About Kitsilano

Close to downtown "Kits", as it is commonly called, is bordered by English Bay on the north and runs east to west from Burrard Street to Alma with 16th Avenue on the south. Large stretches of grass, the Science Centre, Maritime Museum, and a world-class music school all find their home on the edge of the young and hip Kitsilano. Walking on 8th, 10th, and 4th streets will give you ample food and shopping. One of the stronger places of community in Vancouver, it's a host to many generations of Vancouverites.

Kitsilano is a buzzing place with the highlight being the beach in the summertime. Trendy people hang around, playing volleyball, rollerblading, or just taking a stroll. A lot of newcomers to Vancouver first settle in Kits.

Kitsilano got its name from Khahtsahlanough a chief of the Squamish Nation. One of the area's first non-native settlers, Sam Greer, lived on Kitsilano Beach from 1882 until 1890. He lost his land title dispute with the CPR, who had been given the land in 1885. Greer actually went to jail for shooting and wounding the sheriff who came to evict him. Craftsman-style houses were built in Kitsilano during the 1910 to 1912 boom period and are characterized by decorative brackets, exposed rafter ends, mock trusses in the gable ends, expansive low-pitched gable roofs, and a rich variety of finishing materials and textures. Tatlow Park, at Point Grey Road and MacDonald, was the location of one of the first movies filmed in Vancouver; Robert Altman's 1960 film "That Cold Day in the Park". The totem pole outside the Maritime Museum at the foot of Cypress Street was carved by Mungo Martin, and is a replica of one given to Queen Elizabeth II in 1967. It was the tallest totem pole in the world at the time.

The Kitsilano Branch of the Vancouver Public Library is the oldest branch in the province. It opened in 1927. Kitsilano is ranked as the second most recognizable community in Canada (after Toronto's Rosedale area). Known for its spectacular scenery and endless stretches of beaches, Kitsilano blends the best of both worlds; Urban, with its proximity to the downtown core and myriad clubs, restaurants, shopping and office buildings that make up the downtown experience ...and Hip Suburban, with its eclectic mix of coffee joints, neighbourhood pubs, local hangouts for good eating and excellent people watching. With neighbourhood eateries, shopping areas and a panoramic mountain/beach setting right on your doorstep, is it any wonder that Kitsilano ("Kits" as it is affectionately called by residents) is the place - secretly anyway - everyone wants to live!

Location

Kitsilano is a vibrant, thriving, active area bordered by Alma Street on the west, Burrard Street on the east, 16th Avenue on the south and by the ocean on the north. This outstanding community is centrally located, with the downtown core just across the bridge and the world famous Granville Island Public Market within walking distance as are the shops and galleries of the 'South Granville' area. There is easy access to the University of BC and the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design.
KITSILANO MAP

Housing

The diversity of housing in Kitsilano is a major contributor to the ambiance of this area. California bungalows, Arts & Crafts, heritage homes, low rise condo buildings, townhouses, duplexes ...the housing is as diverse as the people who inhabit them.

Shopping

Arbutus Grocery Store - on the corner of 6th and Arbutus, built in 1907, it has a boomtown facade and an unusual corner. It is one of the finest old grocery stores in the city. Lululemon - started on the second floor of the retail corridor on 4th Avenue and has now expanded to an international active clothing manufacturer so popular that at times it seems there stylized L-Omega symbol is the unspoken official crest of Kitsilano!

Transportation

Kitsilano is an easy commute to downtown, by car, bicycle or bus. For a motorist, it's not inconceivable to park your car on a Friday after work and not use it again till Monday morning, yet still manage to get all the errands done ...because it's all available in your own community!

Recreation

Most recreation focuses on the waterfront with Kits beach, an outdoor pool, tennis courts, basketball courts, beach volleyball, the seawall for jogging/running, biking and rollerblading...the list goes on and on. The Kitsilano Community Centre is another primary centre of recreational activities. In addition, a wide variety of community programs are offered through many of the area schools (which are plentiful for all age groups). Cultural activities are provided by the Maritime Museum, the Vancouver Museum, the Conservatory of Music, and the Observatory.