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Getting There
Stanley Park is at the western end of downtown Vancouver — about a 20-minute walk from the main hotel district, or take bus 19 (Stanley Park) from Pender Street. The park entrance at Pipeline Road and Georgia Street is the main gateway; the Denman Street area just outside the park has bike rentals, restaurants, and English Bay beach access.
By car: there's parking at multiple lots inside the park (paid, busy in summer — arrive before 9am or after 4pm). By Mobi bike share: several docking stations exist around the park entrance and along Denman Street. The seawall is car-free throughout, making bikes the most efficient way to do the full loop.
The Seawall
The Stanley Park Seawall — 8.8km around the park's perimeter — is one of the world's great urban walks. On foot, allow 2.5–3 hours for the full loop; on a bike, 1–1.5 hours. The path is paved, essentially flat, and goes one-way for cyclists (counter-clockwise). Pedestrians can walk in either direction on the outer path.
The views change constantly: from Coal Harbour and the seaplanes in the east, to the open water of English Bay in the south, to the dramatic rock face of Prospect Point under the Lions Gate Bridge in the north. On a clear day — common in July — you can see the snowy peaks of the Vancouver Island mountains across the Strait of Georgia.
Bike rentals are available on Denman Street (just outside the park entrance) starting at $12/hour for a standard bike. Electric bikes and tandem bikes are also available. Rent early on busy summer days — they sell out.
Beaches
Second Beach on the southwest side of the seawall is the park's main family beach, with a heated outdoor pool ($7.50 adults, $5.50 children), a playground, and a concession stand. It gets packed on hot days but there's generally room.
Third Beach, slightly further along the seawall, is less crowded and more atmospheric — a long sandy arc backed by trees, with fire pits available in the evenings (first-come, first-served). One of the best places in Vancouver to watch the sunset.
Beaver Lake in the park's interior is a freshwater lake — no swimming, but a peaceful spot for a walk in the forest away from the seawall crowds.
Totem Poles & First Nations History
The Brockton Point Totem Poles are one of Vancouver's most visited landmarks — a collection of 9 poles representing different nations from the Pacific Northwest and BC. They're on the east side of the seawall, about 2km from the park entrance.
The land Stanley Park sits on is the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh nations, who used the peninsula for thousands of years. The Prospect Point area has interpretive signage about this history. If you want to go deeper, the Museum of Anthropology at UBC has a world-class collection of First Nations art and culture.
Prospect Point
At the northern tip of the park, Prospect Point offers the best views in Stanley Park — the Lions Gate Bridge spanning the inlet, cargo ships queued in the harbour, and the North Shore mountains rising behind. There's a viewing area, a café (Prospect Point Bar & Grill), and a gift shop.
This is also the point where the seawall passes through a rocky shoreline section with the most dramatic scenery. If you only bike or walk part of the seawall, make sure this section is included.
Lost Lagoon & Forest Trails
The park's interior has over 200 acres of old-growth forest with 27km of trails. Lost Lagoon — at the park's southern entrance — is a freshwater lake with walking paths, abundant birdlife (herons, Canada geese, ducks), and a peaceful atmosphere that feels nothing like downtown Vancouver despite being minutes away.
The forest trails range from easy boardwalked paths to slightly rougher routes through old-growth cedar and hemlock. A few trails connect to viewpoints above the seawall, giving you elevated perspectives of the water and city. Bring bug spray in the evening — the forest has mosquitoes.
Food in the Park
The Fish House in Stanley Park is the park's best restaurant — excellent Pacific seafood in a heritage building near the tennis courts. Reservations recommended. Prospect Point Bar & Grill is more casual, with reasonable food and outstanding views. The Second Beach Concession near the pool does decent fish and chips, burgers, and ice cream.
For a budget option, bring your own picnic from Granville Island or a downtown grocery — there are dozens of picnic spots throughout the park.