English Bay at sunset

English Bay Beach

Sit on a driftwood log and watch the sun drop behind the freighters

Hours

Beach always open

Tickets

Free

Address

The beach at Beach Avenue and Denman Street in the West End

Ask a Vancouverite where to watch the sunset and this is usually the answer. The west-facing sand is lined with driftwood logs, and come evening people perch on them to watch the sun sink behind the silhouettes of freighters at anchor. In the park next door, fourteen giant bronze men grin wildly, and everyone mimics them for photos. The late-July fireworks festival and the New Year's Day polar bear swim both happen here.