Welcome to the Vancouver Beaches Tour
Experience breathtaking coastal scenery, tranquility, and history with this self-guided Vancouver beaches driving tour. Learn about prominent figures like Old English Joe, Vancouver’s very first lifeguard, and Chief August Jack Khahtsahlano. Take in spacious beaches and look for the famed “Jericho Beach Bunnies.” Then hear about how the city’s become a bustling tech hub, uncover fun facts about the world-class University of British Columbia, and savor peaceful gardens.
About the Tour
Your tour begins at Morton Park, at 1800 Morton Avenue. From there, you’ll meet Old English Joe, Vancouver’s first lifeguard! Learn about his efforts to keep kids safe and unearth why the city refused to recognize his bravery for so long! Next up, you’ll pass tranquil Sunset Beach with its calm waters, variety of concessions, and grassy field.
As you keep driving, you’ll come to the historic Burrard Street Bridge, the oldest in Vancouver. Hear some of the secrets behind this structure, including a hidden stairwell and the thieves who plundered it during the Great Depression. Then you’ll arrive at Kitsilano Beach Park with its scenic views and heated outdoor saltwater pool. This is Canada’s longest, at 137 meters!
Next on your journey, you’ll meet another important figure, Chief August Jack Khahtsaholano. Hear about his efforts to keep Squamish traditions alive, and the many roles he filled over the years, including guide, logger, canoe builder, and medicine man!
Your journey next takes you to the swanky Kitsilano neighborhood, particularly popular among young professionals. Here you’ll learn about the big names who’ve lived here, like Ryan Reynolds. As you keep driving, you’ll also learn why Vancouver’s such a hot filming location and hear about some popular movies and shows shot in the city, such as Twilight and Final Destination. Then continue onto Jericho Beach Park. As you pass, keep your eye out for the famed “Jericho Beach Bunnies,” and learn how they came to be here!
After that, you’ll proceed past Locarno Beach Park and Spanish Banks Beach Park. The latter is the most spacious in the area, stretching a mile. You’ll also discover how this beach is a kiteboarding hotspot and learn a little more about this daunting, but fun sport!
Next, you’ll unearth how Vancouver became such a tech hub and find out which big names have left their mark on the city.
Your drive will then take you past the University of British Columbia. As you keep moving, you’ll learn of the university’s relationship with the First Nations people and hear how hundreds of students and faculty fought for the British in World War I.
The journey takes a more tranquil turn with a visit to the Nitobe Memorial Garden. Here, you’ll hear the story of its namesake. Learn how he sought to promote a better of understanding of Japanese culture in the West. Then swing past the Greenheart TreeWalk, where visitors navigate suspended walkways and canopies up to 20 meters high, while taking in views of the city’s majestic trees!
The journey comes to an end at the University of British Columbia’s Botanical Gardens.
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Starting Point
You can begin the tour at the suggested starting locations provided below.
Morton Park, 1800 Morton Ave, Vancouver, BC V6G 1V3, Canada
Begin from Morton Park, 1800 Morton Ave, Vancouver, BC V6G 1V3, Canada.
How Does It Work?
- Access your tour: Download the Action Tour Guide app and sign in with the same email used for your website purchase. Your tour will appear under My Tours.
- Download your tour: Download it before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.
- Start your tour: Open My Tours, select your tour, and tap Start Touring when you reach a starting point.
- Listen your way: Use your phone’s speaker or headphones, or connect to your car’s audio system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not currently supported, compatibility is in development.
- GPS-triggered audio: Stories play automatically as you reach each location along the route.
- Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day. Tours are valid forever (one year for Action+).
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
The tour begins at Morton Park, located at 1800 Morton Avenue.
Old English Joe was Vancouver’s first lifeguard. Visitors will learn about his efforts to keep children safe and why the city took so long to recognize his bravery.
Sunset Beach is known for its calm waters, concessions, and grassy field.
The Burrard Street Bridge is the oldest in Vancouver, and visitors will hear about its secrets, including a hidden stairwell and a theft that occurred during the Great Depression.
Kitsilano Beach Park features a heated outdoor saltwater pool, which is Canada’s longest at 137 meters.
Chief August Jack Khahtsaholano played multiple roles in Squamish traditions, including guide, logger, canoe builder, and medicine man. The tour highlights his efforts to preserve these traditions.
Ryan Reynolds is among the big names who have lived in the Kitsilano neighborhood.
Visitors should keep an eye out for the famed “Jericho Beach Bunnies” and learn about how they came to be in the park. Jericho Beach Park itself is a notable attraction.
Popular movies and shows filmed in Vancouver include Twilight and Final Destination, among others.
The tour concludes at the University of British Columbia’s Botanical Gardens.
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Inclusions and Exclusions
Action Tour Guide app: Download the app to access your purchased tour.GPS-triggered audio: Stories and directions play automatically as you reach each location.Tour anytime: Single tours and bundles never expire and can be used anytime. Action+ is an annual subscription that automatically renews each year unless canceled.Narrated stories: Hear local history, culture, and stories from experienced narrators.Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day.Offline access: Download your tour before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.Stories, stops, and directions: Follow the route to key attractions with automatic directions and stories at each location.Transportation: Transportation, parking fees, and tolls are not included.Admission: Entry tickets and reservations are not included. Food and drinks: Meals and drinks are not included.Rental car: A rental car is not included and may be required for driving tours. 
