Kitsilano is small enough to explore on foot and full enough to keep you busy for a week. Here's how we'd spend the time, starting from Golden Hour HQ on West Broadway.
Spend a day at the beach
Kits Beach is the obvious first stop, with volleyball, lawns and, in summer, Kitsilano Pool, an outdoor heated saltwater pool on the shore. For something quieter, head west to Jericho, Locarno and Spanish Banks, where the crowds thin out and the low-tide sand flats seem to go on forever. Our full breakdown of each beach is on the near Kitsilano Beach page.
01Kitsilano Beach
The crown jewel. Heated saltwater pool (Canada's longest), beach volleyball, picnic lawns and front-row sunsets.
02Jericho Beach
Laid-back and leafy with a sailing centre. Calm water, log-lined sand and skyline views — a local golden-hour favourite.
03Spanish Banks
When the tide goes out it walks out forever. Wide-open sand flats, room to breathe and dog-friendly stretches.
04Locarno Beach
The quiet one. A protected, no-glass swimming beach between Jericho and Spanish Banks — peaceful and family-friendly.
05English Bay
Just across the water in the West End. Iconic, buzzing, and the prime viewing spot for the summer fireworks.
Get out on the water
Vancouver looks best from the water. Ecomarine rents kayaks and paddleboards at Jericho Beach, Windsure teaches windsurfing and SUP at the Jericho Sailing Centre, and you can take a self-drive boat out of Granville Island with no licence needed. For a bigger day, whale-watching tours leave from downtown and from Steveston in Richmond.
Ride the seawall
The Stanley Park seawall is a car-free loop of about 9 km around the park, and it's the ride every visitor should do once. Rent bikes or e-bikes near the park, then keep going along English Bay and False Creek if your legs are up for it.
Bike RentalsSpokes Bicycle Rentals
Huge fleet for the Stanley Park seawall loop — the city's must-do ride.
Boat RentalsGranville Island Boat Rentals
Self-drive boats to cruise False Creek and English Bay at your own pace.
Kayak & SUPEcomarine Paddlesport
Kayak & paddleboard rentals — their Jericho Beach hut is the closest to you.
Windsurf & SUPWindsure Adventure
Windsurfing, kiteboarding and SUP right at the Jericho Sailing Centre.
Whale WatchingPrince of Whales
Orcas, humpbacks and sea lions on a half-day tour departing downtown.
Don't MissGranville Island
Public food market, artisans and buskers. Hop the tiny Aquabus to get there.
Don't MissStanley Park Seawall
The world-famous car-free coastal path — best experienced on two wheels.
Don't MissMuseum of Vancouver
Vancouver's story and rotating exhibits, right along the water in Vanier Park.
Don't MissH.R. MacMillan Space Centre
Planetarium shows and hands-on space exhibits, next to the museum.
Eat your way down West 4th
West 4th Avenue is Kits' main street. Start with coffee and a doughnut at 49th Parallel and Lucky's, grab brunch at Sophie's Cosmic Café (a neighbourhood institution with weekend lines to match), and save room for Rain or Shine ice cream. For dinner, Maenam's modern Thai and Fable Kitchen's local menu are two of the best tables in the area. Book ahead.
WaterfrontThe Boathouse Kitsilano
Beachfront dining with a wraparound patio right on the sand. Sunset oysters and a glass of rosé.
BrunchSophie's Cosmic Café
A 40-year Kits institution. Kitschy, fun, and worth the weekend line-up. Killer milkshakes.
Date NightMaenam
Award-winning, deeply flavourful Thai. One of the most acclaimed kitchens in Vancouver — book ahead.
Farm-to-tableFable Kitchen
Rustic, locally-sourced and consistently excellent. The neighbourhood's favourite special-occasion spot.
Coffee49th Parallel & Lucky's Doughnuts
Vancouver's beloved roaster paired with made-fresh doughnuts. The morning ritual.
DessertRain or Shine Ice Cream
Small-batch, locally-made scoops. The line out the door tells you everything.
Things to do in Kitsilano with kids
- Kitsilano Pool in summer, an outdoor heated saltwater pool with a gradual shallow end.
- Locarno Beach, a designated quiet beach, and Spanish Banks at low tide for tide pools and wading.
- H.R. MacMillan Space Centre in Vanier Park, with planetarium shows and hands-on exhibits, right next to the Museum of Vancouver.
- Granville Island, a short hop on the little Aquabus ferry, with the public market, buskers and a market just for kids.
When it rains
It will, at some point. Vancouver rain is usually soft and rarely stops anyone. Head to the Museum of Vancouver or the Space Centre, browse the Granville Island Public Market, or settle into a long lunch on West 4th. Then come home to the rooftop sauna and cold plunge, a rain shower and a film on the smart TV. That's half the reason to rent a whole house instead of a hotel room.
Evenings
Catch sunset from Jericho, or fire up the BBQ under the rooftop pergola back at the house. In summer the light lasts past 9pm, so there's no rush. If you're in town for a game or a show, Rogers Arena and BC Place are a quick trip downtown. Our What's On list on the homepage is updated every month.
Staying with a group? See how the house works as a 4-bedroom group rental in Vancouver.