Neighbourhoods
Commercial Drive, known as “The Drive” or “Little Italy” to locals in East Vancouver, has an eclectic mix of shopping, cafes, and restaurants.
This funky neighbourhood is known for its original and diverse attractions such as one-off opportunities, and lesser known retail shops. The welcoming atmosphere of this area is always bustling with activity as its 21 blocks are comprised of over 400 local businesses, located in a surrounding neighbourhood of heritage homes. With significant Italian, Latin American, Asian, East Indian and African influence, Commercial Drive offers individuals a unique side of Vancouver that cannot be experienced anywhere else in the city.
Vancouver’s Fairview neighbourhood runs from 16th Avenue in the south to False Creek in the north, and from Burrard Street in the west to Cambie Street in the east. Included in the Fairview neighbourhood is ‘South Granville’, the exclusive shopping district that runs along Granville Street.
Fairview district includes both desirable residential areas and bustling commercial hubs, Fairview is home to some of Vancouver’s best most-acclaimed restaurants like Vij’s, Cactus Club, Memphis Blues or Banana Leaf, just to name a few. Beautiful parks are scattered throughout the Fairview neighbourhood, which makes it easy for enjoying a walk with or without your two (or four!) legged companion. It’s quite easy for residents of Fairview to find a place for a picnic, play tennis or chase your kids to the playground.
Fairview’s most famous landmark: ‘Granville Island’ is attracting numerous visitors from all over the world. Packed with shops, restaurants and gorgeous views, the island is home to the great Granville Island Public Market, the Arts Club; music and theatre festivals, like the Shakespeare Festival; Canada Day celebrations, and other cultural events.
With both Olympic Village Skytrain Station and City Hall Station, providing access to the Canada Line Skytrain and major transit routes down West Broadway, West 16th Avenue and 2nd Avenue, Fairview has excellent public transportation and is the 5th most walkable neighbourhood in Vancouver!
One of Vancouver’s hottest neighbourhoods, SoMa or Main Street is situated in the Mount Pleasant area at the division between Vancouver’s East and West sides.
This bohemian community houses an eclectic mix of historic buildings, independent studios, trendy stores, restaurants, cafes and much, much more! In recent years, the community has undergone significant economic and cultural changes to accommodate a new diverse population of young professionals, artists, families and many other walks of life. As the major north-south thoroughfare in Vancouver, Main Street hosts Vancouver’s biggest street party, Car-Free Day, every year.
Situated against the stunning North Shore Mountains, North Vancouver is a nature lover’s paradise with all the comforts of an urban setting.
With direct access to three local mountains, residents have the option of hiking, mountain biking, skiing and many other recreational activities. If the challenging “Grouse Grind” doesn’t appeal, explore the shops and eateries along Lonsdale Avenue. Located at the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue, the Lonsdale Quay Market is known for it’s fresh, local food. Feel like heading into Downtown Vancouver? Get there with a 20-minute drive across Lions Gate Bridge, or simply hop on the Seabus.
South Granville offers the best of both worlds, the convenience of city life and the peace of a residential neighbourhood.
Surrounded by heritage buildings, still very close to shopping, exquisite restaurants, Stanley Theatre, parks & recreation and unique local businesses, and Vancouver’s largest collection of fine art galleries (called ‘Gallery Row’). South Granville has a little something for everyone! It is located at the edge of Fairview, which is considered Vancouver’s fifth most walkable neighbourhood (Walk Score: 98). Just walking down the hill Granville Island and the adjacent Seawall invites you for an extended stroll. Westwards you are even close to everything that Kitsilano has to offer. The Transit Score for this location is 79 and being located at a designated bike route the Bike Score is 96.
The West End, located on the downtown peninsula, is considered one of Vancouver’s most well-known neighbourhoods.
Bounded on three sides by water (English Bay, Coal Harbour and the world-famous Stanley Park Lost Lagoon), the West End is certainly one of Vancouver’s busiest and most vibrant communities.
From shopping on Robson Street, jogging around the Stanley Park seawall, playing a game of beach volleyball at English Bay, or dining at a restaurant on Denman Street, inhabitants of Vancouver’s West End neighbourhood have a variety of outdoor activities to choose from. Life is never dull in the West End!