The '''North Shore''' of the Burrard Inlet is a suburban area of Vancouver in the Lower Mainland, British Columbia, Canada. The North Shore is where dense urban meets dramatic tall mountains. Formally the separate municipalities of the '''District of West Vancouver''' [http://www.westvancouver.net], '''City of North Vancouver''' [http://www.cnv.org] and the '''District of North Vancouver''' [http://www.dnv.org], they are in practice one destination. The mountains provide attractions like the '''Grouse Mountain''' ski resort. At the west of the North Shore is '''Horseshoe Bay''', ferry terminal to the Sunshine Coast.

Understand

The first European settlers started to arrive in the North Shore in the 1860s, attracted by the logging potential of its old growth forests. The lumber, in turn, was attractive to ship builders and a ship building industry was born that would be important to the region for decades. The settlement grew and by 1891 the residents had organized and incorporated the '''District of North Vancouver''', which covered the entire region from Horseshoe Bay to Deep Cove. "North Vancouver" was chosen as the name so potential real estate investors would better know where their land was.

Most of the early settlement and industry focused on what is now considered Lower and Central Lonsdale. Residents in this area felt they could do better if they separated from the District, so the '''City of North Vancouver''' was incorporated in 1907, taking with it the municipal hall, the ferry connections to Vancouver and most of the business and industry in the North Shore. Meanwhile, people living west of the Capilano River were becoming anxious that the increasing industry in the North Shore would affect them. This led to the incorporation of the '''District of West Vancouver''' in 1912 to preserve the residential nature of the area.

Although most of this happened almost 100 years ago and the borders of the three municipalities are pretty much indistinguishable now, it has certainly shaped the structure of the North Shore. The City of North Vancouver has become an urban area and retains the ferry connections with Vancouver (if not all the industry); West Vancouver remains overwhelmingly residential and commercial; and the District of North Vancouver is a little bit of everything with commercial and industrial pockets scattered throughout, but no central area.

The North Shore has also been shaped by the recreation opportunities it offers to locals and tourists alike. Early enthusiasts from Vancouver and elsewhere would brave ferry rides and long treks up the local mountains to go skiing or hiking. Over the years, parks were set aside, trails cut and ski areas built to make it more accessible. The local mountains were early hot-spots for and helped push snowboarding and mountain biking and remain favorite locations for pro photo shoots. Many people choose to live in the North Shore today for the lifestyle options it offers.

Although there are two "North Vancouvers" with separate city councils, nearly everyone refers to them as a single entity of "North Vancouver".

Get in

Most people will enter the North Shore from Vancouver by road or through the Translink system.

The bridge itself is three lanes with sidewalks on either side for walking or cycling. The center lane is controlled by traffic signals, so it alternates direction depending on the traffic conditions. The bridge is best avoided during rush hour (if you're in a car, at least) but otherwise provides a more scenic entrance (or exit) to the North Shore than the larger Second Narrows Bridge.}}

By car

If you're coming from Vancouver, you enter the North Shore by either '''Highway 1''' (Trans Canada Highway) across the '''Second Narrows Bridge''' into North Vancouver or by '''Highway 99''' across the '''Lion's Gate Bridge''' into West Vancouver. Visitors travelling '''south on Highway 99''' from Squamish or Whistler will arrive in the North Shore just above Horseshoe Bay.

By bus

The [http://www.translink.bc.ca TransLink] bus system connects both North and West Vancouver with the rest of the TransLink system in Vancouver and its surrounding suburbs. Going to the North Shore means crossing a fare zone boundary so a ticket to/from Vancouver, Burnaby or Richmond will cost $3.75 and a ticket to/from Surrey will cost $5.00.

By boat

TransLink also provides a ferry option to get to the North Shore, called the '''Seabus'''. This is a passenger only ferry that goes from '''Waterfront Station''' in Downtown Vancouver to '''Lonsdale Quay''' in North Vancouver. A ticket or transfer used on a bus or the Skytrain is also accepted on the Seabus.

The '''SeaBus''' runs every 15 minutes until 6:45pm M-F and 10am - 6:15pm on Saturdays. It runs every half hour at all other times. The SeaBus operates from about 6:00am to 1:20am, with shorter hours on Sunday. A schedule is available on the TransLink's website.

[http://www.bcferries.bc.ca BC Ferries] has a ferry terminal in Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) with three routes servicing it, including one from Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. The ferry terminal has a road that connects directly to Highway 1 and Translink bus connections as well (routes 250, 257, 259 and C12).

Get around

It is convenient to get around the North Shore by driving or taking the bus. There is also a variety of hiking and biking trails. The bus service is mostly aimed at getting people downtown so travelling from one part of the North Shore to another may involve a transfer. However, it is possible to reach many of the attractions by bus. There is excellent service between the SeaBus and many of the attractions on the North Shore, such as the Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge or the Grouse Mountain Skyride.

