EAGLE HARBOUR

For those that want to be out of the city, but not too far away, Eagle Harbour may be the ideal location. It gives residents the rural life they long for while still being close enough to the city to enjoy an evening at the theatre or a day wandering the museums. This is one of those neighbourhoods in the area west of Vancouver that is seeing a boom in interest.

Location

Eagle Harbour is located along the banks of the Howe Sound in the western Vancouver area. It is bordered by Hwy 99, Gleneagles, Caulfield, and Cypress Park. Just off the shores of Eagle Harbour lies Eagle Island. It is a community that is ideally situated for heading up the Sea to Sky Highway to Lions Bay or down into the city proper.

Parks and Green Spaces

Lovely parks and other green spaces are natural to come by in Eagle Harbour. The area is surrounded by plenty of natural beauty that beckons residents to spend some quality time out of doors. One of the draws to the area is the Whyte Lake Trailhead which is a 5km trail that is open all year round. The hiking is pretty easy, and there is only a 160-meter elevation gain. A roundtrip hike takes about two hours, and dogs are welcome as long as they are on a leash.

Park Verdun is another of the green spaces that are ripe for enjoying. This park is located off of Keith Road, and it has plenty of fun for residents of all ages. There are a ball hockey rink and tennis courts. Plus, there is a playground area for the little ones. Another area of interest in the Eagle Harbour area is Sahalee Trail. This trail winds in and around the area near  Meadfield Road and the Caufield Shopping Centre. At one point, the trail travels under a train bridge.

Kew Beach Park offers a somewhat secluded experience in the middle of a residential neighbourhood. When coming from the street, getting to the park requires heading down a staircase. There is a small beach in the park, which makes an ideal spot for wading through the water because there are very few waves. There is also a nice picnic area, and of course, a lovely view of the sound.

A little hidden gem in the area, Gulf Beach Park offers residents a serene spot to enjoy the sea. There are a small viewing area and a bench for relaxing and taking a moment to de-stress in the beauty of nature.  Another nearby green space is Plateau Park near Caulfield. This park has plenty of open space for letting little ones run around. Plus, it has tennis courts and a playground area.

Shopping and Dining

The nearest spot for shopping in Eagle Harbour is the Caulfield Village Shopping Centre. This spot has all a person could need and a little bit more. Wellness can be taken care of at the medical clinic, dentist office, and the veterinary clinic. There are also essentials to be found here, such as the post office, insurance company, and the bank. A resident can also take care of grocery shopping at the Safeway, get a haircut and a facial, and buy a new outfit. The dollar store rounds out the shopping factors, but there are still several restaurants left to explore. There is a sushi place, bread shop, an Italian restaurant, and a Starbucks to curb your caffeine cravings.

Park Royal shopping centre can also be easily accessed from Eagle Harbour. This is one of the most prominent shopping destinations in the Vancouver area, and it has shops in just about every category needed. Visitors to Park Royal can do everything from getting their eyes checked to watch a movie.

Eagle Harbour has a lot to offer in the way of eateries as well. Residents will find a ton of dining options within easy driving distance such as the Italian restaurant called Pastameli on Headland Drive, Horseshoe Bay Chinese Restaurant off of Royal Ave, and the Fish & Chips shop on Bay Street. There are plenty of other dining facilities in a variety of cuisines, including local favourites, sushi, breakfast, and sandwiches.

Getting to the City

There will be days that residents of Eagle Harbour will want to spend some time in the downtown Vancouver area. Whether it is for work or pleasure, the ride into the city is not very taxing. Via BC-1A, residents can reach the downtown area in about 30 minutes, depending on the traffic flow.

There are public transportation methods for getting into the city, namely the bus line. Travel time can come in under an hour if the attempt to get to the city is not during rush hour. The 250 bus is a straight shot.

Residents in Eagle Harbour enjoy a laid back way of life that isn’t available in the heart of the city. The pace is just a little bit slower, and the quality of being just a little bit better. This mostly residential area is dotted with green spaces, but it doesn’t lack in any of the amenities that make life easier. Restaurants, shopping options, and entertainment don’t have to be sacrificed, but the freshness of seaside air is definitely gained.