East North Vancouver · a host's guide
Deep Cove and Cates Park
The east end of North Vancouver is where the city runs out and Indian Arm begins. Villa Très Jolie sits on this side of the district, with Deep Cove village a few minutes along the water.
Cates Park
Cates Park, also known by its Coast Salish name Whey-ah-Wichen, is a long waterfront park on Burrard Inlet: two beaches, picnic lawns, forest trails, a boat launch and a canoe shed belonging to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, whose community is next door. In summer there are kayak and paddleboard rentals at the water's edge, and the sunsets from the beach are the ones this shore is known for.
It is the kind of park you use rather than visit: morning walk, afternoon swim, evening fire on the beach in the designated spots. A group of sixteen can spread out here easily.
Deep Cove village
Five minutes east by car, Deep Cove is a small waterfront village at the mouth of Indian Arm: a sheltered bay, a marina, a park with a beach, a handful of cafés and restaurants, a pub, and the doughnut shop whose queue you will notice before you notice the shop. Kayak and paddleboard rentals go out from the beach into some of the calmest sea water near the city, with Indian Arm stretching north for miles.
Parking in the village fills on summer weekends by mid-morning. Go early, or walk in from further up the road.
Walks and hikes
- Quarry Rock. The classic: about 90 minutes round trip from Deep Cove along the Baden-Powell Trail to a granite bluff over Indian Arm. Steady climb, roots and stairs, then the view. Busy on weekends; there is a daily cap on numbers in summer, so start early.
- Baden-Powell Trail. The 48-kilometre trail across the North Shore mountains starts (or ends) in Deep Cove. Walk any stretch of it and turn back.
- Cates Park trails. Flat forest loops through big cedars and firs, fine with small children and strollers.
- Mount Seymour. Fifteen minutes up the mountain road. Summer hiking to the Seymour peaks and alpine lakes, winter skiing, snowshoeing and a tube park. Closer to the villa than any other ski area.
On the water
- Kayak and paddleboard rentals at Deep Cove and, in season, at Cates Park.
- Guided kayak trips up Indian Arm to waterfalls and Granite Falls, a full day.
- Swimming from the Cates Park beaches. The water is cold Pacific water year round; July and August are the friendliest months.
- Bring your own boat: Cates Park has a public boat launch.
Eating and supplies
For a house of sixteen, the practical answer is the big grocery stores on Dollarton Highway and in the Parkgate area, ten minutes away, where there is also a pharmacy, a liquor store and takeaway. Deep Cove village has cafés, a bakery, pizza, a pub and a couple of sit-down restaurants; book on weekends. The villa has two kitchens and a BBQ terrace, which is how most groups end up eating.
Getting to and from
- Downtown Vancouver is about 25 minutes by car over the Ironworkers Memorial Bridge, longer at rush hour.
- Direct buses run from Deep Cove and along Dollarton Highway to Phibbs Exchange, where fast buses cross the bridge to downtown.
- The villa's driveway takes several vehicles. It is a quiet residential street, so please drive slowly.
