Located on the coast of beautiful British Columbia, West Vancouver is one of the most coveted waterfront communities in the Metro Vancouver area. Surrounding mountain, water, and city views create a picturesque backdrop to this vibrant community. West Vancouver’s population of about 42,000 is comprised of a variety of age groups, including families with young children, working professionals, and retired couples.

The centre for award-winning architectural design known as West Coast Style, West Vancouver offers plentiful outdoor activities and stunning scenery. It’s an ideal neighbourhood for nature lovers and culinary enthusiasts.

Places to Shop

Park Royal

Images courtesy of Park Royal

Newly expanded to two centres, including Park Royal North and Park Royal South, Park Royal shopping centre houses luxury brands like Stuart Weitzman, Michael Kors, Kate Spade, and many more. Among its 300 shops, it also includes BC’s only Simons locations.

Whole Foods Market

Prepare for the week ahead and pick up groceries from Whole Foods Market at The Village at Park Royal. The organic foods store first opened in 2004, and is a mainstay in the community for its high-quality fare.

Places to Eat

Olive & Anchor

Images by Peter Bagi, courtesy of Olive & Anchor

In Horseshoe Bay, Olive & Anchor offers a fresh seafood menu in a laid-back setting overlooking the ocean and flow of BC Ferries. The restaurant is open from morning to evening, to serve patrons’ various needs, whether they want to drop by for a quick lunch, have a drink with friends, or enjoy a family dinner.

The Beachhouse

The Beachhouse’s seafood menu can be enjoyed on a sun-drenched patio overlooking the Burrard Inlet. You can also choose to dine in the restaurant’s large dining room, lounge, or private terraced room.

Trattoria

Images courtesy of Glowbal Restaurant Group

Craving Italian? Trattoria offers a sophisticated Italian dining experience at Park Royal South. Try their forno baked pizzas with a glass of wine. You can also enjoy a fine private dining experience, fit for groups ranging from 10 to 100.

Crema Coffee Bar & Bakery

For dessert, Crema is a local favourite that serves up housemade muffins and single-origin coffees that the Giannakos family, who owns the shop, has carefully tweaked and tasted to perfection.

Temper Pastry

Image by Chas Woodyer, courtesy of Temper Pastry

A summer hotspot in the seaside village of Dundarave, Temper offers Stumptown Coffee and high quality baked goods. You can try almond rocher, barley-infused caramel, and hazelnut praline from Temper’s wide selection of gourmet chocolates.

Things to Do

Parks

Image courtesy of the District of West Vancouver

West Vancouver features a wide variety of lush, beautiful parks. Walk the shoreline by Ambleside Park where you can enjoy the view of downtown Vancouver and Stanley Park. Bring your dog along to the off-leash dog area, relax at the beach, or play a round of tennis on the courts. You can also explore the many hiking trails in scenic Lighthouse Park, a local favourite and a great spot for rock climbing during the summer. If you’re feeling adventurous, try scuba diving at Whytecliff Park.

Local Mountains

Image by Pierre Leclerc/Shutterstock

With the North Shore mountains close by, there are tons of local hikes and trails to explore. During the winter, you can go skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing on the local mountains, including Mount Seymour, Cypress and Grouse Mountain.

Image by Lijuan Guo/Shutterstock

The latter is also well-known for the Grouse Grind, a challenging 2.9 km hiking trail. Each year, over 150,000 people make the steep trek.

Gleneagles Community Centre

Image courtesy of District of West Vancouver

For indoor activities, head over to the Gleneagles Community Centre, a central gathering place for the area’s residents. With large windows and open and bright spaces, the venue offers a wide range of facilities including a dance studio, open fitness area and an adventure park.

Activities Nearby

A hop away from West Vancouver is a whole range of attractions. Drive over the Lions Gate Bridge to downtown Vancouver. Take an 80-minute drive on the scenic Sea-to-Sky Highway up to Whistler, one of the world’s consistently top ranked ski resorts. Or do some island hopping and head over to the BC Ferries Horseshoe Bay Terminal. A 20-minute ferry ride away is Bowen Island, a quick and relaxing getaway.

Schools in the Area

Collingwood

Founded in 1984, Collingwood offers a premier academic education for students in kindergarten and up to grade 12. Among the private school’s many extracurricular activities are a robotics club, dance club, and cooking club, along with a strong sports program, which includes a championship-winning basketball team.

Mulgrave

Images courtesy of Mulgrave, HDR | CEI Architecture Associates, Inc., and Ed White Photographics

Mulgrave features a first-rate academic program with IB diploma pass rates that place the private school on par with the top IB schools in the world. Its educational facility has a wide range of performing arts spaces, four gymnasiums and a fitness studio, science labs, and more.

It’s easy to see why West Vancouver is one of the most desired areas to live in the Metro Vancouver area. The city’s natural beauty is paired with a strong sense of community, while its restaurants, shops, and nearby attractions top it all off.

If you’re ready to settle down in this waterfront metropolis, Sotheby’s International Realty Canada can help you find the ideal West Vancouver home for you and your family.