Locarno Beach (Re)view — Why we Love it Here and Keep Coming Back

I don’t know about anyone else, but Summer in Vancouver feels a little extra cluttered this year. Perhaps it’s the seemingly unpredictable weather. Or maybe it’s because I’m a mom of multiple children trying to fit in all the beach days before Autumn approaches. Regardless, what I do know for certain is that I could never forget that I live here and am often reminded by nearly forgetting what season we’re supposed to be in some days… Blaring sunshine one minute, pouring rain the next, humid a l w a y s . Clearly the weather plays a part. Anyway, much like the forecast (and the many local beach crowds), my family and I have been all over the place as well lately. However, there’s one place in particular we keep coming back to and I truly couldn’t recommend it more…

Locarno Beach, located in beautiful Point Grey. If you’re unfamiliar with Locarno, it’s a quieter beach nestled right between Jericho Beach and Spanish Banks by an extension of the Vancouver Seawall.

Why it’s called Locarno?

This beach was named after the Swiss city of Locarno to acknowledge the signing of the Locarno Peace Treaties in 1925, post WWI, Europe.

Why we love it here? Let’s get into it…

Noticeably quieter, not as crowded

Not to say most beaches in Vancouver are even close to quiet, however, Locarno is a designated quiet beach. This means that amplified noises (such as loud music speakers) are prohibited, which obviously makes for a more peaceful atmosphere. Of course there are occasionally people who aren’t aware of this rule (or they think they are the exception to it), but it’s pretty few and far between. This also isn’t to say Locarno is completely inaudible (let’s be real here), but it’s definitely noticeably quieter (and less busy) most days (and evenings).

Family friendly

While Locarno isn’t meant for just families, it certainly isn’t discouraging of them. And don’t get me wrong, many of the other local beaches are also great for family outings, but given its quiet(er) ambience, Locarno is exceptionally welcoming to those looking for a more laid back place to set down their beach towels (and countless sand toys). Might I add, the quietness isn’t so strict that it overpowers the inevitable noise and laughter of children, which is a plus. Just don’t expect the vibe of a club if that’s what you’re looking for.

More shady tress, less shady people

To further complement the serene mood of Locarno Beach, you can expect to see lots of tall evergreen trees in the grassy areas leading up to the sand. Pacific madrone, amabilis fir, and western hemlock to name a few species, and not only are they beautiful to look at, they provide plenty of shade to cool down. This is especially important to us when visiting the beach with our children to avoid sunburn and sun / heat stroke. However, of course not all shade at the beach is well tolerated… By this, I mean people with shady behaviour, or as kids these days would say, people who look “sus”. However, as stated before, this thankfully isn’t usually an issue. The people you see at Locarno are generally quite friendly, but still respect the space and contentment of others.

Large picnic / barbecue area

Under the trees mentioned above, you can be sure to find the perfect place to have a picnic (or craft a mocktail), complete with picnic tables and a large grassy area to set down picnic blankets. This is obviously a nice option to have for many reasons, one being you can assure you won’t find as much sand making its way into your picnic basket and/or food/drink items. Nothing like sparkling lime over frozen strawberries, sans sand.

Furthermore, barbecuing is permitted in these areas, which makes the food opportunities nearly endless and all the more enjoyable.

Concession stand

Speaking of endless food opportunities, who doesn’t love a beachside concession? Okay, in all honestly, I’d rather pack a picnic lunch, because it feels more wholesome and is likely not as expensive. However, the concession is a great option for an impromptu beach day and/or the craving of a delicious concession burger and golden, crispy fries. They also serve Haagen-Daz ice-cream (my personal favourite concession item), which is another sure way cool down. Bonus, you don’t have to walk far to get to it. Although, I personally think the walk would be worth it and feel more rewarding.

Beach volleyball access

Locarno is no stranger to beach volleyball. In fact, it has multiple nets to choose from. And while you do need to rent them (located at the Lifeguard station), they do not require reservation.

Washrooms within walking distance

While I’m fairly certain I don’t need to explain why washrooms are convenient to have nearby (especially with young kids), to make matters even more convenient, there are also change rooms and outdoor showers / spray stations if needed. And just to be clear, by outdoor showers, I don’t mean suddenly mistaking Locarno for Wreck Beach. If you know, you know.

Ample parking

We all know one of the biggest annoyances of driving to a public beach is the inability to find parking. Thankfully, that has never been a problem for us when visiting Locarno, as there are multiple places to park near the beach, including a large parking lot that doesn’t seem too quick to fill up (even on weekends).

Stunning views

From sunrise to sunset, the views around and from Locarno are simply stunning! Some specific views (looking out) include West Vancouver and the North Shore Mountains (Cypress and Seymour), but that isn’t all there is to see more of. From the east, the Vancouver Skyline can be seen, as well as Stanley Park. And from the west, you can see Lighthouse Park and Bowen Island. As for the beach, itself, it sits on the west side of Jericho Park on Northwest Marine Drive.

Well, it’s about time to pack up my beach bags (and this post). As you can see, there are many reasons why Locarno makes a great beach to frequent. In fact, the only regret I have in being there this Summer, is that I didn’t capture more of its stunning views. Apparently my Corkcicle tumbler was the main feature of our last visit. However, even if I had taken more photos, none of them would come close to doing this beach justice. You really just have to see it for yourself.