Recreational Activities
Vancouver has a vast variety of recreational activities to offer, from water-related activities to hiking, mountain biking and snowboarding. If you like sailing, fishing or other ocean based activities, you might like to know that Vancouver is one of the worlds premier hotspots to come to. One of our extremely popular activities includes windsurfing. Rentals and lessons are available at Jericho Beach; but be careful, as windsurfing is only allowed at select beaches (these include Locarno, Jericho, Kitsilano and English Bay). Be sure to check the city website for beach rules (website listed below). Kayaking, kite boarding and fishing are a few of many activities that can be enjoyed at the beach…besides relaxing and enjoying the sand!
Health-conscious Vancouver locals are constantly walking, hiking, or jogging, all while enjoying gorgeous views. A popular destination for our activists is the Seawall, located in Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre Evergreen oasis that contains numerous trails, a two-lane road for cars to drive through, three beaches, parks, the Vancouver Aquarium, and several destination points for tourists to visit to take in endless views of the city. The Seawall is a stone wall that runs along the water, is paved and is wide enough for walkers, bikers and rollerbladers. The Seawall starts in the heart of Downtown Vancouver at the Coal Harbor Seawalk and ends at English Bay. Bike and roller blade rentals are conveniently available very close to the starting point. Besides the sea wall, Vancouver has several other well-maintained national and provincial parks for casual jogging or walking.
It is said that the North Shore is perhaps the best place to mountain bike in the world, with the three main mountain biking spots, Mt Seymour, Cypress Mountain, and Mt Fromme so close by. For avid hikers, the Grouse Grind, also known as Mother Nature’s stairmaster, is available starting in the spring. The Grouse Grind is a 2.9-kilometer steep trail, which starts at the foot of the Grouse Mountain Ski Resort, also one of the North Shore’s local mountains. After the enduring hike, hikers can enjoy views of Vancouver, eat at one of three of Grouse’s eateries, and either walk or take the gondola back down.
Vancouver has three local mountains, all relatively close and accessible. Mt Seymour is located on the eastern side on the North Shore and attracts residents from North Vancouver, specifically the Deep Cove area, a community located on the northeast end of the Burrard Inlet. Grouse Mountain is located closer to the border of North Vancouver and West Vancouver and can be easily accessed from Capilano Road. Cypress Mountain is located in West Vancouver, and for the most part attracts West Van locals.
