Brit visiting Vancouver seeking advice!

[MazdaUK]

Hi there!

I'm currently planning a family holiday to Vancouver for next August and I'd love your tips on what to see, where to go and so on. Currently the plan is to stay on arrival at the Best Western (one night only) to save that "what car, where, what junction" business when you step off a long haul flight. Then a few days somewhere in Vancouver, so I can visit a friend and we can see some sights - any good hotel recommendations? (Not too expensive - family of 2 adults and 2 kids 6 and 12 - but not hostel!) Then one week in a nice holiday villa one one of the islands (we're thinking of The Timbers on North Pender Island - anyone been there?) before a couple of weeks in one of the national parks (which one is closest to Vancouver airport? which one is nicest? Can you recommend accomodation?)

We've never been to Canada before so any advice is most welcome!

Thanks for your help

 

[calgarygary]

As you appear to be in Canada for a lengthy visit, I would recommend that you consider doing a circular loop of B.C. One of my favourite trips involved driving up the coast of Vancouver Island to Port Hardy. From there you catch a ferry to Prince Rupert. This ferry trip lasts apx. 12 hours and is by reservation only. The scenery is spectacular and if you are lucky, so too will be the wildlife. From Prince Rupert we crossed over to Jasper (one of Canada's great national parks). Then we dropped down to Lake Louise (in Banff national park) on the Icefields parkway. This short part of the trip (just a few hours) is so filled with scenery, lookouts, trails, that you could easily take a few days to do it justice. If you do this make sure you allow time to take a tour on a glacier. You could then pick up the trans Canada highway for a spectacular drive back to Vancouver. I'm sure the Vancouver locals will help with lots of must do's in that area but my favourites are Granville Island and Stanley Park.

 

[MazdaUK]

That sounds lovely calgarygary. 12 hours on a boat though - how much space is there? Younger DS (will be nearly 7) is not big on sitting still, but if there's room to move around and kids activities he should enjoy it. Sounds like the whole thing with the drive back will involve an overnight stay somewhere - any suggestions for a good stopping place? Also any chance of rough water?

 

[calgarygary]

The ferry is a large ship but I have not done this trip since 1986. There are restaurants on board and you can pay additional to get a berth for resting. Check out this link for details of the ferry. I would allow at least a week of your vacation for doing such a trip.

 

[mom_rules]

We have ressies at the Hampton Inn-not too far from the airport-free shuttle to/from. Anyone have any opinions on this hotel?

 

[lisaviolet]

I stayed at the "Rosedale on Robson". It's fantastic. Right downtown. Walk to everything. Kitchen in suite.

I went in March so I got a very low price for a studio (which surprisingly had two separate living areas) and an absolutely breathtaking panoramic view!!!
I am sure that it is more difficult to snag a reasonable rate in the summer. I was low season. But remember that being able to eat in your own suite, if you enjoy that, saves so much money in the long run.

Such a fantastic city. No matter what I'd stay downtown during the Vancouver part of your trip. Also, public transportation is great to get around.

I would do Storyeum. I really enoyed it. Boy I love Vancouver.....

 

[MazdaUK]

I've found this and added it to my itinerary : http://www.kickinghorseriverchalets.com/home.html

Cool log cabins AND a river boat safari! Looks fantastic!

Flights seem to be quite expensive - Air Canada was cheaper than Expedia (on Air Canada!) - anyone have any good suggestions?

Edited to add: I've found this chain of suites which looks quite good http://www.sandmanhotels.com/hotels.asp

Any ideas what its like?

 

[MazdaUK]

OK, plans completely changed now I've got the info from BC tourism and got an idea of distances involved! (Lucky nothing is booked yet )

Now planning on staying in/near Victoria on VI instead of on Pender, and spending last couple of days around North Vancouver to see the suspension bridge (no way are we driving 500 miles to Golden!! ).

How easy is it to get from the airport to downtown Vancouver? Originally I was planning on spending the first night at the airport, but because of the time difference we actually arrive in just before lunch so we thought we might as well go straight to Rosedale on Robson (looks great! thanks for the tip) or wherever we decide. Is public transport a good bet, or is a taxi best (with two tired boys 6 and 12), and are they easy to find?