Parking is quite plentiful and usually free on the North Shore. The City of North Vancouver has talked about installing meters around Lonsdale Avenue, but so far nothing has been done.

By road

Two provincial highways -- Hwy #1 and Hwy #99 -- cross the North Shore and provide main thoroughfares for getting around it. Hwy 1, or the '''Upper Levels Highway''', runs east-west from the Second Narrows Bridge in North Vancouver to Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver. '''Hwy 99''' runs north-south through West Vancouver from Horseshoe Bay to the Lions Gate Bridge.

Another major street that runs east-west, roughly parallel to the waterfront, is the combination of '''Marine Drive - 3rd St - Cotton Rd - Main Street''' (roughly one street but different names in different spots). '''Lonsdale Avenue''' runs north-south through middle of the City of North Vancouver, while '''Capilano Road''' and '''Taylor Way''' provide access from the northern parts of the cities to the Lions Gate Bridge. Many shops, restaurants and businesses are located along Marine Drive and Lonsdale Avenue.

By bus

The North Shore bus system is built around the three hubs of '''Park Royal''' in West Van, '''Lonsdale Quay''' in North Van and '''Phibbs Exchange''' in North Van. Buses run between each of these hubs and out to the various attractions and parts of the region (e.g., Grouse Mountain, Horseshoe Bay, Deep Cove, etc.). Park Royal and Lonsdale Quay have buses that connect with downtown Vancouver while Phibbs Exchange has buses that connect with Vancouver and Burnaby. Travel within the North Shore on the bus system is considered one zone and costs $2.50. Taking the bus outside of the North Shore will be two or three zone travel and will cost more ($3.75 or $5.00, depending on the destination), unless it is a weekday after 6:30pm or a weekend/holiday (when all zones are $2.50). If you are a student (in some cases a valid student ID will be requested) then the fare for one zone is 2.50. If it is after 6 pm or a weekend/holiday then the fare will be $1.75 regardless of zones crossed.

West Vancouver has '''Blue Buses''' with a distinctive appearance, but they take the same transfers and fares that the other Translink buses in Greater Vancouver do.

By bike

For those who want a good workout (there are a lot of hills), there are many designated bike routes on the North Shore. Generally, they are well signed and on quieter streets, but do not always have bike lanes marked on the pavement. A map is available from the Translink website.

Villages in the North Shore

It is common to see references to areas like Deep Cove and Horseshoe Bay when books, websites, locals, etc. talk about the North Shore. These areas are like village centers within the city, but are not big enough to be districts. They include:

  • '''Deep Cove''' [http://www.deepcovebc.com/] is nestled below Mount Seymour next to Indian Arm and is a great area to relax and enjoy the scenery. Very busy on the weekends in summer, it has a number of small shops, restaurants, parks, canoe/kayak rentals and hiking. Or you can grab some takeaways, sit on the grass and watch everyone play around you. Deep Cove is reached by taking the Dollarton Highway exit from Hwy 1 (first exit after crossing the Second Narrows Bridge) and following it until it ends or by bus #212 or #211.
  • '''Lynn Valley''' lies north of Highway 1 near Lynn Creek and is focused on Lynn Valley Road (exit 19 on Hwy 1 or by bus #228, #229, #210 or #255). It includes shops and restaurants plus two regional parks with hiking and swimming opportunities. It is also home to the North Vancouver archives and boasts a new Library and plaza designed to give the community a central meeting place.
  • '''Lower Lonsdale''' refers to the lower portion of Lonsdale Ave and the waterfront around '''Lonsdale Quay'''. Parts of it were previously used for industry and ship building, but it is now being converted to condo towers, shops and restaurants. Lower Lonsdale can be reached by heading south on Lonsdale Ave from Hwy 1 (exit 18) or on the SeaBus (and many other bus routes) via Lonsdale Quay.
  • '''Edgemont Village''' is a two block strip of small shops and restaurants in the District of North Vancouver. To drive there, head north from the Westview exit on Highway 1 (exit 17), turn left at Queens Ave and then turn right at Edgemont Rd. Alternatively, head north on Capilano Road and turn right onto Ridgewood. Bus service is provided by the #232 from Lonsdale or the #246.
  • '''Ambleside Village''' [http://www.amblesidevillage.ca/] is in West Vancouver across the harbor from Stanley Park. It has many shops and restaurants, plus a park and beach. To get to Ambleside from the Lions Gate Bridge, take Marine Drive west and drive past Park Royal Shopping Center. From Highway 1, take the 15th Street exit. Further west along Marine Drive is '''Dundarave''' [http://www.dundaravevillage.ca/], another village along the waterfront. Like Ambleside, it has shop and restaurants (although on a smaller scale), and there is a park with a small beach and pier that provides views across the harbor to Stanley Park and UBC.
  • '''Horseshoe Bay''' is a small village with a picturesque setting amongst the mountains that line Howe Sound. It also marks the end of Highway 1 and the start of the Sea-to-Sky highway, as well as having a BC Ferries terminal, so it provides both transportation and sightseeing opportunities. There are a small number of shops and restaurants and a couple of parks. A live web cam view [http://www.westvancouver.com/webcams/hbaycam/] of the bay shows all the marine traffic and BC Ferries ships as they travel in and out of the area.
  • See

