About Kitsilano BC
Overview
From the 1960s, beachside Kitsilano was Vancouver’s hippy hangout, drawing comparisons to San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury. Now, Kitsilano still has lots of culture, but its flats and homes are now occupied by young urban professionals and families who like a contemporary version of that relaxed setting — this is actually the birthplace of international yoga brand, lululemon athletica. Just over the Burrard Bridge in the downtown peninsula, the area brings together a set of attractions, parks and beach, residential roads, and two or three main commercial districts. “Kits,” as it is known locally, is flanked from the shore to the north and West 16th Ave to the south; Burrard Street to the east and Alma Street to the west. The majority of the industrial activity is located along West 4th Avenue and West Broadway, but you will also find restaurants and shops in the areas near the beach.
Viewing and Doing
From Burrard Bridge, look north and you will glimpse a big waterfront greenspace called Vanier Park. This place is home to some of Vancouver’s best family-friendly attractions such as the Museum of Vancouver, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, and the Vancouver Maritime Museum, as well as being the place for the Bard on the Beach Shakespeare festival from June to September each year. Continue along the waterfront and you will hit Kitsilano Beach, which is a hotspot during summer, complete with volleyball championships, picnicking families, a lot of the gorgeous people on parade, and the colossal Kitsilano Pool — an outdoor saltwater community pool right by the shore. The neighbourhoods also sponsor a variety of community festivals over the course of the summer including Greek legends on West Broadway, and the Khatsalano Festival centred around West 4th Avenue.
Eating and Drinking
True to the hippy roots, Kitsilano is home to one of the city’s oldest vegetarian restaurants, The Naam. Open 24-hours per day, the restaurant’s yam chips with miso gravy have inspired many a late night stop after a night out on the town. You’ll also find loads of other healthy, organic and farm-to-table alternatives. Down by the water, along the foot of Yew Street and along Cornwall, are plenty of casual, neighbourhood restaurants and bars, many of which do a excellent job with seafood, together with cocktails and wines to match. West Broadway is where lots of Vancouver’s Greek immigrants originally settled, and you won’t go wrong picking something inspired by the Mediterranean in that region of the neighbourhood. Along West 4th, anticipate more polished diningtable, but still with a great deal of multicultural flavour. Google “Tow Truck near me” If you need a lift
Shopping and Souvenirs
Lifestyle purchasing is where Kitsilano excels. Go to lululemon’s shop on West 4th (right opposite the first upstairs place ) to browse the corporation’s range of luxury yoga and active-wear. Along the same stretch, you will get quite a few outdoor apparel businesses, fashion boutiques, cafes, beauty and skin care shops, and spas. If you’re searching for gourmet items to take home, you will find a terrific choice of wine in addition to specialty grocers — you can also take home a bottle of The Naam’s famous miso gravy. West Broadway is a bit more locally-focused, but the strip still offers a great deal of independent boutiques and gift stores that make for a terrific afternoon of perusing. Check out Affordable Towing Kitsilano page!
For more information, see the Kitsilano West 4th Business Improvement Association, and the West Broadway Business Improvement Association online.
Find out about the history of Kitsilano BC
