My guide to filming locations in Vancouver proper covers the classics — Lions Gate, Gastown, Cypress. But some of the best automotive backdrops in the region aren't in Vancouver at all. After years of shooting across the Lower Mainland, these are the spots I keep coming back to, city by city.
A note on etiquette: several of these are residential-adjacent or gated-hours locations. Shoot respectfully, keep noise down at night, and leave every spot cleaner than you found it — it keeps these locations open for all of us.
1. Burnaby Mountain / SFU — Burnaby
The winding climb up Gaglardi and the concrete architecture at the top make this a two-for-one: rolling shots on the way up, brutalist backdrops at the summit, and a city-lights panorama at night. One of the best all-round spots for a Burnaby car shoot.
2. Metrotown parkades — Burnaby
Classic night territory: clean concrete, strong overhead light pools, and ramps that frame a car beautifully. Best late in the evening when levels empty out.
3. Westwood Plateau — Coquitlam
Elevated streets with valley views and quiet, wide roads. Sunset from the plateau lights up the whole Fraser Valley below. Pair it with a night set at Coquitlam Centre's parkades for a full Coquitlam session.
4. Barnet Highway pullouts — Port Moody
The stretch along Burrard Inlet has pullouts with water-and-mountain backdrops that read like the Sea-to-Sky at a fraction of the drive. Early morning here is glassy-water calm — the signature Port Moody session.
5. Iona Beach Road — Richmond
A dead-straight causeway between the ocean and the river, ending at one of the region's most open horizons. Sunset here is enormous — the closest thing to a prairie sky in Richmond. Watch for cyclists and shoot from the shoulders.
6. Steveston Village — Richmond
Wooden boardwalk textures, fishing boats, and heritage storefronts. It photographs like a small coastal town — a completely different flavor from urban Vancouver, ten minutes from the airport.
7. Crescent Beach & 1000 Steps — Surrey / White Rock
The bluff roads above Boundary Bay and the beach parking areas at low tide give golden-hour light with driftwood-and-ocean backgrounds. A favorite for convertibles and classics — quintessential Surrey and White Rock territory.
8. Queensborough industrial streets — New Westminster
Corrugated warehouses, rail sidings, and river fog in the mornings. Gritty, cinematic, and empty on weekends — ideal for aggressive builds that want an industrial mood to match. More in the New Westminster area guide.
9. Cypress & Eagle Bluffs approach — West Vancouver
The switchbacks below the Cypress lookout are the region's most famous driving-shot road for a reason, but the lower pullouts get you the same alpine feel with fewer cars in frame. Go at sunrise to have it to yourself — part of every serious North Shore shoot list.
10. Fort Langley — Langley
Heritage main street, wooden granaries, and farm roads five minutes in any direction. Morning fog over the Fraser here is a cheat code for atmosphere. The anchor spot for Langley sessions.
Matching the spot to your car
- Modern exotics and supercars: Burnaby Mountain, Iona Beach, Cypress approaches — big landscapes match big presence.
- Modified and stance builds: parkades and Queensborough industrial — urban texture suits aggressive fitment. See the night-shoot approach for why.
- Classics and vintage: Steveston, Fort Langley, Crescent Beach — period settings that don't fight the car's era.
Want these shots of your car?
I shoot at every location on this list regularly and know exactly when each one has its best light. Check out the portfolio, find your city on the service pages, and email arashyx@gmail.com to plan a session.
