02 The story
Where West Vancouver began
Ambleside was one of the first parts of West Vancouver to be settled, and for decades it was the community’s front door. Between 1909 and 1947, West Vancouver ran its own ferry service across Burrard Inlet to Vancouver. The 1913 ferry building at the foot of 14th Street still stands on the shore and now houses the Ferry Building Gallery, a small public art space.
Today the neighbourhood is West Vancouver’s main town centre. Marine Drive and the parallel Bellevue Avenue are lined with cafés, restaurants, banks and everyday shops, and the area has more apartment buildings than most of West Vancouver. Municipal Hall, the West Vancouver Memorial Library and community facilities are nearby, so it is a practical place to live as well as a pleasant one.
The waterfront
The big draw is the shoreline. Ambleside Park, at the mouth of the Capilano River, has a sandy beach, sports fields, a pond and a popular off-leash dog area, with views straight across to Stanley Park and the Lions Gate Bridge. Heading west, John Lawson Park and the Centennial Seawalk carry on along the water toward Dundarave, making for an easy, flat walk with benches and beach access along the way.
Each summer the waterfront hosts the Harmony Arts Festival, a long-running celebration of art, music and food that draws visitors from across the region.
Ambleside suits people who want a walkable, seaside neighbourhood without the density of downtown. It is also a good first stop for visitors: park once, walk the beach and seawalk, and have lunch on Marine Drive. Park Royal shopping centre is just to the east if you need more shops.
