Spanish Bank Beach

Named by the earliest European Spanish explorers in the 1770s. Spanish Bank is home to three of Vancouver's superior beaches. Picnic, tan, relax and swim on this sandy stretch overlooking the North Shore mountains.

Spanish Banks is the West most of the popular beaches (Locarno is to the East). It is a North facing beach with good afternoon sun (and morning sun for those wanting to face backwards). Spanish Banks is popular with the Point Gray residents and UBC students. There are plenty of grass lands, plenty of logs and sand for all to enjoy - but Summer can get busy, so do get there early. There is parking all along the beach - and it is free. Consider biking, walking or catchnig a bus in summer if you want to go later in the day.

Swimming can be nice for kids when the tide is in. Check the tide tables before you go. At low tide, things get mucky and the water is distant. Winds can also get wacky at the beach - check wind directions and plan accordingly.

Spanish Banks is the West most beach in the shore line trail system. Run, walk or bike the trail - it is compact gravel and dirt (not good for in line skating). Consider a BBQ on a nice summer evening and catch the sunset with your loved one.

Great views of the North shore mountains, the city and the boats in the bay.