Kitsilano Beach

Kitsilano Beach, one of Vancouver's most famous and the third beatutiful beaces in Canada, provides everything you need for a fantastic afternoon. Grab a log, lie back, and take in the scenery of the North Shore Mountains. Kit's Beach, as it is called locally, is a vast arc of sand that fronts English Bay. Behind the beach, a seawall extends all the way to Stanley Park.

The water is chilly, but it warms up significantly in the shallows. A swimming platform is tethered offshore for the most daring. Not a fan of cold seawater? A more polished choice is to swim in the Kitsilano Pool, a massive 137-meter heated saltwater pool directly on the ocean's edge. Waterslides and a water park will keep the youngsters occupied for several hours.

Location: Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver, Canada

Activities: Playing volleyball, Windsurfing, skimboarding, and standup paddling