 

[c&m]

mom_rules: The Hampton Inn in Richmond (near the airport) is on Bridgeport, close to a couple of big box stores (Rona and Costco), the new River Rock Casino, and is in a fairly industrial area. The hotel is OK and is good if you're just going to sleep there overnight before a flight. If you want a better area, I'd go with the Marriott Airport, or the Hilton Airport. Both are adjacent to a big mall and lots of restaurants (Greek, Italian, and esp. Chinese, which is what we're well-known for).

MazdaUK: In Victoria, we always enjoy staying at the Delta Ocean Pointe. Very nice hotel. We enjoy going to the Royal BC Museum with the kids. You may want to take a side trip to visit Chemainus (famous Native wall mural art) and Tofino (long stretch of beautiful beach) and stay at one of the nice resorts there (Long Beach Lodge Resort or The Wickanninish Inn or Pacific Sands Resort). Long Beach, Tofino, is part of the Pacific Rim National Park. We've camped there, and it's magnificent.

If you are intent on visiting another famous park, try Manning Park (a B.C. provincial park). It's 3.5 hours from Vancouver. It offers lodges to stay in or campsites; you can rent a canoe and paddle on Lightning Lake in the park; you can drive up to the alpine meadows and hike the alpine which is beautiful in Aug., because the alpine flowers are in bloom.

If you are going to North Vancouver, also do Grouse Mtn. Take the ski lift to the peak. In the summer, there are always events there.

In Vancouver, I'd rent a car. There's so much distance to the places you want to go, esp. if you have kids on board. Taxis are just tooooo expensive (this is not much of a taxi town like New York or London). Public transportation is good for going around town...but not if you have to want to go to various, different zones. You'd waste a lot of time just hanging out at the bus stop.

Going from the airport to downtown Vancouver is about a 30-minute ride, depending on the time of day. Rush hour, you may have to tack on more time.

Let me know if you have any specific questions.

 

[MazdaUK]

That's really helpful C&M. I had heard parking was bad in Vancouver - is it expensive, or hard to find (or both!), and is there plenty near the main areas we will want?

I think we'll go self catering for our week on Vancouver Island (at the Victoria end) - is the Holiday inn Norht vancouver a good bet for our last couple of days or os there somewhere more atmospheric we should try?

Also, how many have flown Zoom? Its about £1000 cheaper than Air Canada (which is £1,000 cheaper than British Airways ) but I've never heard of it. I know it goes from LGW, which is better for us than LHR

My DH can't get over that I'm still using these boards 6 months after our trip, so all these little nuggets are helpful to justify a lot of web time as well as for my trip planning

 

[cabmom]

I've heard lots of good things about Zoom from many British friends.

I would fly with them for their prices alone!

Marilynn

 

[lisaviolet]

I took the bus from the airport to downtown. There was one transfer and no big deal. But then again I live in a city so I am used to it. Call me cheap but it was so easy that I was glad I didn't spend the money on a shuttle. The stop is conveniently located at the airport. Nice airport too.

The shuttle bus if public transit isn't your thing (can't remember the price) is called the Downtowner. I think that is the name.

You can easily get to the suspension bridge and Grouse mountain by public transportation. Everything in downtown Vancouver is easily accessible even by foot ( I love to walk so take that into consideration). So the boat to NV is nearby and then it is just one bus after that to the suspension bridge. The best thing about Vancouver's public transit is that is based on zones in an extended amount of time. I prefer that over Toronto's one price ...one way...anywhere.

I would love to rent a car to go up the coast though. I'd stay downtown rather than NV for that part of the trip. NV is just a boat ride away. Okay I am being pushy.

I loved taking the small boats to Granville Island/Market. Loved the neighbourhoods....loved Stanley Park......

Oh boy. I am envious. Have a wonderful time.

 

[c&m]

If you are starting your trip in downtown Vancouver, then I wouldn't rent a car until you leave downtown to go to North Vancouver. Downtown parking (like all other major cities) have expensive daily rates. When you leave downtown to go to the suburbs (like North Vancouver), then rent a car to get around. You will find free parking in many places outside of downtown. If you go to Grouse Mtn and the Suspension bridge, yes, there are lots for these places to park the car. Also, don't forget to go to the Lonsdale Quay in N. Van. You can grab some fresh fruit, ice-cream, fresh bread, and some locally made trinkets at the markets there. Also, free parking at the Quay for the first few hours there. No worries.

