Best Places to See Fall Colours around Vancouver

Fall colours at Trout Lake. Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver / Nelson Mouellic

Autumn is a spectacular time in Vancouver as the weather cools down and the leaves change colour. The bold pockets of red, orange and yellow leaves stand out against the blanket of evergreen trees. Here are our picks for the best places to see fall colours around Vancouver.

Stanley Park

Stanley Park is picturesque at any time of year, but it lights up in fall. There are lots of great spots to see the leaves change, but the seawall near the rowing club is a definite hot spot.

Stanley Park Seawall with fall colours. Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver / Nelson Mouellic

Sylvia Hotel

The Sylvia Hotel on Beach Avenue in the West End is a Vancouver icon thanks to its Virginia creeper-covered exterior. In autumn, the leaves turn from green to amber, gold, and crimson.

The Sylvia Hotel changing into fall colours. Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver / Nelson Mouellic

Coal Harbour Seawall

The Coal Harbour Seawall is a great place for a stroll, with excellent views of Stanley Park. In the fall, the trees along the pathway light up as they change colours.

Fall on the seawall in Vancouver's Coal Harbour

Fall colours on the seawall in Coal Harbour. Photo credit: Ann Badjura Photography

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

These gorgeous gardens provide a moment of tranquility in bustling Chinatown. The carefully manicured trees are beautiful in their fall colours. To visit the garden, book your tickets in advance.

Fall colours at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden. Photo credit: Gardens BC/Daniel Mosquin

Granville Island

Sprinkled in between Granville Island’s bustling shops, you’ll find maple trees glowing red, orange, and yellow at this time of year. To see them all, duck down the narrow alleys and venture out to Ron Basford Park on the southern tip of the island.

Fall colours on Granville Island. Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver / Nelson Mouellic

Kits Point

The leafy streets of Kitsilano are gorgeous in autumn. Go for a wander to appreciate the fall colours or head to Hadden Park in between the Maritime Museum and Kits Beach to spot some truly giant maple leaves.

Cyclist biking through a park with fall colours in a park in the Kitsilano neighbourhood of Vancouver

Hadden Park in Kitsilano in fall colours. Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver / Hubert Kang

Queen Elizabeth Park

Queen Elizabeth Park provides a double dose of fall foliage. Walk the paths to enjoy the changing leaves, then head up to the viewpoint near Seasons in the Park. From there you’ll have the city at your feet in all her scarlet, gold, and amber glory.

The view from Queen Elizabeth Park in fall. Photo credit: Ann Badjura Photography

VanDusen Botanical Garden

Each autumn the trees at VanDusen Botanical Garden put on a show as they change colour. The ginkgo trees are particularly spectacular. To visit the garden, book tickets in advance.

VanDusen Gardens in Fall. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons/Wendy Cutler from Vancouver, Canada used under CC BY 2.0

UBC Campus

The University of British Columbia campus transforms in autumn as the red oak trees change from green to brown, gold, and crimson. Stroll along Main Mall for the best colours.

Fall colours at the University of British Columbia Campus in Vancouver

Fall colours on the UBC Campus. Photo credit: UBC.ca

Nitobe Memorial Garden

The meticulously manicured Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC is a delight in autumn as the Japanese maples glow against the moss. To visit the garden, buy tickets in advance.

Fall colours at Nitobe Garden at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver

Fall colours at Nitobe Memorial Garden. Photo Credit: UBC Botanical Garden

UBC Botanical Garden

UBC’s expansive botanical garden is home to some lovely fall colours. For the best show, head to the Carolinian Forest section to see the east coast species. Book your tickets in advance.

Fall colours at UBC Botanical Garden. Photo credit: Daniel Mosquin, UBC Botanical Garden

Trout Lake

With several different types of deciduous trees including maples, weeping willow, oak, birch, and cherry, Trout Lake offers an explosion of different autumn colours.

Fall colours at Trout Lake. Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver / Nelson Mouellic

Burnaby Mountain Park

Head to Burnaby Mountain Park for an eye-catching fall display. Walk the Panorama Trail to enjoy the changing leaves or head to the Kamui Mintara (Playground of the Gods) sculpture for a great view of Vancouver’s autumn leaves from above.

Fall colours at Burnaby Mountain Park. Photo Credit: Ann Badjura Photography

Deer Lake

Burnaby’s Deer Lake is a symphony of colours each fall. Walk the flat trails around the lake to enjoy the enchanting reflections.

Fall colours at Deer Lake. Photo credit: Ann Badjura Photography

Park and Tilford Gardens

You’ll find this serene garden tucked away in a shopping centre in North Vancouver. In the fall, head to the Asian section to see the Japanese Maples turn gold and crimson.