It's Legal. Pack the Cooler.
As of today, you can drink alcohol on Vancouver's beaches. Responsibly, of course. But legally.
That is a sentence that would have landed very differently a few years ago.
Kits Beach is a four-minute drive from our front door. Jericho and Spanish Banks are a few more. Worth every minute. Once you get there, you have the full Vancouver skyline, the mountains, and the water, and now a proper glass of wine, a cold beer, or a cocktail to take it all in with. We have been waiting for this one.
Where You Can Go
The map below shows every approved beach and park in Vancouver. The gold pin is us.
Approved locations per the Vancouver Park Board. No glass on the sand. Cans or plastic cups only. Keep it reasonable.
If you are heading down this weekend, here is what actually travels well:
Cans
The obvious choice for a reason. No glass on the beach, nothing to carry back, easy to keep cold. We have a full wall of craft tallboys. Local BC breweries, imports, RTDs. The fridge is stocked. Come in and point at what looks good.
Rosé
If you are bringing a bag and a cooler, a cold rosé poured into plastic cups is the move. Cold, dry, easy to share. We have been recommending the Clos du Soleil Lumière ($29.99) and the Painted Rock ($39.99) lately. Both BC. Both excellent in the sun. Pick up a soft flask at the shop and you are set.
Sparkling
A 375ml of something bubbly poured into cups goes a long way between two people on a warm afternoon. We have the Taittinger Brut Réserve at $56.99 in the half-bottle format. It sounds extravagant for the beach. It is not extravagant for the beach. It is exactly right for the beach.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
Glass is still not permitted on the sand. Cans, plastic cups, or a soft flask if you are doing wine. Keep it reasonable. The rule exists because enough people pushed for it. Do not be the reason they take it away.
We are at 2752 West Broadway. Open today. The beach is a ten-minute walk.
It is a good day to be in Kitsilano.