Take bus 2 from Burrard Station and ride it into Kitsilano along Cornwall Avenue. It is the direct transit option from downtown, and Cornwall is the main street along the beach, so you step off close to the sand.
Bus 2 from Burrard Station
Burrard Station on the Expo Line is the downtown end of bus 2. From there the route heads into Kitsilano along Macdonald Street and Cornwall Avenue. Kitsilano Beach itself sits at Cornwall Avenue and the north end of Yew Street, so look for a stop near that corner and walk the last stretch to the water.
TransLink has also promoted transit to the beach in summer, and the bus beats circling for a space on a hot weekend. Use the TransLink trip planner for the next departure and the exact stop names, since service changes from season to season.
Driving and parking near Cornwall Avenue
Driving works on a quiet weekday, but the beach is a different story on sunny weekends. The Vancouver Park Board runs official parking lots near the beach, close to the sand and the Kits Pool. Those fill up fast in summer, and a local guide describes parking on a summer Saturday as a real challenge, with transit or cycling the practical choice.
Before you drive, check the Park Board and City of Vancouver pages for current parking rules, rates and any payment apps in use. Do not rely on a guess about meter hours.
Cycling from downtown
Kitsilano is close enough to downtown that many people ride. Check the City of Vancouver cycling map for current lanes.
The beach has a playground, volleyball courts along its northern edge, and the long outdoor saltwater Kitsilano Pool, which is open seasonally from May through September under Park Board management.
If you would rather not wait for a bus
A taxi from downtown is a short ride, and it saves you from carrying towels and coolers on the bus. The Vancouver taxi page explains how to book, and the taxi fare estimator gives a rough idea of cost before you go.