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Vancouver/North Shore Travel Guide

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The North Shore is a suburb of Vancouver, North of the Burrard Inlet. It includes the District of West Vancouver, City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver.

Contents

Understand

Historically the North Shore was a vacation area for Vancouver. Skiing and hiking have been bringing people to the North Shore for over 100 years. Originally it was a significant trip that took a ferry ride and a long trek up the mountain. The Lions Gate Bridge was built in 1932 by the Guinness family (of beer fame) in order to market their extensive real estate property in West Vancouver. This property has become some of the most expensive real estate in Canada.

The industry on the harbour has always been an important part of North Vancouver. However, Lower Lonsdale has seen much of the industry replaced with high rise towers and shops.

Get in

By car

There are 2 bridges connecting the North Shore with Vancouver. The Lion's Gate Bridge and the Second Narrows Ironworkers Memorial Bridge. Lions Gate Bridge is a 3 lane suspension bridge that connects the North Shore with Downtown Vancouver. The center lane alternates direction depending on the time of day.

Highway 1 (Trans Canada) Highway crosses the Second Narrows bridge. This highway referred to as 'Upper Levels' highway goes through most of the North Shore to Horseshoe bay in West Vancouver.

By bus

The Translink bus system connects both municipalities with the rest of the Translink system in Greater Vancouver. In West Vancouver the buses are called Blue Buses and have a distinctive appearance, but they take the same transfers and fares that the other translink buses in Greater Vancouver do. Going to the North Shore means crossing a fare zone boundary and therefore is more expensive than taking a bus within Vancouver.

By boat

You can get to the North Shore on the Seabus. This is a passenger only ferry that goes from Downtown Vancouver to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. This is operated by Translink and a bus or skytrain ticket or transfer is also accepted on the seabus.

The Seabus runs every 15 minutes most of the day. Every half hour after 6:30am and all day on Sunday. The Seabus operates from about 6:00am to Midnight.

Get around

Travelling around the North Shore by bus is not always convenient as most of the bus service is aimed at getting people downtown. Therefore travelling from one part of the North Shore to another by bus often involves at least one bus transfer. However, it is possible to reach many of the attractions by bus.

Parking is quite plentiful and usually free on the North Shore.

See

  • Grouse Mountain [1] is a significant tourist attraction which is accessed by a aerial tram up the mountain from the top of Capilano Road. There are restaurants, a pub, a refuge for endangered animals, helicopter tours and beautiful views of the city. In the Summer there is a lumberjack show, hiking and paragliding and in the winter there is downhill skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating and sleigh rides. $30 for the skyride and this includes admission to many activities. Alternatively you can hike up the Grouse Grind which is a very steep hike up the mountain (2.9km long 853m el. gain).
  • Capilano Suspension Bridge [2] a suspension bridge and small private nature park. Now includes a unique "treetop adventure" where you can walk along elevated platforms to see the tree canopy. $25 admission.
  • Capilano Fish Hatchery is a working fish hatchery on the Capilano river. Includes many displays about salmon. free.
  • Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge a suspension bridge in the District of North Vancouver Lynn Canyon park provides a thrilling way to cross the very deep canyons of the Lynn Creek and connects the hiking trails on the two sides of the creek. free.
  • Lynn Valley Ecology Centre [3] Also in the Lynn Canyon Park, includes a number of displays on ecology and many activities for young kids. Admission by donation.
  • Maplewood Farm [4] has a number of traditional farm animals and a few more exotic animals. Has goats and rabbits that kids can pet, ducks to feed, and daily milking demonstrations. In the summer pony rides are often available for an extra charge on weekends. Adults $3.50, children and seniors $2.00.
  • Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve [5]
  • Maplewood Flats is a popular birders destination.
  • Lighthouse Park a nature preserve with a unique ecology including many large, old growth trees. Originally created around a lighthouse on the rocky foreshore. The park includes many walking trails and natural picnic spots along the rocky coast of West Vancouver.

Do

Skiing

Whether you like downhill or cross country skiing, three ski hills are accessible on the North Shore. Snowshoeing is also a fun activity available at these hills.

