West Bay is a beautiful area of Vancouver, British Columbia. It’s filled with natural wonders, first-class dining and fabulous places to swim.
West Bay has a rich history and plenty of cultural gems. It also has a great selection of homes for sale.
Horseshoe Bay
The quaint seaside community of Horseshoe Bay is one of West Vancouver‘s most beautiful spots, and is perfect for an escape. It’s a sweet and peaceful place where you can take in the view of Howe Sound and its surrounding islands. The town is also a gateway to the North Shore, where you can enjoy all of Vancouver’s best attractions.
If you’re looking for a way to escape the city, consider a stay in a vacation rental in or near Horseshoe Bay. These homes offer all the creature comforts you need to relax in style, from spacious bedrooms to luxurious bathrooms.
While you’re in the area, explore Whytecliff Park, a favorite local picnic spot. The park is bordered by a rugged coastline and cobble beach, perfect for a family outing, sunset hike or just spending time with your loved ones.
Another great way to soak up the scenery in Horseshoe Bay is to hop on a bike. You’ll find trails that are suitable for all fitness levels here, from easy to moderate. Whyte Lake and Baden Powell Trails are two of the most popular.
Besides cycling, you can also go for a walk along Marine Drive. This road runs from the bridge to Horseshoe Bay, passing lovely neighborhoods and commercial blocks packed with shops and restaurants. It’s a favorite for people who love to jog or simply stroll around the waterfront.
For a little adventure, try visiting the secret lookout point over Horseshoe Bay. To get there, follow Exit 2 to Horseshoe Bay Drive and continue for about a kilometer until you see a parking lot. From there, climb the rocky platform to the lookout point and enjoy breathtaking views of Horseshoe Bay.
You can also check out Lighthouse Park to enjoy a gorgeous sunset view over the water. It’s one of the few places in West Vancouver where you can see the sun sink below the horizon, and it’s an ideal place to spend a romantic evening.
For a group getaway, you can rent a luxury mansion with a pool for a few nights at “Spectacular, Water View House” or recharge your batteries at the “Beach House”. The former is located 5 miles east of Horseshoe Bay and accommodates up to 18 guests. It comes with a range of features, including childrens activities and a balcony.
Cypress Provincial Park
Cypress Provincial Park is a popular destination for hiking, camping, fishing and skiing. Located in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, Cypress is home to many incredible sights and scenery as well as a variety of wildlife.
During the summer months, hikers can enjoy a range of scenic views from various viewpoints within the park. Some of the best spots include Eagle Bluffs and Saint Mark’s Summit.
Hiking through the wilderness is a great way to get in touch with nature and to get a real sense of how wild things really are. Make sure to familiarize yourself with bear safety and mountain safety before you head out into the backcountry.
Aside from the usual advice of carrying water and food, there are a few tips that can help ensure your adventure is safe. One of the most important ones is to practice the leave-no-trace policy when you’re out on a hike or camping. This will help keep bears out of your area, and also helps preserve the environment and reduce litter.
Another great thing to do when you’re at Cypress is to take in some of the breathtaking views of the city and its surroundings. The renowned Barrett’s View lookout is an excellent place to start and can provide unobstructed views of the city, as well as some incredible mountains such as Black Mountain and Mount Strachan.
There are also plenty of other amazing places to visit in the Cypress Park area, such as Eagle Bluffs and Unnecessary Mountain. Both of these hikes offer incredible views and are accessible to most people.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for something a little more challenging than a hike, why not consider a day at Cypress Mountain? You can try the infamous pre-reaper trails that feature large jumps and drops.
In winter, Cypress Mountain is home to Vancouver’s largest ski hill and a Nordic area that offers snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and snow tubing. In addition, there are a number of trails in the backcountry for skiers and snowboarders to test their skills.
There are a few different ways to get to Cypress Provincial Park from Vancouver, whether it be by public transportation, car or bike. Using Rome2rio is a great way to see all of the options available to you and to make an informed decision on which one is right for you. With up to date schedules, routes and journey times displayed for each option, you can make the most of your trip to Cypress Provincial Park.
Whytecliff Park
Whytecliff Park is a great spot to spend an afternoon. It has a beautiful beach, short hiking trails, an island and excellent scuba diving.
Whytecliff is a large and picturesque park situated along the shores of Howe Sound and west of Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. This area is known for its rugged coastline with spectacular views of colourful mountains and passing boats.
This 15+ hectare park also features a playground, picnic areas and a swimming beach. It is one of the first Marine Protected Areas in Canada, which ensures a safe and enjoyable environment for scuba divers.
You can also hike to Whyte Islet at low tide, but you’ll need to be careful as the rocks are often slippery in wet weather. The views from the top of Whyte Islet are spectacular and it’s a great place to see one of the Lower Mainland’s best panoramas.
To access Whytecliff Park, take Marine Drive west from the Lions Gate Bridge. From there, you’ll need to drive past Lighthouse Park and continue on to the 7100 block of Marine Drive.
From the parking lot, walk up a paved path to a lookout area on the ocean. This is where you can see Howe Sound and Bowen Island. There are park benches here and you can sit and watch the ferries come and go.
Alternatively, you can climb to Whyte Islet, which is accessible at low tide and offers breathtaking views of Howe Sound. It can be a little tricky to get to the top at first so be careful, but it’s well worth it for the view.
Hiking is a very popular activity at Whytecliff Park, with lots of people coming to admire the amazing rocky bluffs and cliffs as well as the beaches. However, there are also some quieter areas that are less popular with tourists so it’s a good idea to explore the entire park and take time to enjoy the vistas.
The hiking trail begins at the gravel overflow parking lot in the northwest corner of the park. It winds through a wooded area that is not as crowded as the popular beach area and provides a more peaceful walk. After a few minutes, it will fork at a fire hydrant and you’ll want to go left. You’ll then pass through a rock wall before eventually returning to the fire hydrant where you can begin your loop back to the parking lot.
Lighthouse Park
A 75-hectare park surrounded by a rare stand of old-growth forest, Lighthouse Park is an excellent place to relax and unwind. It’s also a great spot for exploring the natural beauty of West Vancouver.
There are plenty of hiking trails in the park that offer a range of scenic views, including cliffs and beaches. You can take a stroll or hike with the family and enjoy the scenery that makes this a popular destination for locals.
Located at the southern end of Beacon Lane, this park is easily accessible by car or bus. If you’re driving, cross the Lions Gate Bridge and turn left on Marine Drive to access the park.
You can walk along the shoreline and climb to rocky cliffs in this gorgeous park, which is home to some of the oldest trees on the West Coast. The park is a favourite among locals for its picturesque vistas and beautiful cliff-side picnic areas.
The trails in this park are well-maintained and well-marked, so it’s easy to follow them. They are mostly short and suited for people of all fitness levels, however you should be aware that some of the trails are very steep so be prepared to hike with care.
One of the most beautiful spots to explore in this park is Starboat Cove, which boasts a view that extends from the Lions Gate Bridge to the University of British Columbia to Vancouver Island. It’s a great place for a picnic and is especially lovely on a low tide.
It’s also a great spot to spot wildlife, including diving cormorants and eagles. There are several bird watching trails in the area and many of them lead to a small lake that is a favourite of the resident ducks.
There are also plenty of other spots to visit in this scenic park, such as the WWII era bunker. This old building has become an Instagram-worthy backdrop for colorful graffiti, making it a great destination to explore with the kids or on your own.
If you’re planning to travel to and from Lighthouse Park, be sure to use Moovit, the best app for public transit in West Vancouver. With step-by-step directions from the nearest station to your destination, you’ll be on your way in no time.
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.