Pacific Spirit Park trail
This weekend, venture out west. To West Point Grey to be exact. With its eastern boundary beginning at Alma Street, the West Point Grey (or Point Grey for short) neighbourhood is a pleasant stroll or short drive/ride away for many Kits residents. Here’s our guide on what to see, eat, and buy in this affluent, well-established section of Vancouver.
Exploring Kitsilano’s Neighbours, Part 1: West Point Grey
See
Point Grey’s average real estate prices may be in the multi-millions but it is nonetheless home to many university students, young families, and retirees that take advantage of the neighbourhood’s relaxed, friendly, and health-minded milieu. While it may appear more sedate than busy Kitsilano, Point Grey offers plenty of interesting attractions and sightseeing options. Take your pick from the numerous walking, running, hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails in Pacific Spirit Park or head down to Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks for often-empty stretches of sandy beach and pretty parkland. Take the kids to the large Trimble Park or discover the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, the Museum of Anthropology, and a working farm – all at UBC.
Eat
After working up an appetite from all those outings above, try the gourmet breakfast special and warm chocolate croissants at the new Tour De Feast cafe on West 10th Avenue, have a freshly-made soup & sandwich for lunch at the super family-friendly Darcy’s Cafe nearby (complete with a kids play area and a healthy & delicious kids menu), or snack on some french fries with an unbeatable view down at The Galley Patio and Grill at Jericho Beach. Bean Around The World is an excellent spot for coffee, while for dinner, choices include high quality, authentic Japanese at Takumi or serene fine dining at the Provence Mediterranean Grill, all on West 10th Avenue. If you’d like to escape typical Vancouver fare entirely then dine at the romance-inducing, warmly-lit Baru Latino at Alma Street before heading back home.
Buy
Travelling a few kilometers away from home may not warrant any souvenir shopping but don’t overlook the goodies available at Point Grey Village – the (mostly) independently-owned shopping district along West 10th Avenue: Daniel’s Chocolates offers handcrafted Belgian chocolates, retro candy, and French pastries, while The Butcher stocks local, organic meats perfect for that last warm-weather BBQ. Kaboodles is every kid’s (and parent’s) favourite toy store, Urban Yarns carries gorgeously cozy wools, and Top Ten Produce sells all kinds of fair-priced local and exotic groceries.
Last modified: September 24, 2014
