Though dipping temperatures means Canada’s transitional fall season isn’t the time to splash in ocean or lake waters, the empty stretches of sand and thinner crowds make this a peaceful time to visit the coast.
Whether you prefer leisurely strolls or picnics on the sand, a fall beach vacation often means lower accommodation rates and off-season deals. Here are six Canadian beaches to experience in the fall, from the Pacific shoreline to the Atlantic coast.
As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Kitsilano Beach, Vancouver
Affectionately referred to by locals as “Kits Beach,” this sandy urban escape lies at the northern end of Vancouver, British Columbia’s, Kitsilano neighborhood.
With sweeping views of English Bay and downtown’s skyscrapers against the snow-dusted North Shore Mountains, Kits Beach is a wildly popular summer destination. The sands fill with beachgoers playing volleyball before an afternoon indulging at the collection of bars and restaurants across the road.
In the fall, enjoy a leisurely stroll along the sea wall that runs alongside the beach, and combine your trip with a shopping spree in the entertainment district on West 4th Avenue, about a 15-minute walk north of Kits.
Black Beach, Saint John
With Saint John as your base, visit Black Beach, 14 miles southwest of the New Brunswick seaport. Situated off the Bay of Fundy, its velvety black sands receive their dark color from graphite deposits. A network of trails radiates from the beach, allowing for some leaf peeping during the fall months.
Visit in the early mornings to see the beach shrouded in fog, and enjoy a coastal hike to the lighthouse on Musquash Head, which will reward you with views of the Bay of Fundy and beyond to Nova Scotia.
Okanagan Lake Beach, Penticton
Its half-mile stretch of soft white sand sits at the southern end of Okanagan Lake in Penticton, British Columbia. Backed by the lively lakeside restaurants, cafés and shops of Lakeshore Drive, this is one of the Okanagan Valley’s favored vacation spots.
Cozy up to a beachside bonfire in the fall while admiring the surrounding desertlike landscape and shrub-dotted hills. With fall’s clear days and pleasant climate, it’s still possible to enjoy a paddleboat trip here. Plus, September and October are part of the harvest season, so pair your beach trip with a visit to an orchard for apples, pears, pumpkins and squash.
Woodbine Beach, Toronto
Situated along Lake Shore Boulevard, Woodbine Beach is one of the largest of the beaches that border Lake Ontario. This Toronto hot spot consistently earns a Blue Flag rating and is a favorite for sunbathing and swimming.
With its swaths of sand stretching nearly two miles, the beach is conducive to relaxing naps or picnics on a warm fall day, sans crowds. The five-mile out-and-back boardwalk and paved path are also ideal for leisurely strolls, biking excursions or afternoons of people-watching along the lake.
Lawrencetown Beach, Lawrencetown
This sand and cobblestone beach is a convenient 35-minute drive from downtown Halifax in Nova Scotia. Situated within a provincial park, it draws surfers of all abilities from across Canada, making it one of the most sought-after surf spots on the East Coast.
While the gentle summer swells are ideal for beginner surfers, the consistent breaks on the beach between September and November make this an ideal place for more-experienced surfers.
Parc-nature du Cap-St.-Jacques, Montreal
This small beach in the western part of the city is part of an 815-acre complex that serves as Montreal’s largest park. Enclosed by the Lac des Deux Montagnes (Lake of Two Mountains) and the Rivière des Prairies (Prairies River), Parc-nature du Cap-Saint-Jacques also includes a nature park, an eco-farm with organic produce for purchase and a picturesque picnic area.
While this park is popular for swimming and camping in the summer and snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter, outdoor adventurers can hike the park’s many paths along the water well into fall. Keep your eyes peeled for red foxes, deer and coyotes.
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