Stanley Park
 

Just when I thought I had my trip all planned.....

I'll be spending the one day in Vancouver before moving on to Calgary. I've been to Vancouver twice before and the last time I was there, I went to Stanley Park to take the horse drawn tour and visit the Aquarium. That whetted my appetite to see the rest of the park, but I didn't have time then. Initially, on this trip, I had planned on walking some of the Seawall, but as it gets closer, I'm thinking of taking the free shuttle around the park and getting on and off at my leisure in order to take pictures, etc.

Would those of you familiar with Stanley Park give me some recommendations on what not to miss? Stanley Park is huge and I know that I won't see everything, but it would help to know the highlights of certain areas. I'm particularly interested in taking photos of wildlife, gardens, mountain/water views.

The shuttle stops are: Rowing Club, Coal Harbour, Totem Poles, Brockton Point, Empress of Japan, Lumberman's Arch, Ravine Trail, Prospect Point, Siwash Rock Trail, Third Beach, Second Beach, Lost Lagoon, and Pipeline Road.

Also, I was thinking of having lunch at the Prospect Point Cafe. Is the food as good as the view?

It sounds to me as though the shuttle bus covers all the main points, and indeed I haven't visited all those, even though I often walk in the park.

My own great pleasure is to walk around the sea wall (I did this just two days ago). You get terrific views of the downtown skyline, the North Shore mountains, the harbour and English Bay. You will walk past the rowing club, Coal Harbour, the totem poles, prospect point, Siwash Rock, Third Beach, Second Beach and Lost Lagoon. (I'm not sure where Pipeline Road is).

I guess you just need to decide how energetic you're feeling. The walk around the sea wall is about 11 km, all flat ground and paved. You won't see much in the way of gardens and wildlife, however.

I haven't eaten at Prospect Point for many years, so don't feel able to comment on the food. My sense is that the view is the main selling feature, but I'd be pleased to be corrected by other posters.

Hope this helps.

Postscript

As a female, I don't think I'd feel safe venturing onto any of the unpaved trails that cut through and across the Park. Probably nothing would happen, but the trails can be quite isolated and a little spooky. Best to stick to the sea wall or the busy paved roads and paths within the park. I don't mean to scare you.

.....I'd skip all the trails for sure
and Pipeline Road cuts n/s through
the Park with access to Beaver Lake -
I'd forgo that too 'cause you're away
from the water it's just a road IMHO.

I 'think' the Prospect Point eateries
are pretty standard 'tourist' jobs -
and IIRC the deck of the restaurant
overlooks the bridge - no? I'd try
to eat at either the Sequoia (used to
be the Ferguson Point Teahouse) or
the one by the tennis courts, The Fish
House in Stanley Park.

Thank you both.

I know what you mean about the trails being spooky. When I took the carriage ride and we were going down a fairly secluded wooded path, it was creepy despite being in the company of a dozen or so others. I think that I'll limit my photo taking to Coal Harbour, Prospect Point, the Rose Garden, and maybe Lost Lagoon this time.

As for the restaurants, I checked them all out and was interested in Prospect Point because of the more casual menu. Since I'll be going out to dinner later that evening, all I'm looking for is a light, reasonably priced lunch and the Grill and Fish House are tres expensive. Maybe I'll just grab a quick bite in downtown Vancouver.

Thanks again