Vancouver has a string of usable beaches around the downtown peninsula and along the West Side. The water rarely warms past 18°C even in August — locals tend to swim, kids cheerfully splash, and adults mostly read on the sand and admire the view of the North Shore mountains.
English Bay Beach in the West End is the most central — a wide sandy strip with logs to lean against and one of the city's best sunset views. The annual Celebration of Light fireworks festival happens just offshore. Sunset Beach, a short walk south along the seawall, is quieter.
Kitsilano Beach ("Kits Beach"), across English Bay on the south side, is the social one — beach volleyball courts, a heated saltwater pool, and easy access to the Kitsilano restaurant strip. Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks, further west, are larger and quieter, popular with families and dog walkers. Wreck Beach, below the cliffs at UBC, is the city's clothing-optional beach — a serious set of stairs each way and a relaxed crowd at the bottom.
In Stanley Park, Second Beach and Third Beach are sheltered and have grass and picnic areas behind the sand.