From the peaceful seaside vibes of Ambleside to the lively entertainment at the Shipyard District, the North Shore has plenty to offer for tourists and visitors alike. If you’re visiting Vancouver and would love to take in the local scenery and gardens, you have to try this one- or two-day tour to Vancouver’s North Shore.
Vancouver has been my home for many years. It’s an alluring place to grow a garden. As a gardening community, Vancouver has so many different personalities.
You’ll find gardening styles inspired by traditional Japanese gardens, rainforests full of ferns and moss, botanical gardens with something blooming year-round, and even seaside pockets complete with imported palm trees.
Across the Vancouver Harbour and Burrard Inlet, the Vancouver’s North Shore is a popular destination for hiking and skiing and features some truly stunning, classic BC landscapes.
While you may have heard about the many famous public gardens like VanDusen Gardens, the Bloedel Conservatory, Queen Elizabeth Park, Stanley Park, UBC Botanical Garden, Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, and the Nitobe Japanese Garden; Vancouver’s North Shore is a definite must-see for anyone with a green thumb.
There is a distinct garden personality: upscale but not pretentious, rooted in traditional style, eco-conscious, and at one with the surrounding woodland. The North Shore is an area full of hidden gems, and I found surprises at every turn.
Recently, I was invited to tour the Vancouver’s North Shore gardens and plant hot spots by Garden BC. I’ve lived in Vancouver for decades, and yet there were places I’ve never been to. When I tell you that you’ll find some hidden gems here, they truly are local spots that only the insiders know about.
Luckily for you, I’m going to share all the dreamy green spaces I had the pleasure of visiting.
Here’s what the itinerary will look like…
Sponsored Content: A huge thank you to Vancouver’s North Shore Tourism Association, and Gardens BC, for sponsoring this tour of the gardens in Vancouver’s North Shore.
Vancouver’s North Shore is comprised of North Vancouver and West Vancouver, where mountains meet oceanside. You can visit the North Shore like a local, treating and experiencing it like you’re part of the community. It’s a year-round destination where you can enjoy the greenery and wilderness every day of the year.
Gardens BC, officially the British Columbia Garden Tourism Coalition Society, is a non-profit organization that showcases the beauty of our province and helps plant lovers discover new gardens. Visit their website to find more garden destinations throughout the province!
Day One
I highly, highly recommend this tour to anybody coming to visit Vancouver. After you’ve seen the Vancouver top spots, dedicate at least a day to exploring the North Shore. Depending on what tickles your fancy below, follow either Day One or Day Two’s itinerary, or better yet, do them both!
Stop 1: Jam Café
100 1st St E, North Vancouver, BC V7L 1B1
I started off the first morning with a trip to the insanely popular Jam Café. A Vancouver staple, the North Shore location is one of their newest locations.
The food at Jam Café brings looooong lines, and I can see why. The interior is cool and fun, and the food is even more DECADENT. I had a chimichurri pork belly benny (how Canadians call Eggs Benedict!) with red onion jam (yum) and got to taste the blueberry pancakes and blackstone benny.
Stop by here for a guaranteed good breakfast to kick off your morning.
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: Dine at Jam Café for breakfast from Monday through Thursday. You’ll have a better chance to skip the long weekend lines and start the day off perfectly.
Stop 2: Park and Tilford Gardens
333 Brooksbank Avenue, North Vancouver, BC, Canada, V7J 3S8
Vancouver’s North Shore’s official botanical garden, Park and Tilford Gardens, consists of eight different themed gardens. Originally, it was created in 1957 as a marketing tool for Park and Tilford Distilleries. It was a gift to the North Shore and covers three acres.
When I say that there are hidden gems all over Vancouver’s North Shore, Park and Tilford Gardens is proof! Essentially, you go through a strip mall parking lot, and in between the JJ Bean and Starbucks coffee houses, you and end up in these beautiful, themed gardens full of plants, structures, and water features. You would never know, looking at large hedge on main street that such a treasure lies behind it.
Back when Kiddo was just 18 months old, we used to visit the Park and Tilford Gardens and sit in the light of the three spinning frog’s fountain. We used to tour the garden every other week during the year since it was a great place to take a baby, then toddler, who loved plants and gardens as much as his mother does.
