The #1 'most livable city' in Canada is this spot with enchanting forest trails and beaches

Surrounded by ocean on one side and thick forest with ancient trees, rushing creeks and hidden waterfalls on the other sits this B.C. city. It's that utopian blend of vibrant city life and access to amenities with the kind of nature that makes you feel completely disconnected.

Usually, having one of those comes with the trade-off of the other, but not here — not in North Vancouver. It's all worked to help earn the city the title of the "most livable" city in all of Canada, in a ranking of Canada's Most Livable Cities by The Globe and Mail.

The rankings goal was to help Canadians find the cities where they can best thrive, looking at things like access to amenities and weather. While North Vancouver may have its drawbacks (also being ranked among the most expensive city in the country), the pros are hard to ignore.

Vancouver is just across the Burrard Inlet here, but even with the proximity to one of Canada's biggest metropolitan hubs, North Vancouver manages to feel a tad quaint.

Deep Cove is the neighbourhood here with the most quaint small-town vibes. The little village is the spot to go for a wholesome weekend afternoon, with charming storefronts lining streets overlooking tranquil water. Pair it with the rolling mountains in the distance, and you've got yourself a picture-perfect town.

Don't miss Honey Doughnuts there, which is famous for its celeb visits and delicious treats.

After grabbing a donut, you can even rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore the shoreline and live out that classic North Vancouverite lifestyle.

For a more lively vibe, you've got Lower Langsdale, which feels more like a bustling town. Picturesque streets here are lined with cute coffee shops and trendy restaurants, and then there are boutiques, food trucks, vintage pop-ups and even a night market in the summer months.

Nothing beats grabbing a scoop at Earnest Ice Cream here and roaming around the avenues. Make sure to also stop in at The Quay Market & Food Hall, which has a bunch of cool shops.

The SeaBus also leaves from here, making it easy to get over to Vancouver if you need to.

This is where you meet up with friends for happy hour after work, then take a stroll along the waterfront and think to yourself, "life is good."

If you're more of a hiker than happy hour-goer — have no fear — you are in B.C. after all. While Vancouver has access to all the same incredible nature the region is known for, North Vancouver is right in the thick of it.

Adventure is knocking at your door, with beautiful trails in the summer and skiing in the winter on the local mountains — Grouse Mountain or Mt. Seymour.

You get after-work views that people travel from around the country to experience, all on a typical day.

For an easy escape into nature that feels like you've left any and all signs of city life behind, head to Lynn Canyon Park. Nestled within the greenery of this place are gems like the 30 Foot Pool swimming hole, a free suspension bridge floating over a rushing creek, and idyllic lakes.

Lynn Headwaters Regional Park in North Vancouver has a popular but worthwhile trail called Norvan Falls that leads you seven kilometres into the forest to a waterfall that cascades down off a cliff.

That's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the wilderness here, so your exploration has no bounds.

Picture this — you go for a morning hike amongst towering trees, grab a coffee and enjoy it in Deep Cove with a view. Then you end the day with a dinner in the Shipyards, and grab a scoop from Earnest for a dessert to take with you for an evening stroll along the waterfront.

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