6 greatest seashores in Vancouver

Coast meets metropolis in Vancouver, the place heat sandy shorelines fulfill solar seekers, and metropolis dwellers delight within the cool culinary scene and swanky retailers discovered round city. However you don’t have to decide on between coast and metropolis right here, as a result of each are shut by.

In Vancouver, you possibly can sunbathe on the seashore, after which stroll downtown to dine on award-winning fare. Among the metropolis’s greatest vacationer points of interest neighbor the very best seashores, so you possibly can see all of it in someday.

Vancouver’s greatest seashores are enticing, action-packed and accessible, making it attainable to absorb the solar with all of your companions – together with your canine mates. Bask within the solar in your swimsuit or bear all of it within the nude at Vancouver’s greatest seashores, which have one thing to supply for everybody.

1. Kitsilano (Kits) Seaside

Greatest all-around seashore

Unsure if you wish to chill on the sand or shoot some hoops? This seashore will swimsuit all comers. For sports activities seekers, the seashore volleyball scene is spirited, and beachside basketball pick-up video games provide a good way to pal round with locals. In August, take a look at KitsFest, an annual summer time sports activities competition that allows you to take part in all the pieces from contact soccer to sundown yoga on the seashore.

Swimmers can go for a dip within the icy ocean, or hit Kits Pool, a heated, beach-adjacent outside pool and one of many longest saltwater swimming pools on the planet. The seashore is accessible too, with seashore mats that present quick access to the sand for these with mobility challenges and free-floating water wheelchairs (which should be booked prematurely).

For the children, an expansive and newly up to date playground presents an incredible place to play, with winding slides, seaside swings and a large grass area that’s excellent for picnics and tossing Frisbees. A favourite hangout for Vancouver locals, the seashore is a superb place for people-watching, and for those who’re feeling snacky, waterfront eating places, cafes and snack shacks will maintain you fueled as you take pleasure in a full day of out of doors seashore play.

Detour: Take a 15-minute stroll up the road to West 4th Ave – a area often acknowledged as certainly one of Vancouver’s greatest neighborhoods with quaint cafes, award-winning eating places, swanky retailers and Lululemon’s first-ever retail retailer.

2. English Bay Seaside

Greatest city seashore

Sandwiched between the busy West Finish neighborhood of downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park – Vancouver’s greatest (and largest) park – this bustling seashore beckons each metropolis dwellers and solar seekers. Its proximity to downtown makes the seashore a preferred alternative for a car-free cavort, with a pedestrian, bike and roller-skating seawall boardwalk separating the town from the sand, and a row of beachfront eating places solely steps from the shoreline.

The surroundings is among the greatest attracts, with up-close skyline views, small packs of palm bushes and notable public-art shows, just like the Inukshuk piece, a placing rock construction that represents Inuit tradition, and the larger-than-life “A-maze-ing Laughter” figures by Beijing-based artist Yue Minjun, one of many metropolis’s most-visited points of interest.

English Bay is a well-liked (however crowded) spot to catch the annual summertime fireworks competition, the worldwide Celebration of Mild, and in winter, the seashore can also be the location of the town’s annual polar seashore plunge, which takes place on New Yr’s Day.

Planning tip: As one of many metropolis’s busiest seashores, parking is at a premium right here. Think about visiting English Bay by foot, bike or bus as an alternative, and plan to reach early for those who’re hoping to snag a candy spot to sit down on the sand.

3. Second Seaside

Greatest for households

This family-friendly seashore could be discovered on the western facet of Stanley Park and is house to a grassy playground and a concession stand that serves up cool ice-cream cones and attractive treats.

Second Seaside Pool is just steps from the shore, a heated outside pool with a sloping entrance that’s appropriate for little swimmers. Close by you’ll discover the Stanley Park Pitch & Putt course, and throughout the summer time, there are free outside film screenings; Contemporary Air Cinema has the newest listings.

Planning tip: Lease a motorbike and cycle the Stanley Park seawall to this lovely seashore website. Alongside the best way, there are a number of spacious parks, smaller sandy seashores, equivalent to Third Seaside, and scenic spots to cease and snap pictures alongside the best way. Look out for the Lady in a Wetsuit statue and the towering totem poles that may be noticed en route.

4. Jericho Seaside

Greatest for metropolis and sundown views

Discovered outdoors Vancouver’s metropolis middle, Jericho Seaside is the best spot to absorb a sundown. Watch the tender glow of the setting solar because the sky shifts into shades of pastel pinks and purples towards the shimmering metropolis skyline and distant North Shore mountains.

For these trying to get out on the water, head to the Jericho Crusing Centre to hire a sailboard, stand-up paddleboard, or kayak (if wanted, classes are additionally accessible to assist maintain you afloat). A protracted seawall stroll invitations sluggish strolls, and huge driftwood logs make for the proper setting for a picnic. In mid-July, the seashore can get notably busy, because it’s the venue for Vancouver’s common Folks Music Competition.

Native tip: When visiting with children, you’ll want to carry sand toys, as this seashore presents a stretch of sentimental sand that’s excellent for constructing sandcastles, particularly throughout low tide. There’s a park on-site with a small pond, which makes for a beautiful shaded stroll – simply look out for a bounty of bunnies that decision this space house.

5. Spanish Banks Seaside

Greatest for a seashore celebration

This seashore is the proper spot to assemble your friends, pack a picnic, perch on a log and get social because the solar units. Giant grassy areas and picnic tables make for an incredible spot to BBQ too; you’ll simply have to return outfitted with your individual grill. You’ll want to carry your canine mates, as Spanish Banks is house to one of many largest off-leash canine parks within the metropolis, with water entry to maintain your puppies cool.

Situated in a residential space, this seashore tends to be a bit quieter than its sister spots (Kits Seaside and Jericho Seaside), nevertheless it nonetheless presents up the identical gorgeous metropolis views and is house to eight beach-volleyball courts for many who wish to take pleasure in some enjoyable within the sand after snacking by the ocean.

Native tip: Goal to go to throughout low tide, when the sand appears to stretch on for miles. Heat swimming pools of water make for extra snug wading (in any other case the Pacific Ocean could be fairly chilly, even on hotter days), and if there’s a breeze, you’ll want to carry a kite!

6. Wreck Seaside

Greatest for nudists

Stroll by the forest and scale the steep steps to Wreck Seaside, North America’s largest naturist seashore, and also you’ll discover a gorgeous 7.8km (4.8 mile) stretch of sandy beachfront the place clothes is elective.

This seashore is off the overwhelmed path, each in proximity to the town and within the individuals who populate the house – right here you’ll discover a sea of unbiased distributors, a crew of counterculture locals and clusters of newcomers, all within the nude. For those who fancy connecting with different naturists throughout your keep, test in with the VanTan Nudist Membership for occasions, together with common swimming meets at native swimming pools.

Planning tip: There’s an eclectic combine of individuals right here, which makes this seashore an incredible spot for people-watching. That stated, photographers ought to go away cameras at house, as pictures will not be allowed. Additionally, be ready to strip down, as lookie-loos are frowned upon. A steep 490-step stairway makes this seashore harder to entry, so you’ll want to put on snug footwear for the trek down.