A Dog-Friendly Summer Day in Vancouver
On hot summer days, locals love to spend the day outside. It's even better when our furry friends can tag along. Use our dog-friendly itinerary to have the perfect summer day in Vancouver with your pup.
Coffee on the Beach
Start your day with take-out coffee and a treat from Kits Beach Coffee on Cornwall Avenue. From there, wander through sleepy Kits Point to Hadden Park. Stroll along the paths in front of the Maritime Museum and enjoy the views of Sunset Beach and the West End across the mouth of False Creek.
Head down to the stretch of sand on the west side of the park to enjoy one of Vancouver's best off-leash dog beaches. Natural features on both sides bracket the beach, making it a great place for your pup to run free, play fetch, swim, and dig in the sand without disturbing other beach-goers.
Lunch on the Patio
After you've tired your dog out at the beach, follow the waterfront pathway west around the corner to Kitsilano Beach. If you need to hose some of the sand off your doggo, there is an outdoor shower in front of the public washrooms
Make your way out of the park to hit up one of Kitsilano's dog-friendly patios for lunch. LOCAL Public Eatery has a prime location on Cornwall Avenue, right across from Kits Beach. They serve pub food, craft beer, and on weekends they have brunch.
Or check out The Cider House on Yew Street. Their plant-based menu includes tacos, burgers, and lots of sharable appetizers. They also have over a dozen local ciders on tap.
A Walk in the Woods
Spend the afternoon enjoying the forest with your dog. There are lots of dog-friendly hiking options near Vancouver.
If you're looking for an easy hike that will still have your heart racing, check out Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver. You and your dog can walk across the 450-foot suspension bridge high above the Capilano River, then follow boardwalks and suspended walkways through the coastal rainforest to the Treetops Adventure and Cliffwalk. Well-behaved dogs are allowed on-leash in all areas of the park except Raptors Ridge, the gift shop, and the restaurant.
You can also go for a hike without leaving the city. Pacific Spirit Regional Park on the west side of Vancouver has 55 kilometres of trails that meander through the forest, along the ocean, and beside wetlands. With a mix of on-leash and leash-optional areas, it's the most popular spot for hiking with dogs in Vancouver and sees an average of 360,000 dog visits each year.
Another quintessential Vancouver hike for humans and their canines is the aptly named Dog Mountain in Mount Seymour Provincial Park. The intermediate leash-required trail is 5 kilometres round trip but takes about 2 hours to complete, thanks to rough terrain with lots of roots, rocks, and mud. Don't miss the granite bluff at the end with views of the city far below. It's the perfect spot for doggy photos.
Dinner at a Brewery
Vancouver has a strong craft beer culture with microbreweries scattered across the eastern side of the city. Many have dog-friendly patios.
Superflux Beer Company on Clark Drive welcomes dogs on their big covered patio. They keep the dog theme going with their weekday Hot Dog Happy Hour special. It includes one of their inventive hot dogs alongside a pint of craft beer.
33 Acres Brewing Co. on West 8th Avenue in Fairview has a large dog-friendly sidewalk patio. They have 10 craft beers on tap regularly as well as rotating taps for specials. Dine on one of their sandwiches or charcuterie boards, or grab dinner from one of the food trucks that are often parked outside.
Strathcona Beer Company has a dog-friendly patio at their East Hastings location. They have lots of craft beer on tap, which pairs perfectly with their personal-sized 12" pizzas.