What a sweltering week it has been in Vancouver! And by “sweltering,” I mean that temperatures hit 30 degrees, it’s been gloriously sunny, and I am one of many who prayed for air conditioning to bless their home. It’s summer and the city couldn’t be happier. We are outside for every and any occasion, whether it sipping drinks on a patio, paddleboarding at Granville Island, or simply walking along the beach.
Biking the seawall is one of the most gratifying things to do in Vancouver. The seawall is a scenic 22km path that lines the city’s waterfront, intersecting many coveted tourist attractions in Vancouver such as: Granville Island, Olympic Village, Scienceworld, Stanley Park, the Convention Centre and Canada Place. Not only is the path clearly marked for bikers and pedestrians, but, it’s also surprisingly flat. This makes for a leisurely, but efficient, way to explore Vancouver that both locals and tourists can enjoy.
With this in mind, we debut our 4-week, “Stops on the Seawall” summer blog series. Yes, biking is awesome, but there is nothing more motivating than the promise of a delicious treat along the way. You see, it’s actually not about the exercise. It’s about ice cream.
I’ve been drooling over the ice cream sandwiches at Beta 5 for what seems like an eternity. They’re hefty, handmade, and all over Instagram. Beta 5 is actually most well-known for their award-winning chocolate and unique cream puffs, but they began hosting Ice Cream Socials on Saturdays this summer and the rest is history.
As you bike along the seawall, you’ll get to Scienceworld and take a 2-minute detour East. Beta 5 has totally unassuming location for an artisan dessert shop – it’s on a street that’s appropriately named “Industrial Avenue.” Think parking lots and tow trucks. In fact, you might even see some of Vancouver’s food trucks “resting” along the street. But, the industrial backdrop makes Beta 5 even more of a “diamond in the rough” destination.
The shop is simple, white, and neat. A big glass window separates the kitchen from the retail front. There’s not a lot for seating in the store or around the building, but there’s something very hip & cool about devouring a frozen treat as the sun beats down on the concrete landscape.
If you pedalled all the way to Beta 5, you might as well indulge in their famous cream puffs. The texture is unlike anything I’ve tasted before – the exterior is slightly firm and has a crackled pattern. They have unique flavours like Black Forest, Blueberry Yuzu, and Milk Chocolate S’more. Just so you know, there is no way to enjoy this gracefully. It will squish and it will ooze and it will be wonderful.
From Granville Island or Yaletown, biking along the seawall to Beta 5 would take about 20 minutes. But hey, time flies when you’re headed for ice cream! Stay tuned for next week’s stop along the seawall – 22k never looked so delicious!
Beta 5
413 Industrial Avenue
Vancouver, BC
