Paddleboarder at Spanish Banks Beach. Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Hubert Kang
Summer in Vancouver is a special time, full of sunshine and warm temperatures. Locals love to head outdoors to celebrate the season at the beaches, parks, and hiking trails. Add these outdoor activities to your Vancouver summer bucket list.
Hit the Beach
Vancouver is nearly surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, so it’s no surprise that there are over tons of beaches in our city. If you prefer fresh water, don’t worry – we have lakes to swim in too!
English Bay Beach. Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Tanya Goehring
Go for a Hike
Summer is prime hiking season in Vancouver. Snow sticks around in the mountains until early July, but after that, it’s mountain time! Challenge yourself with one of the difficult trails on our list of the best summer hikes around Vancouver. Or pick one of our easy summer hikes for a less sweaty outing. If you’re into wildflowers, schedule one of these wildflower hikes for July or August.
Hikers on the Al’s Habrich Ridge Trail. Photo: Sea to Sky Gondola
Plan a Trip to a Park
Vancouver has dozens of nature parks that offer hiking, biking, walking trails, picnic areas, and more. From July to September, we recommend Cypress Provincial Park and Mount Seymour Provincial Park to get a taste of Vancouver’s high mountain wilderness. Or choose a new-to-you park from our park of the month archives.
View from St Mark’s Summit in Cypress Provincial Park. Photo: Vlad D/Unsplash
Visit a Sunflower Festival
Mark your calendar for late July – that’s the start of sunflower season! Each year these huge yellow blooms brighten the fields from late July to late August. The Vancouver area is home to three different sunflower festivals: the Richmond Sunflower Festival, the Sunflower Festival at Maan Farms in Abbotsford, and the Chilliwack Sunflower Festival.
Image courtesy of Chilliwack Sunflower Festival | Facebook.com
Cool Off at an Outdoor Pool or Spray Park
One of the best ways to beat the summer heat is to get wet. Vancouver is home to dozens of outdoor pools and spray parks. Don’t miss Second Beach Pool in Stanley Park. The huge heated outdoor pool is located right next to the ocean. If you’re got kids, head to John Lawson Spray Park in West Vancouver. The beachfront location can’t be beaten.
Second Beach Pool in Stanley Park. Image via Vancouver Park Board/Facebook
Go Berry Picking
Savour the taste of summer with a visit to a berry farm. There are several u-pick berry farms in the Vancouver area where you can pick your own berries. Strawberries are usually available in June. Raspberries are ripe in late June and early July. Blackberries and blueberries are ready in July and early August. Call ahead or check farm websites for up-to-date availability.
Family berry picking at Krause Berry Farms in Langley. Photo: Destination BC/Hubert Kang
Embrace Your Inner Adrenaline Junkie
Get your pulse racing in Vancouver this summer. Head to Grouse Mountain to ride their Mountain Ziplines or balance on swinging obstacles at the Mountain Ropes Adventure Course. Or challenge yourself at Wild Play Maple Ridge, which has three ropes courses that include tightropes and ziplines. In Whistler, both Superfly Ziplines and Ziptrek will send you soaring through the forest. Or plunge into a canyon with Whistler Bungee.
Grouse Mountain Ziplines. Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Coast Mountain Photography
Go Kayaking or Stand-up Paddleboarding
Change your perspective and see Vancouver from water level. You can go kayaking in the ocean or on several nearby lakes. Or try stand-up paddleboarding (also known as SUP). It’s easy to rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the shoreline.
Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver / Rishad Daroowala
Go Biking
Summer is the perfect time to explore Vancouver by bike. With lots of flat and easy bike paths away from traffic, cycling is a great way to get around. Use our list of the best easy bike rides around Vancouver to plan your trip. Biking with the family? Check out these kid-friendly bike rides. Or try gravel biking to experience nature on two wheels.
Biking on the seawall at English Bay. Photo: Tourism Vancouver / Cycle City Tours
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