Meet the author Shannon McLachlan in Vancouver

Shannon McLachlan

Shannon McLachlan is a born and raised Vancouverite and the author of The 500 Hidden Secrets of Vancouver. Having worked in marketing and as a content creator for nearly 10 years, her work has brought her to all corners of the city. An avid traveler, spending months and years abroad has helped her appreciate all that makes Vancouver unique and has since come to see the city in a new way - with the insight of a local and the perspective of a tourist. She considers herself a mountain-loving, coffee-drinking, photo-taking explorer, constantly on the lookout for new discoveries.

It’s hard to live in Vancouver and not love the nature that surrounds it.

What Shannon loves most about Vancouver

It’s not the most unique answer but it’s hard to live in Vancouver and not love the nature that surrounds it. That being said, it wasn’t until I left home and spent time abroad that I realized truly how spoiled Vancouverites are. Escaping the city is easy; a thirty-minute drive from just about anywhere and you can find yourself on a trail away from everyone and everything. That, and the sunsets. We have some of the best sunsets and places to watch them from.

Vancouver - Blossom & Vine Floral company
Blossom & Vine Floral Company

For Shannon a perfect day in Vancouver might look like this

My perfect day in Vancouver starts early and with a good coffee, ideally purchased from my favourite caffeine stop, Agro Coffee Roasters in East Van. From there I would make my way down to Granville Island where I would pick up some fresh fruit and veggies and anything else that catches my eye. I have no doubt I would also snag a bagel from Siegel’s.

After finishing at the Market, I’d meet up with some friends for a little bit of neighbourhood perusing. We’d probably end up in Mount Pleasant where we would grab lunch at Dock Lunch (if they hadn’t sold out already!) and pop into Blossom & Vine to see their latest bouquets. We’d likely stop in at one, if not some, of the breweries nearby. 33 Acres’ beer 33 Acres of Sunshine is ideal for afternoon thirst quenching.

Vancouver - Earnest Ice Cream
Earnest Ice Cream

If this perfect day was in the summer, then my plan for the rest of the evening would be simple: a walk along the Sea Wall with a cone of matcha green tea ice cream from Earnest, finishing at English Bay to watch the sunset. For a winter evening, I’d head to Grapes & Soda for a cozy night of wine and delicious bites.