If you’re fortunate enough to be able to spend some time at Scarberia’s crown jewel, the Scarborough Bluffs, you’ll want to know how to best use your time. Even though it isn’t that far from downtown Toronto, the Bluffs are still a relatively hidden gem! So without further ado here’s your elevated guide to see, play and experience one of South Western Ontario’s natural wonders. We proudly present: A Stoner’s Guide to the Scarorough Bluffs.
It wouldn’t be a stoner’s guide without first starting with all the fire weed you’ll need for a great day on the Scarborough Bluffs. Our shop Stok’d Cliffside, aptly named Stok’d Spliffside by one of our customers, is minutes away from the key Bluff locations you’ll want to check out. What should you pick up for a great day? We asked Stok’d GM, and cannabis encyclopaedia, Fransecso, to share a section of his best recommendations:
For a day of adventuring you may not have the time or patience to roll up yourself. We highly recommend picking up some great pre-rolls for your day at the Scarborough Bluffs. Here are 3 suggestions depending on your tolerance level and desire for elevation:
When you’re out for a hike or chilling by the beach, an edible can be great to stay lit for a few hours without having to smoke or vape. You also know exactly how much weed you’re getting with each yummy bite. Check out these suggestions based on flava:
Discrete, potent and tasty, vapes are little weed rockets that fit in your pocket. Grabbing a vape cart before your day on the Scarborough Bluffs is always a good idea. Here are some recommendations based on price:
Even though you can now crack a beer at some Toronto parks, not everyone is comfortable with a cross-fading experience. For those who prefer a cannabis beverage to alcohol we’ve got some great recco’s for you. Here they are, broken down by carbonation and potency:
Thankfully once you’ve stocked up at Stok’d Cliffside you can pop over to Bulk Barn for all your sweet treats, chips and other snacks. To pick up a full picnic basket worth of snacks head over to No Frills, just down the block from us. If you’re looking for something more substantial here are 3 recommendations for great eats between our shop and the Scarborough Bluffs:
Having picked up all your snacks and weedy supplies it’s time to hit the Bluffs and enjoy a great day out. The first thing to know is that the Scarborough Bluffs Park is actually 11 different parks! Although they are all close together, each may have its own street parking and entrances. Whether you’re looking for an afternoon of hiking on the Scarborough Bluffs Trail, a day of fun and sun Bluffers Beach or a lover’s picnic in Rosetta McClain Gardens, this guide has everything you need. We’ve gone ahead and divided the Stoner’s Guide to the Scarborough Bluffs by activities, so feel free to mix and match your itinerary to suit the needs and desires of everyone in your group.
The first thing to know is that the Scarborough Bluffs can be seen from 17 parks that dot the coastline of Lake Ontario. For a full list of them, check out our article Exploring Scarborough’s Hidden Gems: A Brief History of the Bluffs <LINK> We chose Bluffer’s Park and Beach as the ideal location to start your day.
Head down Kingston Road towards Brimley Road South. Depending if you are coming from the east or west you’ll turn right or left on Brimley and take this windy road down towards the water. Street parking is enforced between May and September and will run you $6 for weekdays and $12 on weekends.
Getting to the Bluffs by TTC, head to Kennedy Subway Station and take the 201 Bluffer’s Park bus that is a direct shot to Bluffer’s Beach. The last bus leaves around 10 pm depending on the day so make sure to check the schedule unless you want to be sleeping on the sand 😅.
No matter how you decide to spend your day, one of the main features of the Bluffs is the Bluffs. With Lake Ontario as the watery backdrop there’s not many places on the Bluffs without a great shot. From butterflies at East Point Park to sun sets and moon rises at Scarboro Crescent Park, the Bluffs have ample opportunity for unforgettable photography. Whether you want to grab a quick snap, a group selfie (us-ie?) or you’re a serious photographer, here are the top spots for pics on the Scarborough Bluffs:
“Scarboro Crescent Park offers dramatic views of Lake Ontario and the eroding sand cliffs that form the Scarborough Bluffs. The park is so high above the water that it also offers stunning views of sunrises, sunsets, moon rises and shooting stars, making this a popular evening destination on warm summer evenings.”
“East Point Park is one of Toronto’s largest parkland areas along the City’s east waterfront. It is a migratory staging area for monarch butterflies and over 178 species of birds.”
“The fully-accessible garden park features special braille signage, raised planters, rose gardens and a rock fountain surrounded by a pergola. It is a haven for flower connoisseurs, bird and butterfly watchers. The park has spectacular views of Lake Ontario from the top of Scarborough Bluffs and is a popular spot for wedding photos.”
“Cathedral Bluffs Park offers spectacular views of the bluffs and Lake Ontario. The tall spires of the eroded sandstone cliffs rise more than 90 metres above Lake Ontario. This is one of the highest points along the bluffs, a result of the coincidence of the Lake Ontario and glacial Lake Iroquois shorelines.”