  • '''Grouse Mountain''', 6400 Nancy Greene Way (''head north on Capilano Rd until it ends, or take bus #236 from Lonsdale Quay''), ''+1'' 604-984-0661, [http://www.grousemountain.com/]. Open every day, 9AM - 10PM. Board the Grouse Mountain Skyride at the parking lot and be carried up the mountain to the "Peak of Vancouver". Up top, there are various activities including (depending on the time of the year) hiking, skiing, ice skating, helicopter tours, a lumberjack show and a refuge for endangered animals. Indoors, there are restaurants, two shops and a theater. And if you tire of all that, there's always the view of Vancouver laid out below you. $11 - 30 (child - adult; ''price includes admission to many activities'').
  • Capilano Suspension Bridge. 735 Capilano Rd. few minutes north of Hwy 1 off Exit 14, or by bus #236 from Lonsdale Quay. 1 604-985-7474. nfo@capbridge.com. 1 604-985-7479. ttp://www.capbridge.com/. aily; 8:30am-9pm summer (June 28-Aug 10); 9am-5pm winter (Nov 2-Mar 14); closed Dec 25. dult $26.95; less for students, seniors, and children. The largest of the two suspension bridges in the North Shore at 137 m across and sitting 70 m above the Capilano River, the Capilano Suspension Bridge offers visitors more than a wobbly walk. The area includes nature trails, Treetops (a series of elevated platforms near the tree canopy), a First Nations cultural center and several restaurants. BC residents can exchange their full-price ticket for a 365-day membership which gives discounts on shopping and on future tickets for visitors. Bridge and far side of park are not wheelchair accessible.
  • '''Capilano Fish Hatchery''', 4500 Capilano Rd, ''+1'' 604-666-1790. Open every day, 8AM - 9PM in spring/summer, 8AM - dusk at other times. This is a working fish hatchery on the Capilano river in the '''Capilano River Regional Park'''. There are many displays about salmon and the glass walls allow you to see the salmon jumping up the ladder during spawning season (roughly July to November). Within the park, there are many hiking trails and a picnic area at the Cleveland Dam. Free.
  • '''Lighthouse Park''', West Vancouver, ''+1'' 604-925-7270 (for information about recreation programs and facility rentals.) Open every day, 6 AM - 10:30 PM. Lighthouse Park is located on Point Atkinson, a short drive off Marine Drive through a residential neighborhood. Trails wind over and around huge glacial boulders and old-growth forest, some leading down to various beaches with views of Vancouver. Very quiet and peaceful. There are picnic facilities (no fires permitted), bathrooms, and in season wildlife lectures. A great place for families with kids. You can take your dog, but he must be leashed between May and September to avoid disturbing seasonal wildlife. Free. {{IsIn|}}
  • '''Lynn Canyon Park''' (''head north on Lynn Valley Rd from Hwy 1 (Exit 19), turn right onto Peters Rd and follow it until it ends''), ''+1'' 604-984-3149. Open every day, 7AM - dusk. The park, set on Lynn Creek in North Vancouver, contains both the '''Lynn Canyon Suspension Bridge''' and the '''Lynn Valley Ecology Centre''', ''+1'' 604-981-3103, [http://www.dnv.org/ecology/]. The bridge, though smaller than the Capilano Suspension Bridge, is just as much fun to cross and connects to hiking trails on the both sides of the creek. The ecology center has a number of displays on ecology and many activities for young kids. The park is free; admission to the ecology center is by donation.
  • '''Maplewood Farm''', 405 Seymour River Place, ''+1'' 604-929-5610, [http://www.maplewoodfarm.bc.ca/]. Open 10AM - 4PM, every day (April to mid-Sept) or Tu-Su (mid-Sept to March). Once a working farm, Maplewood Farm is now open to the public so they can see what farming in North Vancouver was like. There are a number of traditional farm animals and a few more exotic animals. For kids, there are goats and rabbits to pet, ducks to feed and daily milking demonstrations. In the summer pony rides are often available for an extra charge on weekends. Adults $4.75, children and seniors $2.75.
  • Visit one of the many '''parks''' in the North Shore, including
  • * '''Park and Tilford Gardens''', 440-333 Brooksbank Avenue, ''+1'' 604-984-8200, [http://www.parkandtilford.ca/pandtgardens.htm]. Eight spectacular themed gardens created in 1969 as a community service project for the enjoyment of the people of North Vancouver. The Oriental Garden, The White Garden, The Rock Pool, The Native Garden, The Herb Garden, The Display Garden, The Colonade Garden, and the Rose Garden with its 300 plants offering over 24 varieties make up the Park and Tilford gardens.
  • *'''Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve''' [http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/water/LSCR.htm],
  • * '''Lynn Headwaters'''
  • * '''Cypress Falls'''
  • * '''Whytecliff Park'''
  • '''Maplewood Flats''' is a popular birders destination.
  • Do

