Mountains near North Vancouver - This is the view you are going to get when you roam Vancouver's waterfront, which has one of the most picturesque natural harbor views in the world. Vancouver is part of an island which is called the Canadian province of British Columbia's Lower Mainland. As you can see, you have to take a ferry or a boat to get to North Vancouver, although you can also cross historic Lions Gate Bridge on foot or by car, and make a right after the bridge. If you make a left, you are surely heading to West Vancouver.