West Vancouver, BC: Complete City Guide

West Vancouver is a scenic, upscale coastal community of about 44,000 people stretching along the north shore of Burrard Inlet and Howe Sound, from the Capilano River to Horseshoe Bay. Its homes climb the slopes of Hollyburn and Cypress mountains above a long string of beaches, seaside villages and rocky coves. Known for its Seawalk, Lighthouse Park, Cypress Mountain, the Park Royal shopping centre and the ferry terminal at Horseshoe Bay, West Van is one of the wealthiest communities in Canada and one of the most beautiful places to live or visit in Metro Vancouver. Officially, it is the District of West Vancouver.

West Vancouver sits on the traditional and unceded territory of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation, whose Capilano reserve, Xwemelch'stn, borders the municipality to the east.

West Vancouver at a Glance: Quick Facts

Statistics Canada counted the population again in May 2026, but city-level results are not expected until 2027. Figures on this page use the 2021 census unless stated.

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History of West Vancouver

Before the municipality

The shoreline from the Capilano River to Howe Sound has been home to the Squamish people for thousands of years, with village sites, fishing camps and trails along the coast and up the Capilano River. The Squamish Nation's Capilano reserve, Xwemelch'stn, lies on the municipality's eastern edge, and the Nation is a major landowner and partner in the area's future.

Ferry town

Settlers began building summer cottages and homes along the waterfront in the 1890s and early 1900s. John Lawson, often called the father of West Vancouver, bought land at what became Ambleside and helped start a ferry service to Vancouver in 1909. On March 15, 1912, West Vancouver separated from the District of North Vancouver and incorporated as its own municipality. The same year the municipal Blue Bus service began, making it one of the oldest municipal transit systems in Canada. The heritage Ferry Building at Ambleside, built in 1913, still stands.

The British Properties and the Lions Gate Bridge

In the 1930s the Guinness brewing family bought thousands of acres on the mountainside and developed the British Properties, an exclusive planned neighbourhood. To connect it to Vancouver, they built the Lions Gate Bridge, which opened in 1938. Park Royal, one of Canada's first shopping centres, opened at the foot of the bridge in 1950 on land leased partly from the Squamish Nation.

Modern West Van

The Upper Levels Highway and the BC Ferries terminal at Horseshoe Bay made West Vancouver the gateway to the Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Island and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. Cypress Mountain hosted freestyle skiing and snowboarding at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Today, housing affordability, protecting the mountainside "Upper Lands," and revitalizing Ambleside are major local issues.

Key dates in West Vancouver history

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Geography of West Vancouver

West Vancouver stretches about 15 km along the shore from the Capilano River in the east to Horseshoe Bay and the mouth of Howe Sound in the west. Behind the shoreline, neighbourhoods climb steeply up the slopes of Hollyburn Mountain and Cypress Mountain, and the forested "Upper Lands" rise to the peaks of Cypress Provincial Park. The District of North Vancouver and the Squamish Nation's Capilano reserve are to the east. The coast is a mix of sandy beaches, rocky points and small coves, with views across the water to Stanley Park, downtown Vancouver, Point Grey and Bowen Island.

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West Vancouver Neighbourhoods

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West Vancouver Climate and Weather

West Vancouver has a mild oceanic climate. Its south-facing slopes catch plenty of sun, but rain is heavier than in Vancouver because moist air rises against the mountains, and snow is common in winter at higher elevations and on Cypress Mountain.

Figures are approximate, based on Environment and Climate Change Canada normals for the area.

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Urban Planning in West Vancouver

West Vancouver is mostly made up of single-family homes, and its biggest planning challenges are housing affordability, an aging population and finding room for younger families and workers. The District's Official Community Plan directs new apartments and townhomes to Ambleside, Dundarave, Horseshoe Bay and the Marine Drive corridor, plus planned mountainside communities such as Cypress Village, while protecting most of the Upper Lands as forest. The redevelopment of the Ambleside waterfront, the Park Royal area and Squamish Nation lands are also shaping the future.

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West Vancouver Architecture and Landmarks

West Vancouver is famous for its West Coast Modern houses: post-and-beam homes of wood and glass designed in the 1950s and 1960s by architects such as Arthur Erickson, Ron Thom, Fred Hollingsworth and Barry Downs.

