There are a few photo themes you’ll come across pretty much every day when you join the popular mobile photo sharing site Instagram. Images of food, cats, feet (running shoes, heels, barefoot at the beach), airplane wings, and sunsets. In Vancouver, you can probably add Quarry Rock to that list. The main attraction of this North Vancouver hike are its panoramic Deep Cove and Indian Arm views.
Quarry Rock Trail
According to the BC Mountaineering Club this 2 hour hike is about 3.8km, it’s open year-round, it’s pet-friendly, it gains 100m in elevation and is considered “easy”. You can get to the trailhead in Deep Cove by transit and there are plenty of beaches around to cool off after your trek.
The Quarry Rock Trail is located at the start/end of the Baden Powell Trail, a 48km-long route that traverses the north shore from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. Points of interest along the Baden Powell Trail include the summit of Black Mountain, crossing the Capilano River by way of the Cleveland Dam, the Grouse Grind, Lynn Canyon suspension bridge, and Seymour Canyon.
The start of the Baden Powell Trail begins along Panorama Drive just beyond the park area. Look for the sign on the left side of the street and walk up the edge of the driveway towards the wooden steps. The first section of the trail climbs quickly up the set of stairs and then up and over the maze of tree roots.
The terrain is typical of North Shore hikes; densely wooded areas of Douglas Fir and Hemlock trees, small creeks from mountain runoff, and the smell of fresh forest air. [Source: Vancouver Trails]
Once you’re done taking in the views from Quarry Rock, you can enjoy a free summer concert in Panorama Park or stop into one of the local cafes for a treat.
For more information about hikes this season, check out Tourism Vancouver’s Top 5 Easy Summer Hikes and sites like Vancouver Trails and Club Tread for detailed information.
Canada was on display last night at the Celebration of Light fireworks in English Bay as hundreds of thousands took to the shoreline to witness the show in the sky. Although the UK received praise for their James Bond-themed fireworks last Saturday, the chatter online seems to favour the home country:
https://twitter.com/ProtruckR/status/362873366140555265
This morning, a few fireworks photos of Canada’s turn at the Celebration of Light have been contributed to the Miss604 Flickr Pool:
Thailand finishes the Celebration of Light fireworks season on Saturday, August 3rd. Be sure to show up early on fireworks nights to enjoy free SHOREfest concerts and the Red Bull Airshow.
Molson Canadian Live and The Cellar Nightclub on Granville have announced their Summer Concert Series line-up and it’s packed with local talent. After a day in the sun, duck inside to enjoy live music from the following acts:
Friday, August 2nd, 2013
We Hunt Buffalo, The Wild!,
Slow Wave Saga
Friday, August 9th, 2013
The Turn, Columbia, Pedwell, Matt Cairns
Tuesday, August 20th, 2013
Colleen Brown, Ben Parker
Friday, August 30th, 2013
Bleeker Ridge, Static in the Stars,
Gentle Machine, MG Graveyard
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Wednesday, August 7th, 2013
Hunter Valentine, Set to Stun,
The Deadset
Friday, August 16, 2013
Fields of Green, Modern Limits,
This Side of Town, Quarterlights
Friday, August 23rd, 2013
Dear Rouge, The Oceanographers
Sunday, September 1st, 2013
Anami Vice
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When you attend a Molson Canadian Live Summer Concert Series event at The Cellar between now and September 1st, 2013 you will be entered to win a grand prize of a trip for two to Ontario’s Cottage Country for the Molson Live @ The Lake concert event in September.
Attendees at The Cellar specifically between now and August 7th also have the chance to win tickets to Squamish Valley Music Festival, which is coming up August 9th and 10th.
Tickets for the Summer Concert Series at The Cellar are available online in advance for $10. Doors open at 7:00pm on showcase nights.
If you would like to win your way into the Summer Concert Series on Friday, August 16th, 2013 with Fields of Green, Modern Limits, This Side of Town, and Quarterlights, I have a pair of tickets to give away. Here’s how you can enter to win:
- Leave a comment naming your favourite artist on the line-up for the Summer Concert Series (1 entry)
- Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
I will draw one winner at random from all entries at 12:00pm on Wednesday, August 7th, 2013. Must be 19+. Please enjoy responsibly. Follow The Cellar on Facebook and Twitter for more special event info.
Update The winner is Tracy!
Wake up, grab a coffee, slip on some sandals and head towards the water. Awake even before the hum of floatplanes fill Coal Harbour, but in time to catch the rising sun. A lap of the Seawall complete before breakfast, thousands of keystrokes on the laptop by lunch. A trip to the market, fresh greens, catch of the day. Dinner prep, pop a bottle of Howe Sound brew. Free outdoor movies, dancing, or fireworks. So many choices. From the balcony or the beach, watching the mountains turn purple as the sun ducks down to the sea.
That’s a summer day for me in Vancouver, what will yours include? For ideas, check out this month’s list of August Events in Metro Vancouver that have been submitted:
Multi-Day Events
Events that run for longer than three days in a row are highlighted in green below. A few features that run all month and into August include Theatre Under the Stars, Vancouver Canadians Promotions, Tours of the Orpheum, Kitsilano Showboat, free dancing lessons at Robson Square, and free outdoor movies.
