Stanley Park, Vancouver

Fondest memory: Stanley Park seawall (con't)

Sunset at Stanley Park (between second beach pool and Ferguson Point).
I took this shot while I was walking around the sea wall.

If it is a nice day, you can time it to arrive this area by shuttle bus at sunset time and enjoy the views.

After you have past the second beach pool, you will find yourself at English Bay, a beach in the heart of downtown!

Fondest memory: This picture was taken from the Siwash trail. You can get to the trail from the Stanley Park shuttle bus at the Siwash stop. By the way, all the trails in Stanley Park are very easy walks. You may have to do a lot of walking, but you certainly don't need any heavy duty hiking boots.

If you have the time, I suggest you first take the shuttle to explore the different view points of the park (like the hollow tree, Prospect Point etc). Then once you get back to the totem poles, go on to the seawall and start following the seawall walk. If you want to go right to the West End, then get off at the second beach stop.

Favorite thing: Put on good walking shoes for I will take you on a long walk around the downtown peninsula. Allow for at least 3 hours just to walk around the seawall and stopping at various view points. Take the whole day for a full exploration of Stanley Park.

We will start with a walk around the seawall. There are many places that you can begin this trip, let's start from the entrance where it is most convenient whether you want to walk, bike, or roller blade around the park.

This is the entrance near Lost Lagoon in the north east end of the park. Most buses that goes to Stanley Park will stop here. If you want to rent a bike or a pair of roller blades, there are shops near the intersection of Georgia and Denman Street (go to the tourist information centre on Burrard Street near Canada Place first, they have a pamphlet from some local bike shops that includes a discount coupon).

You can walk around Lost Lagoon and watch the birds. This picture was taken there. But go back to the Stanley Park entrance because we are going to walk around the seawall.

There is also a zoo and an aquarium near this entrance. Go explore that area. But since we are going for a walk, let's just focus on that.

Look for the pathway right by the water and stay on the pedestrian lane, the other lane is reserved for cyclists and roller bladers. You will pass by the Vancouver Rowing Club and the yacht club on your right. Continuing on down the seawall there are totem poles and a tourist info centre (coming summer of 2001) on your left.

Then we will reach a lookout point. You can see the port of Vancouver past Canada Place on your right. Can you see the red cranes? Now look towards the north shore, there are yellow hills of sulphur, potash and other things that Canada exports to the rest of the world.

Let's get going again. Watch out for viewpoints along the way and enjoy the scenary, you will find yourself at English Bay after a couple of hours.

Fondest memory: There is a shuttle bus that goes around the park during the summer time. If you take public transit to the park, make sure you keep your transfer to use on the shuttle bus; otherwise, it costs $2. The shuttle has numerous stops close to all attractions and view points in the park. You can hop on and off any time you like.

This picture was taken on the Ravine trail shortly after I got off the Ravine trail shuttle stop. You can see bikers and pedestrians walking on the sea wall, with North Vancouver in the background.

Favorite thing: If you only have a few hours in Vancouver and you don't know what to do, you HAVE to visit Stanley Park. This is Vancouver's "jewel" - Vancouver's pride and joy. A park unlike any other. If you can only see one thing in Vancouver, this is it.
Stanley Park is 1000 acres of forest and gardens, surrounded by a 5.5 mile long seawall and miles of beach. It's one of the largest urban parks in North America, and has gorgeous views where ever you go! You can literally spend days in this park and still discover new areas. Stanley Park is technically a peninsula on the north-west tip of downtown. Three quarters of the park is surrounded by water, which gives the park its many beaches. The park consists of second-growth forest (forest that had once been logged in the late 1800's - but you wouldn't know!). It's a little piece of wilderness in downtown, complete with lakes, streams, wildlife (like raccoons, squirrels, porcupines, skunks), and lots of lush green vegetataion. If wilderness isn't your thing, there are also many manicured gardens throughout the park, such as Lost Lagoon, the Rhododendron gardens, the Rose Garden, Brockton Point, Prospect Point, Second Beach, Third Beach, and the totem poles. Even Lumberman's Arch is a great place to drop by for a great view of the Lions Gate Bridge, and perhaps a quick peak into the public viewing spots at the Vancouver Aquarium. Bring your camera and a good pair of walking shoes (ie: not high heels or anything that can be ruined if it gets wet or dirty!) - you'll never stop taking pictures, and you'll never stop walking!

Favorite thing: This picture is of an area not far from the bridge and at the start of Stanley Park. ( Stanley Park is a huge park that has been untouched and kept natural with huge old trees, ponds,wild ducks, geese etc. 5 miles of walking and bike trails)( MUCH OF IT ON THE OCEAN FRONT.) I missed my turn off here to go to the Sylvia Hotel which is close. I had to cross the bridge and then return to take my street to the Hotel.

Favorite thing: Visit Stanley Park and all its attractions. The totems (pic), aquarium, beaches, hiking trails, it's all great for a fun-filled afternoon!

Fondest memory: What's best about Vancouver is the city bustle in a sizable package. You'll find the best shops, the coolest bars and clubs and the most beautiful sights all closeby. Add the mild climate and gorgeous mountain backdrops and you won't want to leave. Unfortunately, I had to...

Favorite thing: Stanley Park is a must when you come to Vancouver in the summer right in the heart of the downtown and you must rent a powerboat from Reed Point Marina costs about $60/HR and cruise down to Indian Arm or head to downtown waterfront and you don't need to have ever powered a boat before as you will get an intorductory course approx 15mins and that is all you will need.

Second largest Chinatown in North America,Little India on Main st and little Italy on Commercial Drive,great diversity and great entertainment.

Oh i can go on and on forever but the best part of Vancouver and Canadians is it's people they will go out of their way to help and wellcome you.