If you can’t make it to Japan this year, Canada is the next best thing. Here are 20 amazing places to see cherry blossoms in Vancouver – according to a local!

Seeing Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver

Vancouver cherry blossom season is my absolute favorite time of the year.

It’s when pink and white petals brighten up rainy, grey skies, and neighborhood parks become picture-perfect scenes.

Since chasing Vancouver sakura is one of the best free things to do in the city, I should warn you that you will be competing with local photographers and groups of Asian aunties to get that money shot.

Now let me tell you… Those Asian aunties are the real pros! They’ve got the telephoto lens and the umbrella props, AND they come up with the most innovative poses. Boy do they come prepared.

If this is on your spring bucket list, be sure to visit on weekday mornings to avoid crowds!

When Do Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Vancouver

Vancouver’s cherry blossom season can be split into two waves.

Yoshino left; Kanzan right.

Light pink Akebono/Yoshino trees typically bloom in late March (first wave) followed by dark pink Kanzan trees a few weeks later in April (second wave).

Do keep in mind that weather varies from year to year. That said, the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival has a fantastic guide on what’s blooming now.

Where to See Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver

I have put together the ultimate Vancouver cherry blossom map so that you can plan your routes effectively.

Please note that majority of these Vancouver cherry blossom spots are located within residential neighborhoods. Be mindful and keep noise to a minimum.

1. East 3rd Avenue & Rupert Street

Starting from the far east corner on the map, we have East 3rd Avenue and Rupert Street located near Akali Singh Sikh Temple.

The contrast between the modern skyscrapers and the Sikh Temple makes it especially popular amongst photographers during spring.

Blue hour here is magical as well and I recommend shooting from further down East 3rd Avenue by Sunrise Park so you can capture the entire Burnaby skyline.

2. West 52nd Avenue & Heather Street

Ask any local where the best place to see cherry blossoms in Vancouver is and they will almost always mention West 52nd Avenue.

Whether you are driving, cycling, or taking pictures, remember to be careful of your surroundings and share the road.

3. Queen Elizabeth Park

Queen Elizabeth Park is a year-round attraction, but spring is definitely one of its more charming seasons.

The duck pond here is my go-to. Grab a blanket and some treats, and enjoy an afternoon picnic under the gorgeous blooms.

Tip: Pay parking is now enforced all throughout the park. If you don’t mind a bit of a walk, there is free parking along West 37th Avenue.

4. Le Marché St. George

Not only does this cute neighborhood café serve up delicious coffees, pastries, and crêpes, it’s a relaxing hangout spot that’s great for hanami (flower viewing).

5. East 19th Avenue & Clark Drive

I stumbled upon this beauty by chance while driving around the city several years back.

Judging by how there’s usually no one else around whenever I come, I would say that this is one of the lesser-known places to see Vancouver cherry blossoms.

Quick reminder again to be respectful, as this is a residential area after all.

6. Vancouver City Hall

The one time I tried to come here, I was too late and the flowers were wilting already. Until I get another chance to revisit, check out my friend Ana’s Instagram instead!

Tip: Parking is $2 an hour. Maximum 2 hours allowed.

7. Ron Basford Park

I’d first come to know about this from an old client I’d hosted a picnic for.

It’s a wonderful hidden gem tucked away in the southeastern corner of Granville Island. While not many tourists know about it, it is a well-trafficked running/walking trail for locals.

Tip: The closest parkade is Parking Lot 73 at 1250 Cartwright Street. If you arrive before 11:00AM, parking is free.

8. David Lam Park

I unfortunately lost all of my photos from here except this one so you’re going to have to trust me when I tell you that David Lam Park is a sight not to be missed 😉

9. Granville Square

Due to the nature of my job as a travel blogger, I’m not home during cherry blossom season a lot of the times.

Granville Square is another location I have yet to cross off on my list. In the meantime, enjoy my friend Nicole’s Instapost and let me know your thoughts in the comments if you end up visiting!

10. Burrard Skytrain Station

Shoutout to Nicole for being my model.

While in Downtown, you cannot miss out on the stunning cherry blossom canopy at Burrard Skytrain Station.

The station supposedly has 34 Akebono cherry trees planted all around its premises. Whether you are touring the city or commuting to work, there’s no better way to start your day than to be greeted with a spectacular sight like this.

