Vancouvers Bike Route

Why not rent a bike and go on an adventure while you're in Vancouver? Vancouver is a cycle-friendly destination and has more than 300km/186mi of bike routes throughout the city. Since 1990, the city has constructed bikeways that connect to form an impressive cycling network.

Routes wind through parks, in urban forests, and by ocean settings, such as the popular Stanley Park seawall.

Perhaps Vancouver's most irresistible cycling tour is along the Seaside Bicycle Route. Approximately 29km/18mi long each way, the path extends from Spanish Bank near the University of British Columbia, through the West End's Stanley Park and on to Coal Harbour, with its luxurious sailboats and yachts.

Stanley Park Seawall

Located just minutes from downtown Vancouver in the city's West End, Stanley Park is an urban oasis.

Cycle counter-clockwise around the Stanley Park Seawall along a paved path past the famous Brockton Point totem poles, under the Lions Gate Bridge, along two of the city's most popular beaches, and finish at English Bay.

Approximately 10km/6mi in length, the seawall path boasts spectacular views of mountains, ocean, forest and city.

Stanley Park is within easy cycling or walking distance of downtown Vancouver. This is an easy cycling route that takes approximately 1-2 hours.

Seaside Bicycle Route

Arguably the world's most beautiful urban bike path, the Seaside Bicycle Route begins at Sunset Beach, on the northeast shore of English Bay.

Cycle past marinas, parks and some of the city's priciest condos on a paved, pedestrian-free route up to the head of False Creek (a pedestrian path runs alongside the bike path to that point). From there, the route traverses a combination of roadways and shared pedestrian/cycle paths until it reaches Granville Island, beyond which it's pedestrian/cycle all the way to Spanish Bank beach. About 20km/12mi, roundtrip, it's one of the most pleasurable ways to experience Vancouver's famous ocean-mountain-city views.

Highlights of the route include the trendy Yaletown neighbourhood; Science World, which is housed in a spherical, silver building originally built for Expo '86; Granville Island, an artsy enclave filled with theatres, restaurants, market stalls, artists' studios and specialty shops; and Jericho Beach, a popular sunbathing, picnicking, fishing and sailing destination.
This route is a direct extension of the Stanley Park Seawall, so it's possible to lengthen a ride by beginning with the seawall route. Or, connect to a forested trail system in Pacific Spirit Park from Spanish Bank at the end of the route.
Sunset Beach is located just south of the downtown core, below the intersection of Thurlow Street and Beach Avenue. This easy bike route takes approximately 3 hours roundtrip to complete.

Olympic Torch Relay

The Olympic Flame or Olympic Torch is a symbol of the Olympic Games. Commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, its origins lie in ancient Greece, where a fire was kept burning throughout the celebration of the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, and it has been part of the modern Olympic Games ever since. The torch relay of modern times which transports the flame from Greece to the various designated sites of the games had no ancient precedent and was introduced by Carl Diem at the controversial 1936 Berlin Olympics.

The 2010 Olympic Torch Relay began in Canada on October 30, 2009 and will conclude at the Opening Ceremony signaling the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games this Friday (February 12, 2010). The torch has been carried by bike, dragon boat, dog-sled to name a few. The Olympics are almost here but you still have a chance to enjoy this symbolic event. The torch will travel from Richmond to West Vancouver on February 10, from West Vancouver to Vancouver on the 11th and then on to BC Place on the 12th.

To figure out when the torch is traveling through your neighborhood click here

Visit Beautiful Victoria

When you’re visiting Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Olympics, why not pop over to the island and visit the spectacular capital of British Columbia? Whether you wander the vibrant gardens and parks, stroll the lively Harbour or break-water, visit the museums and stately homes, go to a spa or rest in the sun as you watch the world go by, Victoria has something for everyone.

For exciting shopping, visit the quaint shops on Government Street, the open-air craft market in Bastion Square, Antique Row, Murchies the Tea merchant, the many art galleries or the excellent specialty stores in the downtown.

Discover fine dining at one of the many local restaurants offering everything from North West Cuisine to exotic ethnic fare. And consider doing Victoria in Victorian style by staying at one of Victoria's fine Bed and Breakfast Inns where your hosts can point you in all the right directions.

Victoria is the place to visit and rest body and soul year-round. With its mild weather and temperate climate there is always a flower in bloom from the cherry blossoms in January, through daffodils and tulips in March, lilacs in May, to the abundance of roses and rhododendrons in the Summer and Fall. The air reflects the aroma from the blossoms, especially during the long summer nights.

The sun shines on Victoria year round and, when it rains, the rose petals glisten, the rich greens deepen and the fragrance in the air sweetens - encouraging the abundant bird life to sing out.

