Guidebook for Vancouver

Jennifer
Guidebook for Vancouver

Food Scene

They serve excellent coffee and a small cozy atmosphere, but their bread is the best in town. Treat yourself to a gorgeous loaf of your favourite kind, or a buttery croissant.
31 locals recommend
Beyond Bread
3686 W 4th Ave
31 locals recommend
They serve excellent coffee and a small cozy atmosphere, but their bread is the best in town. Treat yourself to a gorgeous loaf of your favourite kind, or a buttery croissant.
Fantastic local restaurant and bar specializing in Brazilian specialities. They have a lovely bar where you can sit and have a lovely glass of wine.
23 locals recommend
Baru Latino
2535 Alma St
23 locals recommend
Fantastic local restaurant and bar specializing in Brazilian specialities. They have a lovely bar where you can sit and have a lovely glass of wine.
Crazy wonderful sushi, both traditional and wonderful inventions of their own. They have a huge menu of rice dishes, noodles, contemporary foods. The restaurant is layered with wonderful contemporary art pieces made of small plastic cars and many other great pieces. They don't take debit, so its cash or credit.
77 locals recommend
The Eatery
3431 W Broadway
77 locals recommend
Crazy wonderful sushi, both traditional and wonderful inventions of their own. They have a huge menu of rice dishes, noodles, contemporary foods. The restaurant is layered with wonderful contemporary art pieces made of small plastic cars and many other great pieces. They don't take debit, so its cash or credit.
My favourite little sushi spot. They do an incredible variety of noodles, rice, sushi's etc. They only have seating for about 30 so you might have to wait a few minutes. But it's worth it. Kids will love it as well.
27 locals recommend
Hime Sushi
4490 W 10th Ave
27 locals recommend
My favourite little sushi spot. They do an incredible variety of noodles, rice, sushi's etc. They only have seating for about 30 so you might have to wait a few minutes. But it's worth it. Kids will love it as well.
This is a must!!! I love this place and one of Vancouver's best kept secrets. It's located on the second floor of the Jericho Sailing Centre, a wonderful, community waterfront man powered water sports centre. Have a drink on the patio or indulge in their salmon burger or salmon salad. They also serve great burgers. It's about a 20 minute walk from my home and the walk is lovely along the waterfront.
24 locals recommend
The Galley Patio & Grill
1300 Discovery St
24 locals recommend
This is a must!!! I love this place and one of Vancouver's best kept secrets. It's located on the second floor of the Jericho Sailing Centre, a wonderful, community waterfront man powered water sports centre. Have a drink on the patio or indulge in their salmon burger or salmon salad. They also serve great burgers. It's about a 20 minute walk from my home and the walk is lovely along the waterfront.
Within a five minute walk from my home, it's a contemporary eatery and bar. It's very similar to Earl's or Cactus club.
29 locals recommend
Browns Socialhouse Kitsilano
2296 W 4th Ave
29 locals recommend
Within a five minute walk from my home, it's a contemporary eatery and bar. It's very similar to Earl's or Cactus club.
If you love a great freshly made donair or a hard to find, made on the order Falafel wrap. It's a family owned and run fast food joint that is worth a stop!
Al Basha
If you love a great freshly made donair or a hard to find, made on the order Falafel wrap. It's a family owned and run fast food joint that is worth a stop!
A family friendly contemporary restaurant with a great kids menu, orders coming served in a pirate ship! they also have a great vegetarian and contemporary menu. Known for their 'Special O' sauce (a mayonaise) and burgers.
21 locals recommend
White Spot Kitsilano
2518 W Broadway
21 locals recommend
A family friendly contemporary restaurant with a great kids menu, orders coming served in a pirate ship! they also have a great vegetarian and contemporary menu. Known for their 'Special O' sauce (a mayonaise) and burgers.
Great Pizza to eat in or pick up. (No Delivery) but it's about a 12 minute walk from home and you won't be let down. They also have a variety of traditional greek dishes.
20 locals recommend
Double DD Pizza
3510 W 4th Ave
20 locals recommend
Great Pizza to eat in or pick up. (No Delivery) but it's about a 12 minute walk from home and you won't be let down. They also have a variety of traditional greek dishes.
My niece and nephew love this take out and delivery pizza place. It's a 5 minute walk and the owners and manager are really kind. I prefer DD's but the kids love this place.
14 locals recommend
Papa John's Pizza
6462 Kingsway
14 locals recommend
My niece and nephew love this take out and delivery pizza place. It's a 5 minute walk and the owners and manager are really kind. I prefer DD's but the kids love this place.

