Vancouver Coast & Mountains

Vancouver is the heart of the Coast and Mountains Region nestled into the lowlands of the Fraser Delta, in sharp contrast to its surroundings. One of the worlds most beautiful city, it is also the outdoor capital of the world (there, I've said it!), several lifetimes would be expended pursuing the outdoor possibilities the region presents.

Within the city limits, or no more than an hour or two away are world class locations for sea kayaking, white water paddling, mountian biking, ski touring, snow boarding, backpacking and more. Why else would the worlds greatest adventure race, The Eco-Challenge, choose this venue?

 

Vancouver is a winter sports Mecca. Ironically, it rarely gets snow. The mountains surrounding the city such as Seymour, Hollyburn and Grouse all have great snowboarding, nordic skiing and snow shoeing. You can ski glaciers just up the coast at Whistler or Garibaldi Provincial Park. Not far from the city you'll also find Manning and Golden Ears provincial parks with excellent backcountry and XC ski areas.

For the more urban pleasures within the city consider paying a visit to some of the following areas.

Granville Island - Located below the Granville Street Bridge on the shores of False Creek just opposite the downtown core, the area has a wealth of artisans, artists, merchants and specialty shops. Glass workers, sculptors and potters produce some of the finest examples of their craft in the city. The Granville Island Public Market will please the foodies in the crowd as will the numerous pubs, restaurants, bars and terraces. On a sunny day the view from the areas patios is well worth a pint or two providing an excellent opportunity for kicking back and doing some serious people watching. You can easily reach the island by public transportation, car or better yet bicycle or on foot. In addition their is an Aqua Bus which runs through False Creek which can take you back and forth. The area is just north of the intersection of 4th and 6th street below the onramps to the Granville Street Bridge.

Yaletown - This former warehouse district has gone distinctly upscale. From lorries to lofts, crates to crapes the area has found a new life that attracts the trendies from all over the city. Wine bars, lounges and fine restaurants abound, with interesting boutiques selling high end furnishings and fashions adding to the mix. In August the streets echo with the ferocious whine of the Indie cars as the city plays host to the North American tour. The area streaches from Drake to Nelson bounded by Homer and Mainland. It lies just to the west, or make that southwest of the downtown core.

Davie Street - Funky is the operative word for this area of late night restaurants, shops and hang outs for a wide variety of the cities locals. From the down and out, to the always in, you'll find an interesting cross section of humanity enhabiting the sidewalks, shops and bars. This is definately one of the more interesting areas in the city, particulary as night falls. The main action is between Denman and Burrard Streets just south of the downtown core.

Robson Street - Shoppers and diners love this strip which hosts some of the biggest names in upscale retailing. You'll find La Senza, The Gap, La Vie en Rose, Salvatore Ferragamo and much more. While finding something to spark your interest is easy on Robson, finding a parking spot along the street is one of the worlds great urban challenges and feeding those meters over and over again is not for those on a fixed income. At either end of the street you'll find other interesting places to explore in the form of Denman and Granville Streets. Robson streaches from just outside Stanley Park in the west to Beatty Street in the east. The main drag is between Nicola and Burrard.

Gastown - Don't miss the steam clock blowing its top; a rather unique site and definately of interest to the kids. Explore the variety of interesting shops along the cobblestone streets and small alleyways and of course schedule time to visit Storyeum. This is the birth place of Vancouver and the buildings reflect the history of the city. Located on Water and Alexander Streets in the downtown core just north of Chinatown.

Chinatown - Definately one of Vancouvers most interesting areas with a lively community and a fascinating history. While you'll find shops catering to tourists you'll also find those that deal almost exclusively with the chinese community. Restaurants abound, many of which are excellent but be forwarned you'll find menus and signs which are exclusively chinese. Chinatown centres around West Pender Street and Main with the broader area being bounded by Abbott, Gore, Keefer and Hastings.

Commercial Drive - One of the most interesting areas of the city where cafes abound and the hip and wish to be hip mix but don't necessarily match. You'll find excellent food shops with lots of European specialties along with some interesting restaurants. You can reach "the drive" by sky train (you'll still have to walk a few blocks), by bus or by car. It's a fair distance from the downtown core so walking isn't a reasonable option.

Granville Mall - A rather stange history the mall has been very controversial, particulary since it elemated autos on one of the downtown cores main thoroughfares. Still you'll find some interesting pieces of the cities life here, as well many nearby neighbourhoods and attractions such as Robson Street, Davie Street, Yaletown, the Arts Centre and of course the Vancouver Public Library.

 

 

British Columbia Tourism

Out-There's British Columbia

British Columbia Tourism - Hello BC, Official Site

 

Government

 

Vancouver Tourism

Tourism Vancouver - Official Site - City of Vancouver
Vancouver Coast and Mountains - Official Site

 

Whistler

Out-There's Whistler

Municipality of Whistler

Whistler Tourism - Official Site

 

Chamber of Commerce

Regional Tourism

The Vancouver Coast and Mountains region is made up of the Greater Vancouver area, the Fraser Valley streaching east to Hope and north to Lytton, the Sea to Sky area that heads north through Squamish, passed Whistler and Pemberton and the Sunshine Coast that encompasses the mainland coast to the north west of Vancouver, from Gibsons, passed Powell River up to the spectacular Desolation Sound. See the Travel Section for details on access for the various areas.

Vancouver Coast and Mountains - Area Guide

Fraser Valley - Area Guide, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Coast and Mountains, British Columbia

Sea to Sky - Area Guide, Sea to Sky , Vancouver Coast and Mountains, British Columbia

Sunshine Coast - Area Guide, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Coast and Mountains, British Columbia

Sunshine Coast - Area Guide, Sunshine Coast, Vancouver Coast and Mountains, British Columbia

Point Roberts, USA - An isolated peninsula belonging to the US but with with on land connection - Shopping, Bars, Restaurants and more

 

Surrounding Regions

 

 

Rainbow Country - Area Guide, Fraser Valley, Vancouver Coast and Mountains, British Columbia

Vancouver City Guides

 

Whistler Guides

Whistler - Snowboarding Blows!

Media

Magazines

 

Newspapers - Vancouver

 

Newspapers - Coast and Mountains

Festivals, Events and Attractions

Vancouver

 

Coast and Mountains

Casinos - British Columbia

 

British Columbia Lottery Corporation - Lotteries & Casinos, Online Lottery Results

 

Tours

 

Culture

Greater Vancouver Regional District

Anmore
Belcarra - Indian Arm
Bowen Island Bowen Island
Burnaby
Coquitlam Coquitlam
Delta
Langley City
Langley Township
Lions Bay
Maple Ridge Maple Ridge
New Westminster
North Vancouver City
North Vancouver District North Vancouver District
Pitt Meadows Pitt Meadows
Port Coquitlam
Port Moody
Richmond
Surrey
Vancouver
West Vancouver West Vancouver
White Rock

Vancouver Neighbourhoods, Steets and Scenes

Arbutus Ridge
Downtown
Downtown-Eastside
Dunbar-Southlands
Fairview
Grandview-Woodland
Hastings-Sunrise
Kensington - Cedar Cottage
Kerrisdale
Killarney
Kitsilano
Marpole
Mount Pleasant
Oakridge
Renfrew-Collingwood
Riley Park-Little Mountain
Shaughnessy
South Cambie
Strathcona
Sunset
Victoria-Fraserview
West End
West Point Grey

 

Cities, Towns and Villages

 

 

Shopping

Shopping Areas and Malls

 

Stores

For outdoor gear and clothing see our Outdoor Retailers Section
For spas and gyms see our Health and Beauty Section

Golf