Taking Transit to the Beach

The forecast for the rest of August is looking a lot brighter than our soggy summer so far and with that, more people are taking to the beach to enjoy picnics, sunbathing, swimming, and strolls. One thing I noticed this weekend was a lot of traffic congestion downtown and in West Vancouver near the beaches. The same thing happened when the Summer Live festival was taking place in Stanley Park. Although sometimes there’s no choice but to bring the car out, if you’re capable and willing, here are some transit options for some of the region’s most popular beaches:

Taking Transit to the Beach

Photo © Maurice Li – From the Miss604 Flickr Pool

English Bay & Sunset Beach
Facing West, these are two of Vancouver’s most popular beaches and are usually sun-soaked (when we don’t have a wet June and July like this year). You can take a #6 Davie bus to the corner or Davie and Denman to get the closest to English Bay and a C21 community shuttle (originating at Main Street) to get between the two along Beach avenue.
Trip Planning Link

Second Beach & Third Beach
Stanley Park’s beaches are right along the sea wall so they have great pedestrian, cycle, and rollerblading access. If you’d like to transit in, you can walk over from English Bay or take the #19 Metrotown/Stanley Park bus into the park. It will let you off near the miniature railway and you can enjoy a stroll under the cool tree-lined canopy before reaching your seaside destination at the end of one of the park’s many trails.
Trip Planning Link

Kitsilano Beach
Lined with bodies, bikinis, and beach-goers year-round, Kits is a local favourite. Take the #22 MacDonald bus from downtown or Burrard SkyTrain or the #32 Dunbar and hop off along Cornwall.
Trip Planning Link

Cates Park
Nestled along Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, Cates is great for family picnics, renting a kayak, or laying out along the rocky shore. Take a #212 Deep Cove bus along Dollarton Highway, via Phibbs Exchange (just across the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge) and originating at Burrard SkyTrain.
Trip Planning Link

Spanish Banks, Locarno, Jericho Beaches
Kayak and boat rentals, ponds, grass and sand (that goes on as far as the eye can see during low tide) are features of these West side beaches. To get to one or all, grab a C19 community shuttle that will loop along Marine Drive (update: this runs on weekends only). You can also get close to Jericho with a #4 along 4th Avenue.
Trip Planning Link

Ambleside
With grassy areas, sandy beaches, athletic fields, a playground, pitch & putt and more, there are dozens of activities to enjoy at Ambleside and almost as many route options. #250, #251, #253, #255, #256, and #257 buses, will all get you between Park Royal and 13th Street where you can access the beach.
Trip Planning Link

Crescent Beach, White Rock
Surrey’s own beaches have concessions, sand flats, views of Washington State, and more. Access them with a C51 White Rock Centre community shuttle or C52 Seaside, Ocean Park shuttle. Both go through White Rock Centre bus exchange which has connections to Surrey SkyTrain stations and the Bridgeport Canada Line station.
Trip Planning Link, Trip Planning Link

If driving is a must, remember to carpool if you can and avoid idling when waiting in lines.