Picnic season is almost here! The warmer weather IS coming and preparing a picnic with your family, friends or sweetheart is a fabulous way to spend a sunny day. Pack up light sandwiches, cold drinks, fresh fruit and your favourite treats, or call ahead to your favourite local cafe and have them prepare lunch for you! Don’t forget a blanket or lawn chairs, a good book and sunscreen.

This month we are excited to share 5 Great Metro Vancouver Picnic Spots. If you are looking for a picnic spot in the Fraser Valley, be sure to check out 5 Great Fraser Valley Picnic Spots over at FVP.

by bchow

Belcarra Regional Park
Near Port Moody MAP

We love Belcarra! Tucked away in Burrard Inlet, at the mouth of Indian Arm, Belcarra Regional Park is a favourite with local families. Picnic tables, a dock for fishing (be sure you get a license!), easy hiking trails suitable for all ages, a great playground and a rocky shoreline perfect for exploring are some of the great features of this park. If a busy but awesome family beach at a warm lake are more your style, White Pine Beach at Sasamat Lake is a quick drive down the road from Belcarra.

by *MandyJ*

Burnaby Mountain
300 Centennial Way, Burnaby MAP

If you have never visited Burnaby Mountain Park, the views will take your breath away – packing a camera for this adventure is highly recommended. Burnaby Mountain provides year-round entertainment: tabogonning in the winter, hikes in the spring & autumn and picnics in the summer. Set your picnic blanket down on the grassy hills at Burnaby Mountain and take in the spectacular views.  Stroll around the rose gardens and enjoy the beautiful sculptures. Perhaps you will forego the picnic at this destination and choose to enjoy a patio dinner at Horizons restaurant. Stay late and enjoy the sunset from atop your mountain perch. Romantic!

by trec_lit

Ambleside Park
Marine Drive & 13th Street, West Vancouver MAP

This is one local picnic spot that has it all. Beautiful oceanside views looking across to the city, at passing boats and ships, and out into the horizon. Ambleside Park in West Vancouver is stretches through 59 acres and offers something for everyone. If you are looking for sandy beach – it’s there. Rocky shores to explore? That’s there, too. Ambleside is even home to a serene nature pond. Picnic tables, logs for resting against, concessions, playgrounds – this park has it all and it is the perfect spot to picnic. For those of you who have ants in your pants and don’t like to sit down for long, there is a 1.2 km seawall through Ambleside, as well as tennis courts, basketball courts, a skate park and volleyball nets in the summer. Ambleside Park also features an off-leash dog area which includes beach swimming access!

by radiobread

Lion’s Park
2300 Lions Way, Port Coquitlam MAP

Kids love Lion’s Park in Port Coquitlam. They will work up an appetite for the picnic you have prepared as they explore the unique, expansive playground. Lion’s Park is located next to the Coquitlam River. It is a wonderful, family friendly picnic location. Walk along the trails beside the gorgeous river, hop atop the tires, toss around a frisbee and set up your picnic under the shelter.

by p medved

Jericho Beach Park
1515 Discovery Street, Vancouver MAP

This has always been one of our favourite Metro Vancouver picnic locations. After playing on the sandy beach or riding your bike along the oceanside, set up your picnic under a beautiful tree in Jericho Beach Park. It is everything you could want on a sunny Vancouver day – water, shade, people watching, lots of space and stunning views of the North Shore mountains.

Where is your favourite spot to picnic in Metro Vancouver? There are so many beautiful parks, beaches, lakes and fields – we bet you will have some fabulous suggestions to add in the comments below!

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