CRAB Park at Portside Vancouver
Hidden beach and greenspace
Pamela from Vancouver
Originally called Portside Park, CRAB Park (Create a Real Available Beach) is a hidden gem, just steps from bustling Gastown and Waterfront Station. I've lived in Vancouver most of my life and I didn't even know it existed until a few years ago.
There's a tiny, quiet beach, where you can not only admire the view of the Lions (two twin peaks on the North Shore), but also watch the comings and goings of a busy, working port. Container ships, helicopters, SeaBuses and even the occasional cruise ship frequent the area, and during summer months, you'll often see beach bonfires on the sand.
Alongside the beach is a grass field and a playground. It's one of Vancouver's rare off-leash parks, and there are always dogs running everywhere. One long path circumvents the park, leading past monuments and memorials, both beautiful and heartbreaking. Most concern the lives and challenges faced by those living in the nearby downtown eastside.
The park is easy to find once you know where it is. Go down Main Street, all the way north, and follow the road as it winds left over the Main Street overpass and you can see the park from there.
Vancouver Spotter Pamela
About this spot
101 East Waterfront Road
- Daily, during daylight hours
C$
free
Our Vancouver City Guide
Find your way with 195 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved it? Join us!
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:
Discover all other hidden gems in Vancouver
Gifts and Things
Cute gift shop
My personal favourite parts of this shop are their tote bag wall and their section of mushroom themed merchandise.
by
Rebecca
Heggs
The Dominion Building
Standout piece of history
At the time, it was built in the finance district to house the Dominion Bank. When it was constructed, it was the tallest building in the British Empire.
by
Rebecca
Heggs
Catfe
Cat lovers heaven
Regular special events such as art classes, meowditation, and cat yoga also give you unique ways to spend time with the cats.
by
Rebecca
Heggs
Vancouver Library Rooftop
Garden and viewpoint
It has a calm, family friendly atmosphere, where children run around next to university students searching for study motivation in a different atmosphere.
by
Rebecca
Heggs
Mr. Red Cafe
Fresh Northern Vietnamese food
"Mr. Red Cafe" is the 'quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine'. This restaurant is just simply delicious. Let me tell you, it's not typical Vietnamese fare...
by
Adelina
Wong
Fun Alley
A hidden colourful hangout spot
Benches to sit on and watered plants show that Fun Alley was designed as a place for people to hang out, not just a place to glance at and keep going.
by
Rebecca
Heggs
Jingle Bao
Colourful dumplings in the West End
Magnificent Seven — seven soup dumplings with different colours and flavours and their giant soup dumplings, which are served with a straw for easy slurping.
by
Rebecca
Heggs
La Grotta del Formaggio
A taste of Italy
La Grotta del Formaggio, a Vancouver classic, offers hefty custom sandwiches, unique pastas, and diverse cheeses in Little Italy since the 1970s. Enjoy!
by
Rebecca
Heggs
Grounds for Coffee
Best cinnamon buns in the city
While they are a cafe selling coffee and various baked goods, the main reason people come through the doors is to get one of their delicious cinnamon buns.
by
Rebecca
Heggs
Fraser River Trail
Unique riverside view
The "Fraser River Trail" in Vancouver is a super relaxing walk with a view of boats in the distance and some planes flying in and out of YVR Airport.
by
Daniela
Botelho Perotto
Vancouver Story Slam
2nd longest in the world
"Vancouver Story Slam" runs the second-longest-running story slam in the world! It's very unexpected and underrated treat. Grab a drink, sit back & enjoy!
by
Daniela
Botelho Perotto
Rocky Point Park
Nature, food & beer
A popular but out of the way park, Rocky Point Park and its surroundings are a gathering place for families, friends, and couples alike.
by
Rebecca
Heggs
Heading to Vancouver?
195 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
... for just €9.99
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 195 Insider Tips
✓ Escape the Crowds
✓ Find Spots nearby
✓ Authentic Stories
... for just €9.99
City guides by those who know the city in and out!
Our Locals' Favorite Relaxing
Our team loves Vancouver
Get to know our other Spotters from Vancouver
As featured on:
