One of the natural amenities which makes our city among the most livable in the world is public access to the waterfront. Almost 18 kms (11 miles) of beaches surround Vancouver. Enjoying waterfront access can take many guises: observing the beautiful landscape while cycling, walking or driving by; playing in the sand, swimming, windsurfing, sailing or merely sitting. We have special areas that have been cordoned off for swimming, ensuring maximum lifeguard coverage. Lifeguards are on duty from Victoria Day until Labour Day.

For beach information, call 604-738-8535 from mid-May to mid-September. During other times of the year call 604-665-3424.

Beach Name	Location	Lifeguards*	Concession	Quiet Beach**	Sand Volleyball Courts
English Bay (First Beach)	Beach Ave. between Denman and Bidwell St.			-	2
Jericho	Between North ends of Wallace and Discovery St.			-	2
Kitsilano	Waterfront north end of Yew St.			-	7
Locarno	West of Trimble to Blanca St. on NW Marine Dr.				6
Second Beach (Stanley Park)	Stanley Park at North Lagoon Dr.			-	-
Spanish Bank East	West of Tolmie St. on NW Marine Dr.			-	8
Spanish Bank Extension	West of Spanish Bank West on NW Marine Dr.		-	-	-
Spanish Bank West	West of Spanish Bank East on NW Marine Dr.				8
Sunset	East of English Bay on Beach Ave. between Thurlow and Bute St.				1
Third Beach (Stanley Park)	Stanley Park at Ferguson Point			-	-
Trout Lake	2100 block E. 19th Ave. off Victoria Dr.			-	-

Food Concessions

There are food concessions at all lifeguarded beaches except for the Spanish Bank Extension. Many of the concessions are seasonal, open on a daily basis during the summer, weather permitting. The following concessions are open year-round on sunny days: Spanish Bank East, Sunset, English Bay, Second Beach, Third Beach, and Lumbermen's Arch.

Some Pertinent Park By-laws for Beaches. Prohibited are:

• dogs - except at Spanish Bank West (200m west of the concession), Sunset Beach (bay behind Aquatic Centre) posted areas, from 6 am to 10 pm, and west of the Maritime Museum on Kits Point from 6 am to 10 am and 5 pm to 10 pm;
• fires (barbeques permitted in containers);
• ball playing (except in designated areas);
• inflatable devices in water;
• alcohol;
• kite surfing.