Seize the tail end of summer！ Vancouver's 6 Famous Beaches！(Part 1)

Text and photos by /Papa Seahorse

The blazing sun of midsummer is as precious as gold—how could Vancouverites let it slip away? So, with a slight tweak to the famous words of Austrian writer Richard Engländer, we have a fitting description of Vancouverites’ love for sunshine: I’m either on the beach, or on my way to the beach… Surrounded by sea on three sides, Vancouver’s beaches are always within reach. Papa Seahorse introduces six of the most popular beaches—this summer, don’t just hide at home being a sunshine homebody (or homegirl)!

Beach 1: Kitsilano Beach

Located south of English Bay, locally known as Kits Beach, this might be the most “easy on the eyes” beach in all of Vancouver. The sandy shore is dotted with young men and women in skimpy, toned and tanned attire—enjoying the sun is just one goal, “people-watching” and “being watched” are the real highlights. Groups of teens sit in circles chatting and laughing; behind the beach, BBQ grills smoke away on the lawns, where stylish urbanites sip drinks and chat cheerfully. Fit young guys leap about on the sand, volleyball matches heat up; a dozen meters away, a young bearded dad builds sandcastles with his toddler, while mom reads a novel nearby, shades on.

At low tide, check out the ocean floor for shells or frolic in the ankle-deep surf. Right next to the beach is Canada’s longest saltwater swimming poolKits Pool, whose pale blue waters align seamlessly with the shore and the distant mountain-and-sea panorama, creating a view so magnificent it’s never been surpassed.

Recommended spot: Boathouse at Kits Beach

Though Kits Beach sits right beside many bars and popular restaurants—just cross the street for a cold beer or plate of nachos when the sun gets too much—if you really want to dine leisurely, enjoy a light afternoon bite, and have Kits Beach’s seascape as your side dish, only the Boathouse at Kits Beach by the shore fits the bill. From the restaurant’s second-floor terrace, a 270-degree ultra-wide view makes even the meal itself feel like a bonus.

Beach 2: English Bay Beach

The West End is the westernmost part of downtown Vancouver, adjacent to Stanley Park, and home to Denman Street’s cafes and international eateries, as well as the lively Davie Street, Vancouver’s gay district. Stretching southwest of the West End, English Bay Beach has long been caressed by sea breezes and teems with visitors year-round. Countless massive logs are neatly scattered across the beach, where in summer swimmers, sunbathers, windsurfers, and kayakers each find their spot; cargo ships and tankers in the distance, yachts and sailboats up close, make the horizon bustling with life. Even in the lonely chill of winter, the beach still draws visitors and locals alike to gaze at the sea and experience Vancouver’s winter bite.

Beyond its natural seascape, English Bay Beach also offers cultural sights worth seeing. The sculpture A-maze-ing Laughter by Chinese artist Yue Minjun always catches the eye along the beachside street; nearby Sunset Beach, as the name suggests, is a prime spot for sunset viewing; giant sculptures like Engagement and Inukshuk decorate the shoreline. Events like the annual Polar Bear Swim on New Year’s Day, the July fireworks festival, and the August Pride Parade all take place at English Bay Beach—want to get to know Vancouver? This is the place to be.

Recommended spot: Cactus Club Cafe

Perched at a vantage point on the beach, Cactus Club Café enjoys the best location. Come for lunch and a solo moment; sip a cocktail in the afternoon with the sea and sky as your backdrop; dine outdoors in the evening as the sunset glows; or linger at night with candlelight reflecting off wine glasses, the sound of waves lapping the shore, as the romance between lovers soars off the charts.

Beach 3: No. 3 Beach @ Stanley Park

Tucked away in a corner of Stanley Park, with the mountain-view mansions of West Vancouver stretching across the water, and lush greenery behind, No. 3 Beach is a hidden gem known mostly to savvy Vancouverites. Located at the park’s western edge, it faces the sea with an unobstructed view, making it one of the best spots in the city to watch the sunset. The Seawall is a path dedicated to pedestrians and cyclists that loops around the island. Whether hikers or cyclists pass by this beach, they all stop, kick off their shoes, and sink their toes into the fine sand to soak up the summer heat.

Recommended spot: Teahouse in Stanley Park

If you’ve already planned a half-day trip to Stanley Park, No. 3 Beach makes a great final stop. Tired of playing in the surf or just looking to escape the blazing sun? Step into the scenic Teahouse restaurant by the beach. Opened in the 1950s as a British-style tea house, Teahouse has become synonymous with West Coast cuisine. Try a pan-seared salmon fillet or seafood pasta, letting the taste of the Pacific bring a perfect close to your beach day.

(Article continues, stay tuned)

Papa Seahorse
A Gemini man born under the air sign, he worked as a senior marketing and PR executive for multinational corporations until age 45; after 45, he moved to Canada. Alongside his teenage sons, he plays the role of father amid foreign springs of cherry blossoms, summers of sun, autumns of foliage, and winters of rain and snow, while documenting his observations of Vancouver.
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