HORSESHOE BAY

Many people make their living in the urban area of Vancouver. It is the third largest metropolitan area in the country, after all. Yet, many of those city workers don’t actually want to be city dwellers but instead choose to live in the greater Vancouver area. One of those places people choose to live is Horseshoe Bay, sometimes called the commuter village.

Location

Situated at the entrance to Howe Sound, Horseshoe Bay is 15 minutes south of Lions Bay, and it marks the southernmost section of the Sea to Sky Highway. The reason it is so popular with commuters to the city is because of the ferry terminal. BC Ferries has a port in Horseshoe Bay, and the ferries take many passengers over to the city on a daily basis.

Parks and Green Spaces

There are a handful of greenspaces and parks dotting the area, one such park which is close to the public dock is Horseshoe Bay Park. The park is on the smaller size with only one hectare of land, but it has a lot to enjoy. There are spots for sitting and watching the ferries, and there is picnic space. Many people enjoy beachcombing or just sitting in the sunshine and enjoying views of the sound.

Off of Marine Drive is another green space Horseshoe Bay residents enjoy. Tantalus Park offers walking trails through the trees. The entire park is a bit off the beaten path and a bit hard to find in the trees, but recent developments should make it more user-friendly.

One of the older parks in the area is Whytecliff Park which opened more than 100 years ago in 1909. In fact, this park was one of the first places in the country to be designated a protected marine lands. It is not unusual for park visitors to see a sea lion or two during a visit. There are places for hiking, picnicking, and diving. Plus, there are public washroom facilities available. Families with little children enjoy visiting the playground area, and there is also great photography to be had at Whytecliff Lookout Point.

On the other side of the Horseshoe Bay community, residents can find the Gleneagles Golf Course & Clubhouse. This course has been voted as one of the “BEST 9-hole courses in Canada” by Canadian Golf Course magazine. It offers people in West Vancouver a lovely place to hit the ball around, and the green fees are quite reasonable.

Another popular outdoor destination in the area is the Gleneagles Skatepark which has three bowls that interconnect at various depths. It is a very large park that is a favourite among skateboarders in the area. BMX riders will also find plenty of fun at the Skatepark as well with the dirt jumps and the other stunt features.

Shopping and Dining

For those needing to grab a couple of odds and ends, Dayal’s Variety Store may offer what is required. Most people head over to the Caulfield Village Shopping Centre to do any serious purchasing. The shopping centre has a Safeway for getting groceries, plus there are a couple of eateries, a day spa, and other essential features. There are even a dentist and a medical clinic.

Another area shopping center is Park Royal, which is a bit more of a drive from Horseshoe Bay. However, this shopping center offers trendier options like Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.

There are a few dining options right in Horseshoe Bay that are very popular, including the coffee shop called The Good Karma Cafe. They offer organic and fair trade coffee items, teas, local produce, and “the best homemade muffins in town.” The cafe offers more than just typical coffee shop fare, however. There are also Indian menu items such as the Masala Chickpea Wrap or the Indian Pizza.

Some of the other dining options include The Horseshoe Bay Chinese Restaurant, C-Lovers Fish & Chips, and Bay Mooring Restaurant, which features Italian food. Right by the marina, residents will find Freshslice Pizza or the Olive & Anchor, which has a classic pub vibe. Other favourites include the Seaside Village Cafe, Troll’s Restaurant, and the Starbucks.

Those looking for the closest grocery store will find Bay Market on Bruce Street can supply most of the basic needs. While heading to Safeway of the nearby Whole Foods will be needed for those cooking meals with unusual ingredients, regular supplies and snacks can be bought right in town at the Bay Market.

Getting to the City

The ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale-Vancouver island takes about 40 minutes, and there is a boat leaving roughly every two hours. However, for those that prefer to drive into the city, the route takes about 25 minutes when the traffic is light. There is also the option of going by bus, which generally takes about 45 minutes.

Working in the city doesn’t have to mean giving up a quieter form of life. Horseshoe Bay gives residents the best of both worlds. Suburban living at its finest while also being able to get to the city with ease. Horseshoe Bay thoroughly earns its title of the commuter village.