Mountain Biking

The North Shore is world famous amongst mountain bikers as one of the best places to mountain bike. More information is available from the North Shore Mountain Bike Association. Some Favourite Trails are:

  • Mt Fromme
  • Seymour Mountain

Hiking

There are a number of beautiful hikes to do on the North Shore. It should be noted that most of the provincial parks parking lots charge parking fees in the summer.

  • Baden Powell Trail named after the founder of the Boy Scouts goes across the entire North Shore from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. This is generally done in sections and can be accessed in a number of different locations.
  • Cypress Mountain
  • Cypress Falls a walk in the forest in West Vancouver along Cypress Creek, highlighted by two waterfalls.
  • Capilano Canyon
  • Grouse Grind is the busiest hiking trail in all of Greater Vancouver. The view is not particularly nice and is sometimes called an outdoor stairmaster. More of a fitness thing than a outdoor experience. Proper footwear is highly recommended, and in the late afternoon, make sure to allow enough time to complete the climb before dusk.
  • Lynn Creek
  • Mount Seymour

Swimming

  • Ambleside Beach the nicest sandy beach on the North Shore, a common place to come for a walk, or to hang out on the beach. Has a nice view of Stanley Park and the Lions Gate Bridge.
  • Dundarave Beach a small, community-oriented beach in West Vancouver that is great for families. The beach is located at the west end of the West Vancouver seawall walk.
  • Lynn Creek There are a number of nice deep pools for swimming in on Lynn Creek. The water is quite cold, so most just do quick dips. Some locations are popular for cliff jumping. However, read the warning signs and be careful; there are deaths almost every year.

Kayaking

Deep Cove has a few kayak rental shops. It is possible to go for a nice 1-hour kayak around the Deep Cove area or a multiple-day kayaking trip up Indian Arm.

Festivals

Learn

For Kindergarten to Grade 12 educational needs, there are numerous public (government funded) schools within the area. There are also a few prestigious private schools in the North Shore, mainly West Vancouver.

Post secondary education on the North Shore is through Capilano College. Capilano College grants degrees, diplomas, and certificates in wide area of programs, though mainly in trades and vocational programs.

Buy

West Vancouver (listed from east to west):

  • Park Royal Mall 752 Marine Drive at Taylor Way, West Vancouver

A major shopping mall on the north and south sides of Marine Drive with indoor and outdoor shopping sections and restaurants. Anchor tenants include: The Bay, London Drugs, Super Value, Sport Check, Coast Mountain Sports, Future Shop, Linens & Things, Home Depot, Old Navy, Whole Foods. http://www.shopparkroyal.com/

  • Ambleside Village Marine Drive at 15th Street, West Vancouver

A five block shopping district along Marine Drive and Belleview Avenue. http://www.amblesidevillage.ca/

  • Dundarave Village Marine Drive at 25th Street, West Vancouver

A one block strip of shops, restaurants and services - mainly serving the local community. http://www.dundaravevillage.ca/

  • Caulfeild Shopping Centre Headland Drive, West Vancouver

A small local outdoor shopping mall. http://www.caulfeildvillage.ca/

  • Horseshoe Bay Bay Street, West Vancouver

A small local shopping area. Located beside the BC Ferries Terminal.

North Vancouver (listed from west to east):

  • Capilano Mall 935 Marine, North Vancouver

A medium size indoor shopping mall. Anchor tenants are Sears and Walmart. http://www.capilanomall.com/

  • Edgemont Village Ridgewood Drive and Edgemont Boulevard

A two block strip of shops. http://www.edgemontvillage.ca/

  • North Shore Auto Mall

A mall with multiple automobile dealerships representing: Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, Accura, Mazda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Hyudai, Nissan, Volvo, BMW, etc.

  • Lonsdale Quay Market 123 Carrie Cates Crt , North Vancouver

A unique indoor market featuring fresh produce, seafood, baked goods and a variety of shops at the south end of Lonsdale overlooking Vancouver harbour.

