Stanley Park

Historic and Beautiful

Located to the west of downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park is a wonderful escape into nature from the hustle and bustle of the city. Housing the Vancouver Aquarium, the Shakespeare Garden and dozens of hiking and biking trails, Stanley Park is unmistakably one of the city's top attractions.

Dozens of trails wind through the scenic forests if you prefer the quiet landscape of trees and native plants, but Stanley Park is also a very popular spot for bikers. There are many bicycle stores lining the streets close to the park's entrance, and for good reason! The Seawall (the stone path surrounding Stanley Park) is the longest uninterrupted path in North America. Whether you want to take the bike route once for a short afternoon activity, or multiple times as a great cardio workout, the views of the gorgeous waters and the overhead Lion's Gate Bridge never disappoint.

The park is also a great place to enjoy the fresh air, relax with your friends, and experience the peaceful beauty of Vancouver's natural landscape. It is a popular destination for picnics, sports, children's playgrounds and famous landmarks, such as the Wetsuit Girl Statue or the Brockton Point Lighthouse.

Itinerary

1:00 Depart CES Vancouver and walk to nearby bus stop

1:15 Board bus to Stanley Park

1:45 Arrive at local bike shops and line up to receive bikes and helmets

2:00 Assemble in front of Stanley Park entrance and follow Activity Leader to start bike ride

2:15 Stop 1 – Totem Poles

2:45 Stop 2 – Lighthouse

3:30 Stop 3 – Beach Rest Stop

4:00 Complete Seawall loop and arrive at park entrance to return bicycles

4:10 Depart for downtown Vancouver

4:30 Arrive at Waterfront Station

Stop 1: Totem Poles

The 9 Totem Poles located in Stanley Park's Brockton Point have been transported from several places on British Columbia's coast. Stanley Park is a pivotal place for Vancouver's First Nations communities, due to its large expanse of protected wilderness and cultural significance. Several First Nations businesses operate close to Stanley Park, offering educational tours and ceremonies to impart the importance of this beautiful natural landscape and its preservation.
Important History: Many of these totem poles are replicas, as the originals have either been returned to their place of origin or placed in museums for preservation. The most recently added totem pole was in 2009, carved by Robert Yelton of the Squamish Nation.

Stop 2: Brockton Point Lighthouse

This lighthouse was built in 1914 and sits in a lovely, scenic point in Stanley Park where many people stop to rest and take photos. While it no longer guides ships safely around Brockton point, it has been refurbished and restored as an important landmark that helped Canadian and foreign vessels navigate through Vancouver waters.

What to notice:

The community of buildings across the water that make up North Vancouver.
The towering Lion's Gate Bridge that connects the Vancouver mainland to the north.
The mountains that surround the northside view, including Cypress, Grouse and Seymour.

Stop 3: Second Beach

The beautiful beach and ocean view is a perfect backdrop for a break halfway around the Stanley Park Seawall. The rolling waves of Third Beach are a great place to dip your feet or watch for local wildlife like seals and birds. Up the nearby stairs is a small concession stand with ice cream and snacks, perfect to combat the warm summer sun or provide some relief from an invigorating bike ride.

What to explore:

The lookout near the concession stand is a great spot to pause and take some photos! The location up above the Seawall provides a great sweeping view of the surrounding scenery.

Page updated

Report abuse