Spanish Banks Beach is about 10 km and 20 minutes by road from downtown Vancouver, so driving or a taxi is the quickest option. A TransLink bus is the other common choice, and the TransLink Trip Planner will show the best route for your start point.
Where the beaches sit
Spanish Banks is a series of beaches in the West Point Grey neighbourhood, along English Bay between Locarno Beach and the University of British Columbia. Spanish Bank East has a lifeguard in summer and a lot of volleyball courts, Spanish Bank West is the quieter stretch, and the extension area has off-leash zones for dogs. Picking which part you want first saves a lot of walking along the sand.
Driving and parking
Use a map app for live directions from your exact starting point, since traffic on the west side can swing a lot between a weekday morning and a summer afternoon. Parking at Spanish Banks has been free, unlike nearby Kitsilano Beach, and metered parking was considered but postponed by the Vancouver Park Board in 2018. Rules can change, so check the Park Board page for current notices. On hot weekends the lots fill early, and arriving in the morning helps.
Bus and bike
TransLink runs buses toward UBC along the west side, but route numbers and stop names change over time. Enter Spanish Banks as your destination in the Trip Planner or the Transit app and it will give the current route, the nearest stop and the walk to the sand. Pay with a Compass card or contactless payment as described on the TransLink site.
The shoreline has a separated bike path next to a walking path, both running parallel to the water. That makes a bike a pleasant choice on a dry day, though you should check the route for hills and traffic before you commit.
Taxi from downtown
A taxi suits a group with chairs and a cooler. The Vancouver taxi page covers local options, and the taxi fare estimator gives a rough cost. Book the ride home ahead on busy days, since sunset crowds leave all at once.