The garden is free to enter and can get really busy with the locals. It’s just big enough to enjoy a coffee and a quiet stroll to see what’s blooming. It has great accessible pathways for people with disabilities and little, short lets that are still learning how to walk.
As Kiddo grew older, we visited the Park and Tilford Gardens about once a year. On one trip, we were sad to see that the three frog’s fountain had been stolen. Devastated that the frogs were taken, it was a time of learning and discussion about emotions for Kiddo—it’s important to respect our environment and that even things as small as a frog fountain can bring meaning to those who enjoy its spaces.
It’s been a few years since I visited, and I was eager to see it through a different lens, no longer the young mother enjoying the space, quiet, and the delight of her child amongst the plants. This time around, I was looking through the lens of a tour guide.
What I saw were unique gardens with their own personalities thriving together as one botanical garden. It celebrates plants and their ecology without using wasteful practices to sustain them. The gardens are lovingly tended to and planted with many annual plants grown onsite in the greenhouse next to the herb garden.
With the current summer water restrictions, there is no supplemental water, so the plants are left to sustain themselves.
This meant that the water features were also turned off during my visit. While I appreciate the city’s commitment to saving water, the gardens provide a habitat and safe haven for many wild species. Having the water features on could help the insects, birds, and mammals in the area that were likely suffering from the drought conditions as well.
Some of the plants were a bit dry and stressed. About 10% showed signs of stress or had grown crunchy, while 90% were still faring very well. That speaks quite highly for receiving no water for a month in the heat of the summer. When the rain came again, I went for a visit, and everything quickly bounced back to the green lushness it had for the entire year.
The changes of colour of the Japanese maples and ferns in the Native Garden and the Oriental Garden might be a personal favourite.
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: You will find something unique no matter what season you come to tour the North Shore’s Park and Tilford Gardens. In the spring, there are plenty of bulbs. In the summer, you’ll see the blooming and cheerful annuals and perennials. There’s always the Native Garden and the Herb Garden to enjoy as well. And if you stop by in the winter, the gardens are decorated with lights for the festive Gardenwalk.
Stop 3: The Ambleside Butterfly Garden
1460 Argyle Ave, West Vancouver, BC V7T 1C2
Just last year, I visited the Ambleside Butterfly Garden when attending the Harmony Arts Festival. I was with my friend from out of town and Kiddo, and I was utterly delighted. Both of them paused at the beauty of the garden. Still, they immediately lost me as I ran inside to meet all the plants and pollinators flying around.
While on my tour of the North Shore this summer, I arrived and again got promptly lost. Even though I followed Google Maps’ directions, I still couldn’t find it. Instead, I happened upon the community garden at Ambleside like I had the previous year and was again taken by it.
The Ambleside Butterfly Garden was started by a group of Master Gardeners and volunteers alongside the District of West Vancouver. They’ve planted a combination of 70% native plants and 30% hybrids that are all easy to grow and waterwise. Something blooms every day of the year to provide nectar and habitat to local pollinators.
The community space is a delight of beautiful vegetables and flowers growing together. High up is a central collection of hydrangeas and raised beds that tower over your head rather than how we typically look down in our gardens. Sweet peas, roses, and cosmos also tower over, and it’s such an interesting perspective.
The gardeners who care for this garden grow vegetables not only for their practicality but also to mix them amongst the annual and perennial flowers. They know the secret that to make a beautiful garden, you must attract pollinators to ensure the vegetables grow robust and fruitful.
But I got turned around when I went to see the Ambleside Butterfly Gardens. On Google Maps, they’re listed as the Ambleside Butterfly Garden, but it takes you to a parking lot on Bellevue Avenue near 17th St. The true location is just east of the Harmony Arts Festival Space on Argyle Ave, on the east side of the ferry building gallery.
On Google Maps, they’re listed as the Argyle Village Gardens, and the sign has been renamed to include all pollinators or to be considered a community garden space. Perhaps the butterfly garden project has changed, or it’s simply an evolution of the name.
