5 Tips for a Summertime Picnic in Vancouver

It’s no secret that Vancouverites love the outdoors and a picnic is an excellent opportunity to get outside. When the sun is shining and the birds are singing, what better time to make some sandwiches, call some friends and embrace the best of summer.

Here are 5 tips to make sure your summertime picnic goes off without a hitch:

1. Choose your spot. Whether you’re ducking out of the office for a quick lunch in the sunshine on a weekday or planning a feast as part of a full day at the beach, there is no shortage of great picnic spots around Vancouver. Grab a seat along the Coal Harbour waterfront, choose a patch of grass in Queen Elizabeth Park or sink your toes into the sand of Spanish Banks Beach. When choosing your location, give some thought to how you’re going to get there (walk? bike? public transport?) and whether you’ll have access to amenities you may require (e.g. public washrooms, wheelchair access).

2. Pack your meal. Your picnic meal can be as simple, extravagant or easy as you’d like it to be. It’s probably a good idea to choose foods that travel well (so maybe keep the profiterole tower at home) and aren’t too finicky (you’re eating outdoors, after all), but other than that just follow your taste buds. Packing all your food in a cooler is a great option for a hot summer’s day, just make sure that you won’t have to lug the heavy cooler over a long distance to get to your picnic spot. Aside from delicious food and drink, remember to pack the other things you might need for your meal, such as cups, plates, cutlery, corkscrew, bottle opener and napkins.

3. Pick your seating. If you enjoy living wild and free, then all you need to do is find yourself a spot to plop down on the grass or sand. If you prefer a bit more comfort, then don’t forget to bring along a blanket, picnic mat or camping chairs. Also, some parks and public spaces around Vancouver have picnic tables, which are great if you prefer to eat at a table rather than from a plate perched on your knee. You could even go super classy and bring your own tablecloth.

4. Be prepared. Going on a spontaneous adventure can be great fun, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared. Before you hop on your bike and head for the park, take a moment to grab the (weather-dependent) essentials for an afternoon outdoors – things like sunscreen, an umbrella and a garbage bag. For entertainment, you may also want to bring along a book, a Frisbee or a deck of cards.

5. Go phone-free. It’s probably asking too much to suggest leaving your phone at home, but why not consider turning it off or at least leaving it packed away in your pocket or backpack. The only thing sadder than a picnic that gets rained upon is a picnic where everyone is sitting in the sunshine staring at their phone.

You live in a beautiful city with a wealth of lovely outdoor spaces, so go ahead and make the most of them during the warm summer months by getting together with family and friends for a picnic.