Vacation rentals in North Vancouver

On the shores of Burrard Inlet backed by soaring mountains, the city of North Vancouver is a mecca for outdoor adventure. Also referred to as the North Shore, it boasts beautiful beaches, parks, vast national reserves, and excellent ski areas just 20 minutes away. In the summer months, opportunities for hiking and mountain climbing abound. The Baden Powell Trail is a popular 30-mile route that threads several North Shore parks together, and you’ll find various access points along the path. Cates Park has waterfront trails, picnic areas, and a sandy beach area where you can take a dip. There are also world-class golf courses in proximity to town.

There’s cross-country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing in the winter months in the nearby mountains. Grouse Mountain has a Skyride cable car with spectacular views over the city, and Capilano Canyon and Lynn Canyon both have high suspension bridges. Back at sea level, you’ll find Lonsdale Quay, where ferries arrive and depart. It’s also home to the Lonsdale Quay Market, where you can pick up clothes, crafts, jewellery, and a wide range of takeaway food.

North Vancouver has a moderate oceanic climate with dry, warm summers and rain throughout the rest of the year. The best time to visit is generally during the summer, when you can take advantage of the city’s beaches, mountain hikes, and parks. While June can bring rain, July and August are usually hot and dry. Midsummer is also a popular time for festivals, including Vancouver’s famous multi-stage folk music festival in July and the free North Vancouver Summer Sessions in July and August.

Autumn brings sunny skies and milder weather, as well as lower humidity. This is a great time to go hiking or cycling and see the mountains behind North Vancouver take on spectacular colours. Rainfall is typically at its highest in spring, though this can be an ideal time for exploring the city’s galleries, museums, restaurants, and cafes. Winter is also a great time to discover North Vancouver. While it doesn’t usually snow in town, plenty of it falls in the surrounding mountains.

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

The park is best known for its soaring suspension bridge, first built in 1889 and now hanging 70 metres above the Capilano River. Capilano got its name from the Indigenous Squamish Nation word meaning “beautiful river.” Today, the park also offers a treetop adventure walk, a cantilevered cliff-top walkway, a story centre, and the chance to learn more about the area’s First Nations people.

Grouse Mountain

Known as the Peak of Vancouver, Grouse Mountain is one of the mountains on the North Shore. It offers year-round activities, including hiking rugged trails and climbing along tree-top canopy courses in the warmer months and skiing and snowboarding when the snow falls. The mountain is also home to the Skyride cable car, which offers spectacular views over the rugged range. There’s also a steep walk called the Grouse Grind, which boasts 2,830 steps.

Lonsdale Quay

Lonsdale Quay on the waterfront is where Vancouver’s ferry system arrives and departs, but it’s also home to the Lonsdale Quay Markets. At the Quay, you’ll find more than 80 businesses selling their wares, a food court, and a craft brewery. Lonsdale Quay also offers magnificent views across the Vancouver city skyline.