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal Tip: Put the address for Argyle Village Gardens in Google Maps to get to the right location. The address is 1460 Argyle Ave W. This is where you will find these beautiful pollinator gardens! I’ve recommended to Google Maps that they adjust the pin to show the true location, so maybe by the time you’re reading this, it’s been corrected.
The garden has a variety of pollinator-friendly flowers that are in full bloom, as well as a few vegetable plants and some community plots. The true showstopper of the garden was the two planted spaces on the exterior of the garden that host a variety of pollinator plants. And sure enough, they were buzzing with activity and even had a few pollinator baths that were being cared for.
Stop 4: The Boatshed at Ambleside
1200 Argyle Ave, West Vancouver, BC V7W 1C1
After spending the morning gazing at all those eye-catching flowers and plants, you’ll want to head to The Boatshed for a light lunch or snack. The location is just a short walk from Argyle Village Gardens along the seawall. Be sure to take your time to enjoy the seaside plants and the view of Vancouver and the Lions Gate Bridge.
At The Boatshed, I had tacos and a ginger beer for a light lunch between tours. The location, right on Ambleside Beach, can’t be beat. It makes you feel like you’re in this little seaside town when you’re really just in the heart of West Vancouver!
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: You can easily spend a full day at Ambleside Beach. You can walk along the seawall, enjoying both the beach and the plants that surround the area. There’s also the Boatshed container garden, the parking lot pollinator heavens, and the seaside plantings of hardy, drought-tolerant grasses and blooms.
Bonus Stop! GardenWorks North Vancouver
95 Philip Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7P 1B5
GardenWorks has long been one of my favourite garden centres in the Lower Mainland, and I when I heard their newest location was in North Vancouver, I just had to stop by. Each GardenWorks location has a unique and individual style, so you can have a different garden shopping experience at each one.
GardenWorks is known for their buyers who stock not only the best and beautiful-est plants, but they also showcase some serious gift and home selections. Leave your partner at home and get some shopping therapy time at the store. It’s also my Kiddo’s favourite place to buy me gifts!
The new North Vancouver location didn’t disappoint. It flowed with the vibe of the North and West Vancouver garden styles, which are upscale and clean and lean toward plants that naturalize in a mountain environment.
The garden centre looks small from the front, but as you go, it expands to massive proportions. It was created in an old bus terminal with high glass ceilings that give it an incredibly modern industrial vibe. It has the perfect air space, protected areas for plants to thrive, and a really comfortable shopping experience.
I enjoyed the beautiful selection of perennials, but even more impressive was the trees and shrubs. The hydrangea selection had some great varieties of panicle hydrangeas that would become the star of any garden.
I had a great chat with Tyler and Alex, the store manager and assistant manager, and asked for some suggestions of plants to use as the foundational plantings of my front garden containers. I wanted to change out my existing plants to create something that can have different designs throughout the season but also thrives in a container in full sun.
Their suggestions were fabulous and not what I had previously considered. The knowledge is truly there, as is the availability of high-quality plants. I highly recommend a stop at this garden centre.
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: If you’re a tourist and don’t have a place to plant anything, I still recommend you stop at the indoor gift shop. It has so many things you just wouldn’t find anywhere else. I fell in love with some birdcage candleholders and an adorable cabbage dish that has made it onto my wish list for future Mother’s Days.
Stop 5: Shipyards Night Market
19 Wallace Mews, North Vancouver, BC V7L 0B2
Every year, I enjoy at least one evening at the Shipyards Night Market. It runs on Friday evenings during the warmer months and is definitely worth a visit if you’re here during this time. It’s fun, low-key, and accessible, as both dogs and children are welcome.
You’ll find plenty of delicious food and even more lovely people. Visit the shopping stalls and listen to the free live music.
While there, I popped over for a local craft beer, some vintage shopping, and a little bit of dancing before my sunset dinner reservation.
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: The Shipyards Night Market is every Friday from May to September. It has free parking and admission and is one of the best options for a night market in the Lower Mainland, especially with the live music and beer gardens!
Stop 7: Pier 7
25 Wallace Mews, North Vancouver, BC V7L 0B2
At this point, I was famished and happy to sit down for some wonderful views of downtown while eating fresh seafood at Pier 7.
