Vantastic Vancouver

What city has the best coastal panorama in the world?  Many say it is Istanbul, but I believe it is Vancouver. Like Istanbul, Vancouver is split into two parts by a wide strait. But Vancouver offers “vantastic” views with a much more spectacular backdrop. In fact, the scale of the mountains dwarfs the view so much you don’t even know there is a big city somewhere in this photo.

Vancouver Must-Sees

Vancouver is a very cosmopolitan city that offers a wide variety of activities, scenery, culture and cuisines. With its milder climate, it is definitely a city for people who like the outdoors, from biking to hiking. There are many things to see and do.

Stanley Park

You don’t even have to leave the city to enjoy the seaside and the scenery.  Right in the middle of the sea next to downtown Vancouver is a glorious park that was created by landscape architect, Mother Nature. 

Stanley Park was voted by TripAdvisor in 2014 as the best park in the world.   It is a peninsula surrounded by the sea, which hugs an 8.8 km pedestrian (and bike) path surrounded by a well-forested cliff.  Stanley Park is 19% larger than Central Park in New York.

Besides Beach #3 above, walk, run (clockwise) or bike (counterclockwise) the “seawall” to see other viewpoints and end up at the authentic totem poles. This huge peninsula was named after Lord Stanley, who also gave us the Stanley Cup (ice hockey). 

NW Marine Drive

This coastal road veers to the right off W 4th Ave. to drive along the shore. Come here for views and picnic areas right in the city. Our favourite areas are Spanish Banks Beach. Another favourite area is to the east, the Kitsilano Beach to Vanier Park walk. You can also see super expensive houses in the West Point Grey neighbourhood.

False Creek

a 14 km walk/bike from Granville Island along the inner harbour or go part way and take the ferry back

Gardens, Museums & Walks

• Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Chinese Garden
• Queen Elizabeth Park for free gorgeous gardens
• VanDusen Botanical Gardens
• UBC and Museum of Anthropology
• Canada Place and Vancouver downtown
• Cypress Provincial Park with lookouts & hikes to Lion’s Lookout and Saint Mark’s Summit (Howe’s Sound views)
• Capilano Suspension Bridge walk (expensive $63)
• Lynn Valley Suspension Bridge walk (free, except for cost of parking)

Culture & Cuisine

Vancouver is tied with Toronto for Most Multicultural City in the world. Speaking of classical Chinese gardens, a whopping 43% of Vancouver is Asian-Canadian and 40% of the residents are recent immigrants.  This is way higher than the U.S. average of 13% immigrants.    Here are some best value places with their Google rating (#).

• #4.6 Plaisir Sucré, 2668 Arbutus St ‒ coffee and almond croissant
• #4.2 Sushivan, 2566 Granville St.
• #4.5 Carnitas El Rolys, 1605 W 5th Ave ‒ tacos
• #4.5 Gusto A Taste of Italy ‒ along the False Creek walk
• #4.4 Bella Gelateria, 1752 Davie St ‒ offers the best and original gelato flavours
• #4.5 Sombreros, Mexican Products and Taqueria, 1290 Howe St
• #4.5 Breka Bakery & Café ‒ many good coffee houses in BC
• #4.6 Via Tevere Pizzeria, 1190 Victoria Dr.
• #4.3 Saigon Taste Vietnamese Restaurant, 4197 Fraser St
  ‒ grilled chicken lemongrass
• #4.3 Thai Cafe Restaurant, 4160 Hastings St.
• City of Richmond for Chinese and Korean markets and restaurants

Vancouver Day Trips

Deep Cove, North Vancouver

beautiful view and the location for many Hallmark movies

Sea to Sky Highway 99

There is a short road up the mainland coast called the Sea to Sky Highway (aka Route 99).  The highway and railroad hug the mountain sides as they travel north to Whistler Ski Resort.  The best part is from Horseshoe Bay to Squamish with spectacular views of Howe Sound. Unfortunately, the only places to stop are Whytecliff Lookout Point (Horseshoe Bay) and the dock at Porteau Cove Provincial Park (for a much more spectacular view).

Other highlights are Shannon Falls Trail, Sea to Sky Gondola and Stawamus Chief cliffs (Squamish), Tantalus Range Viewpoint, Brandywine Falls, and Whistler (gondola to hiking and views).

Heading north from Whistler are Jade Lake, Joffre Lakes Trail (or at least see view above from highway uphill from the parking lot), Duffy Lake Road, and Lillooet.

Langley to Harrison Hot Springs

• Fort Langley National Historic Site (NHS)
• Republica Coffee Roasters, Fort Langley – one of the best roasters in all of BC
• Lepp Farm Market – best place to buy farm fresh food – we loved the corn there
• Views of the North Cascade Mountains in the USA, especially along farm roads

Ferries

• Bowen Island
• Nanaimo
• Victoria ‒ gorgeous view of bay of islands at sunset

Who has the best coastal city panorama?

Sorry Istanbul, Vancouver has the best coastal city panorama.  It’s hard to beat shanshui, mountains and water.  Zaijian from one of the largest Chinese cities in the world, Vancouver