West End

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

The Magic Mile - West End Beaches & Shoreline

The southern edge of the West End is the most attractive waterfront urban environment I have ever experienced. We have a stretch of shoreline that extends from the Aquatic Centre and the entrance to False Creek at the east end to Stanley Park on the west. In between lie Sunset and English Bay beaches each unique in nature but yet almost side by side. What makes this strip special is that only the north side of Beach Avenue is developed with residential buildings both rental and condos. Each building has an unobstructed view of the water's edge and fronts onto public parkland between Beach Avenue and the water. All parts of this shoreline are accessible to approximately 75,000 West End residents none of whom live more than 20 minutes walk to some part of it. Amazingly all of this is no more than 30 minutes walk from the downtown core. The crowning achievement is the fact that there is no commercial exploitation to intrude on the peaceful enjoyment of this "Magic Mile". The following collection of images should help to explain my observations. Enjoy.


Views of eastern end of West End shoreline. Brown building on right is the Aquatic Centre. Taken from and below Burrard Bridge.
Several views of Sunset Beach from Burrard Bridge. The shapes extending into the water are breakwaters created with boulders.
Views from Burrard Bridge and Vanier Park in the Kitsilano neighbourhood.
Views from Vanier Park in the Kitsilano neighbourhood.
Views from Vanier Park in the Kitsilano neighbourhood. Vanier Park is the local gathering place for kite flyers. Some weekends the sky is full of different kinds of kites flown by enthusiasts of all ages willing to talk and share about their hobby.
More views from Vanier Park in the Kitsilano neighbourhood.
English Bay and Beach. Pride and joy of West Enders.
English Bay and Beach. Summer or winter, calm or storm, day or night there are always people around to enjoy it's many moods.
The western end of the West End shoreline and beginning of Stanley Park. That's another story.
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West End
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Photographer: Maurice Jassak
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