Granville Island and False Creek -- lots to do and a great place to do it!

Lynda's Vancouver:
Granville Island & False Creek

Aquabusses gather at the dock at Granville Island.

Granville Island has been a fixture in Vancouver since 1979. But before it's renaissance as a fresh food market and entertainment centre, Granville Island was an eyesore. Home of heavy industry (the only remaining tenant being Ocean Cement) it was just that ugly place below the Granville Street Bridge until people began to question the presence of all those pollution causing industries in the 1960's. The will to change was strong and the city and federal governments (through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) worked to bring to fruition in 1979 the thriving market you see here now. Today you will find lots to do and see in this wonderful place.

A word to the wise -- it is often VERY difficult to find parking here, it's easier to take the bus and walk in. Or, if you are coming from downtown or almost anywhere on False Creek, you can take the Granville Island Ferry or an Aquabus. You can also walk there from Kits or False Creek by following the False Creek Seawall. This is a really lovely walk (from either direction) and there are parks and places to watch all the boating activity in False Creek as well as get great views of downtown. False Creek is an area with lots of activity going on -- there are sailboats coming and going from marinas on both sides (note: there is free 2 hour docking at Granville Island just behind the Public Market by the Aquabus Dock if you are arriving by boat), the Aquabusses ferry people across the creek and there are always lots of people using the seawall for walking or riding (the seawall is part of the Vancouver Bicycle route system). This whole area is great for people-watching and there are lots of places to stop and sit on the grass and watch people or the Canada Geese who also live in the area.

A Sailboat heads out of
False Creek.

The False Creek area, or Fairview Slopes, once too close to the industry of Granville, began to be developed as a condominium community as Granville Island was also transforming into the marketplace we see today. The population of this area has mushroomed in the last 20 years, and it's not hard to see why. As light industry moved out, condos replaced it to take advantage of the view of downtown and the mountains, as well as the easy access to downtown, the Broadway corridor and Granville Island. These really do make it a desirable place to live. The seawall connects Fairview with Granville Island (and beyond to Vanier Park, and Kits Beach) and some of the parks along the way. There is also lots of shopping along the Broadway Corridor, and some great restaurants there too. Some offices are found down here too, in the area by "Leg-in-Boot Square" and "Stamp's Landing". There are a couple of good restaurants including Monk McQueen's for seafood. The Provincial government recently restored a trolly which they are running on the train tracks between Leg-in-Boot Square and Granville Island, but I don't think the service is fully operational yet. When the sun is out, you really can't beat the seawall walk.

The False Creek Seawall around Alder Bay at Granville Island.
On the left is Granville Island, on the right the condos of Fariview.

Granville Island also boasts terrific restaurants, including Isadora's (one of my brother's favorites), Bridges, as well as the Keg and others. You can attend theatre, at six different places. And we must not forget the shopping. The Public Market is the heart of the Island. In addition to the fresh produce, seafood, and breads found there, you can find flowers, Fudge (mmmmm, fudge!) at Olde Worlde Fudge, and often there are more temporary stalls offering Bonsai Trees, designer honey and crafts of all sorts. The Market also has a "Food Fair" but it's not like any mall food fair, featuring flavours from all over the world, and you can even get a burger and fries of you want. It's not always east to find seating in this area, but on sunny days, there is plenty of room outside and the view can't be beat.

The Net Loft is home to some wonderful galleries little shops and the crafts available in some of the stores here are gorgeous. Blackberry Books offers a wide assortment of titles. You can pick up just about anything you could desire or need here, including beer at the Granville Island Brewery, delicate hand-made paper for your wedding guestbook at Paper-Ya, a sailboat, a glass sculpture -- the possibilities are just about endless. There is even a hotel (aptly named the Granville Island Hotel) on the eastern tip on the island by the "mound" a grassy mound that affords a great view of the Island and False Creek.

Houseboats at Granville Island.	Perhaps one of the best things to do when visiting Granville Island is explore. There are lots of little nooks and crannies, with shops and cafes hidden there. If you wander along the seawall you will find this little community of houseboats by the water west of the Granville Island Hotel. The first time I saw them I was surprised and delighted to see this quaint little community, especially when there is so much to discover on Granville Island. It's not accessible for the public, but you can see the houses, flowers and trees well enough from the dock, and the city in the background. Further along is the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. This is BC's most distinguished art school and a participant in the Walt Disney "Partners in Education".
You can also find little pathways between the stores and more stores hidden there. Dragonspace is in one of these nooks and has a great collection of dragon art. Once you have explored all over the Island and checked out all the great art shops and craft shops, it's time for a little rest. Behind the Market is an open space overlooking the public dock and a great place to sit and drink a latte, or chat with a friend or just watch all the people. Often there are buskers performing in this space and you can get roped into the show too! Just ask Joe!

Find a seat outside the Market and watch the world go by.

KIDS:

Granville Island is not just for adults. There is the "Kids Only Market" just under the bridge, near the entrance to the island. Here you can find all kinds of toys, games and stuffed animals to delight any child and they're fun for the adults too. There is a stamp place here too if you are into stamping, with quite a good collection of stamps and inks. There is also a water park near the False Creek Community Centre, with lots of fountains and hoses and a slide too. Great summer fun!

The Kids Only Market in the
Shadow of the Granville Bridge

FESTIVALS:

Granville Island, with it's great theatre spaces is also host to a number of festivals and events. I haven't been to the Vancouver International Comedy Festival yet, but I am told that it's a fun time. The event that I have attended a few times, and loved, is The Vancouver International Writer's (and Reader's) Festival. This is a wonderful event, hosting writer's from all over the world. The events are well run and authors are diverse and interesting. I only wish there could be more tickets for some events -- you really need to get organized early for this! Know what you want and get your tickets asap. I saw a couple of events here every year we lived in Vancouver and will miss it heartily this year! One of the funniest ones I saw was "The Great Canadian Spelling Bee" a free event in 1995 hosted by Bill Richardson, a Canadian humor writer (no, that's not an oxymoron!). What a hoot! I've seen some great authors at this event and recommend it to anyone who can get to it.

Part of the walk around Granville Island
heading towards the Granville Island Hotel.

The False Creek Community Centre at
Granville Island. You can see the yellow
slide of the waterpark too.

Parks | Granville Island | Steveston | Victoria

Last Updated: 000724