11. Yew Street & West 22nd Avenue

West 22nd Avenue is a crowd favorite when it comes to best places to see cherry blossoms in Vancouver.

The nearby West 16th Avenue has impressive blooms too, but is much harder to photograph given how busy traffic is.

12. Trafalgar Street & West 22nd Avenue

Trafalgar Street is another Vancouver cherry blossom viewing spot along West 22nd Avenue. There are tons of phenomenal photo ops in this area, which is why I recommend going for a walk and soaking it all in.

13. Quesnel Drive & West 16th Avenue

Back when I worked a 9-to-5 office job, I dreaded my morning commute. Driving by here in the springtime gave me a nice little boost of serotonin and made the journey that much more bearable.

Note that Quesnel Drive is a one-way street. You may or may not have to loop around a little depending on where you’re coming from.

14. Nitobe Memorial Garden

Despite living in this area my entire life, I’ve really only ever been to Nitobe Memorial Garden once or twice. And sadly not during cherry blossom season either. Luckily, my friend, Vivian, has captured the perfect shot to show you just how dreamy it is.

Tip: Admission is by donation until March 31st. From April 1st onwards, tickets are $5 per person, or free if you are a UBC student.

Other Cherry Blossom Spots in Metro Vancouver

TikTok comments always come for me when I generalize Richmond and Burnaby as “Vancouver.” Although in my defense, Vancouver is simply more well-recognized. This is precisely why I have titled this post “20 Most Beautiful Places to See Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver,” but am including locations from Metro Vancouver.

For those from out of town and not as familiar with our geography, Metro Vancouver is a federation of 21 municipalities. It includes Vancouver as well as other cities, such as Richmond and Burnaby (both of which I will share cherry blossom spots for in a bit).

These cities really aren’t too far apart, especially by car. Our public transit system is also pretty decent. (For the most part… It’s obviously not like New York City or Tokyo, but we get by.) If you have a few extra days to spare, consider venturing out of Vancouver and into these other cherry blossom neighborhoods.

And if you’re a local reading this, let’s not get stuck on semantics! I hope my suggestions can help you rediscover beautiful British Columbia, which is what truly matters.

15. Larry Berg Flight Path Park (Richmond)

Given its close proximity to YVR airport, Larry Berg Flight Path Park is a terrific plane spotting location.

The cherry blossom trees here are also much shorter and thus create great backgrounds for portrait photos.

16. Dover Crescent (Richmond)

If you’re looking for a place to take your furry friend(s), look no further than Dover Neighbourhood Park.

Dover Crescent is a road that circles the entire Dover Neighbourhood Park. The cherry blossom path pictured above is near the corner towards River Road and Number 2 Road. Exact coordinates are 49°10’20.7″N 123°09’42.0″W.

17. Minoru Park (Richmond)

Known as the “green heart of Richmond’s City Centre,” Minoru Park features a track and field oval, tennis and basketball courts, a baseball diamond, bowling greens, and turf fields just to name a few.

The footpath bridge and white wooden chapel here, in particular, are super popular for wedding shoots in the springtime.

Tip: Opt to visit on weekday mornings if you would like pictures here.

18. Garry Point Park (Richmond)

Garry Point Park sits along the Fraser River and is excellent for afternoon strolls in the sun.

Tip: Parking is free. Avoid visiting on weekend afternoons, or plan to arrive early since the lot fills up fast.

19. Madison Centre Park (Burnaby)

This small neighborhood park is situated right beside Madison Centre. It gets PACKED during cherry blossom season so again, plan to visit early if you wish to skip the crowds.

Tip: Park in the Madison Centre parking lot and walk on over. I forget the exact rules, but the first 2-3 hours should be free. Don’t forget to also treat yourself to a meal at Tendon Kohaku or Kokoro Tokyo Mazesoba!

20. Central Park (Burnaby)

Central Park (not to be confused with New York’s icon) is a 90-hectare urban park west of Metropolis at Metrotown.

My friend and I had a lovely picnic by the upper pond – if my memory serves me right. The closest parking lot is the one along Boundary Road called “Boundary Rd/Central Park pool parking lot” on Google Maps.

There you have it! 20 best places to view cherry blossoms in Vancouver.

I will continue to update this post when I discover new gems around the city. For now, check out my other Vancouver guides and I’ll see you next time!