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West Vancouver Demographics and Population

The 2021 census counted 44,122 people in West Vancouver. It has one of the oldest populations in Metro Vancouver, with a median age around 50, and one of the highest average household incomes and home values in Canada. Close to half of residents were born outside Canada.

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Ethnicity and Cultural Diversity

Figures are rounded from the Statistics Canada 2021 Census Profile. West Vancouver has one of the largest Iranian communities in Canada, along with a large Chinese community.

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Languages Spoken in West Vancouver

English is the main language. Persian (Farsi) and Mandarin are the most common other languages, followed by Cantonese, Korean, German, Tagalog, Spanish and French.

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Religion in West Vancouver

About half of residents reported no religion in 2021, and Christians make up most of the rest. Muslims, mainly from the Iranian community, form the largest non-Christian group, with smaller Jewish, Buddhist and Zoroastrian communities.

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LGBTQ2S+ West Vancouver

West Vancouver is an inclusive community, with North Shore Pride events, inclusive programs at the library and community centres, and support groups across the North Shore. Vancouver's Davie Village is about 20 to 30 minutes away.

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Homelessness in West Vancouver

Homelessness in West Vancouver is counted as part of the North Shore together with the City and District of North Vancouver. Visible homelessness is low in West Vancouver itself; most North Shore shelters and services are in the City of North Vancouver. High rents and the shortage of rental housing make it very hard for lower-income workers and seniors to stay in the community.

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West Vancouver Economy

West Vancouver is mostly residential, with few large employers. Retail is concentrated at Park Royal, the North Shore's largest shopping centre, and in the villages of Ambleside, Dundarave and Horseshoe Bay. Tourism is important thanks to Horseshoe Bay's BC Ferries terminal, Cypress Mountain, Lighthouse Park and the waterfront. Real estate, construction, professional services and the District itself are other significant employers. Many residents are retirees or work in Vancouver.

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Government, Mayor and Council

West Vancouver is governed as a district municipality by a mayor and six councillors, all elected at large for four-year terms. Voters also elect trustees to the West Vancouver Board of Education (School District 45). Municipal Hall is at 750 17th Street.

Mayor and councillors (term 2022–2026)

The next civic election is Saturday, October 17, 2026. Mayor Sager is seeking re-election against Councillor Sharon Thompson and journalist and former Vancouver mayoral candidate Kirk LaPointe.

Other levels of government

West Vancouver is in the federal riding of West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country and the provincial ridings of West Vancouver-Capilano and West Vancouver-Sea to Sky. Metro Vancouver provides regional services, and TransLink runs regional transit.

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Policing and Crime in West Vancouver

West Vancouver has its own municipal police force, the West Vancouver Police Department, overseen by the West Vancouver Police Board. West Vancouver Fire and Rescue provides fire services, and the volunteer North Shore Rescue team handles mountain search and rescue. West Vancouver has some of the lowest crime rates in the region; most reported crime is property crime such as thefts from cars at trailheads and beaches.

For emergencies call 9-1-1. For non-emergency matters, contact the West Vancouver Police Department.

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Military in West Vancouver

West Vancouver has no military base. Its war memorial traditions are strong: the West Vancouver Memorial Library and Memorial Park were created to honour those who served, and the main Remembrance Day ceremony is held at the cenotaph in Memorial Park each November 11.

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West Vancouver Sister Cities

West Vancouver does not currently promote any formal sister city relationships. Check with the District of West Vancouver for the latest information.

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Public Transport and Getting Around West Vancouver

Driving

The Lions Gate Bridge links West Vancouver to Stanley Park and downtown Vancouver. The Upper Levels Highway (Highway 1/99) runs across the hillside to Horseshoe Bay, where Highway 99 becomes the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Squamish and Whistler. Marine Drive is the scenic waterfront route.

Walking and cycling

The Centennial Seawalk runs about 2 km along the water from Ambleside to Dundarave, one of the most popular walks on the North Shore. The Spirit Trail connects to North Vancouver, and steep mountain trails lead up Hollyburn and Cypress.

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Schools in West Vancouver

The West Vancouver School District (School District 45) is known for strong academic results and also serves Bowen Island. It has three public secondary schools: West Vancouver Secondary, Sentinel Secondary and Rockridge Secondary, plus elementary schools across the community. Well-known independent schools include Collingwood School and Mulgrave School. The nearest university is Capilano University in North Vancouver.

