Toppled trees, power outages, and heavy rains concluded August in Vancouver and had many locals disappointed with the final “summer month” of the season. However, summer in fact is not technically over and there is still time to celebrate before fall takes over the 604. Here’s our list of suggestions to help you make the most out of the remaining days:
Have a BBQ
Summer is the perfect time to crack open a few beers, start up the grill, and enjoy some quality time with friends and family while enjoying some mouth-watering food. Whether it be at the beach, park, backyard, or in the middle of nowhere, you better have one last BBQ before it’s too late.
Enjoy Some Outdoor Hoops
Canada has become a hotbed for NBA talent in the past few years evident by the fact that the past 2 previous #1 overall draft picks were Canadian-born Anthony Bennett, and Andrew Wiggins. The 604 has produced its fair share of local NBA talent such as Kelly Olynyk, Robert Sacre, and soon to be hall of famer Steve Nash. All over Vancouver you will find quality basketball talent playing on courts at Kitsilano beach, South Arm Community Centre, and the ever growing annual Dolphin Park Classic held at Richmond’s Thompson Community Centre.
Go For A Hike
Whether it be the Grouse Grind, the Chief, Lynn Valley, or Quarry Rock, head out and enjoy mother nature before it gets too cold. We in the 604 are blessed with numerous hiking trails close to accessible roads, and transit making the trip out to all the above mentioned hikes very easy. Please do not let laziness, or being busy be an excuse because if 43 year old Justin Trudeau can do the Grouse Grind while on a campaign trail, you can definitely do it too!
Wash Your Car
For nearly the entire summer Metro Vancouver was under extreme water restrictions meaning we were not allowed to water our own lawn and let alone even wash our cars. For many, washing their cars is associated with summer, and actually enjoy taking the time to carefully clean, and detail their vehicles. So while the sun is shining bright go crazy and wash your cars since the water restriction has been lifted!
Explore Kelowna
Kelowna is home to some of the best beaches, and outdoor activity spots that British Columbia has to offer. The interior is well known to be one of of British Columbia’s premiere wine tasting locations and offers incredible views to top your buzz . Not a Wine dinker? Partake in some water sports including jet skiing, paddle boarding, or for real thrill seekers, jetpacking!
Bike The Stanley Park Seawall
Biking the Stanley Park seawall goes hand in hand with summer in Vancouver as it offers views of the city you will not be able to get anywhere else. The seawall provides breathtaking views of the North Shore mountains, Lions Gate Bridge, and the downtown core. Don’t have a bike? Fear not! There are numerous bike rental options along, and close by to the seawall.
Visit The Capilano Suspension Bridge
I bet you can’t name a better place to enjoy Vancouver’s natural surroundings. The 450-foot-long, 230-foot-high Capilano Suspension Bridge has thrilled visitors since 1889 and has continued to show the best side of Vancouver’s scenic nature. The wobbly bridge and stunning location have become an iconic Vancouver landmark, and Capilano Suspension Bridge Park continues to offer an all-encompassing BC experience.
Image via HarbourAirSeaplanes
Take a Seaplane
Vancouver is home to the largest seaplane airline, with over 30 flights daily between downtown Victoria and downtown Vancouver as well as scenic flights, tour packages and private charters. Harbour Air was the first airline in North America to achieve complete carbon neutrality in both their flight services and corporate operations. Harbour Air also has bases in South Vancouver (YVR), Pitt Meadows, Comox, Sechelt, Nanaimo, Whistler (seasonal) and the Gulf Islands.
Hit Up A Patio
Its seem like everywhere you go today in Vancouver you see more and more patios popping up, and you know what, thank god! Vancouver has long had a reputation of being a dull and boring city. The long, warm, and sunny summer days are quickly disappearing so head out quickly, grab a few beers, and enjoy the last bit of summer with your friends at one of the best patios in the city.
Go Kayaking At Deep Cove
Deep Cove has grown to become a tourist hotspot very fast in the past few years and offers visitors a prime location to go kayaking. The small community is only a 30-minute trip from downtown Vancouver, near the eastern end of the Burrard Inlet, but it feels much more remote. Renting a kayak is not expensive at all either ($50 for 2 hours). Close to the Deep Cove Marina, you may even be lucky enough to spot some seals.
Written by: Hamed Amiri