We’ve rounded up the top things to do on a doggy day out in sunny Kitsilano.
Kitsilano is famous for its lengthy coastal shoreline, close proximity to downtown Vancouver and scenic mountain views - making it one of the most sought after places to live in the Lower Mainland. The locals are also famous for their love of dogs, which is why there’s a tonne of pup-friendly activities in this laidback beachside neighbourhood. We’ve rounded up the best ones for a full day out with your pet below to make planning your next doggy dog out easier than ever!
1. Grab a beachside brunch
It would be rude not to indulge in some of this trendy beachside suburb’s tasty brunch options - especially when there are so many - so why not start the day right with an egg benny or the Fourth Avenue Lumberjack Breakfast at Sophie’s Cosmic Cafe? The retro-themed diner, which serves up buttermilk pancakes as well as burgers, sandwiches and sundaes, lets pooches join their owners on their dog-friendly patio on 4th Avenue.
For vegan appetites, The Cider House on Yew Street near Kits Beach offers savoury treats such as the Sausage Sandy and the Beach Benny, plus your dog is welcome to join you on their patio.
2. Go on a seawall stroll
Kits is home to arguably the city’s best beaches, and there’s a seawall stroll along the coast that both you and your pup can enjoy to walk off that brunch.
Have a wander along the shingle at Point Grey Road, keep your eyes peeled for seals and other marine wildlife as you pass Kits Beach and finally you’ll reach Hadden Park - where your pooch can have a run around off-leash - as well as having a trot through Vanier Park just before you reach the Burrard Street Bridge.
3. Take your pooch for a groom
What better way to treat your pooch than getting them a well-deserved groom? My Fluffy Friend’s Pet Shop on Cypress St offers a full groom and a bath and tidy-up service, as well as primarily serving as a dog treat shop, so you can stock up on snacks for your pooch while they get some fur love. Make sure you book ahead of time as they have a strict booking schedule.
And if you want your pet to really feel like a superstar for the day, why not take them over to Paw Prints Grooming Salon on West 4th where they can become the bark of the town with a Rockstar Hairdo, with a choice of a mohawk, lion cut, bell bottoms - or your own creation!
4. Snap a pic of you and your pooch at the Kits Wings mural
Go all out for your pooch’s gram and snap a pic in front of the Kits Wings mural on Burrard and 4th Avenue. There’s even themes throughout the year - love hearts at Valentines, hay bales and pumpkins in the fall and tulips in the spring.
6. Do some shopping along West 4th
Any trip to Kitsilano has to feature a jaunt along this neighbourhood’s famed shopping strip on West 4th Avenue. Home to vinyl record shops, vegetarian restaurants and yoga and sports shops, you can easily kill a few hours wandering around here.
Many shops along 4th are dog-friendly, with big brands such as Lululemon, Urban Outfitters, Arcteryx and Fjallraven allowing pets in store on leashes, with other stores such as Patagonia and Coco’s Closet also providing treats for your furry friends.
7. Take a stroll through the gardens
Once you and your pooch are all shopped out, head over to Maple and 6th for a gentle afternoon stroll along the community gardens on Arbutus Greenway, a disused railway that has been transformed into an 8.5km walking and cycling trail with an abundance of flora and fauna and colourful benches.
For particularly green-thumbed - or green-pawed - visitors, City Farmer provides a welcome stop along the way. The urban horticulture site - which welcomes dogs on leashes - teaches visitors how to grow their own food and compost their own waste while providing information on how to responsibly look after the environment.
8. Get out on the water
Long gone are the days of wistful gazing at paddleboarders and kayakers having a great time on the water while you stay on the seawall with your pup.
With a super convenient Kits beach location, you can get straight into the water for a splash with your pooch with Vancouver Water Adventures who welcome dogs onto their kayak and paddleboard rentals.
If you fancy something just a little different, BC Water Bikes - based at the boat launch in Vanier Park - is also super happy to welcome your pups on board, so you can get some exercise while your pooch chills out next to you on one of their bright yellow and blue water bikes.
8. Sip a drink on a sunny patio
You won’t struggle to find somewhere for a wind-down drink with plenty of pooch-friendly patios at your fingertips in Kitsilano. Try out a Sassy Sangria Crush at Local Public Eatery, which has beautiful beachside views on Cornwall Avenue, or head up to 4th Avenue to Brown’s Social House for a Watermelon Mint Martini - all with your pooch by your side.
9. Catch the sunset at the dog beach
The perfect end to any day in Kitsilano has to be catching one of Vancouver’s famous sunsets over Howe Sound. Haddon Park’s dog beach is the perfect place for that. Not only can dog owners settle down on a blanket to take in the views, but pooches can race off unleashed along the sand for some zoomies, take a plunge in the ocean after a tennis ball or frisbee, or have a friendly tussle with some other pups while you soak up the sunset.
Want to find more dog-friendly locations in Vancouver?
Find every nearby coffee shops, restaurants, breweries and more that welcome your four-legged friends by downloading PawSwap App - the ultimate dog-friendly city guide. You can also review your favourite dog-friendly locations inside the app, as well as see reviews from fellow dog owners. Available to download today on the App Store. Are you an Android user? Make sure to join the App waitlist today.