Kitsilano Beach (also known as Kits Beach for short) is a popular beach and summertime destination for Vancouverites. Kitsilano Beach lies west of downtown Vancouver between Jericho Beach and Arbutus Street along the south edge of Vancouver’s iconic Burrard Street Bridge.
It has a gorgeous view of the North Shore mountains and English Bay. And because Kits Beach has a large sandy beach and lots of grass area, it is naturally a popular spot for sunbathing, swimming, picnics, and gatherings. In the summer you can expect to see lots of others enjoying this nice warm day at Kitsilano Beach and an alternative spot to enjoy the Celebration of Lights.
Features of Kits Beach:
- On Seaside Seawall system
- Concession
- Public washrooms
- Tennis courts
- Basketball courts
- Playground
- Swimming raft
- Lifeguards (late May to early September)
- Water wheelchair (2 attendants needed to operate, available from Victoria Day to Labour Day)
- Pay parking
Kitsilano Pool
Did you know that the Kitsilano Pool is the only saltwater swimming pool in Vancouver? The summer pool is located near the beach, cafés, and Kitsilano neighborhood of Vancouver.
- Length: 137 metres
- Heated outdoor pool
- Saltwater pool
- Water park
- 2 slides
Parking Fees At Kits Beach
The fortunate thing is that Kits Beach has a decently sized parking lot. Below you’ll find the rates to park.
| Type | Date |
|---|---|
| Hourly – $2.65 Daily – $7.25 | Oct 1 – April 30 |
| Hourly – $370 Daily – $14.50 | May 1 – Sept 30 |
Beach parking lot fees are effective 6am to 10pm unless otherwise posted.
Overnight parking is not permitted.
Where to Eat Near Kitsilano Beach
Serene seaside dining is one of the hallmarks of Kitsilano. This tranquil beach town hosts a stunning variety of restaurants featuring everything from traditional sushi to epic French cuisine. Here’s a list of some of Kitsilano’s best restaurants for you near the beach to hit up.
Au Comptoir
Located on 4th Avenue in Kitsilano, this delightful French restaurant is quaint and intimate with the servers and decor doing a wonderful job to give the place a real French vibe. Open for breakfast, lunch, brunch and dinner, Au Comptoir brings a little bit of France to Vancouver. They constantly change their menu with the seasons to accommodate local produce, ensuring fresh and delightful cuisine is always available.
For breakfast, try out their Croque-madame which consists of parisian ham, gruyère, fried egg on country bread or their Assiette De Saumon Fumé, which is house smoked salmon, chive crème fraîche on toasted country bread. Another favorite at Au Comptoir is their home made beef burgers. Grilled to perfection on homemade buns with the exact right amount of condiments, this burger has customers coming back for more.
For dessert, the pastry Chef brings forth fresh and exciting creations that are perfect for starting your day or ending your meal.
What to order: Croque-madame, Assiette De Saumon Fumé, beef burgers
Address: 2278 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6K 1N8
Oddfish
For those of you looking for absolute fresh mouthwatering seafood in Vancouver, Oddfish comes highly recommended. With a menu that changes based on the catch of the day and what local farmers bring in, Oddfish is a creative, casual and classy restaurant in Kitsilano to bring a date or a group of friends and be prepared for exciting new dishes popping up on their handwritten chalkboard.
At Oddfish, most of their meals are meant to be shared so you get to try a variety of their offerings. The burrata is highly recommended, and their handmade fresh pasta accompanied by your choice of clams or prawns is a delight. They also do great fresh vegetarian dishes and their Roasted Broccoli or Grilled Asparagus is not to be missed.
“Let’s see what the sea brings us…” is their adage and is sure to lead to an exciting and captivating seafood extravaganza.
What to order: burrata, Roasted Broccoli, Grilled Asparagus
Address: 1889 W 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 5B8
Trattoria
Trattoria is Kitsilano’s Italian connection. It’s the place you should go for simple, fresh and traditional pizzas, pasta and other Italian delights. They have different deals throughout the week that change regularly and a Happy Hour. The staff is friendly and attentive and can be counted on to give you vegan and gluten free options. Perfect for a romantic date, casual hangout or a group booking.
There are two items on the menu that you will probably not expect many customers to order, but at Trattoria, they do. The first is their amazing take on Bruschetta. Served on flatbread, with a chickpea sauce, burricotta, spiced walnuts, and marinated olives, this simple blend of textures and flavors will have you salivating in anticipation for the rest. The second is more unique, and their most popular dish, Brussel Sprouts! Not kidding. Deep fried and seasoned with lemon, capers, chilies and parmigiano-reggiano. Just amazingly delish!
What to order: Bruschetta, Brussel Sprouts
Address: 1850 W 4th Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1M3
Arbutus Coffee
One of the oldest coffee shops in Kitsilano (and definitely one of the most charming and popular) is the cozy, family-run Arbutus Coffee. The adorable little neighborhood gem offers service with a smile, great coffee, and an array of delicious pastries and light bites. A great place to relax with a good book, work in relative peace, or just sit at a table outside, sip coffee and watch the world go by.
Try their Lavender Coffee, a Matcha Latte, or a tall glass of iced-tea. Grab a muffin, a slice of moist banana bread, a date square, or a chewy brownie. If you’re hungrier, sample some delicious quiche, or go for a super yummy breakfast bagel with ham, egg and cream cheese.
Protip: If you’re craving a muffin with your coffee, get there early. They sell out fast!
What to order: Lavender Coffee, Matcha Latte, muffin, banana bread, date square, brownie, quiche, breakfast bagel
Address: 2200 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC V6J 3Y1
Is it safe to swim at Kits Beach?
Yes it is safe to swim at Kits Beach in most cases. However it is recommended to check the Vancouver Coastal Health’s website to see if there has been any reports of beach closures and E.coli counts.
Alternatively, you can take a dip at the swimming pool at Kitsilano Beach as it is also filled with saltwater.
What is Kitsilano Beach known for?
Kits Beach is a popular summertime destination to go because of its close proximity to Downtown Vancouver, easy accessibility by public transit and car. Since it has a large grass area, it’s perfect spot for a picnic and family gatherings.
What are some activities that I can do at Kitsilano Beach?
Some activities you can do at kitsilano beach include picnicking, tanning, playing volleyball, going for a swim, and having a small BBQ with your family. As there is plenty of space to spread out on the grass area and sand. There is also a play structure located near Kits Beach to entertain children while they watch you or their parents enjoy the water! Tennis courts and basketball courts are also in the area.
Can you have dogs at Kits Beach?
No, they are only allowed at off-leash areas. Per city of Vancouver, “Dogs are only allowed at beaches with designated off-leash areas.” So you can only have your dog at Hadden Park Dog Beach, which is by Hadden Park.
Where to Stay in Kitsilano
Check out other attractions and exciting things to do in Vancouver:
- Best beaches in Vancouver
- Family-friend places to go
- Best restaurants in downtown Vancouver
- Best hikes in Vancouver
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