Believe it or not, Vancouver has amazing beaches.
Locals may not want this known, but it’s not exactly a secret. We’re on the coast, after all. And while our summers aren’t long, we they do get hot: It’s not uncommon (and getting even more common, for better or for worse) to have 30 degree days in the summer.
With an array of beaches and only so many good days in the summer, it might seem daunting to figure out which beach is best to take your family. These our our favorites due to the ability to park the car, nearby amenities, beauty, and aren’t too city-fied where you worry about what the kids might find underneath the sand.
Our Favourite Beaches: The List
- Second Beach
- Third Beach
- Ambleside Park
- Caulfield Park
- Whytecliff Park
- Lions Bay
- Spanish Banks
- White Rock
Second Beach
English Bay is probably the most popular beach in Vancouver due to its proximity to downtown and west-facing sunset views. But that also means that it’s incredibly busy and noisy, which doesn’t make it the best to have small kids playing in the sand.
But just a little further down the road—or more preferably, the seawall—Second Beach provides a much more mellow experience. Housed inside Stanley Park, this beach has southwest views of Point Grey The beach itself isn’t much in comparison to the size of English Bay but it’s all the other amenities nearby that really entice the kids, such as a pool, two playgrounds, a giant field, and concessions.
Third Beach
Just a little bit further down the seawall (or closer on the right hand, if you’re driving on Stanley Park Drive) is Third Beach. This is the farthest west you can go on the downtown Vancouver peninsula, and thus, the best place to watch the sunset. In the summer the sun stays out late into the evening, giving Third Beach a warm vibe and great destination to kick off the warm summer nights.
Tuesday nights are home to the legendary drum circle, which is kid-friendly although a ceremonial flower is burned and consumed often. And while its legal in Canada, some visitors might still be taken with surprise at its prevalence. But the smell of weed aside, the drums are a fun way to collectively and spontaneously groove with a large number of people. This is something that needs to happen more often in day-to-day life, in our opinion. But once a week in the summertime is a good start.
Ambleside Park
Just across the Lions Gate Bridge from Stanley Park is Ambleside Park, which borders the Squamish nation’s Capilano reserve (or “rez” as the locals call it). In fact, teh border between the two lands is nonexistent on the beach, hopefully signifying a bit of a metaphor to our ongoing reconciliation efforts between nations.
The beach extends from 13th street in West Vancouver to the Capilano River on the rez. The water will fluctuate between calm mornings and windy afternoons with associated waves. Nothing is too big though because Vancouver Islands blocks any open ocean swell. Still, you might not want to wear loose hats on a day in the sun.
The playground here is good for various ages, although sometimes the merry-go-round can get a bit chaotic in numbers. If the big kids outnumber the little kids you might want to opt for the group swing that might be a bit more mellow for the crew.
The park also has a really fun pitch and putt course where the smaller kids can at least have a few putts while the big kids and grown ups take their shot at this par-3 seaside classic.
There is also a cafe nearby as well as a skate park, basketball court, and soccer fields that are only busy on weekends and pretty mellow the rest of the time.
Caulfield Park
This one is a bit hidden and off the radar, and risking getting a wincy eye from the people who live nearby, we have to recommend this beach for something different. It’s hidden away on a tiny turnoff from Marine Drive in West Vancouver, and opens up a park with some nice seaside shore-walking trails. On one end is Caufield cove which has a nice sandy beach that fluctuates in size with the tides.
It’s nice and quiet (most of the time) and gets excellent afternoon sun, but peak times mean parking is impossible. Taking a bus is probably the best option for the least headache.
Hot Tip: For situations like these we have a whole list of the best beach bags so that riding a bus to the beach doesn’t seem like a chore.
Whytecliff Park
At the far end of Marine Drive, past the village at Horseshoe Bay and winding past some quite impressive estates, is La Fin Du Monde… the end of the North American continent, the Coast Mountains, and Whytecliff park. This municipal park has a forested area on the far side of Marine Drive and a seaside area as well.
There are so many good things to say about this park, not only because it’s close to home for us and we are regulars, but because it truly is a gem. Many people know this though, and it gets quite busy on summer weekends—so much so, that Marine Drive gets blocked off for residents only to help control the traffic. So get there early, if you can.
The beach itself is fairly rocky but has perfect southern exposure to the Salish Sea and Vancouver Island. Whyte Islet is a fun little excursion that becomes an island at high tide, so plan accordingly. It’s also a popular scuba diving spot that excites our kids.
If you’re really lucky, you’ll spot whales right from the beach. Orcas, Humpbacks, and Gray whales are often sighted here.
Lions Bay Beach
This beach is just a 10 minute drive from Horseshoe Bay at the beginning of the Sea-to-Sky Corridor, which is a region straddling highway 99 up towards Whistler and beyond. It’s easily one of the most beautiful drives on Earth, and we are lucky that it is also in our backyard.
Lions Bay beach is a gem of a location and while the sand is trucked in, the views are au natural and oh-so inspiring, especially late in the afternoon. This beach was recently renovated with upgrades to the bathrooms and acessibility, making it even easier to make a nice setup for several hours while the kids have a safe place near the water to play in.
Like everywhere else, it can get pretty busy on the weekends so get there early if that’s all you can swing. But mid-week it’s pretty mellow, especially in the mornings or early afternoon.
If you are exploring more of Howe Sound, check out our free app, the Sea to Sky Family Navigator.
Spanish Banks
Way out on the northwestern end of Point Grey, past the more popular (and more crowded) Kitsilano and Jericho beaches, is Spanish Banks. Space is the name of the game here with an expansive beach that ends up being pretty vast when the tide is out, thanks to the shallow tidal flats that extend several hundred meters from where the water comes in at high tide.
This is the beach you want to get to for large gatherings, or just to post up a shade tent, barbecue, and make a day out of it. The shoreline is safe and shallow for kiddos to play around in without fear of getting swept out. Although, that said, please use caution if it’s really windy out, which can happen!
White Rock
If long, expansive tidal flats are your thing, then White Rock is the place to go. It’s about an hour south of downtown Vancouver next to the US Border, which makes it a perfect first-stop for those coming up from the states. The little beachside village vibe is worth a stroll and a few scoops of ice cream, of which you’ll have several options. The pier makes for a nice part of the walk too, as is the barefoot squish out into the distance when it’s low tide. Just don’t go too far lest the border guards from the USA take interest in your whereabouts! It’s pretty clearly marked, though.
Practical Tips for Visiting Vancouver Beaches
Get there early
We really don’t get a ton of summer months in Vancouver, so when the sun shines, people flock to the beaches. So it can get crowded, which is why you want to get there early, post up, and make a day of it, if possible.
Avoid driving if you can
Ideally you will want to take public transit, because parking is always an issue in Vancouver (not to mention expensive). So if you can pack a good beach bag, all the better for getting around.
Water shoes are handy
Because we don’t get open ocean swell, many of the beaches truck in their sand. This means that below the tide line, the sand disappears quickly and the shore becomes rocky, so it can be a bit of a danger on the feet. Water shoes solve this problem. We love the ones from Native shoes for the kids. They stay on pretty easy and are great both in and out of the water.
Keep Exploring!
We have a ton of other great recommendations for families who want to get the most of adventuring in and around Vancouver. Check out some of our favourite posts for hiking with toddlers in the Sea to Sky, driving up further to visit Whistler, or camping at Porteau Cove. Whatever you do, remember to be excellent to each other!
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