Make the most of your cruise with a private shore excursion from ToursByLocals. Your own personal tour guide from ToursByLocals is ready to help you see Vancouver as a local.

Experience the natural beauty of Vancouver and Whistler and its rich cultural diversity. Cycle the Stanley Park seawall, hike the Grouse Grind or have a picnic by an alpine lake. A local, personal tour guide is the best way to see the most interesting parts of Vancouver and Whistler - those places that only locals know about. An endless variety of experiences await.

Vancouver

I will pick you up in my luxurious 2018 Mercedes GLS450 or my 2023 Tesla, your choice, and take you through the most interesting streets of Vancouver, discussing tourism throughout the ages and how we have progressed from a simple sawmill operation to the 3rd most livable city in the world.

We will visit the iconic landmarks of the city, such as Chinatown, Gastown, Granville Island, Stanley Park, West End, Kitsilano, Point Grey and Yaletown. We will stop at Prospect Point which offers magnificent views of West Vancouver and where the first traders exchanged goods. During our many stops, there will be plenty of opportunities to take photos, of the story poles in Stanley Park, snack or lunch and shop at Granville Island's public market.

Buskers outside the market on Granville Island.

View of Vancouver from Grouse Mountain 2018

Explore Vancouver with a Local

Private Vancouver Driving Tour

Discover Vancouver Six Hours to see most sites

Want to know why Vancouver has been voted one of the top cities in the world? Come with me to experience a driving/walking tour of Vancouver parks, posh and not-so-posh neighborhoods, seaside spots, historic sites and markets.

We will visit Vancouver's Stanley Park, with totem poles, a view of the Lions Gate Bridge and circle this magnificent park.

We will do a driving tour of English Bay, Coal Harbour and Yaletown and other areas surrounding our seawalls such as Kitsilano Beach, depending upon your interests.
This tour can also be done with little walking, in a more "laid-back" style.

Enjoy time at Granville Island, one for the largest in North America. with live music, snacks or a sit-down meal, and unique artisan shopping or looking.

Additions can include Queen Elizabeth Park.

Stanley Park, Granville Island, Olympic Village, QE Park

This is a half day tour. It is a great introduction to the best and most interesting places in Vancouver. It is an easy going drive with a few stops and strolls. If this is your first time visiting Vancouver this tour is a perfect choice.
For Vancouver City Finest private tour please see the itinerary below.

Private Tour is the best way to explore the finest places of Vancouver and avoid the crowds.

Vancouver City Finest Private Tour.

Vancouver is a vibrant & eclectic young city on the edge of Canada's Pacific Coast. Founded in the late 1800's, she is the gateway to the Pacific and enjoys the mildest seasonal temperatures of the whole province through out the year.

With great places to experience, such as historic Gastown, Granville Island and the University Endowment Lands, we'll take in the history of the Squamish Nation while enjoying her modern, laid-back lifestyle.

Patio dinning on eclectic Granville Island

Museum of Anthropoligy at the University of British Columbia

Display gardens at the Queen Elizabeth Park

Seeing the highlights of Vancouver as never before

Vancouver city highlights Private Tour

Welcome to Vancouver, one of the top 5 most livable cities in the world!

This tour features the most popular sights of Vancouver. This is also a great Shore Excursion if you are arriving on a Cruise Ship.

Visiting False Creek, Stanley Park, Granville Island, and Coal Harbour to experience the city's architecture, food, culture, and art projects representing some of the finest talents of British Columbia and International artists recognized for the creativity and excellence of their work.

From traditional media from Stand-alone sculptures, statues, landscapes, and building-mounted sculptures, to high rises and parks.

A-maze-ing Laughter is the most beloved sculpture of the 2009-2011 Vancouver Biennale exhibition, captivating throngs of visitors and inspiring endless playful interaction.

"Chief of the Undersea World" is a sculpture of a killer whale designed by Bill Reid and placed outside the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park.

The Inukshuk monument is one of the newest and most striking monuments in Vancouver! It is rock/stone monument that is striking! It is fantastic to take photos in front of with Vancouver's English Bay in the background.

Like something out of a movie Pixels, Douglas Coupland's public art masterpiece, Digital Orca looks like it is leaping right out of a video game. Or maybe a giant Lego set.

