English Bay, Vancouver

It is a great place to relax and mix with people.

The feeling of being at English Bay brings back many good time memories. It makes you feel so relaxed and just plain wonderful. I'll go back there anyday.

All of Van is a great place to visit or live - perhaps the greatest - but English Bay is special. It's on the edge of Stanley Park, and just across from Granville Island and about 15 minutes walking on the beach from Kits. The beach, the funky restaurants, the view, the shoreline (complete with cairns, logs, birds of all types) all ads up to a great spot. Stay at the Sylvia Hotel right on the beach to get the full effect.

Having just returned from a 3 week holiday in Vancouver, I still yearn for the delights of English Bay. It is one of the most beautiful places on earth when the sun is setting. I would suggest having a portable gas BBQ and then taking the water taxi to Granville Island and purchasing some fresh food to prepare, before finishing off with fantastic Mojito cocktail at nearby Milestones Restaurant/Bar.

I grew up in the West End, which is the area immediately around Englsih Bay, so I can vouch for the fact that English Bay remains a walk that can calm the most jangled of nerves. Part of the great Seawall around Stanley Park (see review for that!) you walk the thin line between two worlds: the bustling cosmopolitain edge of Vancouver on one side, and the sea on the other. If you are walking away from Stanley Park you will soon come to bridges, under which are tucked great little restaurants on both sides, and a cheap water taxi to hop across. English Bay in the summer is hot and the sand inviting. Bask a bit and imagine the raft floating out in the Bay. Food is never further than 50 feet from the edge of the water, but I recomend you ban the fries and hamburgers, in exchange for the west coast fusion food that takes what is off the coastal waters and puts it into your plate, which will be a adventure after playing on one of Vancouver's signature beaches.

I liked the scenery and the water was really warm, very nice. Actually, the temperature of Pacific Ocean is warmer in Vancouver BC Canada than it is in Los Angeles California. The reason is influence of warm Japanese currents. The beach was very clean and people were just wonderful. We had a great time and we will be coming back to Vancouver's English Bay this summer!!

I beleive once a year there are fireworks competition at this beach. All the beach gets full of people and they wait for the sky to get dark. Then fireworks start. Its great. However, its good to take a big towel to occupy a position at the beach. And you might want to bring some snacks with you. Also at the exit, it is so crowded and easy to loose your company; I guess you should hold hands or something. Great place to go!