The Third Sexiest Beach in North America is also a great tennis spot!

Kitsilano Beach in Vancouver is one of Vancouver's 'places to be' year round. 

It was voted the third sexiest beach in North America by Forbes Traveler Magazine.  And it's also a great place to play tennis.  Even in the cooler months, it's a spot where Vancouverites love to hang out.  After all, what more can you say about a neighborhood where Lululemon was founded, and where the store still offers free yoga classes in it's store and sometimes even on the beach.

Tennis Tourist video-Kit's Beach

Kitsilano Beach Tennis Courts, Vancouver BC

Kitsilano has a reputation as a place to be and be seen in Vancouver.  But it's also a great place to play tennis.  There are a group of regulars there who are always willing to pick up a game with you, so you'll never be left out in the cold.  And you just might get an invite to go for a coffee at one of the trendy java houses adjacent to the park where the courts are.

What to Do After the Game

Do what all of Vancouver's 'beautiful people' do.  Take a walk along the beach, gaze out at the amazing view of the mountains and water from a beach-side vantage point, play basketball or beach volleyball, or let the kids play on the state of the art playground that was a legacy gift from the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Where to Stay

Mickey's Kits Beach Chalet

This quaint B&B tucked away on a side street in historic, funky Kitsilano makes a good base for playing tennis at the Kitsilano Tennis Courts which are only a short stroll away.

2146 West 1st Avenue

Vancouver, BC

mickeysbandb.com

1 604 739 3342

1 888 739 3342

View Kitsilano Beach Tennis Courts in a larger map

Tennis Year Round in Stanley Park Vancouver Canada-one of the World's Great Urban Parks-

Stanley Park Tennis Courts

Stanley Park, Vancouver BC

Stanley Park is one of the world’s great urban parks in the heart of Vancouver British Columbia, Canada.  It is a 1,001 acre public park that borders downtown Vancouver and is almost entirely surrounded by the waters of the Pacific Ocean.  The park has 11 free tennis courts that are available on a first come, first served basis.  There are also more free courts near Lost Lagoon along Lagoon Drive at Robson Street if they are full.  During the warm season, six of the courts are operated as pay courts and can be booked through the tennis pro shop at Stanley Park. There are a lot of regulars at these courts and the play can be at quite a high level on the courts at Beach Avenue.  You can find the courts near the Beach Avenue entrance to Stanley Park. 604-605-8224.

What to Do After the Game

Stanley Park and English Bay

Strolling along the seawall through this world class urban park, hanging out on English Bay Beach, kayaking, watching legendary sunsets.  It’s all part of visiting the west end of Vancouver, an area that draws locals and people from around the globe.  With Vancouver’s moderate climate, the park is a popular place to go year round.

Stanley park is designated a national historic site and is a 400 hectare oasis of rainforest, trails and beaches with mountain and water views in the heart of urban Vancouver. There are restaurants, an aquarium, totem poles and many other points of interest in the renowned site.

Where to Stay

The Sylvia HotelStanding guard over English Bay Beach and the entrance to Stanley Park since 1912, the grand old hotel is truly a Vancouver landmark.  It was designed as an apartment building for a Mr. Goldstein who had a daughter named Sylvia.  Now dwarfed by surrounding high rise towers, until 1958 it was the tallest building in Vancouver and also the site of the first cocktail bar in the city.  The outside is completely covered by Virginia Creeper and inside the charm continues with tasteful period pieces combined with modern amenities.  The rates are very reasonable considering the location, and it is therefore a very popular place for visitors.  It’s easy to spend lots of time without even leaving the hotel.  Eating in the restaurant is an experience in itself.  The views of English Bay and the sunsets in the evening are spectacular.

The hotel was designated a historic building in 1975 and has also been immortalized in two children’s books by Lois Simmie about the hotels famous cat.  A song by singer-songwriter.  Cheryl Wheeler also mentions the feline.

Legendary sunsets from the restaurant and bar of the Sylvia.

The Sylvia Hotel

1154 Gilford St Vancouver BC V6G 2P6

(604) 681-9321

1-877-681-9321

info@sylviahotel.com

Tennis at 700 Year Stadium in Thailand

tennistourist.ca

November means cooler temperatures in North America and Europe, so playing tennis in a warmer climate sounds appealing.  Here’s a tennis destination we discovered in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Tennis at 700 Years Stadium in Chiang Mai Thailand

We went looking for tennis and found a world-class facility in Chiang Mai.  The 700 Years Stadium built in honor of the city's seventh century anniversary features 11 practice courts and one center court which are open 7am to 9pm.  They are lit at night, sometimes a good idea because the days can be very warm in Thailand, even in the north.  There is a pro-shop there that is stocked with virtually everything you would need to play the game.  

How to Get there

You can find the courts by going down Chotana road to the new city hall.  Turn left and keep going until you cross Canal Road.  Once you're in the sports complex, follow the signs and arrows.

What to do after tennis

Wat Doi Suthep

 

After playing tennis we took our rented motorcycle and rode up the mountain to Doi Suthep budhist wat (temple).  The views were stunning and hill tribes people sold their traditional crafts at some spots on the way up.  The Doi Hutep wat was magnificent.  Be prepared for lots of tourists at this well-known temple though.

Where we stayed

Chiang Mai Boutique House Hotel

We arrived there at night.  We clambered out of the songthaew(open air shared taxi) after a twelve hour train ride from Bangkok, and there it was, the Chiang Mai Boutique House, an eclectic statement of a hotel that gently represents many of the elements of this northern city, and is a backstreet refuge in this city of bars, stunning Buddhist Wats(temples), markets and Thai massage parlors.  The rooms are wrapped around a courtyard, pool and breakfast lounge area where you can watch the interesting world of Chaing Mai pass by your eyes while surround by northern Thai design.

Chiang Mai Boutique House Hotel

2 Ratchapakinai Road, Phrasing, Muang, Chiangmai 50200

For more places in the world to play tennis visit:

www.tennistourist.ca