Within minutes of hitting the False Creek seawall you’re on a pathway to infinite exploration. You could cover this eight-kilometre, ocean-side pathway in a brisk two hour walk and enjoy stunning skylines, greenspaces and landmarks along the way. Or, make an adventure of it, and engage in the many different neighbourhoods that make False Creek such a popular destination. From Sunset beach in the West End to Vanier Park of Kitsilano, there is no shortage of options for rest or play.
Vanier Park
Starting at the welcoming structure by Alan Chung Hung named “Gate to the Northwest Passage” Vanier Park has lots to enjoy in and around the area. Overlooking English Bay and West Vancouver, this knoll was once the location of Senakw, a Squamish village that was seized with its inhabitants relocated by the federal and provincial governments around the turn of the 20th century. This action against the Squamish was later found to be illegal in the courts, and in 2001 an agreement was made to return five hectares of land back to the Squamish Nation, who is now developing the land next to the Burrard Bridge by building condo towers with more than 6,000 units.
For visiors, this area is known for its wind and is one of Vancouver’s most popular spots for kite flying. Around the corner is Hadden Beach, a small, quiet and dog friendly spot on the seawall. It’s also in proximity to the Vancouver Maritime Museum, the H.R. MacMillan Space Sciences Centre and the Museum of Vancouver. The later two share the same building, designed by local architect Gerald Hamilton. Take note of the roof is inspired by traditional woven-basket headwear worn by the Squamish Nation. Bike lovers can deviate off the seawall just west of the Burrard Bridge to test out a hidden gem at the Vanier Park Bike Skills Track, a small bowl-style pump track for bikes.
Kits Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Vancouver, Kits beach is just around the corner from Vanier Park. Spend the day on a sandy beach, with gorgeous views of North Shore mountains and English Bay. Also available during summer months is Kitsilano Pool, a historic outdoor saltwater pool. The beach itself has basketball, volleyball and tennis courts, and a massive playground for kids. Across the street is a selection of coffee shops, restaurants, ice cream parlors and other goodies including the busy patio at Local.
Granville Island
From Vanier, keep walking east on the seawall toward Fisherman’s Wharf, an active commercial fishing hub, where you can purchase freshly caught seafood from local fishermen. Check falsecreek.com/fish-for-sale for the various dealers, and seasons to coordinate. Move onward to visit one of the most famous markets in Canada.
Located under the south end of Granville Street Bridge, the world famous Granville Island is a centre of activity. For waterplay, rent SUPs, kayaks, boats and other watercraft. It’s also a place to spend hours enjoying the public market for fresh produce, meat, cheese, baked goods, as well as shops featuring art, imports and homemade artisan products.
This is also a thriving core for the performing arts. Home to the Arts Club Theatre, catch improv, plays and live music all year long. The Carousel Theatre features awesome plays for kids of all ages, and Granville Island holds the campus for Arts Umbrella, a non-profit school for the arts, with classes in art and design, dance and theatre, music and film. This artistic influence is felt throughout the isand.
The Kids Market is a must if you have little ones or are young at heart. Crouch through the mini door on Cartwright Street, and enter into a playland of fun. The owner at Clowning Around Magic Shop is always up for a magic trick, and it’s impossible to leave without a gag or new trick in your pocket.
False Creek FerryOlympic Village
Onward toward Cambie Bridge is a three-kilometre stretch of luscious greenery, parks, playgrounds, community gardens and marinas. The walkway itself is a mix of concrete and cobblestones. Passing by an area known as Stamps Landing, stop at Mahoney & Sons or the Wicklow Pub for their awesome waterfront patios overlooking the city and inlet.
Keep going on the seawall and you’ll enter one of the most interactive sections of the seawall. The Olympic Village walk has mini bridges, three-person lounge chairs, benches, logs, grassy knolls and marshes that are all inviting to sit and hang for a while. Habitat Island is a popular spot for exploration. This urban sanctuary is a walk out from the main path. During high tide, it’s surrounded by water and his home to various native small animals, insects, crabs, starfish, barnacles and other animals. There is also trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses have been planted along the area and island to make for a thriving little ecosystem.
Olympic Village itself is a great place to refuel with various restaurants, bakeries and stores. Visit the Tap & Barrel patio for an awesome view of Science World and BC Place, or grab a coffee and sourdough at Terra Breads before rounding the tip of seawall and approach the iconic geodesic dome built for Expo 86 and now home of Science World. This part of the seawall is one of the best places to catch a sunset with westward views of False Creek in its entirety.
South Mount Pleasant
Take a stroll off the seawall south of Cambie into the eclectic and ever-evolving area of Mount Pleasant. A 10-minute walk will transport you to a mix of heritage homes, warehouses, animation studios, tech centres, artisan work spaces, funky eateries and more. This unassuming area is tucked away with gorgeous views of the city, North Shore mountains and murals painted on buildings all over. As a brewery hub, there are at least 10 solid breweries all within a 10-block radius of each other, each with a unique feel and flavour. Some notables include 33 Acres, Brassneck, R&B, Electric Bicycle Brewing and tons more. Check out bcaletrail.ca for a list to enjoy. For a different vibe, La Fabrique St-George is an urban winery with charcuterie-inspired picnic finger foods, or Please! Beverage Co. local distillery making refreshing cocktails and tonics.