Our table ordered the fresh-shucked oysters and burrata with a pistachio basil pesto and focaccia to start.
Then, we enjoyed the surf and turf, which included striploin, butter-poached lobster claw, tiger prawns, mashed potatoes, and seasonal veggies. We also had the seared halibut, which came with more potatoes, sauteed kale, and sundried tomatoes.
Of course, we also sipped on some bubbly while we enjoyed the view. The food was so balanced, but the best part was the service. We even got a visit from the chef!
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: Pier 7 is just a short walk from the Shipyards Night Market. I highly recommend coming on Friday night so you can visit both. Make a reservation in advance to ensure you get a good spot with a view.
Stop 8: The Pinnacle Hotel
138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, BC V7L 0B1
After a day of visiting some of the most beautiful gardens in town and eating THE best food, my head was truly ready to hit the pillow. Luckily for me, I was staying at the Pinnacle Hotel in The Shipyards, which houses Pier 7.
The location is really unmatched, as you can enjoy all the delights of the North Shore and are also very close to taking the SeaBus into downtown Vancouver.
And did I mention the view???? You can see all of Vancouver’s coastline and it’s just stunning. They also have a pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, and gym for you to use and unwind with at the end of your long day exploring.
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: The entire Shipyards district and the hotel are dog-friendly. I met lots of furry visitors and gave them some scratches. I vowed to bring Ozzie the next time I visit!
Day Two
If you’ve got the time and want to explore more of the North Shore, there’s plenty more to see. Here’s what I suggest as a second-day itinerary for those who want to see more of the gardens that the Vancouver area has to offer.
Stop 8: Pinnacle Hotel, The Lobby Restaurant
138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver, BC V7L 0B1
The day starts off where yesterday ended! We ate right at the hotel at The Lobby Restaurant + Lounge at the Pinnacle Hotel. This restaurant highlights West Coast foods, but it was hinted that I HAD to order the Lobster Benny. It did not disappoint! This Eggs Benedict was prepared with garlic butter-sautéed lobster and hollandaise sauce, plus a side of potato lyonnaise.
Talk about delicious!
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: If you have a car, leave it parked for the morning and take the elevator to The Lobby restaurant. After breakfast, the stroll to Chiba Gardens will help you digest all the yummy food.
Stop 9: Chiba Gardens
267 Esplanade W, North Vancouver, BC, CA, V7M 1A6
As a Master Gardener living in Vancouver for decades, there are very few gardens in the area I haven’t seen. Imagine my surprise when I saw that the itinerary had a garden I’d never heard of! The entrance is tucked away under a sea of foliage which makes for a magical but hidden garden.
Chiba Gardens is a traditional Japanese garden located on the northwest corner of Waterfront Park in North Vancouver. It is a short walk from the Shipyards. The garden opened in 1986 to honour North Vancouver’s sister city, Chiba.
Chiba donated two Japanese stone lanterns to North Vancouver, and local landscape architect, Toshimasa Ito, designed a garden to feature them.
Even if you don’t know the meaning behind the space, it feels quite special the moment you step in. Light filters through the tall maples onto the zigzag pathways that change from wood to stone to gravel. The lushness of the ferns, mosses, and native plantings chase every colour of green.
The circular pathways in the garden allow you to do a walking meditation where you can breathe deeply while finding peace in your mind amidst the city.
I chose to visit the Chiba Gardens after breakfast to do this walking meditation, resetting my intentions to be of gratitude and peace. It’s a great way to be thankful and accept the nourishment of a lovely meal while cooling off a heated body on a hot day.
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: I encourage everyone locally or on a North Shore garden tour to stop by the Chiba Gardens so they can slowly walk through the space and meditate. Try not to focus on any one element but take in the feeling of the entire space. Alternatively, slow down, sit, and focus on a tiny point on one tiny leaf or one reflection of light that comes through the maples, and just breathe in the calm peace.
Once you exit the Chiba Gardens, you’ll be reborn and ready for the excitement of Vancouver’s North Shore while feeling calm and full of gratitude.