Whether you’re a couple of lovebirds or just a few goofy friends, an afternoon picnic is a leisurely way to enjoy the Bluffs. While there are plenty of great places across the many parks around the Scarborough Bluffs, here are a few great spots for a ranger-free picnic.
“Scarborough Heights Park is a park with a large community garden on the west side. Views of the lake are harder to see through the dense vegetation that grows along the bluff in this area.”
“Bluffer’s Park was designed to improve public access to the base of the Scarborough Bluffs. It can be accessed by Brimley Road. The park features a sandy beach, picnic areas, walks, lookouts, a boat launch and visitors dockage.”
“The fully-accessible garden park features special braille signage, raised planters, rose gardens and a rock fountain surrounded by a pergola. It is a haven for flower connoisseurs, bird and butterfly watchers. The park has spectacular views of Lake Ontario from the top of Scarborough Bluffs and is a popular spot for wedding photos.”
For the eager beavers we highly recommend you take your two-feet + heartbeat and hike the many trails that exist around the Scarborough Bluffs. There are more scenic trails like in Cudia Park and more demanding ones in Scarborough Bluffs Trail. Thankfully the trails are fairly close to everything so you can send off the athletes in the group while you go ahead and wait for them on the beach 😂. For the ambitious stoner, throw on a Tragically Hip playlist and hit the top trails for the hiking enthusiasts:
“Head out on this 6.4-km out-and-back trail near Scarborough, Ontario. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 16 min to complete. “This is a very popular area for birding, fishing, and hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.” ”
“Experience this 2.6-km loop trail near Toronto, Ontario. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 29 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and running, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day.”
“Try this 2.6-km out-and-back trail near Toronto, Ontario. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 34 min to complete. This trail is great for running and walking, and it’s unlikely you’ll encounter many other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.”
“Cudia Park is located at the point where the current Lake Ontario Shoreline meets the historic Lake Iroquois shorelines. There are hiking trails throughout the Park. Wildlife is abundant and the views of Lake Ontario are spectacular. You can also see Cathedral Bluffs Park to the West. It is like having a bit of wilderness at the end of the street.”
“Sylvan Park offers a small area of cut grass and benches for park users to enjoy the view of Lake Ontario from the height of land. There is one pedestrian trail to the lake: The Doris McCarthy Trail (Gates Gully): start from Ravine Drive, south of Kingston Road and head down to the lake.”
Which way to the beach? If you’re like us, the opportunity to slather on some sunscreen and slowly get roasted while you get toasted is about as good a day to spend outside as there is. Back in the day Lake Ontario wasn’t safe to swim but blissfully it’s no longer 1988. Do check the water safety alerts but in general it’s now safe to swim. Bluffer’s, considered one of Toronto’s best sandy beaches, is rated a “blue flag” which means it’s annually certified to be safe to swim.
“Bluffer’s Park was designed to improve public access to the base of the Scarborough Bluffs. It can be accessed by Brimley Road. The park features a sandy beach, picnic areas, walks, lookouts, a boat launch and visitors dockage.”
“A Must Visit. The Beach is really beautiful and a great place to spend a day with Family and Friends. You can hike, picnic or just sit in front of the clean blue water of Lake Ontario. The biggest challenge here is that weekends can be very busy and you might not find any parking!”
“Out of the way – but well worth the trip. This park and marina is a beaut. Large, isolated from the neighbourhood that surrounds it, quiet if you know when to hit it (avoid weekends) and peaceful too. Upper park features commanding views over the bluffs and the lake, hiking trails, and lower park provides public washrooms, docks, a restaurant, and plenty of benches for a picnic.”
Safety first but we definitely feel that stand-up paddleboarding is made for stoner’s! Assuming the water is calm, taking a gentle cruise around the Scarborough Bluffs marina is a great way to explore. Check out Oceah Oceah for rentals, lessons and all the information you need.
If you really want to stretch your sea-legs there’s a great sailing school that calls the Scarborough Bluffs home. Once you’ve learned your port from your starboard you’ll be able to join the Scarborough Bluffs Sailing Club and really catch the wind.
If you happen to fall in love with the Scarborough Bluffs and don’t want to leave, you don’t have to. There’s a small community of floating homes that are nestled directly underneath the Bluffs. You can usually find a few for sale, so if this is your calling do check them out.
Well that’s the end of the Stoner’s Guide to the Scarborough Bluffs. We hope you come out to one of the GTA’s hidden gems and bring some friends. If you want more information and the backstory, check out our companion article “Exploring Scarborough Hidden Gems: The History the Scarborough Bluffs” <LINK>. Whether you start or end in need of great weed, remember to include Stok’d Cliffside on your itinerary for a fabulous day at the Bluffs.