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Spring is blooming all around the city, the cherry blossoms are in full force, and the next thing you know, the warm dry (well, drier) weather will be rolling in. There’s no better way to experience Vancouver as it blossoms than to grab a partner and start twitterpating around the city. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to check out, from cozy booths to breathtaking hikes.
You’ll need the right vehicle for the job. This city was built for two, and so is car2go. To celebrate being the largest network in North America, they’re offering Vancouver users a discounted rate. Register here with the promotion code VAN100K, and enjoy rates of $10 per hour and $65 per day for the month of April.
And if you’re reading along and feeling rather single - fear not! Our city’s car2go network is 100,000 members strong (that’s a solid sixth of the entire population of Vancouver, by the way). Plenty of other members just like you.
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For an outdoorsy start to your day, take a drive up to Lighthouse Park for a hike. The park is made up of over 75 hectares of virgin rainforest, with rocky cliffs and vistas overlooking the coastline. If you’re willing to brave a drizzly day (it is a rainforest, after all), the lack of Summer crowds will make you’ll feel like you’re alone in the forest, and make it easy to forget that you’re just barely outside of the bustling downtown area. Leave your car2go in the nearby parking lot for an easy trip back to the city post-hike.
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If you’re not much for hiking but still feel like a fresh breath of spring air, drive down to the Larry Berg Flight Path Park in Richmond. Pack a small breakfast and head to the park, which is located directly at the end of the south runway at YVR, making it the perfect spot to watch airplanes zooming in and out. Experience the thrill of air travel from the comfort of your little car for two, without ever needing to pack your bags.
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After a morning of hiking or romantic “air travel”, you’ll probably have worked up a bit of an appetite for brunch. Drive down to Beach Bay Cafe on Denman Street for one of the best water views (or patios, if it’s sunny) in the city without succumbing to one of Vancouver’s mega-chains. With all local ingredients, bottomless mimosas, and a to-die-for beach view, Beach Bay will be packed come summer, so grab a table in the spring while you still can. The bright, airy interior will put you in a spring state of mind, and the cozy tables for 2 are the perfect place to watch the ships rolling in, or just gaze romantically into one another’s eyes. Swoon.
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They say the best time to grocery shop is when you are full, and that certainly rings true of Granville Island Public Market. After a brunch at Beach Bay Cafe, you’ll be fully prepared to take on the late afternoon bustle of the market without accidentally spoiling your dinner at Lee’s Donuts. Let the market’s fresh offerings help you plan out a romantic meal for two, to be cooked together. Step up your romance game by including a stop at Bon Macaron Patisserie for a light dessert, and a spring floral centerpiece from V&J Plant Shop.
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The Granville Island area is also a good place to start a tour of the Cherry Blossom Festival. Running this year from March 24th to April 17th, the festival celebrates Vancouver’s unique mini-season - it’s not quite Winter, it’s not quite Spring, but the city is beginning to warm up and it’s raining tiny pink petals. It’s easy to pick up the nearest car2go in one of the many designated parking spots on Granville Island, and drive to some of the festival’s favourites. Don’t forget a camera - these trees are highly Instagram-able.
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