This is the city that breaths in an abundance of fresh sea air and soaks up more hours of sunshine than anywhere else in Canada. It’s the perfect place to hold hands with nature and witness marine wildlife in its natural habitat; and to feel safe, free, and refreshed.

In Victoria no one is in a rush to get to the side of the street. Put away the watch, you are on west coast time. Welcome to a city with a lifestyle that many dream of.

Five of Vancouvers Top Attractions

1. Granville Island: Be sure to check out Granville Island when you come to Vancouver. Located at the edge of downtown Vancouver, Granville Island was once an industrial area but today is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Shop at the public market or one of the many artsy shops, enjoy performances outdoor musical performances, have a drink at the brewery or a bite at one of the many restaurants.

2. Vancouver’s Beaches: One of the reasons our city is among the most livable in the world is public access to some truly beautiful beaches. You can enjoy this natural amenity in many different ways. Cycle around the ocean, play in the sand with your kids, swim, windsurf, or sail the Pacific. We have special areas that have been cordoned-off for swimming, ensuring maximum lifeguard coverage. One such beach is English Bay. English Bay is located in the West End of downtown Vancouver. This waterside neighborhood is at once lively and quaint and a great spot to walk around, shop or have a drink.


3. Stanley Park: Stanley Park is recognized around the globe as one of the great parks of the world! Vancouver's first park and one of the city's main tourist attractions, Stanley Park is an evergreen oasis of 400 hectares close to the downtown core. Its natural west coast atmosphere offering a back drop of majestic cedar, hemlock and fir trees embraces visitors and transports them to an environment rich in tranquility. The park abounds in wildlife and its features appeal to the naturalist, the plant lover or one who would do nothing more than relax in beautiful surroundings.


4. Grouse Mountain: Grouse Mountain is a year-round mountaintop playground that offers hiking, helicopter tours, paragliding, picnics and logging shows, sleigh rides and skiing...and magical views of the city and its surroundings. The Grouse Grind, billed as the world's biggest stair-climb, is the outdoor venue these days to work out at and to meet new friends. During summer months, hundreds of trim, fresh-faced hikers ascend the steep-sided mountain from its trailhead on the east side of the Grouse Mountain parking lot at the north end of Capilano Road, usually in groups of twos and threes. Mount Fromme, to the east of Grouse Mountain, sports a number of trails that are open to mountain biking, most of which intersect with Old Grouse Mountain Highway.


5. Historic Gastown: Stroll down the cobbled streets, explore its historic buildings, courtyards and mews, enjoy its unique shopping, nightlife, attractions and special events. Established the same year that Canada became a nation, Gastown grew into Canada’s third largest city and one of its most cosmopolitan. But the Gastown district today retains its historic charm, independent spirit and distinctiveness. Gastown is a refreshing mix of old and new, downhome and upscale, a place for tourists, Vancouver residents and office workers alike.

Beautiful Vancouver

Vancouver is truly one of the world's most beautiful and most perfect places to visit or live. It is a sophisticated, fun loving, outdoor living city with a vibrant, prosperous downtown core.

Don't miss the new harbourside Convention Centre, so green it has grass growing on the roof. From its windows, you can see Stanley Park and the North Shore Mountains in one direction and downtown Vancouver in the other. You can watch float planes take off and land in the Burrard Inlet, cruise ships arriving and departing in summer and boats and ships sailing, rowing or motoring back and forth year round.

One tenth of Vancouver's nearly 600,000 inhabitants live downtown, most in innovative, high rise apartment buildings that feature glass and more glass showcasing the city's light and views. Along with its downtown, Vancouver has many mature, thriving, well defined neighbourhoods with locally owned businesses, a clearly defined identity and a community feel. Each presents a unique view of the city.

Moreover, Vancouver has one of the most diverse populations in North America and with that diversity comes all the benefits: great new ideas, an embracing, cooperative spirit, ethnic food, shops, customs and celebrations.


In Vancouver, you can swim in English Bay or Second Beach, kayak in False Creek or ride horses in Southlands. Twenty minutes away, in the North Shore mountains, you can ski and snowboard in winter and hike or mountain bike in summer.

From Vancouver you are only 63 km from Victoria. Located on Vancouver Island, Victoria, British Columbia's capital, is another of the world's most beautiful cities. You can get from downtown Vancouver to downtown Victoria in 35 minutes by float plane or three and a half hours by bus and ferry. You are only 120 km from Whistler, one of the world's most spectacular winter ski resorts and summer playground and the site, along with Vancouver, of the 2010 Winter Olympics.

In February 2010, all the world will visit Vancouver for the Olympics, either actually or virtually, and they will discover its magic. We suggest you join them. And if you don't make it for the Olympics, come visit in the spring, summer or fall. We welcome you!