    Skiing

    One of the things that drew people over to the North Shore in the early days was skiing and it continues to draw the crowds, particularly on weekends in January and February. The three ski hills offer a mix of downhill and cross-country skiing, tubing and snowshoeing. Opening and closing dates depend on the weather, but they are usually open by late November and close in early/mid April.

  • '''Cypress Mountain''' [http://www.cypressmountain.com/index.asp] is at the top of Cypress Bowl Road (Exit 8 from Hwy 1) in Cypress Provincial Park. The downhill area is spread across two mountains and has the largest vertical of the North Shore skifields with a good mix of beginner, intermediate and advanced runs. There is a cross-country and tubing area around Hollyburn Mountain. Cypress is usually open from 9 am to 4 pm throughout the season, with night skiing (closes at 10 pm) starting in early/mid Dec and extending until March. ''Full day Downhill tickets'' are $46 (adult), $39 (youth), $23 (seniors) and $20 (child). There is an extra premium over the Christmas period and discounts for evening (4 pm) and night (7 pm) skiing. ''Full day Cross country tickets'' are $17 (adult), $13 (youth), $11 (seniors) and $10 (child). Evening tickets (after 3 pm) are discounted.
  • '''Grouse Mountain''' [http://www.grousemountain.com/] is accessed through the Grouse Mountain Skyride at the northern end of Capilano Road (Exit 14 from Hwy 1 or bus #236 or #232). It is known for its terrain parks (Jib, Rookie and Advanced) and the great views it provides of Vancouver. You can also snowshoe on the trails at the top of the mountain. The ski area is usually open as long as the Skyride is open (9 am to 10 pm). ''Full day Downhill tickets'' are $45 (adult), $35 (youth), $35 (seniors) and $20 (child) with discounts for night skiing (4 pm).
  • '''Mount Seymour''' [http://www.mountseymour.com/] is located in Mt. Seymour Provincial Park. It provides downhill skiing, tubing, a toboggan area and snowshoeing. The ski area is usually open from 9:30 am to 4 pm throughout the season, with night skiing (closes at 10 pm) starting in early/mid Dec and extending until March. ''Full day Downhill tickets'' are $39 (adult), $32 (youth), $27 (seniors) and $19 (child) with discounts for night skiing (4 pm).
  • Mountain Biking

    The North Shore is world famous amongst mountain bikers as one of the best places to mountain bike. More information is available from the [http://www.nsmba.bc.ca North Shore Mountain Bike Association]. Some Favourite Trails are:

  • Mt Fromme
  • Seymour Mountain
  • Hiking

    There are a number of beautiful hikes to do on the North Shore. It should be noted that most of the provincial parks parking lots charge parking fees in the summer.

  • '''Baden Powell Trail''' named after the founder of the Boy Scouts goes across the entire North Shore from ''Horseshoe Bay'' to ''Deep Cove''. This is generally done in sections and can be accessed in a number of different locations.
  • '''Cypress Mountain'''
  • '''Cypress Falls''' a walk in the forest in West Vancouver along Cypress Creek, highlighted by two waterfalls.
  • '''Capilano Canyon'''
  • '''The Grouse Grind'''[http://www.grousemountain.com/] A stiff 2.9km hike, with 1,000m elevation gain, to the peak of Grouse Mountain. The busiest and best-known hiking trail in the Lower Mainland, this is more of a fitness thing than a outdoor experience. Proper footwear is highly recommended, and in the late afternoon, make sure to allow enough time to complete the climb before dusk. Stick to the trail as it is dangerous to stray off it. Admission is free. A tram ride back down is only five dollars if you want to save your knees.
  • '''Lynn Creek'''
  • '''Mount Seymour'''
  • For something less strenuous, you can walk the '''Sea Wall''' -- a paved walkway along the ocean that runs between Ambleside Park and Dundarave Village.

