Spanish Gold

The perfect Sunday ride to one of Vancouver’s top destination beaches, Spanish Banks. No stress here, just flat easy riding through False Creek, Granville Island, Kitsilano and Jericho Beach. 

Route 

To Spanish Banks:

• Start at English Bay Bike Rentals at 1754 Davie Street
• Ride south to the Vancouver seawall (Inukshuk at Englsih Bay)
• Ride the seawall east along False Creek
• At Hornby Street, cut north to Beach Avenue and continue east
• Ride under the Spinning Chandelier and around George Wainborn Park following Beach Cresent back to the seawall
• Continue a leisurely ride east to Science World
• Wrap around the eastern end of False Creek and contiune west on the seawall
• Stop at Brewhall to stock up on beach beers
• Continue along the seawall to Granville Island
• Stop at the market for picnic snacks-to-go
• Marvel at the Os Gemeos 'Giants'
• For a quick fish taco, stop at the Go Fish food stall, just off Granville Island
• Follow the seawall path under the Burrard Bride and around Vanier Park
• At the Maritime Museum, head south on Chestnut Street and quickly turn right on Ogden Avenue
• Make a left on Maple Street and head south to McNicoll Avenue
• Make a right and follow McNicoll as it merges into Arbutus and parallels Kitsilano Beach
• Pass the tennis courts and immediatly turn right, riding through the parking lot
• Follow the path around the beach heading west and slide off at Balsam Street
• Continue on Point Grey Road bike path for 2.5 km
• Exit the Point Grey path onto the gravel trail running parallel with the beach
• Continue west to the Jericho Sailing Club 
• Stop for drinks and fried fish on their stunning patio 
• Ride past Locarno Beach and the volleyball courts
• The further west you head, the less crowds
• When you come to the anchor you have reached your destination

Return Trip:

• Heading back, follow the same path till the Burrard Bridge or take York Street across Kits
• At Burrard, head back to Downtown on the east side of the bridge
• Come off the bridge and head right
• Make another quick right at Hornby and ride south to the seawall 
• Travel just over 1 km to Bidwell and take a right
• Head two blocks to Davie Street and then left on the sidewalk for half a block and you are back at the shop