Fourth Avenue is one of the primary shopping areas for Vancouver's Kitsilano neighborhood. Kits, as locals call it, was hippy central 40 years ago, and it still retains traces of its history. However, today Kits is one of Vancouver's most desirable neighborhoods. It is especially popular with up-and-comers and hippies who made good.
Shopping along 4th Avenue is an eclectic treat. You'll find coffee places, spas, two of Vancouver's best high end restaurants, Bishops and Pastis, two great meat markets, two of Vancouver's best bookstores, three children's clothing stores and Terra Breads, Vancouver's best bread bakery where you'll discover some of Vancouver's best sandwiches.
Getting There: Vancouver's Kitsilano neighborhood is easy to find. Go south across the Burrard Street Bridge then go west (right) at the end of the bridge onto Cornwall. Drive west on Cornwall to Balsam Street and turn south (left). Drive four blocks to 4th Avenue and park. You'll be at the west end of the 4th Avenue shopping area.
Come along on a guided tour of some of the best shops on 4th Avenue, then we'll leave you to explore the rest on your own. We'll start at the corner of 4th Avenue and Balsam walking east.
On the south side of 4th Avenue, you'll find The Book Warehouse. A discount bookstore, The Book Warehouse has an excellent selection of books including guides to Vancouver and books about the city and its urban and natural wonders.
The next must visit business on 4th is Terra Breads. Terra is consistently voted Vancouver's best bread bakery, and its soups and sandwiches make a satisfying lunch or light dinner. Don't miss the cookies either. Everything at Terra is delicious, and if you're staying with friends, Terra breads and pastries are always a welcome gift.
Continuing east, you'll come to several clothing and shoe stores. We like Wear Else, but you'll find others worth a visit as well. Babes, a children's store is one of three. Also, visit Hip Baby and Crocodile, both a little farther down the street.
Basic Stock has a great assortment of kitchen equipment. You'll also find kitchen and cooking gear along 4th Avenue including Ming Wo, Paboom and our favorite, The Kitchen Corner. The Kitchen Corner, located at 1955 West 4th sells kitchenware, houseware, gifts, toys, and literally thousands of other things. The place is jammed with stuff from floor to ceiling on two floors. It's a browser's paradise.
Across the street and a block east of Terra and the Book Warehouse you'll find two Vancouver institutions, Capers Whole Food Market with organic produce, a bakery, deli, and fresh and frozen foods, and Duthie Books, one of Vancouver's best independent bookstores.
This short guide should wet your appetite. And speaking of wet, don't miss Swimco for a huge assortment of swimwear at 2166 4th Avenue, Vancouver.