Kristin was born and raised on Vancouver’s North Shore, spending her days in the mountains and on the beaches. Her years of living her means she knows all the local spots that are off the beaten track and the best places to visit. Her day job is Broker/Property Manager of Royal LePage Sussex Mander Group but by night she is Mom to two adventurous boys and one cute dog and documents her life on her @kristinlmay Instagram account.
Here are her favourite places:
“Yes, you’ll find Deep Cove in almost any Vancouver guide book but while most people are encouraged to head there on warm summer days when the small village is lined with ice cream and tourists, my favourite moments are in the fall or winter when fog hangs over Deep Cove and there is a peaceful calmness to the air. I head to Café Orzo for a delicious latte, liege waffle dusted with powdered sugar and simply sit drooling over their very west coast décor. I’d move in if they let me…”
“We use to live blocks from this panoramic view and I’ve literally spent hundreds of days on the Pier enjoying Vancouver in every season. I’ve eaten dinner via food trucks at the Shipyards Night Market on warm Friday nights, walked under Christmas lights with frozen hands warmed only by a hot drink, and I’ve taken moments (many moments!) to breathe in the crisp sea air with a newborn wrapped to my chest. While the view may be the same, the atmosphere is forever changing; tug boats, navy ships, fireworks, long table dinners, mass yoga classes. This is a place I feel spoiled to enjoy…”
“Across a small bridge from the pier, you’ll find one of my boy’s favourite water adventures. While there is a large “Splash Pad” in Shipyards Commons, this small more subtle water space is where we like to pass the hours. It’s very low key compared to your traditional water park, ideal for young kids (my boys are 1 & 3) and perfect for Mom and Dad to enjoy a stunning view, dip their feet to cool off, and even munch on goodies snagged from the Lonsdale Quay Market or nearby Nemesis Coffee. Can you tell I run on caffeine?”
“I grew up on Grouse Mountain but it’s been half a decade and two kids since I’ve strapped skis to my feet and trekked up the hill to enjoy the falling snow. With toddlers hanging off each leg, the idea was daunting so excuses came frequently, however, this year I changed my thinking, bundled everyone up, headed for the Gondola and simply put, I had forgotten how magical the mountain can be. We didn’t ski but rented sleds, walked the Christmas lit forest, tumbled down snowbanks, peeled off our wet clothes to enjoy a mountain dinner and made memories. The best kind.”
“Never a bad photo, and trust me, I have taken THOUSANDS at Ambleside Dog Park. The backdrop is literally a Vancouver postcard looking across the ocean to Stanley Park, Lionsgate Bridge, and Vancouver’s West Side. I never realized how spoiled we were to enjoy this special place with our pooches until I visited dog parks in other cities. Here our four-legged friends run free in 3.5 hectares while we stroll alongside gawking at enormous cruise ships and taking in beautiful sunsets. Oh, and the rocks. This is a kid’s rock-throwing paradise.”
“A rocky beach frequently inhabited only by locals, this a great spot year-round and comes complete with the high-end waterfront homes of your dreams! They do say Vancouver is a real estate city right?! Perfectly flat with very gradual entry, you can swim here, take out a small boat, or just wander and breathe that ocean air…either way, it is less busy than Ambleside and offers a very different feel. Grab a post-beach ice cream or drink at Cypress Place Market and enjoy a beautiful trip along Marine Drive back home.”
Photos and words by @kristinlmay.
