The ultimate panoramic Vancouver photo opportunities
Simply put, Vancouver is a scenic wonderland. Take a trip to these local lookouts for some stunning photos of the unique skyline and magnificent natural wonders so nearby!
Vancouver Lookout
Tourism Vancouver
The Vancouver Lookout provides an unparalleled 360-degree view of everything this city has to offer. The beautiful coastal mountains sit to the north, the Fraser valley to the east, the suburbs to the south (you can catch Mt Baker on a clear day), and the Pacific Ocean and Vancouver Island to the west. This is all accompanied by a birds-eye view of the downtown core. I recommend going in the early evening to catch the sunset over the water and watch the city light up as nightfall closes in. The timing of this will vary depending on the time of year, so be sure to look up the sunset time and get to the lookout with plenty of time to spare. At $17.50 for adults, this is a modest price to pay for such an all-encompassing picture opportunity.
Granville Bridge
In my opinion, Granville Bridge provides the most classic Vancouver picture opportunity. As you can see in the photo above you’ll get the iconic Granville Island market, False Creek, and Burrard Bridge all in one shot. To the right you’ll capture some true Vancouverism architecture, defined by the tall slim glass towers with space between for air, light, and views. Some would argue that you get a better view from Burrard Bridge, but I think having Burrard Bridge in the shot is more recognisable plus Granville Bridge is pretty ugly in comparison! Though a great photo at anytime, I’d once again recommend sunset time to get more vibrancy in your picture.
Lighthouse Park
Lighthouse Park provides stunning photo opportunities and along with the network of trails for all ages and abilities it makes for a great weekend activity. Towards the north side of the park, where you look straight across the ocean, it’s easy to forget that you’re only 20 minutes from downtown. To get a long-range picture of the city take the Arbutus trail to Eagle Point on the east side of the park. From there you’ll see the Burrard Inlet, Kitsilano, UBC, and the Lions gate bridge, combined with numerous container ships it’s a fantastic photo. Get going early to avoid peak time and pack a picnic to enjoy whilst soaking up the view after a few snaps.
Cypress Lookout
Our final view point for a glorious Vancouver panoramic photo is the Cypress Lookout located midway up Cypress Bowl Road that leads you to Cypress Mountain. I don’t think there’s a better place that allows you take in the entire city and some of the neighbouring suburbs. This spot really gives you a perspective on how the city is embedded into it’s surroundings. It’s a breathtaking photo opportunity that I would highly recommend bringing any newcomers here because it’ll give them a few moments to get their bearings in the city and give the opportunity to get an Instagram that perfectly captures where they’ve just arrived! If it seems a little far out just to get a photo, Cypress Mountain has great summer hiking and winter skiing so the lookout is a great early morning stop on your way up the mountain! If you’re really ambitious get up here for sunrise and you’ll be treated to the best sunrise spot in the city as few places are this high up and look east towards the rising Sun.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, our favourite four spots that truly capture what living in Vancouver is all about. People mock us Vancouverites for being too in love with the beauty of our city but what isn’t too love? Take a moment to snap a photo at these spots and share your adoration of Vancouver with all the haters, who knows maybe you’ll convert them…
