Water and Pools

A summer spray park in Somerset Park in southwest Calgary. It is one of the City's unguarded spray parks, open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in season, usually mid June until about Labour Day, weather permitting. Closed for the season now; free to use when it reopens next summer.

A summer spray park in Rotary Park in Crescent Heights. It is one of the City's unguarded spray parks, open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in season, usually mid June until about Labour Day, weather permitting. Closed for the season now; free to use when it reopens next summer.

A sandy beach on the seawall where False Creek meets English Bay, next to the Burrard Bridge and the Aquatic Centre. It is a designated quiet beach with a big lawn behind it, and as the name says, it is a classic place to watch the sun go down. Free, with washrooms, a summer concession and a False Creek ferry dock.

A riverside park on the Elbow River in southwest Calgary, below River Park, with playgrounds, picnic sites, fire pits and pathways. The shore is mostly pebbles rather than sand, which makes it great for wading and skipping stones in summer. Free, with three off-leash areas close by (River Park, Riverdale and Britannia).

One of Vancouver's quiet beaches, a long sandy stretch between Jericho and Spanish Banks with tall evergreens behind it. Views reach across English Bay to West Vancouver and Bowen Island, and sunsets here are some of the best in the city. Free, with picnic tables, washrooms and seasonal lifeguards in summer.

A sandy family beach on the west side of Stanley Park, right on the Seawall, with a playground, picnic spots at nearby Ceperley Meadow, washrooms and a seasonal concession. It is a lovely place for sunset walks all year. The beach is free; the heated outdoor pool next to it charges admission and is only open in summer.

A quieter west side beach in Point Grey with a sandy shore, a big grassy park, a small pond with herons and a waterfront path toward Locarno and Spanish Banks. It is a favourite for picnics and paddleboarding in summer, with lifeguards from May 16 to September 7 in 2026. Free, open all year for walks.

Vancouver's shallowest beach: at low tide the sand flats stretch far out, so kids can wander and look for crabs. There are picnic tables, volleyball courts and a view back across the bay to the downtown skyline, and the waterfront path links it to Locarno and Jericho beaches. Lifeguards in summer (May 16 to September 7 in 2026). Free to visit.

A wide sandy beach in Kitsilano with a big lawn, volleyball nets and a view across English Bay to downtown and the North Shore mountains. Lifeguards watch the swimming area in summer (May 16 to September 7 in 2026), and the waterfront path is nice for a walk all year. The beach is free (the heated outdoor pool next to it charges admission).

Downtown Vancouver's most popular beach, on Beach Avenue in the West End, with sand, logs to lean on and famous sunsets over the water. In summer the Park Board has lifeguards on the swimming area (May 16 to September 7 in 2026); the rest of the year it is a lovely spot for a seaside walk. Free and open to everyone.

A free splash pad (jeux d'eau) at Parc Lucien-Borne in Montcalm, a place for kids to cool off on hot days. The jets do not run nonstop: you start them yourself. Open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in summer once it is 18 °C or warmer. Free.

A free splash pad (jeux d'eau) at Parc Saint-Viateur in Charlesbourg, a place for kids to cool off on hot days. The jets do not run nonstop: you start them yourself. Open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in summer once it is 18 °C or warmer. Free.