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District
of North Vancouver
The District of North Vancouver is located north of Vancouver
and Burnaby and just east of the Village
of Belcarra across Indian Arm. The District is quite large stretching
along Burrard Inlet from the Capilano River in the west to the small
seaside village of Deep Cove in the
east.
North
Shore
The District of North Vancouver backs onto Grouse, Fromme and Seymour
Mountains which are situated in the north and is referred to as
the North Shore. The North Shore area, including the District of
North Vancouver, is made up also by the City
of North Vancouver and West Vancouver.
Getting
to North Vancouver
To get to the District of North Vancouver from Vancouver, the route
involves crossing either the Lions
Gate Bridge from Vancouver or taking the Second Narrows-Iron
Workers Memorial on Hwy 1. Both routes on a clear day will give
you panoramic views of Vancouver Harbour, North Vancouver, Burrard
Inlet and the North Shore Mountains.
Capilano
Suspension Bridge
The District of North Vancouver is home to some of British Columbia's
most popular tourist destinations. One is the world-famous Capilano
Suspension Bridge located on Capilano Road. The Capilano Suspension
Bridge has been in existence since 1889 and can offer you awesome
canyon views of Capilano River - the subject of many postcard makers
throughout the years.
Grouse
Mountain
Two other tourist destinations close to the suspension bridge are
just north on Capilano Road. One is at Capilano Dam where there
is a beautiful view of the Capilano Canyon and a local mountain
to the north called 'The Lions.' The other destination is the Grouse
Mountain Skyride, famous for an exhilarating ride and an incredible
view of Vancouver.
Shopping
Areas
The main shopping areas of the District of North Vancouver are mostly
located on upper Lonsdale Avenue, Lynn Valley Mall, Edgemont Village,
Seymour Drive, Deep Cove, Main Street and Marine Drive. There is
also Park Royal Mall in West Vancouver and in the City of North
Vancouver, Lonsdale Quay and lower Lonsdale Avenue, both of which
are easily accessed.
Edgemont
Village
If you do happen to make it to the Capilano Canyon Suspension Bridge,
try a small shopping area nearby called the Edgemont Village. In
the 'Village' you can find a number of stores which include a grocery
store, pharmacy, banks, a Chevron Service Station, Cobs Bread, plus
two coffee outlets, a local favourite called Delaney's Coffee House
and a Starbucks.
'Duncan's
Pond'
Within walking distance from Edgemont Village on Crescentview is
an entrance to Murdo Fraser Park. People might not recognize the
name but probably recognize a commercial on TV. Within Murdo Fraser
Park is 'Duncan's Pond' where you can find a small cabin where the
local movie studios have made Kokanee Beer commercials.
Waterfront
Parks
The District of North Vancouver has a number of other nice parks
both on the waterfront and in the mountains. A few favourites include
Cates Park/Whey-au-Wichen located on Dollarton Hwy towards Deep
Cove, Harbourview off Main Street, Upper Mosquito Creek, Capilano
Canyon and Lynn Headwaters Regional Parks.
Recreational
Facilities
Included in the parks are the large number of recreational facilities
which are part of the District's Inventory. Some favourites you
can try - the Wave Pool at Karen Magnussen RecCentre - Lynn Canyon
located in Lynn Valley, William Griffin Park near the Edgemont Village,
Cleveland Dam including the Capilano Canyon River and the Seymour
River.
Capilano
River Hatchery
If you're at the Cleveland Dam, make sure you visit Capilano Canyon
located on Capilano River. The Canyon has a number of trails throughout
the forest as well as the Capilano River Hatchery. The hatchery
is very informative and, during a salmon spawn, very interesting
for the kids.
Maplewood
Farm
For other things to do with the kids, try going to Maplewood Farm
where you can find lots of learning and animal awareness. This is
just off the Second Narrows-Iron Workers Memorial Bridge near Seymour
River, Maplewood Farm introduces children to the wonders found on
the farm.
Lynn
Canyon
If you happen to enjoy the thrill of the Capilano Suspension Bridge,
try to visit the other suspension bridge located at Lynn Canyon.
Located off Lynn Valley Road in Lynn Valley, the Lynn Canyon Suspension
Bridge takes you across Lynn River throughout beautiful trails along
the Lynn River including a section of the famous Baden Powell Trail
and '30 foot' swimminghole.
Recreational
Trails
Complementing the large number of parks and recreational facilities
is the large number of recreational trails for a multiple of uses
including mountain biking, beachcombing and hiking along the mountains.
Fromme
Mountain Mountainbiking
Among other things, North Vancouver has always had a strong reputation
for having very competitive experienced mountainbiking fanatics.
One very popular area is up and along Fromme Mountain, which is
just off Mountain Hwy in Lynn valley. North Shore Mountain Bike
Association builds and maintains the trails and has brought North
Vancouver onto the world's stage for single track.
Baden
Powell Trail
For hiking you can try either Mosquito Creek or do sections of the
incredible Baden Powell Trail. The Baden Powell is a tribute to
the Scout leader founder goes from Deep Cove all the way to Horseshoe
Bay. The Baden Powell can be accessed throughout the District
including the Grouse Mountain Skyride, making for excellent day
hikes.
'Mother
Nature's Stairmaster'
If you happen to go to Grouse Mountain Skyride you can access the
Grouse
Grind trail. This trail is often described as 'Mother Nature's
Stairmaster' and will definitely give you a good workout. If you
do attempt it, make sure you stay on the trail, are well prepared
and take plenty of water.
Outdoor
Recreation
Other things to do in the District of North Vancouver include travelling
up Mount Seymour Provincial Park for more outdoor recreation; kayaking
up into Indian Arm Marine Provincial Park from Deep Cove; or, golfing
at perhaps one of the most challenging public golf courses in British
Columbia called Northlands.
Entertainment
For entertainment, there are a large number of restaurants, pubs
in the District of North Vancouver. A few favourites found in the
District include the Queens Cross Pub at the corner of Lonsdale
and Queens, Seymour's Pub at the Holiday Inn for a sports bar, Capilano
Heights Restaurant at 5020 Capilano Road for Chinese food.
The
Tomahawk Restaurant
For a great breakfast try visiting the Tomahawk Restaurant a North
Vancouver tradition since 1926 which was featured on Food Network
TV series - Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.
Coming
from Whistler Hwy 99
The other main highway route to the District of North Vancouver
is by using the Sea to Sky Hwy 99 coming from Squamish
and Whistler. If you are coming from
the Cariboo Chilcotin, think about taking this route when you drive
through Cache Creek.
Hwy 99 travels through Lillooet,
Duffy Lake and Mount Currie to Pemberton.
Bear
Country
Just remember if you are enjoying the provincial parks and the countryside
around North Vancouver and the rest of BC, please remember this
is bear country. Try to avoid the rivers during heavy salmon spawning
times unless you feel comfortable with bears around and take the
usual precautions. There is also the possibilities of encounters
with wolves or cougars so please play it safe.
Information
on the District of North Vancouver
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