Parks & Nature

You're about a 10 minute walk from the water, and you can stroll along the waterfront to the most Western Point of Vancouver. I love this wonderful place in any weather.
44 locals recommend
Locarno Beach
44 locals recommend
You're about a 10 minute walk from the water, and you can stroll along the waterfront to the most Western Point of Vancouver. I love this wonderful place in any weather.
This wonderful park and about 70 km of trails to walk through nature or trail run. It's about a 20 minute walk to the entrance or about 7 minute drive. There's a plethora or entrance and trails. It's all well marked but it's worthwhile taking a map that are normally available at the entrance, but you can download it or use Google Maps.
20 locals recommend
University Endowment Lands
20 locals recommend
This wonderful park and about 70 km of trails to walk through nature or trail run. It's about a 20 minute walk to the entrance or about 7 minute drive. There's a plethora or entrance and trails. It's all well marked but it's worthwhile taking a map that are normally available at the entrance, but you can download it or use Google Maps.
A wonderful park in the heart of Vancouver. Rent a bike and ride the 13km around the park or take your time and walk it. Stop at one of the beaches and watch the sunset, take a dip in the ocean.
2658 locals recommend
Stanley Park
610 Pipeline Rd
2658 locals recommend
A wonderful park in the heart of Vancouver. Rent a bike and ride the 13km around the park or take your time and walk it. Stop at one of the beaches and watch the sunset, take a dip in the ocean.
Also has Botanical Gardens, gorgeous views of Vancouver
830 locals recommend
Queen Elizabeth Park
4600 Cambie St
830 locals recommend
Also has Botanical Gardens, gorgeous views of Vancouver
Great for hiking in summer and skiing in winter. There are loads of great hikes in and around Vancouver.
Hollyburn
Great for hiking in summer and skiing in winter. There are loads of great hikes in and around Vancouver.
You can hike up to Grouse, it's a steep 1 hour hike, not recommended for the unfit, or small children. You can take the tram back down, but in summer they have a menagerie of rescued grizzlies, windmill, nature films, restaurant and so much more. The tram ride can be expensive, please check it out on line.
1038 locals recommend
Grouse Mountain
6400 Nancy Greene Way
1038 locals recommend
You can hike up to Grouse, it's a steep 1 hour hike, not recommended for the unfit, or small children. You can take the tram back down, but in summer they have a menagerie of rescued grizzlies, windmill, nature films, restaurant and so much more. The tram ride can be expensive, please check it out on line.

Arts & Culture

It's a wonderful museum, kids love it and adults are entranced. There is a hanging skeleton of a Blue Whale at the entrance. My niece loves it and will go as often as she can convince us to as well. Often there's a Groupon for 2 for 1. So check it out.
22 locals recommend
Beaty Biodiversity Museum
2212 Main Mall
22 locals recommend
It's a wonderful museum, kids love it and adults are entranced. There is a hanging skeleton of a Blue Whale at the entrance. My niece loves it and will go as often as she can convince us to as well. Often there's a Groupon for 2 for 1. So check it out.
A wonderful museum that has an incredible about or artifacts from the first peoples of this province. There's also a traditional longhouse in the garden. May events are held so check out their website and enjoy. I will say they do not have audio and sometimes it's difficult to understand the pieces but it's so worth the time!
502 locals recommend
Museum of Anthropology
6393 NW Marine Dr
502 locals recommend
A wonderful museum that has an incredible about or artifacts from the first peoples of this province. There's also a traditional longhouse in the garden. May events are held so check out their website and enjoy. I will say they do not have audio and sometimes it's difficult to understand the pieces but it's so worth the time!
Check online, they have great concerts and often very affordable as many of the University groups, such as orchestra, opera perform there. Not a reflection of the quality, truly amazing. Check them out online.
13 locals recommend
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
6265 Crescent Rd
13 locals recommend
Check online, they have great concerts and often very affordable as many of the University groups, such as orchestra, opera perform there. Not a reflection of the quality, truly amazing. Check them out online.
Fantastic for kids. It's really fun, they have the original mortuary onsite, you can dawn your stripes and stand in a cell. There's activities for kids usually and it's really fun place. The area where this is located can be a bit sketchy, although not dangerous.
15 locals recommend
Vancouver Police Museum & Archives
240 E Cordova St
15 locals recommend
Fantastic for kids. It's really fun, they have the original mortuary onsite, you can dawn your stripes and stand in a cell. There's activities for kids usually and it's really fun place. The area where this is located can be a bit sketchy, although not dangerous.