Yaletown
Rounding the tip of False Creek, you’ll cross over to the north side of the seawall. Concord Community Pop-Up Park is a coveted greenspace that has become a local’s favourite spot to relax outside. With a mix of options, there’s basketball hoops, volleyball nets and lounge chairs sprinkled throughout park. Ample space and tables make it a popular picnic and barbecue spot, especially when patio lights go on at dusk, making it an intimate urban playground.
Classic Vancouver venues appear in the horizon. Rogers Arena is home to the Vancouver Canucks and BC Place where teams like Vancouver Whitecaps, BC Lions and Canada Sevens of World Rugby Seven Series can be seen through the year. It’s also got the BC Sport Hall of Fame, which offers an insiders’ look to some of BC’s sporting legends. Check your schedule for what event is taking place during your stay in this entertainment hub.
On the wall, refresh at Batch, a funky container-made-into-watering-hole right on the seawall at the former Plaza of Nations. Perfect on a hot day for a cold one, or warm up with the fire-pits in the winter months. This midway stop is just under three kilometres to the end of the trek and makes you feel like you’re hanging in Vancouver’s backyard.
Back on track, beautiful parks line the path and when you get to a roundabout on your right, it’s the base of Davie Street. Walking up this street you can explore the heart of Yaletown, an area that was warehouses and wasteland a mere 40 years ago, but is now one of Vancouver’s most trendy neighbourhoods and hotspots. Mainland and Hamilton streets are the most popular for neat shops, eateries, coffee stops and more. A mix of heritage buildings, revamped warehouse space and interesting architecture and patios on cobblestone streets feels like a modern take on old Vancouver.
Chinatown
Vancouver’s historical Chinatown was a flourishing hub in the 1880s and 1890s, when Chinese immigrants flocked to the region to work in mines, farms and logging. Magnificent gates at Pender and Keefer are the entrance to a neighbourhood that has gone through some tough transitions over the years. New initiatives to revitalize look and feel of Chinatown and inject some new energy are underway.
Some notable mentions include the Chinese Canadian Museum, authentic steamed buns at New Town Bakery or traditional dim sum at Jade Dynasty. Dr. Sen Yet Sen Classical Chinese Garden is also a beautiful escape into well-manicured grounds, with koi ponds, pagodas and manicured trees.
Granville
The stretch around David Lam Park and George Wainborn Park offers many opportunities to enjoy the scenery, either near water’s edge or in the greenspace and parks along the way. When you’re under the Granville Street Bridge, look for the Spinning Chandelier, the public artwork by Robert Graham, who got a lot of press for the piece’s $4.8 million price tag. However, when it lights up and spins at 12:00 pm, 4:00 pm and 9:00 pm, there are no shortage of observers taking in the show. (Note, from here look across the way to see Granville Island from a new vantage point, including The Giants, a public art installation on the concrete silos at Heidelberg Materials).
Vancouver House is a complex right under the Granville Bridge that features several great restaurants including Autostrada Osteria, a perfect pit stop for rustic Italian and the Milan inspired burger bar, Monzo burger.
Sunset Beach
As you pass under the Burrard Bridge, and along Vancouver’s Aquatic Centre you’ll soon reach Sunset Beach. This charming beach is directly across from Vanier Park and at the entrance to False Creek, so it is a fantastic spot to sit and watch the boats coming in and out of the creek and into English Bay. Enjoy gorgeous views of Kitsilano and Point Grey in the distance, and step up to Denman Street to explore the funky and historical West End neighbourhood.
English Bay
If you’re inspired to keep going, you can stay on seawall and walk to English Bay Beach, which is the last beach before you enter Stanley Park. This beach is home to the annual Polar Bear Swim and a favourite vantage point for the Celebration of Lights fireworks festival. Here you’ll see the famous Inukshuk grey granite sculpture by Alvin Kanak, standing at six metres tall. A plaque near the work reads: “This ancient symbol of the Inuit culture is traditionally used as a landmark and navigational aid and also represents northern hospitality and friendship.”
Cut the walk in half
Cut your walk in half and get a unique view of the city from the water via the Aqua Bus or False Creek Ferry. With stops at various landings around the seawall you can hop on or off at any of the neighbouring communities.
Or, all three of the bridges across False Creek to the other are walkable, with lovely walking paths to and from each (although Granville is currently under construction). Crossing the bridges offers a completely different perspective of the area.
Why False Creek?
During an expedition in the late 1980s, Captain George Henry Richard, a hydrographer of British Columbia’s coast was travelling through the south side of Burrard Inlet. Confusing his location as a creek, he soon realized it wasn’t a creek at all, but rather an inlet—and thus the inspiration for the name False Creek. 
