West Point Grey is bordered by 16th Avenue to the south, Alma Street to the east, English Bay to the north, and Blanca Street to the west.

According to the City of Vancouver, the Musqueam people lived in this area’s ancient village. A First Nations legend refers to Point Grey as the “Battleground of the West Wind.” The neighbourhood is named after Captain George Grey, a friend of Captain George Vancouver and it was its own municipality from 1908 until 1929, when it was merged with Vancouver.

This compact neighbourhood attracts with its quiet residential streets bordered by trees and the proximity to Vancouver downtown and the beach. The main commercial area is along West 10th Avenue between Tolmie Street and Discovery Street, offering a popular shopping and restaurant district where old shops sit by new residential blocks.

While it’s one of the city’s most exclusive neighbourhoods, West Point Grey is home to a mixture of residents including working professionals, business owners, faculty members of the University of British Columbia, artists, university students or young families. One of the segments of the neighbourhood’s population are longtime middle class homeowners who moved to the neighbourhood before it became one of Canada’s most expensive residential areas.

10th Avenue

Access and Transit

The access and transit are very simple thanks to the location and character of the neighbourhood. West 16th is a key route terminating at UBC, while West 10th, the commercial heart of the neighbourhood offers many bus lines, too. Alma Street hosts bus routes to the Southlands and Dunbar as well as north to downtown and Kitsilano. Another popular choice of commuters is the Off-Broadway cycling route.

Nature and Recreation

West Point Grey is the place where the view of Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains can be admired the most thanks to the exquisite views created by the natural terracing. There are many spaces for recreation, whether it comes to parks, beaches or forests. The popular beaches of Spanish Banks, Jericho and Locarno have trails across forests and along beaches which are great for a refreshing walk or birdwatching. There are also several dog friendly areas where you can appreciate the natural terrain and play with your dog off-leash. 

Trails lead through Pacific Spirit where the numerous walking, running, hiking, biking, and horseback riding paths offer an escape from the streets and busier seaside. Jericho Park is the easternmost of the beaches, a home to a forest and a waterfront that are home to beavers, turtles or blackbirds. Jericho Sailing Centre offers kayaking lessons.

Spanish Banks

Jericho Beach Park

Jericho Sailing Centre

Events

The main event of the neighbourhood’s social calendar is Fiesta Days, a community festival that combines a carnival and stage performances. This family oriented event is held in June along the West 10th Avenue between Tolmie Street and Discovery Street. In addition, July brings the annual Vancouver Folk Music Festival taking place at Jericho Park.

Where to Drink and Eat

With impressive lunch options and a variety of coffee beans available for purchase, Bean Around The World is an excellent spot for coffee lovers. If you would like to visit the 'home to the world's best cinnamon bun', stop by at Grounds for Coffee and try their organic Arabica coffee. The Diner offers authentic British meals (and humour) while Burgoo Bistro has comfort food at its best from around the world. 

Jericho Pier

Jericho Pier

10th Avenue

10th Avenue

Hasting Mill Store Museum

4th Avenue

Jericho Beach

Panne Rizo (10th Avenue)

Spanish Banks

Meet The Photographer: Ricardo Vacas

Ricardo Vacas

Ricardo Vacas, owner of the firm Kerp Photography, always showed intense interest in many forms of creative arts. His professional photography career started in his home country, Spain, where he was the official photographer of several music bands, models and clothing brands. He decided to move to Wellington, New Zealand in 2012, knowing his real interest was fashion photography more than any other field. Currently living in Vancouver, Canada, he now combines his fashion, editorial and commercial photography projects with regular trips to Europe and USA.

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