August Events in Metro Vancouver
As usual, this list will be updated several times each week so be sure to check back often. Submit your event listings through the contact form for free.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Queer Arts Festival Presents: Reflection/Refraction
56th Annual Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival
Meet the Neighbours: HUSH Magazine
Vancouver Pride 2013: G(RAY) and Glamourous
Vancouver Pride 2013: Pride Pavilion at the Library
Yellow Crane Festival of Art + Design
Eat It! at Dynamo Arts Association
Vancouver KnowShow
Friday, August 2, 2013
Vancouver Pride 2013: Davie Street Party
Harmony Arts Festival
Back to the Future at the Hollywood
Live in Lynn Valley Concert Series
Chicks Ahoy! Pride Boat Cruise Party
Shipyards Night Market
Take Off Friday at YVR Airport
56th Annual Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival
Vancouver Pride 2013: Pride Pavilion at the Library
Yellow Crane Festival of Art + Design
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Sponsored by Miss604: Free Outdoor Movies at Holland Park in Surrey
Jamcouver
Powell Street Festival
Vancouver Street Dance Festival
Vancouver Pride 2013: Terry Wallace Memorial Breakfast
SHOREfest at the Honda Celebration of Light Fireworks
Back to the Future at the Hollywood
Concerts at the Quay – New Westminster
Cates Park Concert Series
Portobello West Market: Granville Street
56th Annual Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival
Vancouver Pride 2013: Pride Pavilion at the Library
Yellow Crane Festival of Art + Design
Harmony Arts Festival
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Vancouver Pride 2013: Parade, Festival, Market
Blueberry Sale & Tea: Richmond Nature Park
Portobello West Market: Granville Street
Powell Street Festival
56th Annual Squamish Days Loggers Sports Festival
Yellow Crane Festival of Art + Design
Harmony Arts Festival Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
Vancouver is so walkable that it makes sightseeing on foot the ideal way to learn more about the city and its past. Aside from popular food tours that take you to culinary corners and neighbourhood kitchens, historic walking tours have always appealed to me.
I love history, I love learning about my town, and I love to be entertained. To top it off, most are very reasonably priced. If you’re up for being a tourist in your own town this summer, here are a few ideas for Vancouver history walking tours:
Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours
These vibrant historical tours have made a splash since arriving on scene just a few years ago. Top reviews and colourful storytellers have led to frequent sell-outs.
- Starting From: Cathedral Square at Dunsmuir and Richards
- Cost: $22 adults/$19 seniors
- Tour Type: Prohibition City: On Prohibition City you explore the strange, corrupt and colourful history of prohibition-era Vancouver.
- Tour Type: The Lost Souls of Gastown: You are transported back to the 1800s when Vancouver was a violent frontier town where only a few thousand inhabitants hustled to survive in the Wild West of Canada. Do not expect a conventional walking tour, this experience is visceral and dramatic.
- Tour Type: Granville Street Reveal: Join aristocrat, vaudeville actor and legendary Granville Street bon vivant Lord Fothrington-Appleby on a light-hearted stroll through historic Granville Street.
Tour Guys
Operating in Toronto and Vancouver, you can select from a variety of tours around the downtown core including free options.
- Starting From: Outside of the Vancouver Art Gallery in front of the fountain.
- Cost: Free
- Tour Type: Downtown and Waterfront, Granville and Gastown, or Chinatown: On these 90 minute easy-walking tours the hosts give a complete overview of downtown Vancouver and venture into some of the city’s historic buildings.
- Starting From: The edge of Granville Island, on the North West corner of 2nd Ave and Anderson St.
- Cost: Free
- Tour Type: Granville Island: On this 45 minute easy-walking tour hosts give a complete overview of the island and introduce you to some of the “hidden gems” often missed by most visitors.
Heritage Walks with John Atkin
John Atkin is a civic historian and authority on all things related to Vancouver history, architecture, and urban planning. He has created, and conducts, a number of unique and popular 2-hour walking tours throughout the City of Vancouver.
- Starting From: Each meeting place is unique based on the specific walk that day.
- Cost: $10
- Tour Type: Heritage Walks this summer include: Strathcona, John Street: Off the Grid in Mount Pleasant, West of Cambie, Shaughnessy, and The West End.
Vancouver Heritage Foundation Walking Tours
Maurice Guibord and John Atkin lead walks for the Heritage Vancouver Foundation. Explore Vancouver’s neighbourhoods on foot and discover hidden beauties (April to October).
- Starting From: Each meeting place is unique based on the specific walk.
- Cost: $12
- Tour Type: Friday Walking Tours: Take your pick of the West Hastings, Railtown, Yaletown or the West End.
Heritage Vancouver Society Walking Tours
A variety of tour guides and historians lead these Heritage Vancouver walking tours. Each is unique — their backgrounds, their personalities, and their stories bring Vancouver’s historic neighbourhoods to life.
- Starting From: Each meeting place is unique based on the specific walk.
- Cost: $10 members/$15 non-members
- Tour Type: Tours this summer include: Vancouver’s Granville & West Georgia Streets, Estates of South Kerrisdale, West End Heritage, Delamont: Kitsilano’s Oldest City Block of Houses, Planning tour of Vancouver’s West End, Grandview, West of Commercial, UBC Campus: Modern Buildings & Landscapes, and First Shaughnessy: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly.
History Walks with James Johnstone
James Johnstone is the foremost “house history” researcher in Vancouver. This summer he is offering tours every Saturday.
- Starting From: Each meeting place is unique based on the specific walk.
- Cost: $20 per person
- Tour Type: The second and fourth Saturday of each month dedicated to Strathcona: Vancouver’s Oldest Neighbourhood and on the other Saturdays he will alternate between the West End and Mount Pleasant. Tours last approximately 2 hours, depending on the size and pace of the group.
Mountain View Cemetery
Vancouver’s only public cemetery holds much information about the city’s past and the people who helped develop it into what we see today.
- Starting From: Mountain View Cemetery
- Cost: $10 per person
- Tour Type: Various tours are presented throughout the year, follow Mountain View on Facebook for the latest list. Each is held rain or shine.
Be sure to click through on each of the tour links to confirm specific dates, times, meeting places and pricing!
