Nice small sloped park on a hill that also doubles as a parking lot and staging area for the nearby…read moreQuarry Rock hike. Parking is available but fills up very quickly on nice days. Once the lot is full, there is very little (if any) street parking anywhere in the vicinity. I was told to go very early (0730) to guarantee a spot, and even at that point the lot was over half full. The park itself is basically one giant sloped area. There is a picnic gazebo, a flat outdoor area, and a kids' playground. Then there is the nice beautiful view of the water and surrounding area. Facilities are available just a few minutes S by the kayak club. Not sure if I'd come here just for the park, but it is worth checking out if one is already here for Quarry Rock.

Took a quick walk around this park after hiking Baden Powell trial. I like how it's not crowded and…read morejust very peaceful! Of course, great views as well!

Awesome FREE park with a look suspension bridge! The suspension bridge is cool and a good photo…read morespot. We went on a Friday and it was pretty busy but we arrived around 11am and there were still a couple of parking spots available in the various small lots around the park. There is a snow chalet type building near the trail head & suspension bridge that has restrooms on the outside and some snacks and ice cream on the inside. We took the Twin Falls loop trail and went in the direction that started with the suspension bridge first and it was a lot more stairs and steeper than we anticipated. The hike back up from near the creek at the bottom had us sweaty and huffing and puffing as middle-aged parents. haha! But the trees and foliage was beautiful and we even saw a banana slug! We were cursing the 20 flights of stairs up and down but afterwards, we felt good.

I had such a wonderful time visiting Lynn Canyon Park. We originally went to see their famous…read moresuspension bridge but a few wrong turns at the trails and we ended up seeing much more, including the 30-Ft Pool, Pipeline Bridge, and Rice Lake. The trails are defined (though some were closed when we visited) and for the majority, are very walkable save a couple of areas with lots of stairs. Lynn Canyon Park is deceptively massive and offers a bit of everything to everyone-- if you are looking for tranquility, I'd recommend the northern trails and if you are looking for family-friendly hikes, I'd recommend the pool as it seems like a popular place for a dip. Parking during peak season can be a little tricky, especially later during the day. We ended up circling around before finding a spot and it costs $3/hr. My only complaint is that the park lacks adequate signage and maps, which contributed to our getting lost for a few hours. HUGE thank you to Hannah from the watershed for helping us find our way back!

Our family of six visited on a Monday afternoon around 1:30 pm. There are small parking lots with…read morelimited spots. We were lucky to find a spot within five minutes. It was a hot afternoon and we have two seniors and two young children. The parking lot is less than five minutes of a walk to the suspension bridge. This is a nice and easy area to check off for tourists.

This place was busy; we were able to score a spot though since we came later on in the afternoon as…read morepeople were leaving. It was about a 45 minute hike. There are many steps to climb. The suspension bridge is smaller and not as grand as Capilano. This place was free though; there is a Whole Foods about 2 miles near by. The homes around this area were nice. There was a general store off the street and also a cafe inside the park.

Last year I discovered a hiking group that hikes in the Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve (LSCR)…read moreevery Monday morning for a couple of hours. Due to my school, I was only able to go on one hike with them last year as I found the group just before the fall semester started, but this year I've gone on half a dozen hikes with them and look forward to many more. There are 65km of hiking trails in the LSCR, ranging from easy (such as the Rice Lake Loop) to challenging, for more experienced hikers. There are several intermediate trails, including a portion of the Baden Powell trail, and with all the different trails, it is a great area to explore and your hike can range from an easy one hour walk to a hike of several hours -- there's something for everyone. The LSCR is located between Lynn Headwaters Regional Park and Lynn Canyon Park, so you can combine a hike in the LSCR with a hike in Lynn Headwaters or Lynn Canyon for more variety. Another great thing about the LSCR is that it is transit accessible! You can take the #227 or #228 bus, or take the #210 bus to Lynn Headwaters and walk about ten to fifteen minutes to LSCR. [Yelp collections: Hiking]

This is the area that is on the other side of Lynn Valley Park. Had no idea this existed (or that…read moreit was technically a different park) until now. Parking is available in the nice large lot next to the water treatment centre. There are public washrooms here as well. Some of the trails here seem to be more like service roads. Very well maintained. There are plenty of bear warning signs too. Guess somebody got eaten at one point. Plenty of fellow hikers and dogs here for bears to snack on. I remember always seeing other people at some point. In other words, the place is pretty crowded during the summer months. The trails go quite a ways from here. Hikes can go from minutes to hours or days, depending on what one is looking for.

