Vancouver, Canada
Dog Friendly Vancouver
Where To Walk And Stay With Your Dog In Vancouver
Vancouver hands you rainforest, mountains and ocean in a single afternoon, and dogs are welcome across most of it. You can loop the Stanley Park seawall, drop the lead under the old growth in Pacific Spirit Park, then let them dig along the low-tide sand at Spanish Banks, all before lunch. This is our working guide to walking the city with your dog, and the certified hotels that genuinely welcome them.
Where to walk
Trails, Parks & Green Spaces
The seawall stretches, forest trails and off-leash beaches Vancouverites actually use. Tap any one to open it in Google Maps.
Where to eat and drink
Dog Friendly Bars & Restaurants In Vancouver
Looking for dog friendly bars, restaurants, cafes or taprooms in Vancouver? Here is the honest answer: Canadian health law keeps dogs out of nearly every indoor bar and restaurant in the country, Vancouver included, so in the warmer months a licensed patio is your best bet. It is a rule that badly needs changing, and Let Dogs In is our campaign to welcome well-behaved dogs into Canadian bars and taprooms, the way they already are across Europe.
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Where to stay
The Best Dog Friendly Hotels In Vancouver
Every hotel here has been inspected and ranked against the Dog Friendly Standard. No pay to play, no vague pet friendly badge, just the ones that earned their place, best first.
Dog Friendly Vancouver · Good To Know
Is Vancouver a good city to visit with a dog?
Vancouver is one of the most dog friendly cities in Canada, with off-leash beaches, mountain trails and the Stanley Park seawall on the doorstep. Cafes and brewery patios are relaxed about dogs, and the outdoors is the main draw. The things to plan around are the carrier-only transit rule and the indoor dining ban.
Where are the off-leash beaches in Vancouver?
The off-leash dog beach at English Bay sits below the Burrard Street Bridge, and Spanish Banks and Hadden Park also have designated off-leash areas. Dogs are welcome in all Vancouver parks but must be on a lead outside these marked zones. The other main beaches do not allow off-leash play.
Can my dog walk the Stanley Park seawall?
Yes, but dogs must be on a lead along the seawall, which is shared with cyclists and joggers. Stanley Park itself has several off-leash areas away from the seawall where your dog can run. It makes for one of the best on-lead walks in the city.
Can I take my dog on the SkyTrain and buses?
TransLink only allows dogs if they are kept on your lap in a small, hand-held carrier, so larger dogs are not permitted unless they are service animals. Most visitors with a bigger dog get around by car or on foot. Assistance dogs travel freely.
Are dogs allowed in Vancouver restaurants and bars?
Many breweries and cafes welcome dogs on their outdoor patios, and a few allow them inside the taproom. Indoors, Canadian health rules keep dogs out of places that serve food. Always ask a member of staff, as the rules vary from place to place.
Are there dog friendly trails near Vancouver?
Yes, the North Shore has excellent dog friendly hikes in Lynn Canyon and the lower mountain trails, all within half an hour of downtown. Pacific Spirit Park offers miles of forest paths closer in. Keep dogs on a lead where the signs require it, especially near wildlife.
What dog friendly things can I do in Vancouver?
Beyond the beaches and Stanley Park, dogs enjoy the Kitsilano and Jericho foreshore, the trails of Pacific Spirit Park and the North Shore a short drive away. Many outdoor markets and patios welcome them in season. Indoor attractions are mostly assistance dogs only.
What are the rules for dogs in Vancouver?
Dogs must be on a lead except in designated off-leash areas, and you must clean up after them. Fines for breaking the bylaw start at two hundred and fifty dollars. Indoor restaurants and carrier-only transit are the other rules to plan around.