a gardeners delight with both an outdoor sunken garden, an indoor tropical conservatory and a wonderful panoramic view of the city.
Location : Main entrance off Cambie Street at 33 rd Ave.

Stanley Park: This is our ‘crown jewel’Over 1000 acres of manicured lawns, beaches, forests, lagoons, filled with wildlife, a wonderful aquarium complete with whale pool, a 6 mile long seawalk, two good restaurants and no Starbucks---yet. Stanley Park provides a stunning haven in the downtown core. Allow at least 4 hours minimum to explore this gem but you could spend two days in the park.
Location : West on Georgia St. Vancouver Park Department: 2099 Beach Avenue 604-681 1141 for more info

Vanier Park: The greatest place to fly a kite in the city. Vanier Park has large grassy spaces along the waterfront [east of Kitsilano Beach] and great views of the city. The Space Centre, Planetarium, Vancouver Museum, City Archives, Vancouver School of Music and Maritime Museum are all situated in this location.
Location : At north foot of Chestnut St, east of Kitsilano beach.

Whytecliff Park :: An outstanding undersea park in West Vancouver, Whytecliff features parkland, beaches, scuba diving and glorious views.
Location : Over Lions Gate Bridge, through village of West Vancouver on Marine Drive, watch for sign as you approach Horseshoe Bay.

• See also The Parks of Greater Vancouver Over 3800 images covering more than 85 parks, gardens and feature areas in Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley

BEACHES:

It is difficult to be out of sight of a beach on the west side of Vancouver. Although they are not "world class" they do provide a welcome respite from the summer heat and are well used by the locals. Most summer evenings will see Vancouverites strolling, jogging, bicycling or rollerblading the many miles of seaside walks along the beaches and enjoying the long, lingering sunsets. A particular feature of the beaches, not generally found elsewhere, is large logs arranged in neat rows for one to rest against. Most city beaches are maintained by the Parks Board and have concession stands.Lifeguards are on duty from Victoria Day (May 24) through Labour Day (the first weekend in September)

CITY BEACHES---IN ORDER GOING WEST FROM STANLEY PARK

Third Beach :Small, and peaceful beach with warm water.
Location : turn right at Ferguson Point on Stanley Park Drive. Concessions and lifeguards.

Second Beach and Ceperley Park :The hub of recreational activity in the park. Outdoor pool, playgrounds, picnic area, concessions and lifeguards.
Location : In Stanley Park but can be accessed via the west end of Beach Avenue--

English Bay Beach / Sunset Beach : : Located in the heart of our city, sandy English Bay Beach is the lively people watching spot. Swim, stroll, buy popcorn or an ice cream from the street vendors, and enjoy the crowds. Its great! From English Bay you can walk the seawall around Stanley Park.
Location : Between the Burrard St. Bridge and Stanley Park on Beach Avenue

Kitsilano Beach: Noted for its large (150 yards) outdoor heated and filtered saltwater pool, Kits Beach is a very popular spot in the heart of our city. Enjoy the pool, sandy beach, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, and the scenic shoreline walk. Or relax on a log and watch the people...great fun! The shoreline walk takes you by the Maritime Museum, the Space Center, and into Granville Island. Concessions and lifeguards
Location : At the north end of Arbutus Street on Cornwall avenue. (Straight down the hill from Arbutus Garden House)

Jericho Beach & Park: This beach and park stretches from just west of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club and has grassy lawns, a bird sanctuary, sandy beaches and the Jericho Sailing Club where you can rent kayaks, surf boards, etc. Vancouver’s annual Folk Festival is held here in July. There is a wonderful walk that will take you west to Spanish Banks Beach and the University of British Columbia. Concession stands and lifeguards
Location : At West end of Point Grey road.

Jericho and the city from Spanish Banks

Spanish Banks Beach : Long stretch of sandy beach west of Jericho. Tide goes WAY out at this location during low tide. Favorite for family picnics. Lots of free parking, concession stands, lifeguards. Location : Fourth Avenue West, turn right onto N.W. Marine Drive.

Point Grey and Tower Beaches : Two small beaches to the west of Spanish Banks. Both have more rocks that other beaches and can be accessed from N.W Marine Drive. Parking is limited and Tower requires a walk down a steep trail. No Concessions or lifeguards

Wreck Beach: Beneath the cliffs of UBC lies Vancouver’s famous nude beach. For that ‘complete tan’, this is the place to be! No concessions but vendors on beach. No lifeguard.
Location : Below NW Marine Drive at the University of British Columbia. Steep trail access.

BEACHES OUTSIDE THE CITY --- BUT CLOSE

Ambleside Beach: A wonderful park and beach in West Vancouver looking over Stanley Park and the Lion’s Gate bridge, Ambleside has picnic areas, beaches, concessions playing fields, a bird sanctuary, pitch and putt, and a great seawall walkway. With its international residents walking the seawall in early evening, you might feel you are strolling in Europe or the Far East.
Location : Across the Lion’s Gate bridge on Marine Drive

White Rock :Miles of sand in a warm tidal bay make this active beach community on the USA- Canada border a popular summertime spot. All the amenities one would expect from a beach community including a long pier, restaurants, seaside promenade and crowds on the weekend.
Location : Thirty- five minutes south of Vancouver. Take highway # 99 south and follow the signs.

GARDENS :

It is not difficult to be a successful gardener in Vancouver as the area is blessed with a climate and soils that allows for a great range of plant life. In almost every month of the year,one will find colour in the Vancouver garden. It is probably one one the World's great Rhododendron and Azalea growing areas and those of you that are fortunate enough to visit in April-May are in for a real treat.
For more information on the display gardens of the Vancouver area see our Garden links.