Vancouver Cherry Blossom Guide 🌸 Best spots, photo ops & Spring events

Megan Brillos
Apr 29
4 min read

I never thought I would describe a city as "pink," until I discovered Vancouver in the Spring. There's something magical about Vancouver in this season. As the city wakes up from winter, streets and parks burst into soft clouds of pink and white cherry blossoms.

Vancouver is home to over 40,000 cherry blossom trees, making it one of the top cherry blossom destinations outside Japan. These trees were originally gifted by the Japanese government in the 1930s and 1950s, and now bloom all across the city every spring — from quiet neighborhood streets to major parks like Stanley Park and Queen Elizabeth Park. If you time it right, you can catch them in full bloom, which has admittedly lasted much longer than I anticipated. Whether you're a local or a visitor, this guide has everything you need to plan the perfect cherry blossom scavenger hunt in Vancouver.

Cherry Blossoms in East Van - TikTok @meganbrillos

When Do Cherry Blossoms Bloom in Vancouver?

Cherry blossoms typically bloom in late March through mid-April, depending on the weather. The first to show up are the whitish-pink ‘Akebono’ trees around the last week of March, followed by deep pink Kanzan trees into April. Keep an eye on the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival Blooming Map for real-time updates.

The city is home to more than 50 varieties of flowering cherry trees (genus Prunus), but two of the most iconic are the ‘Akebono’and ‘Kanzan’ cultivars.

🌸 ‘Akebono’ (Prunus × yedoensis ‘Akebono’)

Bloom Time: Late March to early April
Color: Pale pink to nearly white
Flower Shape: Single blossoms with five petals
Botany Notes: A cultivar of the famous Yoshino cherry (Prunus × yedoensis), ‘Akebono’ trees are beloved for their delicate color and symmetrical, cloud-like blooms. They often start pale pink and fade to white, creating a shimmering, ethereal canopy.
Where to Spot Them: Burrard Station, Stanley Park, Queen Elizabeth Park

🌺 ‘Kanzan’ (Prunus serrulata ‘Kanzan’)

Bloom Time: Mid-to-late April
Color: Deep, vibrant pink
Flower Shape: Double blossoms with 20–30 petals per flower
Botany Notes: These are among the showiest of the cherry cultivars — the flowers are lush and full, forming dense clusters that almost look like peonies from a distance. Unlike Akebono, Kanzan trees lack fragrance, but make up for it in sheer visual drama.
Where to Spot Them: West 22nd Avenue (Kits), Fairview slopes, UBC, East Van neighborhoods

These blossoms aren’t just beautiful — they’re also sterile hybrids, which means they don’t produce fruit. All their energy goes into flowering, which is why they bloom so intensely for a short window, then fall in a stunning “sakura snow.”

Best Spots to See Cherry Blossoms in Vancouver

1. Queen Elizabeth Park

A photographer’s dream: cherry trees, skyline views, and manicured gardens.
Head to the top of the park for sweeping views with blossoms in the foreground.

2. Stanley Park (near the Rose Garden and Lagoon Drive)

Great for combining a Seawall walk with blossom-hunting.
Try the path between the Rose Garden and the Japanese monument for a picturesque stroll.

3. UBC Campus (Lower Mall & Nitobe Memorial Garden)

The Lower Mall rows of blossoms are spectacular.
Nitobe Garden is a peaceful, Japanese-style escape with delicate blossoms throughout.

4. West 22nd Avenue (between Arbutus & Yew)

This Kitsilano street turns into a pink tunnel during peak bloom — a must-see for Instagrammers.

5. Burrard Station & Downtown

The ‘Akebono’ trees outside Burrard Station are usually among the first to bloom.
Walk from Burrard down to the Vancouver Art Gallery for an urban blossom experience.

Cherry Blossoms in East Van

🗺️ Cherry Blossom Walking Route

Self-Guided Spring Stroll (Approx. 2 hrs):

Start at Burrard SkyTrain Station
Walk west to Georgia & Thurlow for more blooms
Continue to Stanley Park Rose Garden
Loop the Seawall to English Bay
End with a coffee or lunch at Denman Street cafés

Photo Tip: Shoot early in the morning or golden hour for soft, filtered light.

Spring Events to Check Out

Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival (Late March – Mid April)

Includes pop-up dance performances, guided walks, picnics, and the famous "The Big Picnic" at Queen Elizabeth Park.

Sakura Days Japan Fair (Held at VanDusen Botanical Garden)

Celebrate Japanese culture with food, performances, and cultural demos.
Great for families or couples — don't miss the mochi and matcha tasting.

Best Instagrammable Spots

West 22nd Ave. pink tunnel (go at sunrise for empty streets!)
Queen Elizabeth Park viewpoint with skyline
Stanley Park cherry-lined paths
Nitobe Garden reflections in water

Local Tips

Blossoms are fragile — visit after a dry day and avoid heavy wind.
Avoid midday crowds by heading out in the morning on weekdays.
Bring a picnic blanket or grab takeaway from a nearby café.

BONUS: Flowering tree to add to your list: the Royal Magnolia Flowering Plums in Clinton Park

Then head to nearby 6th & Penticton for another beautiful cherry blossom street.

Royal Purple Magnolia (Magnolia × soulangeana)

Flower Color: Rich magenta-purple, with large, showy petals that are deeper in color as they open.
Flower Size: Very large — petals can be up to 10–15 cm (4–6 inches) wide, making these blossoms one of the largest flowers in spring.
Flower Shape: The blooms are tulip-shaped, with a striking, funnel-like structure that gives them a dramatic appearance.
Bloom Time: Early spring (typically March to April), before the leaves start to emerge.
Tree Size: Moderate to large-sized tree, typically growing to about 4–8 meters (13–26 feet) in height.
Leaf Color: Green leaves appear after the flowers, often with a glossy texture.
Botany Notes: The Royal Purple Magnolia is a hybrid magnolia species that produces large, dramatic flowers in shades of purple-pink. They bloom early in the spring, often standing out before other trees have fully leafed out. These trees are cherished for their striking flower size and early spring show.

Happy blossom scouting!