  • Park & Tilford Shops & Gardens 333 Brooksbank, North Vancouver

An outdoor shopping mall built around a unique garden. The garden was built originally when the mall site was ocuppied by a distillery. Anchor tenants include: Save-On Foods and Cinema Park & Tilford.

  • Lynn Valley Centre 1199 Lynn Valley, North Vancouver

A medium size indoor/outdoor mall. Anchor tenants include: Safeway, Winners, Zellers and Save-On-Foods. http://www.lynnvalleycentre.ca/

  • Parkgate Village Shopping Centre 3650 Mt. Seymour Parkway, North Vancouver

A small local shopping mall. http://www.parkgatevillage.ca/

  • Deep Cove Gallant Avenue, North Vancouver

A small local shopping area. http://www.deepcovebc.com/

Eat

Organized from West to East in each category.

Budget

  • Sushi Station 1643 Lonsdale Ave., 604-990-8897. Very cheap and reasonably good sushi. Cash only.
  • Sugar Suite Mountain Highway (Lynn Valley). This coffee shop has a selection of organic coffees and deserts including many wheat free options. There is often live music here in the evenings.

Mid-range

  • Inn Cogneato Bistro and Bakery, 1861 Lonsdale Ave (19th and Lonsdale), 604-988-0201. a Mediterranean inspired restaurant that has a very diverse menu and serves large portions. Everything is quite good, the open faced sandwiches are a favourite. $9-15 (plus drinks)
  • Tommy's, 1308 Ross Road, (Lynn Valley),604-988-0053. Open daily for breakfast and lunch (8:00am to 2:00pm). This restaurant is a mountain bikers favourite. They serve very good breakfast with free range eggs and nitrate free bacon if you wish.

Splurge

  • Salmon House on the Hill, 2229 Folkestone Way West Vancouver [6].
  • The Beach House, 150 25th St West Vancouver, 604-922-1414. The view of Vancouver harbour is fabulous.
  • The Observatory, 6400 Nancy Greene Way North Vancouver, 604-980-9311 [7].
  • Moustache Cafe, 1265 Marine Drive North Vancouver, 604 987 8461 [8].

Drink

The nightlife on the North Shore is pretty much non-existent. One has to cross the Burrard inlet to Vancouver to find night clubs. However, there are a number of good Neighbourhood pubs:

  • Sailor Hagar's Brew Pub, 233 W. 1st St (Short walk from Lonsdale Quay) 604-984-3087.
  • Jack Lonsdale's, 127-1433 Lonsdale (15th and Lonsdale) 604-986-7333.
  • The Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub, 1177 Lynn Valley Rd (Lynn Valley) 604-990-8880.
  • The Raven, 1052 Deep Cove Road (Deep Cove) 604-929-3834, [9].
  • Mulley's, 1552 Lonsdale Ave(16th and Lonsdale) 604-904-0166, [10].

More Nightlife info can be found at www.northshorenightlife.com [11]

Sleep

There are not a lot of hotels on the north shore.

  • Holiday Inn
  • Lonsdale Quay Hotel

Contact

Most of the commercial and residential areas of the North Shore have cell phone coverage. However, the terrain here is quite mountainous and therefore there are dead spots here and there and once you get off on the hiking trails you loose cell phone coverage amazingly quickly.

There are a few internet cafes on Lonsdale avenue.

Stay safe

When hiking in the mountains here, do not go beyond your abilities or provisions. Stay on well marked trails and leave plenty of time to get back to the trailhead before night fall which happens quite quickly in the dense forest. Many hikers have to get rescued every weekend from the trails in the summer. Most of these are unnecessary rescues where tourists were completely unprepared and got lost on the trails.

There are a lot of black bears around in the summer. Be Bear aware when hiking around the North Shore areas.

Cope

Get out

Visitors can travel northward towards Whistler by travelling along Highway 99 North through West Vancouver and the Sea to Sky region.

For Vancouver Island travel, visitors are able to take a BC Ferry from Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) to Nanaimo (Departure Bay). Other popular routes leaving from teh Horseshoe Bay Terminal are one's to Bowen Island, the Sunshine Coast.


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