The cathedral-like space of the bridge welcome people into a dazzling grand foyer that is being established in our urban landscape.

Vancouver highlights closer to life

Vancouver highlights

Vancouver Half Day Highlights: Private Tour

Want to see Vancouver but only don't have much time? This short tour is perfect for a first-time visitor.

Join me to experience why Vancouver has been voted one of the top cities in the world? Visit Stanley Park, the downtown and harbor highlights, and Granville Island.

We will visit Vancouver's Stanley Park, with totem poles, and drive by Coal Harbor and BC Place Stadium.

See beautiful Olympic Village (drive-by), the Laughing Men, Vancouver's waterfront
After that we'll have fun at Granville Market, one of the largest in North America, with no chain stores. Sit and savor a coffee, see the fascinating waterfront, listen to music and see how the locals live.

This tour can start at the cruise terminal, and end at the airport, or your hotel or other arrangements within the downtown core.

If you wish a driving tour only, or want limited activities, this can be arranged, to your liking.

Your guide is a Vancouver-born traveler.

Discover Stanley Park, City and Granville Island: (active or laid-back tour)

Vancouver City Finest plus North Shore Escape (Private Tour Full day)

The first part of the day, we will take Lions Gate Bridge to the North  visit Salmon hatchery and Barret's View area.

In the second part of the day we will visit the best and most interesting places in Vancouver. It is an easy going drive with few stops and strolls.

We will Enjoy the fabulous views of Vancouver from Cypress Mountain and visit Horse Shoe Bay Village.
Then, we will return to the second part of Stanley Park and finish at the English Bay beech area.

Leave the crowds behind. This private tour requires minimum walking.

Walking Tour Chinatown, Gastown and City Centre

This 4 hours walking tour covers colorful Chinatown with the authentic Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese garden, historic Gastown including a peek at Blood Ally, photo opps galore at Maple Square with a leasurely walk through Water Street up to the Cruise Ship Terminal, Canada Place, the Olympic cauldron, Digital Orca, the Financial District and City Centre

Let's explore this city together

Vancouver is a city where dark skies can create relentless rain at any moment. For those visitors unprepared for a 'Wet Coast' storm, here are our suggestions for what to do in the city that's often called Raincouver.

Just another liquid sunshine day.

Rainy Vancouver

Visit the Garden City and the Butchart Gardens in private luxury, and at a leisurely pace. Enjoy a 90 minute ferry ride through the spectacular Gulf Islands, be amazed by the beauty of Butchart Gardens, explore, discover, and learn Victoria's history, and its places of interest.

Victoria was chosen to be the province's capital when the colony of British Columbia was established in 1858. When gold was discovered in the Fraser Valley, it became the port of entry for gold prospectors from California and the Far East. Its Chinatown was the earliest to be established in Canada.

I am so sorry, I am not a plaster statue!

Explore the best of Victoria with a Local Guide.

Victoria Butchart Gardens Private Tour

Vancouver City Finest plus Mountain Adventure (Private Tour Full day)

This tour is a combination of two tours that I provide: Sightseeing City of Vancouver and Mountain Adventure including Capilano Suspension Bridge in the city of North Vancouver.

The first part of the day, we will visit the best and most interesting places in Vancouver. It is an easy going drive with few stops and strolls.

After exploring the city we will break for lunch.

In the second part of the day we will ride a gondola to the top of Grouse Mountain. We will explore the area, observe grizzly bears in their habitant, watch birds show and Lumber Jack performance.
On our way back to the city we will visit the Capilano Suspension bridge.

Moderate walking is required. Comfortable shoes are recommended, as well as a warmer jacket as temperature might drop on the mountain.

Private Tour for Two is the best way to explore the finest places of Vancouver

The non-tourist version of experiencing Vancouver. . . You will experience some neighborhoods that are not part of the usual visitor route . Join me to experience local culture and lifestyle with an eclectric tour of our city experiencing local scenery, art, culture and food and beverage unique spots.

The canadian hippie movement started in Vancouver and the current hipster culture is alive and well. Come explore with me some of my favourite areas of the city . If you want to include some of the usual key neighbourhoods too just let me know. I love to design customized tours to appeal to your interests and preferences.

