Capture Beautiful Cherry Blossom Photos of Your Family in Toronto

Cherry blossom season in Toronto is so short—like blink-and-you-miss-it short. It’s here for just a week or two, then those beautiful pink blooms turn into green leaves. It’s a whirlwind of beauty, and that’s what makes it so special. If you’re thinking about snapping family photos in front of these gorgeous trees, a little planning can go a long way. Trust me, with the crowds that flock to Toronto’s parks every year, you’ll want to make the most of it. Here are a few tips to help you capture the perfect cherry blossom photos:

1. Mark Your Calendar & Follow a Cherry Blossom Blogger

Cherry blossoms usually start blooming mid-to-late April and last until early May. I’d say aim for mid-to-late April, because by the first week of May, the petals are mostly gone. But don’t stress—if it’s a warm April, they might bloom a little earlier! You can follow Sakura in High Park to stay updated.

2. Teach Your Kids About the Fragility of Cherry Blossoms

Fun fact: cherry blossoms aren’t native to Canada. They’re actually a beautiful gift from Japan. Because of that, we need to take good care of them. Teach your kids not to pull at the branches or leaves. We can get up close for photos, but let’s not be rough with these delicate trees. High Park even has educational tours where you can learn all about them!

3. Know Where the Cherry Blossoms Are in Toronto

There are plenty of spots to catch these blooms in Toronto—High Park is the most popular, but don’t forget about hidden gems like:

Parks

  • Trinity Bellwoods Park: Located in downtown Toronto, this park not only offers a view of the CN Tower but also breathtaking colours of the cherry blossoms.
  • Woodbine Park: Just down the street from Woodbine Beach, there are a dozen cherry blossom trees planted along the path close to the pond.
  • Toronto Music Garden: This serene park along Toronto’s waterfront was inspired by Bach’s music, and is the perfect place to find brief refuge from the hustle and bustle of downtown.
  • Kariya Park: Located in Mississauga, this park is home to about 80 beautiful Japanese cherry blossom trees.
  • Centennial Park: Home to over 400 cherry blossom trees and is a popular destination near Toronto.
  • Birkdale Ravine: Located in Scarborough, the cherry blossoms here are planted as a tree tunnel near the Pomeroy Street & Lyon Heights Road entrance.
  • Broadacres Park: Located at 35 Crendon Dr, Etobicoke, this park features about 100 beautiful cherry blossom trees.
  • Centre Island on Toronto Island Park: One of my absolute favourite places to visit in Toronto in any season is the Toronto Islands. While summer is the most popular time to visit the Toronto Islands for tourists, as a local, my favourite time to visit the islands is in the spring and fall. Take the short ferry ride over to the islands, where you will find approximately 30 cherry blossom trees on Centre Island, close to the William Meany maze.
  • Edwards Gardens: Within the gardens, there are a few cherry blossom trees located near the water fountain and two mature trees close to the bridal path entrance.
  • Ramsden Park: If you’re looking for a quiet spot to admire the cherry blossoms, Ramsden Park is a great gem. Relax on the benches beneath the trees and soak in the spring vibes.
  • Queen’s Park: One of the oldest parks in Toronto and is located beside the Ontario Legislature and the University of Toronto campus. There are a handful of cherry blossom trees near the legislature buildings.
  • Joyce Archdekin Park, Brampton: This park features a collection of cherry blossom trees that bloom beautifully in the spring.

Unexpected Spots

  • Robarts Library at the University of Toronto: Features several cherry blossom trees along the walking path at the corner of Huron Street and Harbord Street.
  • York University: More than 200 beautiful sakura cherry trees have been planted on York University’s Keele Campus.
  • Exhibition Place: Offers some of the most breathtaking cherry blossoms and is a great hidden gem.
  • Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre

4. Make Sure You Have a Good Camera

You’ll see tons of people snapping photos with their cellphones, but to get those picture-perfect family portraits, you need a camera that can deliver. Make sure your phone is set to the highest quality, wipe off the lens, and make sure you’re facing the sun for the best lighting. Pro tip: golden hour + cherry blossoms = magic.

5. Best Time to Capture Cherry Blossoms

Cherry blossom season gets crazy busy, so try to go on a weekday. The morning light is perfect, and you’ll avoid the weekend crowds. Mid-day can work too, but weekends? Yeah, it’s a madhouse.

6. Parking Tips

Parking is a bit tricky around cherry blossom spots. High Park has limited parking, and the traffic gets wild during peak season. If you’re driving, I recommend parking at Keele Station TTC lot ($5 on weekdays, free on weekends) and walking over (it’s about 20 minutes). Other spots like the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre have free parking—if there’s no event going on that day—and fewer people, but fewer trees too. It’s all about finding the right balance!

7. Consider Hiring a Photographer

If you’re looking to capture those cherry blossom moments without the stress, I’d love to help! I’ve photographed over 40 family sessions during cherry blossom season, so I know exactly how to get the best shots. If you want to plan ahead for your own family session in the spring, just reach out. Let’s create something beautiful together.

Looking forward to capturing your family’s memories!

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