Birch Cliff, Scarborough Neighbourhood Guide:

If you’ve had your eye on houses in The Beaches area of Toronto but can’t afford the $1 million+ price tag, 10 minutes to the east can provide you with more affordable options. Birch Cliff in Scarborough is near the lake and Scarborough Bluffs. It offers a beachside lifestyle surrounded by public art murals and artisan dining and shopping options that is comparable to The Beaches.

In the 19th century, Birch Cliff consisted of a few cottages and the Victoria Park recreation facilities. In 1906, a streetcar line that was built connecting the neighbourhood with Toronto, was a catalyst for growth. As the community grew, several retail giants opened their first locations in Birch Cliff, including Canadian Tire and the Dominion grocery store.

John Stark was a cottage owner in Birch Cliff in the late 1800s, and his home, surrounded by the Scarborough Bluffs and birch trees, prompted him to name his property “Birch Cliff.” When the first post office opened in the area in 1908, it followed his lead and named the surrounding community Birch Cliff.

This opulent lakeside community features beautiful residential homes, particularly in the Fallingbrook neighbourhood. Here you can find Tudor, Edwardian, and Cape Cod-style houses. You’ll also find bungalows, storey-and-a-half, and detached two-storey homes.

Many of the large estate homes are atop the Scarborough Bluffs and offer breathtaking views of Lake Ontario. There are also elegant homes in Fallingbrook, which back onto the rolling grounds of the Toronto Hunt Club, a premier private golf course.

Pockets of urban townhouses were constructed in 2019, and the trendy stacked townhouse design offers an alternative to single-family homes and condos. Named The Treehouse, these townhomes will appeal to couples, young families, and downsizers, who enjoy relaxed lakeside living.

Worn-out storefronts will be a thing of the past in this neighbourhood thanks to the Birch Cliff Mural Project. This street improvement initiative is staffed by volunteers who have installed big and small murals on the sides of some of the area’s neglected businesses along Kingston Road. Many of these murals were created by local high school students and youth groups. This community group, which started in 1990, had the vision to display stunning art in public places to beautify the surroundings.

Featuring a range of vintage boutiques, Kingston Road is a popular shopping district with a distinctive artsy feel.  Vintage and Antiques features historic and well-worn treasures including mid-century modern furniture and Victorian jewelery. Luxe Home Decor is the charming creation of a former department store buyer for Hudson’s Bay Company. Browse handmade candles, soaps, kitchenware, and home decor, where you’re sure to find the perfect gift. City Cottage Market is a specialty grocer offering exceptional foodstuffs ranging from savoury hot sauces to assorted coffee beans. Your purchases here can be the impetus for creating a spectacular Sunday brunch to enjoy at home. It’s likely Kingston Road will be your new go-to for unique and diverse finds.

FreshCo is in the Gerrard Street area of Baycliffe and offers convenient shopping for local residents. The homeowners in the nearby new townhouse complex, The Treehouse, will also enjoy the convenience of this market.

The restaurants situated along Kingston Road feature a multicultural array of cuisine. The Kingston Social House is a lively bar and restaurant with a patio that attracts friends meeting for a lager and couples enjoying an outdoor meal. The Green Dragon Pub, a cozy traditional pub also located on Kingston Road, serves pub food like burgers and spicy wings. Word has it their chicken wings are some of the best in the city. With Kingston Road as your destination, you’re sure to find a distinctive eatery to suit you.

Birch Cliff is a haven for panoramic views of the lake from atop the Scarborough Bluffs, and a plethora of parks add to the beautiful, natural surroundings. Scarborough Heights Park, Sylvan Park, East Point Park and South Marine Drive Park are some of the picturesque greenery in this neighbourhood.

Bluffers Park and Beach can be accessed off Brimley Road and is at the foot of the Scarborough Bluffs. The rolling cliffs of the bluffs frame the sandy beach and a boat launch. Look-out points and picnic areas add to the appeal of this local gem.

Sylvan Park, Gill’s Park, and East Point Park also offer access to the waterfront for swimming and enjoying sensational sunsets.

Birch Cliff offers direct access to the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail. The Scarborough Bluffs frame the trail, making this a popular spot for cyclists and dog walkers. This historic trail stretches 3,600 kilometres from Sault Ste. Marie to the Quebec border and connects 150 communities along the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. 

For those who enjoy fitness programs, the modern Birchmount Community Centre offers a large indoor pool for leisure swimming and lessons, a library branch and features adult, seniors, and children’s programs.

A serene spot to relax, Rosetta McClain Gardens has well-tended rose gardens, planters, and a rock fountain and is a popular spot for bird and butterfly watching. This park has unmatched views of Lake Ontario at the top of the Scarborough Bluffs. A picnic shelter offers protection from the sun while enjoying picturesque views of the lake.

For those commuting to the city, the Victoria Park subway station is nearby. Catching the 12 Victoria Park station bus southbound on Victoria Park Avenue will take you to the main shopping and dining district on Kingston Road. The 69 Warden South and 135 Gerrard buses also traverse the neighbourhood.

The Danforth GO train station is situated on Main Street and the trip to Union Station takes about 10 minutes. For those who are driving, Kingston Road connects with the Gardiner Expressway, Lakeshore Boulevard, and the Don Valley Parkway.

Birch Cliff, nestled along the Scarborough lakeshore, is a cheaper substitute for the sought-after Beaches neighbourhood. This community will provide you with waterfront vistas without the hefty price tag of a downtown residence.