we drove around stanley park after dinner and caught the sunset, hoping to catch a glimpse of a…read morehumpback whale or maybe even a pod of orcas passing through the water. no such luck this time, but honestly the park still delivered. instead, we spotted a seagull standing perfectly still with a starfish clamped proudly in its mouth like some kind of seafood trophy. it looked both deeply proud of itself and slightly terrified to move in case it dropped its prize. it's easy to understand why stanley park is considered vancouver's most famous attraction. somehow this enormous urban park manages to combine rainforest, beaches, wildlife, gardens, ocean views, and the downtown skyline all in one place without ever feeling overly busy or commercialised. the drive through the park alone is worth it. take your time, there is construction going on right now. winding roads curve beneath towering western red cedars, douglas firs, and hemlocks before suddenly opening up to sweeping coastal views. every turn feels completely different from the last. the stanley park seawall is really the centrepiece of the entire experience. wrapping around the waterfront with nearly nonstop views of english bay, burrard inlet, lions gate bridge, the north shore mountains, and the vancouver skyline, it's the kind of place where people naturally slow down. cyclists cruise past runners, dog walkers stop to admire the scenery, tourists pause every few metres for photos, and families wander along the path with ice cream in hand. prospect point was easily one of the highlights, especially near sunset with the view stretching towards lions gate bridge and the mountains beyond. brockton point lighthouse added another classic postcard view, while the sailboats gathered near the royal vancouver yacht club made the harbour glow in the evening light. along the seawall we passed the scuba diver statue resting casually on a rock beside the water, definitely a scuba diver, not a mermaid, and somehow it perfectly matches the atmosphere of the park: peaceful, slightly quirky, and unmistakably west coast. lost lagoon brought a completely different energy from the oceanfront sections of the park. surrounded by trees and calm walking paths, the water reflected the skyline while ducks, geese, and other birds drifted quietly across the surface. second beach and third beach were both full of people making the most of the evening. second beach has the famous heated outdoor pool sitting right beside the ocean, along with volleyball courts, picnic areas, and one of the best sunset spots in the park. third beach felt quieter and more tucked away, with people stretched out on driftwood logs watching the sky slowly shift colours over english bay. nearby, the teahouse sits hidden among the trees, blending naturally into the surroundings. what makes stanley park stand out is how much there is beyond the famous seawall. tucked throughout the park are forest trails, gardens, playgrounds, tennis courts, public art, wildlife viewing areas, the pitch and putt golf course, and the vancouver aquarium hidden among the trees. despite sitting beside downtown vancouver, the park rarely feels urban. within minutes you can go from skyline views and busy pathways to quiet forest roads where all you hear is wind moving through the trees and waves hitting the shoreline. it's the contrast that makes the place memorable. even without spotting whales or orcas, the evening felt unforgettable. stanley park isn't just a place you visit once for the photos, it's the kind of place you keep wanting to return to because every section of it feels slightly different from the last.

Stanley Park was at the top of my must-do list while visiting Vancouver--and it was easily one of…read moremy favorite activities. The urban park spans over 1,000 lush acres and has such a rich history. It officially opened as a public park in 1888, named after Lord Stanley, Canada's Governor General at the time. We decided to experience it in the best way possible: on two wheels. After renting bicycles near Coal Harbor, we set off along the park's famous seawall--a scenic path that loops around the entire perimeter and offers nonstop views of ocean, mountains, city, and skyline. It's the kind of ride where you find yourself stopping often because every turn reveals beautiful views. Along the way, we made stops at some of the park's most iconic landmarks. The Stanley Park Totem Poles were vibrant and deeply rooted in Indigenous culture and storytelling. We continued on to the Girl in a Wetsuit statue, and then made our way up to Prospect Point. Don't forget to take in the view of the Lions Gate Bridge stretching across the water! Further along, we stopped to admire Siwash Rock before finishing our route near A-maze-ing Laughter by English Bay. After hours of heavy rain, we got incredibly lucky--the skies cleared what felt like just for us, and we were able to enjoy the entire ride in fresh, crisp air. I was so happy seeing the beaches along the way and the tree-lined paths glowing with orange leaves as we soaked in the last bits of autumn. Best of all, we were treated to a beautiful sunset at English Bay. It felt like the perfect closing moment--peaceful, golden, and well-earned after a full loop around the park. I can't recommend visiting Stanley Park enough. Wish we had enough time to visit the teahouse, but will have to save that for next time. If you're short on time but want to see a lot, biking the seawall is absolutely the way to go. It's active, scenic, and such a memorable way to experience one of Vancouver's most beloved places.

