Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
including the signature 18th hole, a par 5 that comprises island-only landing areas for the
drive and the second shot, and then the approach is played to an island green. Adding to
the fun is a course length of a scary 7,041 yards from the back markers. Facilities include
ahugeclubhouse, featuring arestaurant withviews,hottubs,asauna,andadrivingrange.
Greens fees range $45-75 depending on the time of day and day of the week.
Vancouver might not be best known for its beaches, and the water may be too cold for
swimming most of the year (don't tell that to the 2,000-odd locals who take to the water
eachJanuaryforthePolarBearSwim),butinsummerthelongstretchesofsandthatfringe
the city are a hive of activity.
The best beaches are along English Bay, a shallow body of water between downtown
and central Vancouver.
English Bay Beach,
in the West End, has been a popular summer
hangout for Vancouverites since the 1920s, when legendary Joe Fortes began his 25-year-
long self-appointed role as local lifeguard. The white, sandy beach is surrounded by park-
land, behind which is a crush of beachy boutiques and outdoor cafés and restaurants. To
thenorthalongaseaside promenade is
Second Beach,
withalargeoutdoorpoolcomplex,
and more secluded
Third Beach.
On the south side of English Bay is trendy Kitsilano and
“Kits” Beach,
a mecca for
sun worshippers and
the
place to be seen on a summer day. The beach extends for more
than half a kilometer between Arbutus and Trafalgar Streets, backed by a park dotted with
trees, picnic tables, and benches. The water off Kits Beach is relatively shallow, making
thewaterwarmerthanonthenorthsideofthebay.Continuingwestis
Jericho Beach
(dis-
torted from the original name “Jerry's Cove”), backed by a large park. This stretch of sand
gives way to
Locarno Beach
and then
Spanish Banks Beach;
the beaches become less
crowded as you travel westward.
The westernmost of these beaches on Point Grey is also Vancouver's most infamous:
Wreck Beach
is a nudist hangout, where the unabashed prance around naked, and nude
dudes sell hot dogs and pop from driftwood concession stands. Swimming here isn't par-
ticularly good, but the beach still gets extremely busy. Access to the beach is down a steep
trail from Northwest Marine Drive, near the end of University Boulevard (take trail num-
ber 4, 5, or 6).
In the south of the city, the warm, shallow waters of Boundary Bay are surrounded by
sandy beaches.
Point Roberts,
south of Tsawwassen, is a popular swimming spot, as is
Crescent Beach,
across the bay in Surrey. The actual beaches around Boundary Bay are
