Some of the best views of Vancouver are from the North Shore. The
area includes the City and District of North Vancouver and West Vancouver,
with the most affluent postal code in Canada. With the Coast Mountains
to its back, the North Shore offers year-round recreation, especially
skiing, snowboarding and hiking. With Burrard Inlet below, there
is exciting action on the waterfront, with industry, parks, shopping
and dining. You can get to the North Shore by SeaBus from downtown,
over the Lion’s Gate Bridge, or over the Second Narrows Bridge.
Attractions/Activities
- Capilano River Park and Salmon Hatchery. Built in
1971 the Capilano Hatchery was built to rear and release salmon
below the imposing Cleveland Dam to ensure successful spawning
cycles. The interpretive centre allows
visitors
to learn about the lifecycle of the salmon. Trails lead through
forests of Douglas fir and cedar to Cleveland Dam and Capilano
Lake, which supplies much of Vancouver’s drinking water.
- Capilano
Suspension Bridge and Park. The pedestrian suspension bridge
stretches 137 m. (450 ft.) across the canyon and 70 m. (230 ft.)
above Capilano River. The walk across has been thrilling people
for a century.
You can also see aboriginal carvers creating totem poles and masks
at the Big House or you can enjoy meandering the trails through
the West Coast
rain forest.
- The Grouse Mountain Skyride whisks you up 1,100 m.
(3,700 ft.) above sea level in 8 minutes for a fabulous view
of the region, hiking, fine dining,
and day or night skiing. The Hiwus Feasthouse offers a taste of
authentic aboriginal song, dance and cuisine. The Theatre in the Sky
gives
an awe-inspiring eagle’s eye view of B.C. in Canada’s first
high-definition electronic theatre.
- Lonsdale Quay Market. With
more than 80 shops and restaurants, the Quay offers fresh produce,
seafood, meats, dairy, flower stalls and baked goods
in an indoor-outdoor market stall setting. Watch ships come and
go in the harbour from the observation tower or nearby Waterfront
Park.
- Park Royal Centre and Ambleside Village and Park. First class
shopping and dining experiences and a lovely oceanside park in
West Vancouver.
- Edgemont Village. Tucked away in the forested slope
below Grouse Mountain, Edgemont retains its old-fashioned charm
as an alpine village with intriguing
boutiques and unique shops.
- Deep Cove. Peace and picturesque quiet
in this seaside village that has grown from a collection of cottages
to a prime residential area. Local
artisans show and sell their creations in local shops. Deep Cove
is a starting point for hikes along the Baden-Powell Trail that
traverses the North Shore
to Horseshoe Bay, as well as canoe and kayak jaunts on Indian Arm.
- Horseshoe
Bay. Nestled in the mountainside at the mouth of Howe Sound.
For lovers of seafood, art, antiques, interesting shopping, divine
scenery and boating and fishing. Also a terminal for B.C. Ferries
to the
Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.
- Bowen Island. This idyllic
getaway is just a 20-minute ride from the Horseshoe Bay Ferry
terminal. Settle in at a cozy cafe or pub after cruising the
intriguing shops and galleries in Snug Cove or walking the trails
in Crippen Park.