An unexpectedly cancelled meeting at the convention centre today rendered me a walk through…read moreGastown. By the time I reached the eastern edge at Alibi Room, I was going to turnaround until I saw a sign that said CRAB Park at Portside perched on the light pole at Alexander and Main. I remember reading about this area used to be called luk'luk'i by the Coast Salish peoples so I decided to take a detour see what it was like. It is a gem off the beaten path. The easiest (perhaps the only) way to get to the park is by the overpass at the north end of Main at Alexander. The overpass is also wheel-friendly. It has a huge off-leash area (though not fenced and I don't still don't understand how you can have a off-leash dog area with no fence but I don't want to digress into civic issues), a foot path along the water and even a beach! The view is absolutely gorgeous. Although you won't get a wide span view of downtown as you would from Spanish Bank, the south side of False Creek or Lonsdale Quay, the park renders you proximity to the building. The new Woodwards towers, Harbour Centre, Canada Place, Burrard Inlet and the cranes at the port are right there in front of you. When I was there during the day on a weekday around lunch time, there were only a handful of park visitors: nearby workers taking a lunch time stroll, neighbours walking their canine companions, retirees and those fortunate or unfortunate ones who do not work. It is a perfect alternative resting spot for a picnic on the weekends if you are riding your bikes but want to avoid Stanley Park crowded with tourists. I would image the view of downtown at night would be fantastic due to the proximity but I haven't been there at night. I would probably do a drive by with my car to check out how safe the park is at night before recommending anyone venturing out there on foot for a romantic walk after dinner in Gastown. It is, after all only a few blocks away from the most interesting spot in Vancouver according to Renee Zellweger (so she claimed on Regis and Kelly) - Main & Hastings.

It's a shame this beautiful park is overrun and ruined by ignorant dog owners who:…read more 1- Don't pick up dog poop 2- Think it's their God given right to unleash their out-of-control dogs with behavioural issues 3- Unleash their dogs during ON-LEASH hours. Yes, there are hours posted.... try reading!! 4- Irresponsibly ignore and don't care when their dogs are attacking other dogs 5- Are nosy with a vigilante attitude towards others when they disagree with how a dog is being trained. 6- Don't have licenses for their dogs, break the rules, act irresponsibly, and think they're perfect. 2017 edition park info. After 7 years of using this park, it's really sad that I no longer feel like it is healthy or safe because of the obnoxious, psychotic people that are ruining it. City of Vancouver: Cancel the Downtown Ambassadors program and hire somebody to check up on licenses and fine people for not picking up poop. You'll have fun $$$. Make Crab Park great again. LOL

While visiting Vancouver, I was looking for a short easy hike to squeeze in my day…read more The Lighthouse park was perfect. The trees and greenery were absolutely beautiful and the weather was nice in July. Although the park has a few different trails within it, the lighthouse viewing trail only takes about 15 minutes to hike one way. The park is well kept as we saw staff on duty maintaining the foliage. This park is pet and kid friendly. Parking is metered so be sure to pay before you start hiking.

The forest trails are great, we didn't make it to the lighthouse but still enjoyed this location…read morevery much. There is parking you do have to pay but it's not too bad. Walking around the massive, ancient trees provides a deep sense of peace and wonder. It is scenic and accessible for hiking in the area.

Great park for the kids. It was raining and still had kids running around. Great place to get their…read more"wiggles" out. The kids had a ton of fun and with the rain the slide was extra fast!

nice cool breeze, squeals of laughter, a spray park, plenty of seating, public washroom, and a…read morelegit coffee shop. this, right here, is summer. there are two small 'in ground' trampolines, slides, a hammock swing, cushioned asphalt, and suspended netting, all inviting for big and small kids to play, explore, hide, or even have lunch. located on the corner of richards and smithe, this park is an oasis in the heart of downtown vancouver. it's further enhanced by a locally roasted coffee shop, kafka's, that serves all day breakfast, lunch, baked goods, and seasonal soft serve ice cream. it's evident that a lot of thought, planning, and investment has gone into this urban development. it's innovative, sustainably designed, and thoughtfully integrated into the community.

I've been here a couple of times now to walk the dogs. I love it here as the trails are wide and…read moreit's right next to the creek. Peaceful and serene. Part of the trail is off-leash. Trails aren't too muddy. If you have a dog or just want to walk or bike, this is the place to go. There's an entrance close to the Delbrook Community Rec Centre with free parking.

We loved it! Great hiking trails and a great place to jump along the rocks in the creek. Nice…read moreplayground and easy street parking.