Walking north on the seawall from Yaletown toward Stanley Park, this beach is the third of four in total that you will encounter (see my reviews on Sunset and English Bay beaches). All four are fairly close to each other geographically but all four have very distinctive features and "vibes".
Second Beach is similar to the others in that the beach is well maintained and there are bathrooms here. There's a parking lot adjacent to the site (like at Sunset Beach), and a huge grassy field abutting the beach, complete with nearby playground equipment for the kids. Perfect place for a picnic! This large field is where they have free outdoor family movies in the summertime (check the schedule online), as well as the starting and/or finish line for many 5k or 10k races.
There is a large concession stand with picnic benches in front. In the summer months, I smell the fish and chips cooking and, I swear, they small SO SO GOOD. I've never stopped to get food here but I keep saying I must (for just the fish and chips! Reminds me of my Cape Cod summers).
There's a Shaw-to-Go bike rental right here by the concession stands, and if you cross the street you will access the trail that loops around Lost Lagoon and forks into the Stanley Park interior at the far end of the "lagoon".
The most distinctive feature of Second Beach is its pool. It is stunning. Large and round and jutting right out on the water, it has skilled lifeguards there and swimming instructors, too. I see swimming classes taking place in the summer mornings, and I honestly can't imagine a prettier pool in which to swim. There are lap dividers for more accomplished swimmers to do laps, and an area cordoned off for youngsters, in a shallow end, complete with colorful animal-designed slides.
Because of the playground area, the picnic meadows, the concession stand selling hot foods, the proximity to Lost Lagoon, the pretty beach and the fabulous pool, Second Beach is super popular with families with young kids. This beach has the most children than the others. As a result, the bathrooms are least likely to be clean, and yes, you'll see a lot of running, happy kids, and hear a lot of kids laughing and yelling in the summer months. I personally like this vibrant, happy atmosphere, but if you don't like kids, this wouldn't be the best beach for you to visit. read more