We have stayed at the Holiday Inn in North Vancouver. It is quite nice tho our standard room was quite small for the 4 of us. There is a pool. And the restaurant there was a family chain restaurant called The Pantry.

Tho a previous poster (lisaviolet) points out that you can take public transportation all over the place, which is true, it is a heck of a long haul if you have children travelling with you. With 4 in your family, it is worth it to rent the car. Also, I would like to emphasize that our transportation system here in Vancouver is not as superior or as timely as London/New York/Toronto. I can't tell you how much time I've spent waiting for a bus in my lifetime. While in NewYork twice this year, I experienced an amazing subway system; if you miss a train, another one comes along in minutes, never more than 5 minutes. Here in Vancouver, if I miss a bus, I have to wait approx. 30 minutes (and this is during rush hour). If there is rain or an accident on the bridges, well...let's not go there

Let me know if you have any more specific questions.

 

[c&m]

P.S. MazdaUK: I noticed in your signature that you were at WDW Coronado Springs during Easter this year. We were there too at the same time, tho we stayed at POR.

 

[lisaviolet]

Thanks for adding the information. Obviously, you would know better. I guess I lucked out on my time there. I'll tell you something though ....I was cursing that the TTC (Toronto's transit system) didn't have a timed/zoned system when I got home. I really loved the payment system. And well Vancouver in general...always!!!
One day we went from downtown to Grouse mountain and back again ....(so quickly because I didn't realize the cost of going up) on one fare. I couldn't believe it so I got an attendant to check the ticket and he said, "yeah you are good"

You have an absolutely beautiful city and province. Well as a Canadian I guess that is we!!!!

 

[c&m]

thanks, lisaviolet, for your nice compliments about our city. overall, i think we should all be happy we live in canada!!!

we certainly enjoy living here in richmond (which is a suburb). tho we have been ranked as one of the best places to live in the world, we still have many things to work on (one of which is our transportation system and you know what i think about that!!!). hope you get to visit vancouver again soon. we love tourists!!!!

 

[MazdaUK]

F I yesterday's Sunday telegraph magazine had a big article on the front of the travel section saying Vancouver has just been voted the world's best city to live in!

Shhhh! Don't tell everyone or it'll be really busy!

Maybe we should visit Canada House in London....... all that culture and scenery, plus Walmart, how can a Brit resist

 

[MazdaUK]

OK, changed mind again

Now -first few nights at Rosedale on Robson

Then to Victoria, picking up a car when we get there (or should we get it in Vancouver?)

One week s/c near Victoria (or it might be in Victoria - you can see harbour taxis going by)

Last few days in Granville Island Hotel - looks great for kids!

Anyone see any major problems with this? We're particularly concerned about the car situation - I've now seen loads of stuff that says don't use one in VCancouver (plus some that says do!) but I'm a bit concerned about transferring from the mainland to the island by public transport as DS(5) does not travel well and two hours on a bus or coach might make him

Also of course I need to find some scrapbooking supplies etc.....

And any good retail outlets round about

 

[c&m]

Take it from a native Vancouverite who has been with car and without car. GET THE CAR.

Being without a car is fantastic, if: you are without little ones and all their gear; it's just you and your spouse, living free and easy, with all the time on your hands to wait around and no children around you giving you stress.

Being with a car is great, if: you have kids and have all your gear; you want to sit in your car comfortably while waiting for the ferry to come; get to point A to point B more efficiently. Remember, you will have luggage with you.

I WOULD NOT rent a car while staying in downtown Vancouver. When you leave downtown Vancouver, rent the car to take you to your next destination, be it Victoria, North Vancouver, the airport in Richmond, or anywhere else outside of Vancouver.

For your scrapbooking needs, there are Michael's craft stores in North Vancouver and Richmond. Let me know which city in which you want to go to the craft store, and I will give you directions.

 

[MazdaUK]

Thanks C&M for that useful comparison. Do you think we could safely drop off the car once back in Vancouver at Granville Island? I know there is parking at the hotel but if we won't be using the car I'd rather give it back and save the $$.

I don't think we'll be in Richmond much, Norht Vancouver is a possibility