Transportation to Stanley Park

There are a number of ways to get to Stanley Park. The most suitable option depends on a number of factors, including cost, where you're coming from and your level of physical fitness. With this in mind, may we suggest the following:

From Downtown Vancouver

Do yourself a favor, don't drive unless you plan to merely cruise through the park and leave. The rates for parking are $1 per hour, and it is usually impractical to drive from site to site throughout the park as it does get quite crowded on holidays and sunny weekends. Taxi service to the park may be cheaper than driving and is available from Maclure's Cabs 604-683-6666 or Black Top Cabs 604-731-1111.

For the physically fit, walking or cycling to the park is probably the best option. For those less inclined towards physical activity, the elderly, or those travelling with small children, there are a number of transit buses that will bring you to the park for less than you'll pay for parking a car. Arrangements can be made through BC Transit.

From Vancover (outside of downtown)

Walking or cycling is unpractical for those other than hardcore enthusiasts. Consider driving, although there are a number of transit buses that will bring you to the park for less than you'll pay for parking a car. Arrangements can be made through BC Transit. Taxi service to the park is available from Maclure's Cabs 604-683-6666 or Black Top Cabs 604-731-1111.

From outside Vancouver

Driving may be your best option, although the BC Transit service in Vancouver is exceptional, other than the crowded 'rush hour' periods (6-9 am into the city, 3-6 pm leaving the city). Taxi service to the park is available from Maclure's Cabs 604-683-6666 or Black Top Cabs 604-731-1111.

Transportation in Stanley Park

Walking

Possibly the best way to experience the park is on foot. A leisurely walk around the seawall takes approximately 2 hours (5 miles). The Stanley Park Seawall was originally conceived as a precaution to erosion in the early 1920s. Though it took nearly six decades to complete the entire seawall, which rings the peninsula of Stanley Park, it was obviously well worth it as visitors and residents alike make this outdoor recreational facility the most popular activity in Vancouver. Most spots are now physically separated so that in-line skaters and cyclists can peacefully co exist with pedestrians.The whole park, including stops for meals, picnics swimming at the beaches can be experienced in a day without being rushed. Washroom facilities are available at many points throughout the park. Maps are posted to indicate the locations. During the summer months concession stands (snack bars)are open throughout the park. Some are also open on most weekends.

Biking

Cyclists have access to paths that parallel the roadways and at certain points they share the Seawall with pedestrians. At designated congestion areas signs are posted requiring that bikes be walked for short distances. Designated trails are also allocated to bicycle traffic. The counterclockwise direction
of travel also applies to bicycles. Lots of signage, some including maps, is posted to make it easy to follow directions. Pedestrians have the right of way.

Shuttle

During the summer, the Parks Board provides a shuttle service for visitors. Look for the brightly-painted Stanley Park trolley as it makes its circle tour along the sea wall. The Stanley Park Shuttle is a free bus service operating from mid-June to late September. The shuttle has 14 specially signed stops hitting the park's most popular attractions and natural highlights.

Tours

Several tours are available that provide visitors with varying degrees of flexibility and cost. One of the best known are the horse and carriage rides which have become a feature of the park itself. These narrated one-hour tours are a relaxing way to enjoy some of the most popular stops in Stanley Park. Double decker and trolley bus operators also have routes in the park as well as a number of city tour operations. Some offer the option of disembarking at designated areas and resuming the tour later. The city transportation system also offers a shuttle during the summer months that covers the main park areas.

Coal Harbour is the starting point the park's driving tour. Both the trolley buses and the horse drawn carriages begin their tours from the Coal Harbour parking lot.

Leaving Coal Harbour, the one-way Park Drive takes you along the park's famed seawall. The stone seawall, which extends more than 5 miles (9 km) around the perimeter of the park, is itself a testament to history. It took 60 years to construct the massive barrier, which was initially created to stop erosion of the park's shoreline. Walking and biking paths skirt the edge of the seawall and provide a relaxing way to take in some of Vancouver's best sights.

The Vancouver Aquarium is located just off of Coal Harbour and is one of the park's most popular attractions. The Aquarium features several educational programs and manages a marine mammal rescue and rehab program for injured or abandoned marine life.

Approximately 2 km further, you will come to Brocton Point, site of the Stanley Park totem poles and a great view of the Burrard Inlet.

Prospect Point, the park's tallest point, sits under the shadow of the Lion's Gate Bridge, the gateway to the North Shore and points beyond. A gift shop, full-service restaurant and a coffee shop overlook the Point's breathtaking vista and provide a comfortable rest to visitors.

You will see signs leading you left to the Miniature Railway and Children's Farmyard, where you can take a ride behind an the exact replica of an 1880's locomotive engine. The Children's Farmyard has a number of petting animals that the little ones will enjoy.

If you follow the path past the farm to the bottom of the hill, you will come to the Japanese Canadian War Memorial. Erected in 1920 to acknowledge the contributions of Japanese Canadians who gave their life for their country, the memorial sits in the midst of a carefully manicured garden.

Returning to your driving tour of Stanley Park, you will come to Ferguson Point, at the mouth of the Burrard Inlet. Further evidence of Stanley Park's unique history can be found in the Teahouse Restaurant, the original site of a World War II officer's mess. Enjoy a light lunch or dinner overlooking one of Stanley Park's prettiest seascapes.

Leaving Ferguson Point, you'll pass 2nd beach, where to park's only swimming pool is located. Adjacent to the beach you'll find Lost Lagoon, the home of a bird sanctuary. The lagoon's Nature House provides an interesting view of the park's flora and fauna.

There are a number of other recreational activities to enjoy in the park as well. For tennis buffs, there are 17 tennis courts near the Beach Avenue entrance (the southwest area of the park). There is also a pitch and putt golf course surrounded by a spectacular rhododendron garden. In the summer, the Malkin Bowl hosts Theatre under the Stars, a magical way to spend a perfect Vancouver summer evening.

By Car

While a drive through the park may be very enjoyable, stopping to see all of the attractions can be very tedious due to parking considerations. There is no free parking in the park during the day and overnight stays in campers or other vehicles are not allowed. The rates for parking are $1 per hour and can be purchased from ticket dispensers in multiples. Please keep in mind that on holidays and sunny weekends it does get very crowded.