Vancouver is Ready for its Close-Up
With urban forests and stunning coastal views, it’s easy to see why this Canadian city is one of the most filmed locales in the world.
Photographs by Kamil Bialous
Illustrations by Ryan Johnson
Vancouver has been masquerading as other locales on the silver screen for years — San Francisco in Big Eyes, New York in Fantastic Four, Seattle in the Fifty Shades series. By virtue of its dramatic landscapes, mild climate, historic districts, and favorable tax credits, it’s ranked among the world’s top five most filmed cities. But now, more than ever, its starring role is as one of North America’s most scenic metropolises. With mountains to the north, islands to the west, and wine country to the east, it’s a gateway to outdoor adventures. And yet, it’s also a beacon of sophistication full of shimmering skyscrapers and forward-thinking restaurants. Hopping between the following areas — all connected by a public transit system with announcements voiced by actor and native son Seth Rogen — will give you a good grasp of Vancouver’s riches and make it easy to fall in love with this city between sea and sky.
Gastown
When captured in the right light, Gastown can resemble Seattle, SoHo, or a Victorian-era period flick — right down to the cobblestone streets and steam clock that whistles every 15 minutes. A popular filming locale, Vancouver’s original downtown is the perfect spot to soak in the city’s charm by way of the atmospheric shops and restaurants housed in century-old warehouses. “The area has retained a lot of the old world,” says Airbnb Experience host Hanna McComber, who runs food tours in the hood. “If you venture off Water Street, you’ll be rewarded with boutiques and watering holes that have been around for years.” At restaurants L’Abattoir and Alibi Room, the dimly lit brick interiors and craft beers draw a hip crowd, many of whom work in film. Afterward, shop the housewares and clothing shops, like Old Faithful Shop and the Block, on West Cordova Street.
Don’t expect us to be high-strung…when you travel to Vancouver, use the opportunity to slow down and enjoy a West Coast pace.” — Hanna McComber, Airbnb Experience host
East Vancouver
Edgy East Van has always marched to the beat of its own drum. And the lower rents have afforded innovative local chefs the freedom to be experimental. Take, for example, Justin Ell of Crowbar, where he’s elevating organic off-cut meats like beef tongue and lamb neck. On Commercial Drive, spend an afternoon poring over racks of secondhand clothes at Mintage and Little Miss Vintage and eating your way around the world, with an obligatory stop in Italy. The area was once home to Italian immigrants, whose legacy includes many 1950s-era red-sauce joints. Today, new ventures Pepino’s Spaghetti House and Caffè La Tana have revived the classic Italian dining experience, sourcing local ingredients. East Van’s retro sensibilities have also given rise to niche businesses the Regional Assembly of Text, an old-fashioned stationery store, and Vintage Iron Cycles, where electric bikes are handcrafted with midcentury flair. “There’s a whole other vibe here that’s a bit more rebellious,” says Elio Canale, Vintage Iron’s primary investor and an East Van native.
The Seawall
Forming the world’s longest waterfront trail, the Seawall runs 17.5 miles through several neighborhoods, including the manicured waterfront of Coal Harbour and the laid-back beaches of Kitsilano. Its most picturesque stretch is the oceanfront path around 1,000-acre Stanley Park, a forested green space originally home to Coast Salish First Nations people. Situated on a peninsula almost entirely surrounded by water, the Seawall offers coastal vistas in every direction — on a clear day, you’ll see the North Shore Mountains, and, on rare occasion, a pod of orcas. It takes three hours to walk the loop, leaving time to marvel at the ancient fir trees that provided a moody backdrop for the Twilight saga.
North Vancouver
The North Shore, accessible via the SeaBus ferry, is where you’ll find Vancouver’s snowcapped mountains and unbound wilderness. Once a sleepy residential area, North Vancouver is evolving into an up-and-coming hub anchored by farm-to-table restaurants, breweries, and the artisan-led Shipyards Night Market. You may even spot Mr. Bannock, Vancouver’s first food truck to feature indigenous cuisine of the Squamish Nation. (Try the juniper-berry dry-rubbed chicken.) Outdoor lovers will appreciate all the hiking trails, many of which stay snow-free in the winter, including 2.5-mile Quarry Rock, which overlooks a glacial fjord. A visit to North Vancouver also means access to the mountains. At Grouse Mountain, snowshoe trails and ski runs remain open until 10 p.m., so you can follow a day in the city with a night on the slopes. Whether you’re zooming past snow-covered Douglas firs or winding down with a glass of wine from BC’s Okanagan Valley, take in the view of the glittering city below. Offscreen, unfiltered, and forever framed by nature, Vancouver shines.
About the author: Julia Eskins is a freelance writer, editor and contributor to Architectural Digest, AFAR, Airbnb Magazine, Bloomberg Pursuits, Lonely Planet, and ELLE Canada, among other publications.
