CityBuddy
Lighthouse Park
Best time to visit
Late afternoon on a clear day. You'll arrive while the forest is still dappled with light and stay through golden hour when the lighthouse and ocean views are spectacular.
Budget tips
No entry fee. Parking is free but fills up fast on weekends, so arrive before 10 a.m. or take the bus from Burrard Station.
Recommended for
Nature lovers, Photography enthusiasts, Couples, Solo hikers
Plan your visit
2-3 hours
About
Quick facts: Home to the largest remaining stand of old-growth Douglas fir trees in the Greater Vancouver area, some towering over 200 feet tall. The park's 75 hectares include 8 kilometers of trails and a granite shoreline that served as a filming location for the 1990s TV series "The X-Files."
Highlights: Climb down to the rocky shore at sunset and watch the freighters glide through the Strait of Georgia with the silhouette of Point Atkinson Lighthouse blinking in the distance. The lighthouse keeper's residence, built in 1912, still stands with its original red roof and white clapboard, looking exactly like a postcard from a century ago.
Insider tips
- Skip the main parking lot and head straight for the Juniper Point trail for immediate ocean views without the crowds.
- Bring sturdy shoes with grip, as the rocky shoreline gets slippery even when dry and the roots crossing the trails can trip you up.
- The third beach from the lighthouse offers the best sunset views and far fewer people than the main lookout.
- Check the tide tables before you go, low tide reveals tide pools with starfish, anemones, and tiny crabs along the southern shore.
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