Trip 278 - May 31, 2023 (Wednesday)

Whytecliff Park Visit

West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) BC

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Whytecliff Park Location: Horseshoe Bay area of West Vancouver, at the western end of Highway 1, approximately 20 km from downtown Vancouver.

Liked: Excellent cliff views and ocean vistas. A large green lawn. Several available activities. Passing BC Ferries.

Of Note: Steep unbarricaded drop-offs at the cliffs area, fairly frequent noise from low-flying single engine airplanes, parking spots can get filled up quickly on a busy day, fishing and crabbing is prohibited in the park, disturbing marine mammals may result in a $500,000 fine. Climbing a popular large rock is a bit strenuous, and going down is quite steep for about 20 meters – hiking boots are recommended.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Backroad Mapbook (2019 edition) Whytecliff Park Approximate Coordinates: Page 11 (North Vancouver) A6.

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Whytecliff Park is located in West Vancouver - Horseshoe Bay, at the end of Marine Drive, not too far from Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal. It's a fairly small park which has everything for a very fine outing - a large green lawn for a picnic, a gazebo (in case it rains or the sun is too hot), a few swings and slides, two tennis courts, and even a small food shack. In addition, there is a rather compact beach, but the highlight of the park is a spectacular cliff walk with great views of Bowen Island and Queen Charlotte Channel with all the passing boats and ferries.

The serenity of the place is not infrequently disturbed by loud low flying single engine airplanes. Also, Whytecliff Park is likely to be packed on busy weekends, so come early to get a parking spot. Furthermore, watch out for steep unbarricaded drop-offs when walking on top of the cliffs, and also if you decide to visit an impressive large rock sitting in the ocean and connected to the beach by a stony path. The said rock is quite popular, but it does have a steep stretch of about 20 meters long, so hiking boots might prove very handy, especially since the path from the beach, which is about 100 meters long, is full or rocks, large and small.

1. Here is a Google Maps location of Whytecliff Park.

2. We are southbound on BC Highway 99 (Sea-to-Sky) driving from Squamish to West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay).

Southbound BC Highway 99 Sea-to-Sky between Squamish and West Vancouver

3. Taking Horseshoe Bay Drive exit.

Southbound BC Highway 99 Sea-to-Sky Horseshoe Bay Exit

4. Now driving on Horseshoe Bay Drive.

Horseshoe Bay Drive

5. Still on Horseshoe Bay Drive, getting ready to make a right turn to Horseshoe Bay.

Horseshoe Bay Drive British Columbia Canada

6. Made a right turn, and now we are on Marine Drive, taking it all the way to Whytecliff Park.

Marine Drive Horseshoe Bay BC Canada

7. Still on Marine Drive, with a sign showing that we are on the right road to get to Whytecliff Park.

Horseshoe Bay Marine Drive

8. This is a very fine residential area.

Marine Drive - Horseshoe Bay - British Columbia - Canada

9. Approaching Whytecliff Park entrance.

Horseshoe Bay BC - Marine Drive

10. This neat view of Queen Charlotte Channel is a sign of (even better) things to come.

Queen Charlotte Channel British Columbia Canada

11. Entering Whytecliff Park. Coordinates: N 49⁰22.367' W 123⁰17.455'. Elevation: 25 meters.

Whytecliff Park Entrance

12. Keep right to get to the parking area. Overflow parking is available too, but a sign indicates that the entrance to the park would be closed to vehicles once the lots are full. Was not too many people on a glorious Wednesday weekday, so try to avoid weekends in Whytecliff Park.

Whytecliff Park - West Vancouver - British Columbia - Canada

13. A large green picnic lawn to the left as we are driving to the main parking area.

Whytecliff Park Picnic Area

14. Regular parking is, basically, around the perimeter of the lawn, and also along the path to the cliffs, which are about 100 meters away from here.