Vancouver’s beaches worth visit in winter, offering solitude and mountain views

VANCOUVER – Yes, a beach fringed by palm trees in some tropical locale will likely have more appeal for winter-weary Canadians than a stretch of sand in Canada at this time of year.

But the Vancouver area is blessed with beaches that are just as nice in winter as in summer, according to a Tourism Vancouver blog post. That’s if you don’t mind temperatures of around 8 C, the average daytime high in February.

The blog lists these five “romantic beach walks”:

Kitsilano Beach: Much quieter now than in summer when a party atmosphere prevails. There’s a Boathouse restaurant with a heated covered deck at the beach, which faces Burrard Inlet.

Jericho Beach: A few kilometres west of Kitsilano Beach. Offers fine views of the North Shore mountains, kilometres of paths and a sense of solitude.

White Rock Beach and Crescent Beach: Expansive beaches close to the U.S. border. White Rock has a walking path along waterside train tracks.

Ambleside Beach: Located in West Vancouver, with views of Lions Gate Bridge and Stanley Park. There’s also a 3 1/2-hectare off-leash area for dogs.

Third Beach: At Ferguson Point on the west side of Stanley Park. The beach is surrounded by trees and feels secluded. A good place to watch the sunset.