There is no shortage of beaches in Vancouver. The most popular tend to be on the south shore of English Bay, most notably (east to west) Kitslano, Jericho, Locarno and Spanish Banks. All are easily accessible by walking or transit and have parking nearby.
Downtown’s West End has popular beaches such as Sunset, English Bay and Stanley Park’s Second Beach. Third Beach in Stanley Park is probably the nicest (and least crowded) of the bunch.
Lesser frequented beaches include Cates Park in North Vancouver and Wycliffe Park in West Van. There are numerous other beautiful, hardly visited beaches across the greater Vancouver areas.
Wreck Beach is, bar none, the nicest beach in town. Two things to note about it – it is hard to get to (west of UBC, down a long flight of stairs) and it is a clothing optional beach. Whether you’re going there because it’s clothing optional or in spite of it (I won’t judge), it is well worth the trip. It has an enormous amount of waterfront, it is secluded and has a forest behind it. It truly is one of Vancouver’s special spots.