Local NeighborhoodsTour

Hippie to Hipster - Private Tour

Granville Island - Beyond the Public Market Walking Tour

Granville Island is "a magical escape within the city" and most people visit the Public Market - it's supported by Locals and enjoyed by visitors. But there is so much more to explore on this 30 acre reclaimed area, that I'd love to introduce you to!

There are over 300 makers working out of independent studios, and producing incredible works from many mediums. This tour is a walking tour to visit different studios, parks, distilleries, shops, and stalls that are located outside of the Granville Island Public Market.

This walking tour happens rain or shine.

Check out Granville Island's Artisans, makers and beverage producers around Granville Island

Choose Your Adventure - Private Customized Tours

Maybe you have ideas that don't necessarily fit in what I have listed as sample tours. . I love designing customized Vancouver experiences so let me know the type of tour you are looking for or how you like explore new cities.

Is it a happy hour tour to experience cocktails and appies or a foodie tour to taste some local fare? Does your young family enjoy playgrounds or are you a coffee fanatic. . ??
Perhaps you are interested in a bike tour. . ? Vancouver has a wonderful network of bike lanes and the famous seawall.

Themed tours can be a fun way to see different neighborhoods through the lens of your hobbies and interests.
Let's chat to figure out a tour that fits your interests!

Vancouver Tours Designed for You

Vancouver and North Shore Full Day Private Eight Hours

Enjoy an amazing day in nature.

I'll pick you up from the airport, cruise terminal or downtown hotel.

We'll first visit Capilano Canyon Suspension Bridge for an amazing outdoor experience in the forest.

Next, we visit the quaint seaside village of Horseshoe Bay for lunch a we'll drive back with a stop at the famous vistas atop Cypress Mountain.

We'll drive back over the Lion's Gate Bridge, around Stanley Park and do a tour of the famous Vancouver sights and neighborhoods , downtown and the English Bay views.

After that we'll head over to Granville Market, where we will experience the fabulous Public Market, maybe have a snack, shop at the non-chain stores and enjoy the atmosphere. Granville Island has artist's shops, a working boat yard and marine, and music.

Depending upon your interests, and timing, we can also visit Queen Elizabeth Park and the Bloedel Conservatory.

Drop-off at your hotel, airport or cruise ship.

Explore Capilano Canyon, Cypress Mountain, Granville Market and the City

Fort Langley & Vineyard Explorer Private Tour

This is an excellent excursion for history buffs, movie goers, and wine lovers, eager to visit a vineyard to learn about grape cultivation, brewing, and tasting.

The tour will take you into the countryside in the Fraser Valley, the farmlands and vineyards where you will visit and tour the largest and the oldest vineyard in the Fraser Valley, enjoy delicious waffles and berry wines in a berry farm.

At Fort Langley, a National Historical Site, immerse in memories of the Hudson's Bay Company's old days, fur traders, gold prospectors, First Nations interpreters telling century-old tales. In the fort, feel the blast of the musket fire, and pan for gold dust dreams.

Then, experience the atmosphere of quaint little shops, and learn about its history. Get to know Hollywood movies locations. Imagine yourself in London's Abbey Road, where the Beatles were photographed for its album cover - the crosswalk outside Abbey Road Studios.

Statue of Sir James Douglas, first Governor of British Columbia

The scenic water front park by Bedford Channel

Vancouver tours

Explore with 29 tours and 11 guides.

Sandy G.

$ 530 (USD)

Mahara S.

$ 599 (USD)

Voytek C.

$ 530 (USD)

Stephen E.

$ 436 (USD)

Guillermo S.

$ 352 (USD)

Mahara S.

$ 499 (USD)

Voytek C.

$ 851 (USD)

Remy H.

$ 197 (USD)

Guillermo S.

$ 466 (USD)

Bobby

$ 2,152 (USD)

Voytek C.

$ 1,022 (USD)

Jenn P.

$ 254 (USD)

Tracy V.

$ 360 (USD)

Jenn P.

$ 261 (USD)

Mahara S.

$ 799 (USD)

Bobby

$ 951 (USD)

Meet your local guides in Vancouver

Customize your tour

Vancouver tours

Things to do in Vancouver