    Swimming

  • '''Ambleside Beach''' the nicest sandy beach on the North Shore, a common place to come for a walk, or to hang out on the beach. Has a nice view of Stanley Park and the Lions Gate Bridge.
  • '''Dundarave Beach''' a small, community-oriented beach in West Vancouver that is great for families. The beach is located at the west end of the West Vancouver seawall walk.
  • '''Lynn Creek''' There are a number of nice deep pools for swimming in on Lynn Creek. The water is quite cold, so most just do quick dips. Some locations are popular for cliff jumping. However, read the warning signs and be careful; there are deaths almost every year.
  • Kayaking

    Deep Cove has a few kayak rental shops. It is possible to go for a nice 1-hour kayak around the Deep Cove area or a multiple-day kayaking trip up Indian Arm.

    Festivals

  • Caribbean Days (summer)
  • Under the Volcano
  • Harmony Arts Festival (summer)
  • Coho Festival (September) [http://www.westvancouver.com/coho/index.php/festival]
  • Rev Up To Summer Motorcycle Show and Shine (May)
  • Deep Cove Days (August)
  • Learn

    Post secondary education on the North Shore is through '''Capilano University'''. Capilano University grants degrees, diplomas, and certificates in a wide area of programs, though mainly in trades and vocational programs. It also offers many continuing education courses.

    Buy

    Shopping Malls

    The biggest shopping mall in the North Shore is '''Park Royal Mall''', 752 Marine Drive at Taylor Way (''West Vancouver''), 604-925-9576, [http://www.shopparkroyal.com]. Open every day. A major shopping mall on the north and south sides of Marine Drive with indoor and outdoor shopping sections and restaurants. Anchor tenants include: The Bay, London Drugs, Super Value, Sport Check, Coast Mountain Sports, Future Shop, Linens & Things, Home Depot, Old Navy, Whole Foods.

    A smaller and quieter mall is the '''Capilano Mall''', 935 Marine Drive at Hamilton Ave (''North Vancouver''), 604-980-8561, [http://www.capilanomall.com]. Open every day. Anchor tenants are Sears and Walmart.

    There are also a number of local strip malls scattered across the North Shore, including:

  • '''Lynn Valley Centre''', 1199 Lynn Valley Rd (''North Vancouver''), [http://www.lynnvalleycentre.ca/].
  • '''Park & Tilford Shops & Gardens''', 333 Brooksbank (''North Vancouver''). An outdoor shopping mall built around a unique garden. The garden was built originally when the mall site was occupied by a distillery.
  • '''Parkgate Village Shopping Centre''', 3650 Mt. Seymour Parkway (''North Vancouver''), [http://www.parkgatevillage.ca/].
  • '''Caulfeild Shopping Centre''', Headland Drive (''West Vancouver''), [http://www.caulfeildvillage.ca/].
  • Additionally, many of the small villages within the North Shore have shopping districts, including Ambleside, '''Dundarave''' [http://www.dundaravevillage.ca/], Horseshoe Bay, Deep Cove and Edgemont Village (''Ridgewood Drive and Edgemont Boulevard''), [http://www.edgemontvillage.ca/]. A drive or walk along Lonsdale Avenue, Marine Drive and Main Street will also yield plenty of shopping opportunities.

    Souvenirs, Sports Equipment and Other Stuff

    A good spot for souvenirs (plus fresh produce, seafood and baked goods) is the '''Lonsdale Quay Market''', 123 Carrie Cates Court (''at the SeaBus terminal in North Vancouver''). Grouse Mountain has a gift shop in the bottom floor of the chalet with postcards, books, T-shirts, Native Art and other items. The '''Trading Post''' at Capilano Suspension Bridge has a large selection of First Nations art. There are also small gift shops in Deep Cove, Ambleside and Horseshoe Bay.

    If your equipment needs a tune-up or you just want something new, Lonsdale Avenue has a number of shops that sell and repair '''bikes, snowboards''' and '''skis''', as well as related accessories. If you need outdoor gear, a '''Mountain Equipment Co-op''' is at 1341 Main Street in North Vancouver. There are also a number of shops along Marine Drive that cater for these sports.

    For big-box style '''bookstores''', there are two Indigo's in the North Shore: one in Park Royal and one at 1025 Marine Drive (''at MacKay''). '''The Book Warehouse''', 1524 Lonsdale Ave, is part of an independant chain and has a good selection.

    Eat

    If you're looking to buy your own food, there are plenty of grocery stores (Safeway, Save-on-Foods, Superstore, IGA) scattered across the North Shore. There are also a number smaller stores that sell produce (Kin's Market is one chain), as does the market at Lonsdale Quay.

