Best Places to See Fall Colours around Vancouver

September 30, 2020

7 min read

People and dogs gathered near a lake under autumn trees with yellow and orange leaves.

Autumn is a spectacular time in Vancouver as the weather cools down and the leaves change colour. The bold pockets of red, orange and yellow leaves stand out against the blanket of evergreen trees. Here are our picks for the best places to see fall colours around Vancouver.

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is picturesque at any time of year, but it lights up in fall. There are lots of great spots to see the leaves change, but the seawall near the rowing club is a definite hot spot.

People walking and biking along a curved path by water with trees showing autumn colors of red, orange, and yellow.

Sylvia Hotel

The Sylvia Hotel on Beach Avenue in the West End is a Vancouver icon thanks to its Virginia creeper-covered exterior. In autumn, the leaves turn from green to amber, gold, and crimson.

Coal Harbour Seawall

The Coal Harbour Seawall is a great place for a stroll, with excellent views of Stanley Park. In the fall, the trees along the pathway light up as they change colours.

Tall modern buildings reflecting in calm water with trees showing autumn colors along the waterfront.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

These gorgeous gardens provide a moment of tranquility in bustling Chinatown. The carefully manicured trees are beautiful in their fall colours. To visit the garden, book your tickets in advance.

View through a traditional wooden lattice door of a Chinese garden with a pavilion, yellow autumn tree, and rocky landscape.

Granville Island

Sprinkled in between Granville Island’s bustling shops, you’ll find maple trees glowing red, orange, and yellow at this time of year. To see them all, duck down the narrow alleys and venture out to Ron Basford Park on the southern tip of the island.

Two people walking arm in arm down a tree-lined street with autumn foliage and other pedestrians ahead.

Kits Point

The leafy streets of Kitsilano are gorgeous in autumn. Go for a wander to appreciate the fall colours or head to Hadden Park in between the Maritime Museum and Kits Beach to spot some truly giant maple leaves.

A person riding a bicycle through a sunlit park with large trees and fallen autumn leaves.

Queen Elizabeth Park

Queen Elizabeth Park provides a double dose of fall foliage. Walk the paths to enjoy the changing leaves, then head up to the viewpoint near Seasons in the Park. From there you’ll have the city at your feet in all her scarlet, gold, and amber glory.

Cityscape with autumn trees in foreground and snow-capped mountains in background under cloudy sky

VanDusen Botanical Garden

Each autumn the trees at VanDusen Botanical Garden put on a show as they change colour. The ginkgo trees are particularly spectacular. To visit the garden, book tickets in advance.

Pond reflecting colorful autumn trees with red, orange, yellow, and green foliage.

UBC Campus

The University of British Columbia campus transforms in autumn as the red oak trees change from green to brown, gold, and crimson. Stroll along Main Mall for the best colours.

Park with fallen autumn leaves on grass, large tree on left, clock tower and buildings in background, and three people walking.

Nitobe Memorial Garden

The meticulously manicured Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC is a delight in autumn as the Japanese maples glow against the moss. To visit the garden, buy tickets in advance.

Autumn garden with red and yellow leaves, a pond, green bushes, and a small bridge in the background.

UBC Botanical Garden

UBC’s expansive botanical garden is home to some lovely fall colours. For the best show, head to the Carolinian Forest section to see the east coast species. Book your tickets in advance.

Tree with bright orange autumn leaves in a misty forest with fallen leaves on the ground.

Trout Lake

With several different types of deciduous trees including maples, weeping willow, oak, birch, and cherry, Trout Lake offers an explosion of different autumn colours.

People walking on a leaf-covered path under trees with bright yellow autumn leaves.

Burnaby Mountain Park

Head to Burnaby Mountain Park for an eye-catching fall display. Walk the Panorama Trail to enjoy the changing leaves or head to the Kamui Mintara (Playground of the Gods) sculpture for a great view of Vancouver’s autumn leaves from above.

Empty park benches along a path covered with red and orange autumn leaves under trees with red foliage on a foggy day.

Deer Lake

Burnaby’s Deer Lake is a symphony of colours each fall. Walk the flat trails around the lake to enjoy the enchanting reflections.

White house surrounded by colorful autumn trees reflected in a calm lake.

Park and Tilford Gardens

You’ll find this serene garden tucked away in a shopping centre in North Vancouver. In the fall, head to the Asian section to see the Japanese Maples turn gold and crimson.