Kitsilano Beach
Kitsilano Beach
4.5
About
This is one of Vancouver's most popular beaches offering panoramic views of downtown Vancouver, Burrard Inlet, and the North Shore Mountains. Surrounded by park land, restaurants, and beautiful people, it's the quintessential Vancouver beach experience.
Duration: < 1 hour
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The area
Neighbourhood: Kits Point
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2,476 within 5 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
809 reviews
Excellent
448
Very good
279
Average
71
Poor
10
Terrible
1
S F
Ucluelet, Canada1,056 contributions
Apr 2022 • Solo
Kitsilano Beach is now drawing greater traffic with the warmer Spring weather, & even some brave swimmers, while the adjacent children’s park is likewise attracting children in good numbers, sometimes even making it necessary for children to queue for some of the facilities.
This time of year is a good time to visit Kits Beach, as the weather is normally warm enough, even for a quick dip, but the beach is still not too crowded to get a nice bit of space around one.
I live steps away from the beach and am thus fortunate enough to visit it a number of days a week.
It is one of Vancouver’s favorite beaches, not surprising given it look across the inlet to the mountains, has the adjacent park, links to the seawall, has many eateries nearby, and is centrally located, not far from downtown Vancouver.
Posted by S Fuller.
This time of year is a good time to visit Kits Beach, as the weather is normally warm enough, even for a quick dip, but the beach is still not too crowded to get a nice bit of space around one.
I live steps away from the beach and am thus fortunate enough to visit it a number of days a week.
It is one of Vancouver’s favorite beaches, not surprising given it look across the inlet to the mountains, has the adjacent park, links to the seawall, has many eateries nearby, and is centrally located, not far from downtown Vancouver.
Posted by S Fuller.
Written 22 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PookyCake
Victoria, Canada14,711 contributions
Jul 2021
Kitsilano Beach is both Vancouver’s most popular beach and its most famous; in fact, many have likened it to California’s Venice Beach . . . only Canadianized. I think Kitsilano typically gets this comparison because, like Venice Beach, it’s in a trendy area of town; the beach is rife with recreational opportunities from swimming, basketball, tennis and beach volleyball; there are trendy and moderately upscale restaurants in the area (think Boathouse); and it has a unique feature in the Kitsilano Pool (see my earlier review on this site). In short, Kitsilano Beach exudes a very sporty and laid-back vibe . . . just like its US counterpart.
While I can certainly see how and why people have made the comparison to Venice Beach, I think such comparisons are kind of short-sighted and demonstrate a colonial mentality – you know, comparing something in Canada to that elsewhere (i.e.: “better”) place. Kitsilano Beach has its own identity, separate and apart from anywhere else. It is, for example, rife with First Nations history and, at the same time, deeply embedded within our modern ethos. “Venice lite” it is not. That’s why Lonely Planet, in 2021, named Kits Beach the “best” urban beach in Canada. How’s that for praise?
Anyway, Kits Beach is a lovely place, backdropped as it is by the North Shore Mountains. I couldn’t help but take a few moments to enjoy it as I walked along Vancouver’s Seawall; however, it gets a little too crowded for me in summer. I mean, I still consider myself part of the younger crowd, but I just don’t like all the hustle and bustle. Maybe you will, though!
While I can certainly see how and why people have made the comparison to Venice Beach, I think such comparisons are kind of short-sighted and demonstrate a colonial mentality – you know, comparing something in Canada to that elsewhere (i.e.: “better”) place. Kitsilano Beach has its own identity, separate and apart from anywhere else. It is, for example, rife with First Nations history and, at the same time, deeply embedded within our modern ethos. “Venice lite” it is not. That’s why Lonely Planet, in 2021, named Kits Beach the “best” urban beach in Canada. How’s that for praise?
Anyway, Kits Beach is a lovely place, backdropped as it is by the North Shore Mountains. I couldn’t help but take a few moments to enjoy it as I walked along Vancouver’s Seawall; however, it gets a little too crowded for me in summer. I mean, I still consider myself part of the younger crowd, but I just don’t like all the hustle and bustle. Maybe you will, though!
Written 13 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael C
5 contributions
Jul 2022
I recommend you bring a pair of water shoes if you want to swim, as the beach can get quite rocky and unpleasant as you get closer to the water.
Lots of parking all around, many wooden logs to sit on at the beach, and many trees on the grass areas to set up for the day.
Relatively clean public toilets and changing rooms.
Lots of parking all around, many wooden logs to sit on at the beach, and many trees on the grass areas to set up for the day.
Relatively clean public toilets and changing rooms.
Written 3 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
S F
Ucluelet, Canada1,056 contributions
Dec 2020 • Solo
Kitsilano Beach is a special place, to visit, even in the colder months.