    The North Shore has a large number of restaurants serving a variety of tastes. Generally, if you drive along Marine Drive or Lonsdale Avenue you won't have a problem finding a restaurant. A selection of restaurants is below.

    Budget

  • Beans on Lonsdale. 804 Lonsdale Ave. 8th and Lonsdale. 04-985-2326. AM-11PM M-F, 7AM-11PM Sa-Su. 3-$7. Popular coffee shop with sandwiches and soups. Usually has live music on Thursday nights.
  • Brazza. 846 Lonsdale Avenue. 04-904-2333. ttp://www.brazza.biz. AM-11PM M-F, 8AM-11PM Sa-Su. 3-$7. Coffee and one of the largest selections of gelato in the North Shore.
  • Bread Garden (Lonsdale). 16 East 14th St. 04-904-1182. 5-$10. A bakery and cafe that serves a mix of paninis, wraps, soups, salads and hot food. The food is tasty, although the desserts are a bit overpriced.
  • Bread Garden Bakery & Cafe - Park Royal. 50 Park Royal North. art of the Park Royal complex on the north side of Marine Dr. 04-925-0181. 5-$15. Serves traditional Bread Garden fare but also has a grill and a couple of beers on tap.
  • Sushi Station. 643 Lonsdale Ave. 04-990-8897. Very cheap and reasonably good sushi.
  • Waves Coffee House. 050 Mountain Highway. ynn Valley. 04-990-8799. ttp://www.wavescoffee.ca. This coffee shop also offers a selection of coffee alternatives while providing free wireless internet access.

    Mid-range

  • '''Andrea's''', 153 West 16th St (''one block west of Lonsdale''), 604-985-0414. A neighborhood restaurant that's been around for a while. It serves mostly Greek and Italian food with large portions for reasonable prices. $10-$20.
  • Bella Candela. 09 West Esplanade. ear the corner of Lonsdale and Esplanade. 04-983-3636. ttp://www.bellacandela.com. 1:30AM-10PM M-F, 10:30AM-10PM Sa-Su (restaurant closes between 3PM-5PM). 10-$25. Pizza, pasta and tapas in an old heritage building.
  • '''Burgoo''', 3 Lonsdale Ave, 604-904-0933, [http://www.burgoo.ca]. Cozy restaurant that serves a variety of soups, sandwiches, stews and curries. Starters $3-$9; Mains $7-$16.
  • '''Colosseum Pizza''', 107 East 12th Street (''first block east of Lonsdale''), 604-980-2212. A restaurant with a pizza selection built around the owners' travels through the Mediterranean. Choose from "Italian classic" pizza (including one with potato slices!), "Canadiana" pizza, pasta or something from the grill, dine-in or take-out. $9-$27.
  • Crave Beachside. 362 Marine Dr. ear 14th & Marine in Ambleside. 04-926-3332. ww.craveonmain.ca. 10-$25 for a main. A good mix of dishes in a casual atmosphere. The patio in the back looks out at Ambleside and the harbour.
  • Krua Thai. 445 Lonsdale Ave. 04-990-9349. ttp://www.kruathai.ca. 1:30AM-2PM M-F (lunch), 5PM-9PM M-Sa (dinner). 8-$15 for a curry. Not as spicy as some but very good Thai food.
  • '''Mumbai Masala''', 138 West 16th St (''one block west of Lonsdale''), 604-984-8888, [http://www.mumbaimasala.ca]. A mix of Indian dishes. $8-$15.
  • '''Thai House''', 180 West Esplanade, 604-987-9911, [http://www.thaihouse.com]. Open 7 days a week from 11am to 10:30pm nightly. Established since 1986 enjoy authentic Thai cuisine with a wide array of mild to spicy dishes. Other locations include: Downtown, Richmond, Kitsilano, Yaletown and English Bay. '''Note: This location is currently closed while it moves to a new location. It will reopen later in the year.'''
  • '''Tommy's''', 1308 Ross Road, (''Lynn Valley''), 604-988-0053. Open daily for breakfast and lunch (8:00am to 2:00pm). This restaurant is a mountain bikers favourite. They serve very good breakfast with free range eggs and nitrate free bacon if you wish.
  • Splurge

