7 Underrated spots in and around Vancouver where you can catch sunset views

Summer nights just got better. 🌅

A sunset from a beach. Right: A person watching the sunset sitting on a beach.

Vancouver sunset. Right: Person watching the sun go down on Sunset Beach in Vancouver.

Editor

One of the best things to do in Vancouver is sit on a beach waiting for the sun to dip below the ocean horizon and light up the sky with colour. The city is pretty magical most days, with its surrounding mountains and sparkling coastal views, but on a clear summer night, a sunset makes it downright spectacular.

Everyone loves chasing a good sunset though, so knowing where to go is key to avoiding crowds while still getting an unmatched view of the skyline.

We've compiled a list of the best places to watch the sunset in Vancouver so you can get the picture-perfect ending to a day.

Lighthouse Park

Address: 4902 Beacon Ln, West Vancouver, BC

Why You Need To Go: Go a bit early so you can explore the beautiful trails that wind around this park. You can take in the coastal old-growth forest before arriving at the picturesque lighthouse, set atop a rock and looking out onto the ocean. The unobstructed view of the water makes this the ideal place to watch the sun go down.

The park isn't a secret by any means, but the shoreline has lots of rocks to climb onto and watch the sunset from, so you don't feel like it's overly crowded here.

West Vancouver website

Queen Elizabeth Park

Address: 4600 Cambie St., Vancouver, BC

Why You Need To Go: The beaches of Vancouver are unmatched, but there are loads of other good sunset viewing spots, and Queen Elizabeth Park proves it. The park has a perfectly manicured garden with lush greenery and beautiful flowers, creating a serene escape right in the city. From the viewpoint here you can see the city and mountains, and watch the sun go down from high above. 

City of Vancouver website

The Beach House Restaurant

Address: 150 25th St., West Vancouver, BC

Why You Need To Go: If you like a cocktail with your sunset viewing experience then this is the spot to go to. This West Vancouver restaurant is right on the water — as the name suggests — and the patio gives you the perfect view of the sunset. It doesn't hurt that the food here is delicious. Get the biscuits with honeycomb – you won't be disappointed.

The Beach House website

Wreck Beach

Why You Need To Go: This nude beach has a whole lot more to offer than its lack of dress code. The large beach gives you lots of room to spread out and offers up an unreal view of the ocean with the mountains enclosing it.

Swim out into the water as the sky glows, and you'll be reminded why Vancouver is one of the most special places around.

UBC website

White Rock

​Address: White Rock, BC

Why You Need To Go: Home to Canada's Longest Pier, this city is about 40 minutes from Vancouver and is the perfect spot to go to for a sunset stroll. Walk out onto the pier and feel like you're floating far out in the ocean while the sun sets. Afterwards, you can explore the waterfront, which has a bunch of shops and restaurants. 

White Rock City website

Sunset Beach

Address: 1204 Beach Ave, Vancouver, BC

Why You Need To Go: The name of this beach says it all. For anyone wanting a good viewing spot right in the city this downtown beach is perfect. You can walk along the seawall, taking in views even on the journey here. There are other beaches nearby, like English Bay, so if one is busy you can easily head over to the next to find your spot.

Sunset Beach Park website

  • Editor

    Morgan Leet (she/her) is an Editor for Narcity Media Group. After graduating from Carleton University’s School of Journalism and Communication, she jumped into fulfilling her dream as a journalist, merging her passion for travelling with writing. She got her start working in the print media world on Canada’s East Coast, then joined Narcity with a move to B.C., leading the launch of West Coast coverage. Her focus now is managing a large group of freelance writers, bringing human-forward and opinion content to the site.

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