Whether you’re looking for a view of the city skyline, the ocean or the mountains, there are plenty of great west vancouver lookouts.
Located in Harbour Centre, Vancouver Lookout offers 360o views of the city and surrounding mountains. It’s a must-visit for anyone visiting Vancouver!
High View Lookout
Vancouver is known for its beautiful landscapes and gorgeous beaches, but the city is also home to some pretty spectacular viewpoints. And with a little bit of planning, you can easily find a view that will make your Instagram feed look heavenly!
If you’re looking for a west vancouver lookout that’s close to the city centre and gives you sweeping views over the entire city, High View Lookout is an excellent choice. It’s a short drive away from the base of Cypress Mountain and offers uninterrupted views of the west coast forest, the city skyline and even the ocean to the west.
The view is absolutely stunning and it’s well worth a visit at sunrise or sunset to take in all of the incredible scenery. This is a popular spot with locals, tourists and photographers alike.
There’s a good chance you’ll see Mount Baker from the lookout, as well as Howe Sound to the south and the Vancouver Islands to the west. You’ll also be able to see the bustling harbour of Gastown and the Lions Gate Bridge.
Located within Stanley Park, Prospect Point is one of the most scenic spots in the whole city. The view is spectacular and it’s a must-visit on your west vancouver adventure!
You can access the lookout by walking along the seawall or you can drive to the carpark. Once you’re there, the high-speed exterior glass elevator on the outside of the tower will take you to the top in around 40 seconds.
Tickets to the lookout also give you all-day admission, so you can visit several times throughout the day to see the amazing views of the city and the surrounding mountains. Plus, you can catch the sunset and fully-lit skyline at night.
Another great west vancouver view is the one from Burnaby Mountain. This 370m-high mountain is about 30 mins from the city center and offers breathtaking views of the Burrard Inlet, East Vancouver, and all of North Vancouver.
You can also try a stroll along Lonsdale Quay to see downtown Vancouver’s skyline. The area is particularly picturesque during September and October when the fog may be thick, making it a perfect place to take photos of the city’s skyline. With a wide-angle lens and a tripod, you can take some really stunning photos of the city.
Grouse Mountain
Grouse Mountain is a great place to view the beautiful city of Vancouver. Its spectacular views make it one of the best west vancouver lookouts and it’s a favourite among locals.
The mountain is an ideal location for skiing and snowboarding in the winter and hiking in the summer. The resort is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Vancouver and features a wide variety of terrain to suit all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
There’s also plenty to do on the mountain in the summer, including hiking, a wildlife refuge, a zipline and even a bird’s-eye view of the area from the Skyride tram. The mountain’s winter season is full of fun activities, too – from night skiing to sledding and crazy carpet fun in the Sliding Zone, there’s something for everyone on Grouse Mountain!
If you’re looking for a more challenging hike, the Grouse Grind Trail is an incredible option. This short 1.8-mile hike is popular with both locals and tourists, but it’s a physically demanding trail that requires good fitness levels to complete.
Alternatively, the Cypress Mountain lookout is another excellent choice for a quick and easy walk to a fantastic view of Vancouver. This lookout is less well-known than the Grouse Grind but still offers a stunning view of the city and surrounding mountains.
Snowshoeing is a popular winter activity in Canada, and it’s no different at Grouse Mountain. There are groomed beginner and intermediate trails to explore, and a pristine loop of three main trails circling Dam Mountain and Thunderbird Ridge.
The Grouse Mountain ski hill stays open until 10 pm in winter, and it’s a popular destination for locals who want to get a great workout while taking in the stunning views of Vancouver. It’s also a great choice for those looking to experience snowshoeing in its natural environment.
In addition to its winter sports, Grouse Mountain is a popular spot for hiking and is the site of a number of festivals throughout the year. For example, during the Peak of Christmas in December, visitors can enjoy a walk up to the top of the mountain and see all of the lights in the city. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays and get in the spirit of the season!
Cypress Mountain
When it comes to Vancouver lookouts, Cypress Mountain is one of the best. Located in West Vancouver, this spot offers a fantastic view of the city as well as the surrounding area. It is a popular destination among locals and has become a popular photo spot for those who wish to capture some stunning pictures of the city.
This is also a great place to watch the sunset and see Vancouver from a unique vantage point. You can get a 360-degree view of the city, as well as see across Georgia Straight to Vancouver Island and even Mount Baker in Washington State.
During the winter, this spot is ideal for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. You can rent skis, snowboards, and poles at the base of the mountain.
It is important to know that the area is known for its bear population, so you should be aware of your surroundings and keep all food in a locked bag or container when hiking. This is a good way to prevent bears from getting your stuff, and it will help you enjoy your time in the forest more safely.
For skiers, you can choose to take advantage of the 53 named alpine runs (many accessible for night skiing) and 19 km of cross country trails at Cypress Mountain. Alternatively, you can take a snowshoeing tour and explore the backcountry of the mountain.
In the summer, Cypress Mountain is a popular hiking destination. Its Yew Lake Trail is wheelchair accessible, and there are several other hiking trails to choose from as well.
This is a popular location for photographers, so you should be prepared to arrive early to find a spot to set up your tripod. You will need to get there before the sun rises, and the best vantage points can go quickly during optimal weather conditions.
As with all parks, it is important to adhere to the leave-no-trace policy when camping and hiking here. You should keep all your food in a sealed bag, and you should never litter or leave any waste behind.
There are many things to do at Cypress Mountain, so be sure to check their website before visiting. They have a wide variety of activities to suit everyone, from skiers to people who just want to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Horseshoe Bay Lookout
The Horseshoe Bay Lookout is a great place to visit when you are visiting Vancouver. It is a beautiful spot that has amazing views of the ferries that come and go from Horseshoe Bay. You will also be able to see some of the islands that are located around the area.
The lookout is a popular spot to watch the sunset and is very easy to get to. It is also a great place to take a break from the busy city. You can also go for a walk along the road or take a dip in the water to cool off.
You can find the Horseshoe Bay Lookout on the east side of the bay, right under the Sea to Sky Highway heading out to Squamish and Whistler. The lookout is 1.2 kilometres past the Marine Drive and Horseshoe Bay Drive junction on the left-hand side of the road.
When you get to the lookout, there are a few places that you can park your car. The first is a small parking lot that will fit around 4-5 cars.
This is the closest parking spot to the lookout and it is located about a couple of hundred metres after the “Residential Area” sign. The next parking spot is about another 100 metres after that and it is a larger parking lot that can accommodate up to a few more cars.
Once you have parked your car, the next step is to find the platform. The best way to do this is to follow the concrete road divider and make your way to a path on the other side of it. Once you find the pathway, you will need to climb a couple of hundred metres over the rocks to reach the platform.
There is limited space on the platform but it is still a great spot to relax and enjoy the view. It is a great place to watch the sunset and you will be able to get some really nice pictures of the islands and ferries that are coming and going from Horseshoe Bay.
Among many other things, David A. Grantham is a contributing author to UmassExtension West Vancouver Blo. He is a renowned expert on real estate in BC.
Born in North Vancouver, Louisiana, Dr. Grantham grew up in Lower Lonsdale. He then went on to complete his business degree at the University British Columbia. As of this writing, Grantham has completed over 100 projects, including the development of a high rise building in Vancouver.
He is a husband, father, son, brother, and friend. He was a dedicated outdoorsman and enjoyed sports such as hunting, fishing, scuba diving, and snow skiing. His wife, Alison Grantham, and their two daughters survived him. He is survived by his wife Alison Martin Grantham and two daughters.