  • The Beach House. 50 25th St. t the Dundarave Pier in West Vancouver. 04-922-1414. Another North Shore restaurant that specializes in seafood. The view of Vancouver harbour is fabulous. Mains $30-$40.
  • The Boathouse. 695 Nelson Ave. n the waterfront in Horseshoe Bay. 04-921-8188. ttp://www.boathouserestaurants.ca. ains $15-$40, appetizers $7-$12. Built out over the water in Horseshoe Bay, this restaurant has a large seafood selection including a variety of fresh fish, oysters and Atlantic lobsters. If fish isn't your thing, there are a number of steaks and a large wine menu. There is also an outdoor patio to enjoy the sunny days.
  • Carmelo's. 448 Marine Drive. mbleside. 04-922-4719. 04-922-4613. ttp://www.carmelos.ca. ains $12-$30, appetizers $6-$15. Serves a variety of pasta, meat and pizza dishes.
  • Moustache Cafe. 29 West 2nd Street. 04-987-8461. ttp://www.moustachecafe.ca. pen Tu-Su 5PM-12PM. ains $20-$35. Casual upscale restaurant with a mix of meat and seafood dishes.
  • The Observatory. 400 Nancy Greene Way. ocated at Grouse Mountain and accessed through the Skyride. 04-980-9311. ttp://grousemtn.com/grousemountain-observatory-restaurant.cfm. pen daily, 5PM-10PM. ains $39, appetizers $16. Pricey, but good food. Restaurant is located in the top floor of the chalet atop Grouse Mountain. Admission to Grouse Mountain is complimentary with advance dinner reservations.
  • The Ocean Club. 00 Park Royal. cross the street from Park Royal. 04-926-2326. ttp://www.theoceanclub.ca. PM-1AM Tu-Th, 5PM-3AM F-Su (closed Mondays). 50+. Restaurant and lounge that serves a variety of fish and meat dishes.
  • Salmon House on the Hill. 229 Folkestone Way. xit #10 off Hwy #1 in West Vancouver. 04-926-3212. ttp://www.salmonhouse.com. ains $25-$35, appetizers $8-$15 (the restaurant will also offer periodic specials where you can get a three course dinner for $30-$35, it's usually advertised in local papers). Set on a hill overlooking the entrance to Vancouver harbour, you can enjoy both your food and your view while you eat. Salmon (in various styles) is the signature dish, but there are plenty of other options on the menu.

    Drink

    The nightlife on the North Shore is pretty much non-existent. One has to cross the Burrard inlet to Vancouver to find night clubs. However, there are a number of good Neighbourhood pubs:

  • '''Sailor Hagar's Brew Pub''', 233 W 1st St (''Short walk from Lonsdale Quay''), 604-984-3087, [http://www.bestbeerbc.com/]. Everything a pub should be, includes a great selection of beers, nice woodwork, and a fun atmosphere.
  • '''Jack Lonsdale's''', 127-1433 Lonsdale (''15th and Lonsdale''), 604-986-7333.
  • '''The Black Bear Neighbourhood Pub''', 1177 Lynn Valley Rd (''Lynn Valley''), 604-990-8880.
  • '''The Raven''', 1052 Deep Cove Rd (''Deep Cove''), 604-929-3834, [http://www.theravenpub.com]. Excellent pub food at cheap prices; well worth the money. Cheap wing Wednesday nights are especially popular.
  • '''Seymour's Pub''' Usual pub fare at reasonable prices. Friday nights are busy with young locals especially during winter months.
  • '''Mesquito Creek''' Centrally located on the North Shore. Thursday nights draw in larger crowds for their feature karaoke night.
  • '''Queen's Cross Neighbourhood Pub'''. Casual atmosphere and a diverse menu featuring great sandwiches.
  • Sleep

    There are seven hotels/motels on the North Shore, and a new waterfront hotel is to open in the winter of 2009. Accommodation on the North Shore is typically less expensive than downtown, offers easy access to anywhere you may want to go in the region, and most properties offer free parking.

    The cluster of motels/inns around Capilano Road and Marine Drive are just 10-15 minutes from downtown Vancouver and are just minutes from the North Shore's many activities, attractions and shopping. Most offer a complimentary breakfast. They are centrally located on the North shore and very close to Hwy. 1. This is the main highway that cuts across the North Shore and leads to Whistler or toward Vancouver and environs east.

    The newly renovated Lonsdale Quay Hotel is located on the Waterfront, directly across from downtown Vancouver and the new Convention Centre. It offers exceptional views and ease of access to the city via, the SeaBus terminal which is adjacent to the hotel. It is located above the Lonsdale Quay Market, with its many fresh food vendors, shops and more.

    The Holiday Inn and Suites is the latest North Shore hotel, located at the north end of the Ironworkers Second Narrows Bridge. It is well situated just off Hwy. 1 for ease of access to anywhere you may want to go, whether you are on your way to Whistler or visiting/working in the Metro Vancouver area. It also offers diverse amenities including an indoor pool and fitness centre, cocktail lounge, a Pantry Restaurant on-site, an adjacent pub, day spa, and wine and beer store.