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West Vancouver Memorial Library

The West Vancouver Memorial Library, opened in 1950 as a memorial to those who served in the world wars, is a much-loved community hub. Membership is free for residents and includes books, e-books, streaming, a makerspace and programs for all ages.

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Arts and Culture in West Vancouver

Filming locations

West Vancouver's waterfront homes, beaches, forests and mountain roads are popular with film and TV productions, especially for upscale or coastal settings.

Media

• Local news: North Shore News
• Regional: CBC, CTV, Global BC and CityNews

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West Vancouver Nightlife

West Vancouver's evenings are quiet and food-focused. Ambleside and Dundarave have restaurants, cafes, wine bars and Persian and Asian eateries, and Horseshoe Bay has waterfront restaurants and pubs with ferry views. Park Royal has restaurants and a cinema. Summer evenings on the Seawalk and at the Harmony Arts Festival are the social highlight. For bars and clubs, most people head to Vancouver or Lower Lonsdale in North Vancouver.

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Parks and Beaches in West Vancouver

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Natural Attractions in and Near West Vancouver

West Vancouver's mountains and coast offer some of the region's best nature. Cypress Mountain has downhill skiing, cross-country trails at Hollyburn, and summer hikes to viewpoints such as Black Mountain and Eagle Bluffs. Lighthouse Park protects some of the largest old-growth Douglas firs in the region. Whytecliff Park is famous for scuba diving and tide pools. From Horseshoe Bay, the Sea-to-Sky Highway leads to Porteau Cove, Squamish and Whistler, and ferries go to Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast. The forests here are classic temperate rainforest of cedar, fir and hemlock.

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Things to Do in West Vancouver: Top Attractions

1. Walk the Seawalk from Ambleside to Dundarave.
2. Hike Lighthouse Park to the lighthouse viewpoint.
3. Ski or snowshoe at Cypress Mountain.
4. Explore the coves and tide pools at Whytecliff Park.
5. Have lunch in Horseshoe Bay and watch the ferries.
6. Shop at Park Royal.
7. Visit the West Vancouver Art Museum and Ferry Building Gallery.
8. Catch the Harmony Arts Festival in August.
9. Hike to Eagle Bluffs for views over Howe Sound and Vancouver.
10. Take the ferry to Bowen Island for a day trip.

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Sports and Recreation in West Vancouver

West Vancouver is an outdoor playground: skiing and snowboarding at Cypress, hiking, mountain biking, sailing, kayaking, scuba diving and golf. The District runs the West Vancouver Community Centre and Aquatic Centre, the Ice Arena, the Seniors' Activity Centre and Gleneagles Golf Course. Hollyburn Sailing Club, local soccer, rugby and field hockey clubs, and private clubs such as Hollyburn Country Club are popular.

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Annual Events and Festivals in West Vancouver

Dates change from year to year, so check with organizers before you go.

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Sustainability and Green City Goals

West Vancouver's environmental priorities include protecting its forested Upper Lands, creeks and shoreline, restoring salmon habitat, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and transportation, and preparing for wildfire risk and coastal storms. The District has restored sections of shoreline to protect against erosion and sea-level rise, and works with the Squamish Nation and conservation groups on creek and forest protection.

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Services and Amenities

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West Vancouver FAQ

Is West Vancouver part of Vancouver?

No. West Vancouver is a separate municipality, the District of West Vancouver, on the North Shore across Burrard Inlet from Vancouver.

Is West Vancouver the same as North Vancouver?

No. West Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver are three separate municipalities that together make up the North Shore.

What is West Vancouver known for?

Its waterfront Seawalk, Lighthouse Park, Cypress Mountain, Horseshoe Bay, Park Royal, West Coast Modern architecture and high home values.

How far is West Vancouver from downtown Vancouver?

About 15 to 25 minutes by car or Blue Bus over the Lions Gate Bridge, depending on traffic.

What is the population of West Vancouver?

The 2021 census counted 44,122 people.

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Sources

• District of West Vancouver: 2026 Election
• District of West Vancouver: Candidate nomination period
• Metro Vancouver: Homeless population data
• Statistics Canada: Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population

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