Stop 10: The Edible Garden Project – Loutet Farm
1400 Rufus Ave, North Vancouver, BC, CA, V7L 4J2
Loutet Farm is a pretty darn cool place. I’ve talked a lot on Garden Therapy about how to rethink spaces and create more food security for our communities, and Loutet Farm has done just that.
Loutet Farm is the first urban farm located on public parkland in Canada. It’s a joint effort from the North Shore Neighbourhood House, North Vancouver, and UBC.
Located within a residential area, the farm grows plenty of produce right on the farm and is financially sustainable. This means all funds generated go back into operating the farm and creating jobs for North Shore residents.
The farm hosts tours, workshops, and other events. It also hosts a twice-weekly market where people can purchase locally grown and affordable produce and connect with other local vendors.
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: You can buy fresh produce grown at Loutet Farm on Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM and Wednesdays from 2 to 6 PM during the growing season from May-end to October. Check out the markets if you’re in the area!
Bonus Stop: Gerry’s Garden
1400 Rufus Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7L 2N2
Next door to Loutet Farm is Gerry’s Garden and it was such a wonderful surprise, a true bonus. The garden was started by 96-year-old resident Gerry MacPherson. After losing his son to cancer in 2007, he turned to gardening as a form of therapy.
What was once a beaten-up piece of land between Loutet Park and Brooksbank Elementary School, is now Gerry’s Garden. He spent 10 years turning it into a beautiful space full of perennials for everyone in the community to visit. It’s worth stopping by for a walk and to sit and listen to the birds in Gerry’s Garden.
This is exactly what Vancouver’s North Shore is all about—community and beautiful, natural spaces.
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: Sit on the red benches throughout the space and take in all that has been lovingly planted in Gerry’s Garden. In the quiet, some things become more audible, like birdsong, buzzing bees, and perhaps some music from the band at the farm market.
Stop 11: Nook Restaurant, Shipyards
150 Victory Ship Way #160, North Vancouver, BC V7L 0B2
In the Shipyards District, you’ll find the most beautiful plates at Nook. For lunch, we had a tasting menu of lovely treats, including:
- Marinated olives
- Pate with port-glazed onions
- Burrata and prosciutto
- And their famous meatballs!
We also enjoyed some sips, including the Lampone (raspberry, lemon, and soda) and the Zenzero (lemon, ginger cordial, and soda).
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: bring your family! Kids, dogs, and everyone is welcome in the Shipyards District. Nook’s patio is on the Shipyards Splash Park, so you can sip and snack while spending a day with kiddos. Oh, and order the meatballs. Did I mention the meatballs?
Stop 12: Maplewood Flats / Wild Bird Trust of BC
2649 Dollarton Hwy, North Vancouver, BC V7H 1B1
I’ve gone to Maplewood Flats before for birding. It’s a birders paradise and an amazing spot to see other local wildlife. Probably because of the native plantings!
Located on the land of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation (TWN) and Coast Salish Peoples, you’ll find a space dedicated to celebrating the diversity of the North Shore. Before settlers came, the area consisted of contiguous mudflats that stretched across the Burrard Inlet. These spaces were used by the TWN to hunt and gather fish, shellfish, waterfowl, and more.
From salmonberry to hardhack to sword ferns, many native species cover the lands of Maplewood Flats. Walking down Maplewood Flats will allow you to see it all if you’re interested in the local flora and fauna.
My #NorthShoreLikeaLocal tip: Bring some bug spray or wear long sleeves. The native species are definitely thriving, and so are the food sources for those native species, especially the mosquitoes. Where there is life, there is beauty and history.
Final Thoughts on Vancouver’s North Shore
Discovering the North Vancouver North Shore like a local was a really fun experience. I got to experience the restaurants and the vibrant waterfront, from the Shipyards to the peacefulness of Ambleside.
This is a great tour to discover the quieter side of Vancouver, all while experiencing the stunning gardens and history of the area. This can easily be a one-day tour, but it can also be extended into two for those who have the time for more exploration.
Again, a huge thank you to Vancouver’s North Shore and Gardens BC for inviting me on this tour and introducing a few new favourite spots.
Let me know which stops you try out and which ones are your favourite in the comments below!
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