A three-day weekend is the minimum amount of time to explore Vancouver golf - providing plenty of room to delve into some of Vancouver and the surrounding area’s exceptional après-golf enticements as well as its terrific golf courses. As an added bonus, with the temperate climate of the region, you can golf nearly year-round! Without further ado, here are a few recommendations to inspire your Vancouver golf weekend getaway:
Make Downtown Vancouver Your Golf Home Base
Downtown Vancouver is ideal for a base of operations from which to play golf and partake of abundant activities and dining options, with our top suggestions for Vancouver accommodations being:
- Coast Coal Harbour: Steps from the waterfront, enjoy the sea breezes and views while strolling the Seawall.
- Pan Pacific Vancouver: Sweeping oceanfront and mountain views with a heated rooftop saltwater pool.
- Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre: Located in the heart of downtown, close to shopping, restaurants and nightlife.
If you’d prefer a stay in Richmond, the Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport is a popular option on the banks of the Fraser River and near the River Rock Casino.
Golf
On your first day, play University Golf Club, a mainstay amongst Lower Mainland golf courses and perfectly situated just twenty minutes from downtown on the University Endowment Lands. Take your time with generous 10-minute tee time intervals while you play University’s long, narrow fairways among majestic towering old-growth trees, in a mature landscape which is both challenging and forgiving. It is no wonder the University Golf Club is voted the best Vancouver Public Golf Course time and time again. It’s only minutes from the city but you will feel away from it all!
Explore
The world is your oyster, so to speak (and oysters are on the menu too!) when it comes to après-golf options in and around Vancouver, and here are a few top recommendations:
Granville Island
Granville Island Ferry | Destination BC/Hubert Kang
Granville Island is a popular destination for visitors and locals alike. The Granville Island Public Market offers an indoor market featuring a fascinating assortment of colourful food and produce stores, showcasing handcrafted products and the very finest in unique gifts.
The market is open daily 9am - 6pm, including holidays, so feel free to take your time!
Once you’ve shopped, consider a visit for some refreshment at Granville Island Brewing, home to their Taproom Series and special one-off brews you can only in person, then take in Arts Club Theatre on three stages for your evening entertainment.
Check out the Granville Island events calendar for even more things to do during your visit, including summer festivals, artist pop-ups, exhibitions and drop-in workshops to practice the art of improvisation.
Insider tip: Rather than dealing with traffic and parking, find a spot to catch the Granville Island Ferry over to Granville Island and back again. It’s also a terrific way to take a tour of False Creek and downtown Vancouver.
Vancouver Beaches & Nightlife
Kitsilano Beach and English Bay are incredible destinations for views and relaxation. Bring a blanket and dig your toes in the sand while watching boats, cruise ships and freighters pass by while snacking delicious fare from local food trucks and vendors. Both beaches are ringed by paved pathways, including a link to the renowned Stanley Park Seawall, should you wish to explore further by bike or on foot.
Downtown Vancouver’s restaurant scene is unparalleled, and we recommend dinner at one of the following hot spots to cap off your first day of Vancouver golf enjoyment: Black+Blue for steak, Joe Fortes for steak and seafood, or Miku for divine and fresh sushi. The province’s top sports teams make their home base downtown as well, and taking in a BC Lions’ game at BC Place Stadium makes for a fun evening activity. Find a more social atmosphere at the Shark Club where you can watch the game and enjoy some pub-inspired classics with a twist, like their Parmesan Tater Tots and Double-Fisted Burgers.
Richmond
Located just south of Vancouver, Richmond is home to Vancouver International Airport (YVR) and as such, is perfectly poised for a day of exploration when arriving by plane or as a side trip during your long weekend visit.
Golf
Offering 6,641 yards of parkland interspersed with ponds and streams, Mayfair Lakes was designed by Canadian Les Furber and, as its name implies, the abundance of lakes and waterways that come into play on 13 of the 18 holes add challenge and aesthetic appeal to the course. Just minutes from the airport, you can be on the tee in less than an hour of landing, and enjoy nearly year-round golf just outside of the city.
Explore
Nearby Lulu Island Winery (less than a 2-minute drive away) is ideal for post-round refreshment, where you can sign up for a summer picnic with a charcuterie box under their grapevine tunnel, or enjoy an estate tour and tasting.
Every weekend there is a ton of fun to be found at Richmond Night Market, located along the banks of the Fraser River. Shop, snack, and explore, then take in live performances on the Main stage including musicians, dance teams, martial arts displays and more. The international food fair offers exciting and creative food items for those looking for some culinary adventure!
Surrey
As one of the largest municipalities in Greater Vancouver, Surrey is home to an abundance of golf, activities, and food. South Surrey is just an hour’s drive (or less) from Vancouver and makes for an ideal day trip.
Golf
Play Morgan Creek, a favourite amongst the Lower Mainland golf courses. The Thomas McBroom design plays to 6,968 yards over gently rolling terrain, highlighting the immaculately-maintained natural west coast splendour. Players are constantly reminded of the breathtaking views of Mount Baker and the Golden Ears mountain range throughout their round on a championship-length golf course that was ranked as one of the “Top 59 Public Golf Courses in Canada” by SCOREGolf Magazine in 2015.
Explore
Clove - The Art of Dining, Surrey
After golf, head to White Rock Beach for a walk on the promenade, which runs nearly the full length of the beach itself, and take a side trip down White Rock Pier, Canada’s longest, to watch crabbers and fishermen and take in the views of Semiahmoo Bay across the water to Bellingham and the Gulf Islands. Marine Drive is home to a range of shops and restaurants, where you can find local art, clothing, crafts and some of the best seafood in the province. Get your sampling of seafood at Five Kitchen & Oyster Bar for an upscale option or go for the classic Docks Fish and Chips topped off with an ice cream cone or gelato.
For a real flavour explosion, discover Surrey’s Spice Trail, home to over 75 restaurants ranging from Indian to West African and everything in between. Feel free to narrow down your options and discover some new flavours, or visit our personal favourite, Clove - The Art of Dining, where you’ll find some incredible cocktails and an exotic blend of modern and authentic Indian cuisine. We highly recommend planning ahead to not only book your table but also to pre-order their Awadhi Raan - a fragrant, slow-cooked lamb leg that serves four or more if you’re travelling with a group and really want to enjoy something special!
Of course, there is so much more to see and do throughout Greater Vancouver, so feel free to stay a little longer - or embark on an extended golf road trip up the Sea-to-Sky Highway to Whistler or across Georgia Strait by ferry to lovely Vancouver Island!
Explore Vancouver golf packages and start planning your Vancouver Golf long weekend!