    Budget

  • Capilano R.V. Park. 95 Tomahawk Avenue. rom the Lions Gate Bridge, head east on Marine Drive, turn right onto Capilano Rd and follow the signs. 1 604-987-4722. ttp://www.capilanorvpark.com. This campground and RV park is set between the Capilano River and the Lions Gate Bridge. It has a swimming pool, laundromat, showers, Internet connection and other amenities.

    Midrange

    There are a number of chain motels located round the intersection of Capilano Rd and Marine Drive, offering similar style rooms and amenities. The buildings are a bit older and nothing is four or five star luxury, but reviewers consistently indicate the rooms are clean and comfortable. Prices are typically $80-$180, depending on the size of the room and the time of the year.

  • Best Western Capilano Inn & Suites. 634 Capilano Rd. -800-644-4227 (toll-free) or +1 604-987-8185. nfo@bestwesterncapilano.com. ttp://www.bestwesterncapilano.com.
  • Comfort Inn & Suites. 748 Capilano Rd. -888-988-3181 (toll-free) or +1 604-988-3181. nfo@vancouvercomfort.com. 1 604-904-2755. ttp://www.vancouvercomfort.com. PM. 1AM.
  • Grouse Inn. 633 Capilano Rd. -800-779-7888 (toll-free) or +1 604-988-7101. ttp://www.grouseinn.com.
  • North Vancouver Hotel. 800 Capilano Rd. -800-663-4055 (toll-free) or +1 604-987-4461. nfo@northvancouverhotel.ca. ttp://www.northvancouverhotel.ca.

    Splurge

  • '''Holiday Inn''', 700 Old Lillooet Road (''just off Hwy 1 Exit 22''), ''+1'' 604-985-3111, [http://www.hinorthvancouver.com]. Easily accessible just off the Second Narrows Bridge with plenty of amenities. $125 - $219 (''with higher prices during peak periods'').
  • '''Lonsdale Quay Hotel''' 123 Carrie Cates Court, ''+1'' 604-986-6111, [http://lonsdalequayhotel.com]. A hotel on the top floor of Lonsdale Quay with many rooms having a great view of the harbour.
  • '''Ocean Breeze Executive B&B''', 462 1st St E (''Lower Lonsdale''), 1-800-567-5171 (outside North America ''+1'' 604-988-0546), [http://www.oceanbreezevancouver.com]. Just a few blocks from Lonsdale Quay, this B&B sits a couple of blocks up from the water. Many rooms have a view of the Vancouver skyline, small pets are allowed and it has wireless Internet access. $125-$195.
  • Contact

    Most of the commercial and residential areas of the North Shore have cell phone coverage. However, the terrain here is quite mountainous and therefore there are dead spots here and there and once you get off on the hiking trails you lose cell phone coverage amazingly quickly.

    There are a few internet cafes on Lonsdale avenue.

    Stay safe

    When hiking in the mountains here, do not go beyond your abilities or provisions. Stay on well marked trails and leave plenty of time to get back to the trailhead before night fall which happens quite quickly in the dense forest. Many hikers have to get rescued every weekend from the trails in the summer. Most of these are unnecessary rescues where tourists were completely unprepared and got lost on the trails.

    There are a lot of black bears around in the summer. Be Bear aware when hiking around the North Shore areas.

    Cope

    Get out

    If you're not ready to return to Vancouver yet, the North Shore offers several options for day trips and moving on.

    Northward on '''Hwy 99''' takes you through the Sea to Sky region, which offers varied outdoor activities including hiking, swimming, rock climbing and camping. It also takes you to the resort area of Whistler, with its nightlife, fine dining and a wide variety of activities that will keep you busy regardless of what season it is.

    An alternative way to get to Whistler is by train on the '''Whistler Mountaineer'''[http://www.whistlermountaineer.com]. The trip is designed to maximize viewing opportunities so the train does not move fast (approximately 3 hrs each way). There are a variety of options available (day trip, overnight packages, one-way train with bus or float plane options back). One way on the standard Coast Classic car is $105/$55 (adult/child); round trip is $189/$99. The more upscale Glacier Dome car is $175/$125 one-way and $299/$209 round-trip. The train runs from May to October.

    Vancouver Island is a 1 hr 35 minute ferry ride away via '''BC Ferries''' and the '''Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal'''. Arriving in Nanaimo, you can head down island to Victoria, the capital of British Columbia, or across the island to Tofino, where you can go whale-watching, surf and storm-watch. Other ferry destinations from Horseshoe Bay are Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast.

    For something more adventurous, rent a kayak in Deep Cove or charter a boat and head up '''Indian Arm''' to Indian Arm Provincial Park for the day or camp overnight with the sound of the waves lapping against the shore.