Vancouver West – Kitsilano

More commonly known as “Kits”, this beautiful sea-side neighbourhood is located on the southern shore of English Bay from Alma St to Burrard St, extending south until W 16th Ave. Kitsilano offers beautiful scenic views, beaches and great urban living. Many residents living in Kits enjoy the outdoor activities year round, great shopping, restaurants and cafes.

Neighbourhood amenities

W 4th Ave is Kitsilano’s main commercial district and is home to over 300 restaurants, stores and professional services. Near the corner of Burrard and W 4th St is a shopping district that distinctively sells outdoor goods such as snowboards, bikes, skis, canoes, kayaks, camping and outdoor apparel. The whole street is filled with great spots to eat and boasts some of Vancouver’s best restaurants including The Oakwood Canadian Bistro, Annalena and Linh Cafe. The main street offers a variety of ethnic cuisines and varying price ranges for those looking for something fancier or a little more casual. In the summer, the unique neighbourhood hosts Khatsahlano; the one day street festival is a celebration of arts and culture.

Most of the recreational activities occur around Kitsilano Beach. During the summer months, Kits Beach becomes the central hub for beach volleyball, running and hanging out. There is also an outdoor pool, Kitsilano Pool, which is Vancouver’s only salt-water pool and is Canada’s longest pool. Visitors can also find tennis courts available near the beach.

Kitsilano is home to many cultural and historic centres. Bard on the Beach is western Canada’s largest Shakespeare festival. Its mission is to perform and explore the different Shakespearean plays. Although it is a seasonal festival, it holds various classes year round and has been open for 25 years. The Maritime Museum, Museum of Vancouver and HR MacMillan Space Centre can be found all in Vanier Park. The museums and space centre are great educational tools to learn about the history of Vancouver, modern cultural and societal values and space.

Schools

• Henry Hudson Elementary (K-7)
• Lord Tennyson Elementary (K-7 and French Immersion)
• Bayview Elementary (K-7)
• Kitsilano Secondary (8-12)

Transit

Essential amenities are located within walking distance. The area is well serviced by buses that run along W 4th, Broadway and 16th that transfers users into the heart of Downtown, UBC or the Skytrain Station. Drivers have quick and easy access to the main east-west corridors that the buses use. Burrard St is located just minutes away and acts as one of the main access points into Downtown Vancouver.

Kitsilano Real Estate

Given Kitsilano’s close proximity to UBC and Downtown, it has attracted many students, despite the overall affluence of the neighbourhood. The average home was nearly $3 million in 2016, the average condo $590,000 and townhome $1.1 million. Prices of homes increase near the water and have sold for up to $22 million.