Cherry blossom season is in bloom across Metro Vancouver and locals are hunting for the best spots to snap photos of the delicate powder-pink flowers.
The Vancouver Cherry Blossom festival kicks off on April 1 and runs until April 23 and there are numerous places you can spot breathtaking blooms across the Lower Mainland.
Scientists around the world have tried to predict the day for peak blooms, and April 5 appears to be the winner in Vancouver.
You can use the festival's interactive map, the Cherry Compass, to find cherry blossom trees in bloom across the region. The map provides details about the type of trees that you will spot (called the cultivar), the number of trees, the area they are located in, and when they will be blooming.
There are some places that are considered the best places to view large numbers of beautiful blooms, too. Have a look at some of the best spots you might want to visit for a sunny stroll when the Metro Vancouver weather permits.
Where to see cherry blossoms in Vancouver
Queen Elizabeth Park
Not only is Queen Elizabeth Park considered the "horticultural jewel" of Vancouver, boasting a smorgasbord of breathtaking blooms year-round, but it is also the highest point in the city, sitting 125 meters above sea level, according to the City of Vancouver.
The park has several varieties of cherry trees, which bloom between early March to late April.
Stanley Park
Vancouver's biggest park has rows of blossoming trees near the formal rose garden and the Japanese Canadian WWI war memorial. The park is also an ideal place to spend a full spring day, as there are numerous places to explore over the 400-hectare forest.
Stanley Park was also recently ranked among the top spots in the country to enjoy spring, with over 500,000 trees and a breathtaking seawall — the world's longest uninterrupted waterfront path.
VanDusen Botanical Garden
VanDusen Botanical Garden has more than 100 cherry trees and 24 varieties. But it is also a great spot to spot migratory birds when you visit since it's a forest oasis in Vancouver's urban jungle for birds migrating on the Pacific Flyway.
The festival will also host the Sakura Days Japan Fair on April 15 and April 16 at the garden this year.
Starting on April 1, admission for the garden is $12.30 for an adult, $8.60 for a senior (65+), $8.60 for a youth (ages 13 to 18), and $6.15 for a child (ages 6 to 15). Children under four visit for free.
Nitobe Memorial Garden at UBC
The Nitobe Memorial Garden is a "traditional Japanese stroll garden and authentic tea house" located at the University of British Columbia (UBC) where you’ll find colourful cherry trees.
According to the university, the "Nitobe Memorial Garden is considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan."
Top neighbourhood blooms
You can also spot some voluptuous blooms around Burrard SkyTrain station, Vancouver’s City Hall at West 12th and Cambie, and along Yew Street in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood.
With a file from Brendan Kergin.