Today — December 1 — was the perfect day to visit as it was wonderfully sunny, not at all crowded but with enough people on the beach and at the adjacent park — which buts up to the shore — for one not to feel eccentric in this venture.
Kits Beach, is one of Vancouver’s best beaches, and easily accessible by bike, bus, car or foot.
It is also well-serviced with public washrooms and with many eateries close by.
It may not be summer but the beach is certainly a place to enjoy. Indeed, it is an invigorating place to visit with the slight chill in the air.
Posted by S Fuller
Today — December 1 — was the perfect day to visit as it was wonderfully sunny, not at all crowded but with enough people on the beach and at the adjacent park — which buts up to the shore — for one not to feel eccentric in this venture.
Kits Beach, is one of Vancouver’s best beaches, and easily accessible by bike, bus, car or foot.
It is also well-serviced with public washrooms and with many eateries close by.
It may not be summer but the beach is certainly a place to enjoy. Indeed, it is an invigorating place to visit with the slight chill in the air.
Posted by S Fuller
Written 1 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aleepur
Boulder, CO275 contributions
Mar 2022
We dropped off my sister's family at UBC to take a tour. Then we picked up the road from there along the coast back towards downtown. We wended our way around and stopped along the way at the various parking lots. (There was also construction that caused some detours but we weren't in a rush.) The whole drive was beautiful - many great views of the city. We met a lot of nice people and dogs along the way. The weather was not rainy but also not really hot and sunny - perfect weather for meandering outside. Worth the drive.
Written 9 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
getaways
Lahaina, HI5,350 contributions
Oct 2022 • Couples
An amazing and large park and sandy beach.
The public pool has closed for the season but the wide Sandy beach had lots of sun bathers and lots of people swimming in the ocean.
Lots of benches and grassy areas too.
Had a beautiful walk and take out dinner here.
The public pool has closed for the season but the wide Sandy beach had lots of sun bathers and lots of people swimming in the ocean.
Lots of benches and grassy areas too.
Had a beautiful walk and take out dinner here.
Written 1 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DGT-fan-3
Banff, Canada1 contribution
Jan 2023 • Solo
Hello everybody.
My fingers quivered as the wind of Kitslano Beach tickled the tips of my hands, pants, also called my fingers. Space? The Glorious place I always go with my son, but this time I went alone. Moms always like alone time am I right sisters? I loved taking a day off and away from my husband, am I right ladies? My feet were blasted with the bitter cold but the scenery of the mountains, the drifting ocean, the sand, the crunchy sand, and Dave really gave me one of the best days I've had in a long time. I'm so happy for you if you get to go to this place. Hi Dave
My fingers quivered as the wind of Kitslano Beach tickled the tips of my hands, pants, also called my fingers. Space? The Glorious place I always go with my son, but this time I went alone. Moms always like alone time am I right sisters? I loved taking a day off and away from my husband, am I right ladies? My feet were blasted with the bitter cold but the scenery of the mountains, the drifting ocean, the sand, the crunchy sand, and Dave really gave me one of the best days I've had in a long time. I'm so happy for you if you get to go to this place. Hi Dave
Written 24 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
deepakgupta5
Vancouver, Canada593 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We visited the beach to watch the Honda Celebration of Lights, the annual fireworks display in July. It is a nice beach located in downtown Vancouver, walking distance from the shops and restaurants on Broadway. It is a small beach and not as famous as the English beach which is right next door.
Written 1 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David L
Kettering, UK14 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
The walk from Granville island is nice and arriving at the beach it looks great. Lots of people. Mostly young. Playing beach volleyball, listening to music. It looks great. However when you actually get on the beach you’re immediately disappointed. The sand is rough, shells, stones and seems dirty. There’s a smell in the air the whole time. It might be coming from what looks like a sewage pipe which is about half way down. The water is dirty. I couldn’t believe people were in there. It was super hot when we went so lots of people and a great vibe and we did stay for a while but honestly up close its grim. We didn’t get to the swimming pool. It was so busy we figured we’d give it a miss.
Written 14 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ChelseaPT
Cobourg, Canada275 contributions
Jul 2022 • Family
The view of the mountains was beautiful. But all the cargo ships and boats ruined the ambiance. It was rocky and smelly. I don't see what the hype was all about. Not even close to the top 20 beaches I've visited.
Written 30 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes, both of my dogs were off leash as were many others. Make sure your pups are well-behaved and you will get along just fine.
Written 9 April 2018
Is the water warm enough to go in?
Written 25 April 2017
During the summer usually, but the salt water pool right next door on the beach is kept at 25 degrees (Celsius). It is open May to mid-September.
Written 30 May 2017
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