Between February and May, over 40,000 cherry blossom trees bloom in Vancouver. Blossoms blanket the city in pink and white snow while the trees stretch overhead in a beautiful canopy. Combined with the mild weather, this makes spring one of the best times to visit Vancouver.
Locals and tourists from around Canada take to the streets to see the beautiful trees in bloom. The blossoms are one of the finest expressions of nature in Vancouver, a city already known for its natural beauty.
The trees can be found all over the city, sometimes in the most unlikely places. If you wander around the city, you never know what you might find!
So what are the best places to see cherry blossoms in Vancouver? Read on to discover the parks, streets, and public spaces where you can enjoy blossom season to the fullest.
Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park is the lush crown jewel of Vancouver and the highest point in the city. It is 52 hectares in area and home to beautiful gardens, public art, an indoor conservatory, and much more. Stroll down its winding paths to catch cherry blossom trees in bloom.
The 33rd and 37th avenue entrances have the highest concentration of cherry blossom trees in the park. The 37th avenue entrance in particular offers the chance to see the “Pink Perfection” cultivar, one of the rarest cherry blossoms in Canada.
David Lam Park
David Lam Park is a small but scenic waterfront park in Vancouver’s Yaletown neighborhood. It features waterfront paths as well as a large lawn, tennis courts, and a basketball court.
To celebrate the 2010 Olympics held in Vancouver, over 100 Akebono cherry trees were planted here. Akebono is a hardy cultivar that usually flowers in late March to early April.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
Wildlife, lakes, a hedge maze, and thousands of different plant species can be seen at VanDusen Botanical Garden. VanDusen Botanical Garden is only a few blocks from Queen Elizabeth Park.
You can find more than 100 cherry blossom trees within the garden grounds. It’s a perfect spot to enjoy the beauty of spring in all its glory, as the cherry trees are surrounded by thousands of other flowering plants.
The botanical garden is also home to many events celebrating the cherry blossoms. These include blossom painting classes and the Sakura Days Japan Fair in mid-April.
University of British Columbia Campus
Dating from 1908, the University of British Columbia is the oldest university in the province. UBC’s campus occupies 400 hectares on the very western tip of Vancouver, in view of the Strait of Georgia, vast mountain ranges, and lush forests. It has been voted the most beautiful college campus in all of Canada.
In spring, as the university bustles with student activity, cherry blossoms can be found throughout campus. Some can be found in the on-campus botanical gardens, while others can be found near Regent College and south of Bio Sciences Road.
Stanley Park
No list of Vancouver nature would be complete without mentioning massive Stanley Park. The park is one of Vancouver’s main tourist destinations and one of its most beautiful natural spaces.
The 400-hectare park is home to winding paths and gardens, sports complexes, public art, and more. You can find cherry blossoms throughout the park, but especially near the Japanese Canadian War Memorial.
In fact, the Memorial was commissioned to celebrate the same Japanese soldiers that the Canadian cherry blossoms were given in honor of.
Vancouver City Hall
Completed in 1936, Vancouver City Hall is a fine example of Art Deco style in Canada. The hall is a twelve-story tower stretching 100 meters above sea level, with a stylized clock on the top.
Cherry blossom trees grow throughout the grounds. Of particular interest is the spectacular Accolade variety, which flowers early – usually in February or March. You can find a grove of them on the North side of the City Hall grounds.
BC Parkway
If you’re more the biking type than the strolling type, you can follow the 18 km BC Parkway. The BC Parkway follows the Expo Line SkyTrain route from Southeast to Northwest Vancouver.
Cherry blossom trees are particularly prevalent on Vanness Street in East Vancouver and in Burnaby. Both of these are passed on the bike route.
Kitsilano
Upscale but laid-back, the Kitsilano neighborhood on the western end of the city is known for its high concentration of cherry blossoms. Walk along almost any of the neighborhood’s main thoroughfares and you are sure to spot some.
Spacious Vanier Park is home to the Museum of Vancouver, and the Maritime Museum. It is also home to a grove of rare Star Cherry blossom trees. Stretches of 1st Avenue, West 6th Avenue, and Seaforth Park are also places to spot blossoms in bloom.
Burrard SkyTrain Station
Lastly, the Burrard SkyTrain Station is home to a dense grove of 34 Akebono cherry blossom trees. The trees are closely spaced together, creating a beautiful canopy effect that contrasts with the dense cluster of downtown high-rises.
Burrard SkyTrain station is located in downtown Vancouver, close to the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Canada Place convention center, and many attractions in the West End.
Where to Stay to See Canadian Cherry Blossoms
Whether you’re traveling to see nature in Vancouver, or just passing through on business, the Sunset Inn and Suites is the perfect temporary home for your vacation or business trip.
The Sunset Inn and Suites is located in the heart of Vancouver’s West End, just minutes from Stanley Park and many other attractions. It’s the perfect location to catch all the cherry blossoms in Vancouver.
Book a room now or contact us to inquire about rooms, amenities, and dates.
