These pictures were taken downtown at English Bay across from the barge with the fireworks.

It is quite spectacular to see them from this close. The barge is only a few hundred meters from shore. The theme music is played on large speakers all around and you can hear the whizzing sounds of the fireworks. It is definitely worth the extra effort to see them from downtown at least once.

Going to the fireworks around 9:30pm most of the downtown streets were closed to traffic. There was a steady flow of people heading to the ocean front on all streets. When I arrived at English Bay, it was full back to the street. We were able to get a good viewing point from the sidewalk though. After when all the people from the beaches started to leave, I realized how many people there were. The streets were packed with people walking home.

The walk home was very pleasant though. I don't think there were any buses running so if people could, I think they walked. There were lots of groups of people and families. Walking over the Burrard bridge there was a nice view of the city that was going back to normal. Across the bridge on the Kitsilano Beach side there were lots of people having parties on their balconies and people walking home in all directions.

I arrived home about 11:30pm, after just over an hours walk. It was a very pleasant evening (and is it free!).