Entertainment & Activities

It's a wonderful aquarium with lots of great activities for kids and a focus on marine conversation. You could spend the whole day at the aquarium and the surrounding park.
663 locals recommend
Vancouver Aquarium
845 Avison Way
663 locals recommend
It's a wonderful aquarium with lots of great activities for kids and a focus on marine conversation. You could spend the whole day at the aquarium and the surrounding park.
Kayak Rentals. All Levels. Kayak along the coast and enjoy the stunning views of of Vancouver from the water.
Ecomarine Paddlesport Centres - Jericho Beach
1300 Discovery St
Kayak Rentals. All Levels. Kayak along the coast and enjoy the stunning views of of Vancouver from the water.
Rent a Paddle board or windsurf this awesome Inlet. Then treat yourself to a drink on the patio at the JSCA. Please check them out online.
Windsure Adventure Watersports
1300 Discovery St
Rent a Paddle board or windsurf this awesome Inlet. Then treat yourself to a drink on the patio at the JSCA. Please check them out online.
If you're a sailor, rent a catamaran or a laser and enjoy the water. Please check them out online for more information.
MacSailing
1300 Discovery St
If you're a sailor, rent a catamaran or a laser and enjoy the water. Please check them out online for more information.
If you're a runner, what ever your level. Running room hosts a drop in on Wednesdays and on the weekend. Please check them out online. There are several running groups that offer a drop in.
Running Room
1514 Denman St
If you're a runner, what ever your level. Running room hosts a drop in on Wednesdays and on the weekend. Please check them out online. There are several running groups that offer a drop in.
This is my favourite yoga studio, although there is a plethora of choices. You can sign up for an introductory monthly membership for around $50 which gives you unlimited access to all their studios and classes. There is never any issue or hard sales. Fantastic studio for a truly yogi attitude. So you don't have to worry when you sign your waiver on the dotted line. I love this place. It's a short bike ride, bus stop or 20 minute walk from my home to their closest studio.
12 locals recommend
Semperviva Yoga - Sun Studio
2608 W Broadway
12 locals recommend
This is my favourite yoga studio, although there is a plethora of choices. You can sign up for an introductory monthly membership for around $50 which gives you unlimited access to all their studios and classes. There is never any issue or hard sales. Fantastic studio for a truly yogi attitude. So you don't have to worry when you sign your waiver on the dotted line. I love this place. It's a short bike ride, bus stop or 20 minute walk from my home to their closest studio.

Essentials

A local grocery store with a great selection or organic and local foods. It can be a bit pricey.
403 locals recommend
IGA
2286 W Broadway
403 locals recommend
A local grocery store with a great selection or organic and local foods. It can be a bit pricey.
Provincial run liquor store next to No Frills. They have a good selection. Five minute walk from home.
16 locals recommend
BC Liquor Stores Jericho Village
2083 Alma St
16 locals recommend
Provincial run liquor store next to No Frills. They have a good selection. Five minute walk from home.
About a 5 minutes walk from home, this little shop has a surprisingly great selection of local wines in all price ranges. What I love is that if I give a budget, they respect it. Family owned and run. 3669 West 4th the corner of 4th and Alma Free Parking at Rear Entrance, Vancouver, BC V6R 1P2
10 locals recommend
Okanagan Estate Wine Shop / Okanagan Estate wine Cellars
1811 West 1st Avenue
10 locals recommend
About a 5 minutes walk from home, this little shop has a surprisingly great selection of local wines in all price ranges. What I love is that if I give a budget, they respect it. Family owned and run. 3669 West 4th the corner of 4th and Alma Free Parking at Rear Entrance, Vancouver, BC V6R 1P2
Locally owned pharmacy and we pretty much have it all shop. Well run, friendly knowledgeable staff and competitive prices. The pharmacists are always on hand to provide support.
692 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
1006 Homer St
692 locals recommend
Locally owned pharmacy and we pretty much have it all shop. Well run, friendly knowledgeable staff and competitive prices. The pharmacists are always on hand to provide support.

Shopping

Great local inexpensive grocery store five minute walk from my home. For your basic grocery staples. I would not buy my perishable vegetables and fruits there.
62 locals recommend
Alfie's No Frills
1688 W 4th Ave
62 locals recommend
Great local inexpensive grocery store five minute walk from my home. For your basic grocery staples. I would not buy my perishable vegetables and fruits there.

Getting Around

http://www.transitdb.ca Download their app for i-phone or Android phones. We have an excellent and affordable transit system. The bus stops for local express and regular bus routes is 1 block from my home.
Vancouver Transit Centre
9149 Hudson Street
http://www.transitdb.ca Download their app for i-phone or Android phones. We have an excellent and affordable transit system. The bus stops for local express and regular bus routes is 1 block from my home.
There are many choices for car rental places in Vancouver. I highly recommend Enterprise Car Rental. They have a pick up and drop off service, there are no 'surprises' at the end of your ride and the service and selection is excellent. Select their West 1st Avenue office (1696 W 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1G1) NOTE They are closed on Sundays.
23 locals recommend
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
1696 W 1st Ave
23 locals recommend
There are many choices for car rental places in Vancouver. I highly recommend Enterprise Car Rental. They have a pick up and drop off service, there are no 'surprises' at the end of your ride and the service and selection is excellent. Select their West 1st Avenue office (1696 W 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC V6J 1G1) NOTE They are closed on Sundays.
There are several car share organizations in Vancouver. If you have a Car 2 Go membership in your local community / country you can organize to use it in Vancouver. Make sure you check this out before you come here, there may be paperwork. On top of this, check out other local car shares, such Evo (Owned and operated by BCAA), Zip Cars, Modo, etc.
Evo Car Share
544 Columbia St
There are several car share organizations in Vancouver. If you have a Car 2 Go membership in your local community / country you can organize to use it in Vancouver. Make sure you check this out before you come here, there may be paperwork. On top of this, check out other local car shares, such Evo (Owned and operated by BCAA), Zip Cars, Modo, etc.