Suggestions please... Vancouver, BC, Canada trip

[Elegant]

Hey there...

I am going to Vancouver mid December and I need help, please!

Just to give you some perspective, I am from Southern California and have never been to Canada... I will be visiting Southern Vancouver, 30 minutes north of the US border. I like cold weather but would like to be prepared and still look cute!

I need help with...
1. What kind of clothes to wear. I hear it is rainy and cold, but doesn''t snow much.
2. What kind of shoes to wear
3. Where I should go... I am staying for about a week and would like to visit as many places as possible.

I know it isn''t a different world or anything, but I don''t want to go underprepared.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

 

[LGK]

It''s the Pacific Northwest- Seattle like weather basically. Rainy, chilly, and dark this time of year. If you want to spend any time walking around (and I adore walking around Vancouver, it''s one of my favorite cities to do a weekend away at) you''ll want some sort of waterproof jacket and layers. 45-55 degrees and wet probably. Don''t wear sandals if you''re going outside somewhere at all. I usually wear nice boots that don''t leak.

I don''t really do anything in particular as far as touristy destinations. Usually walk downtown a lot; haul my husband into the MAC store sometimes since there isn''t one near me

. Eat some crepes.

 

[Vancity]

Hi Elegant

From a local, let me say "Welcome to Vancouver"!

Here is a link to our Official Tourism Site:

http://www.hellobc.com/en-CA/SightsActivitiesEvents/Vancouver.htm?media=cpc&referrer=google-adwords&CMP=KNC-NA&HBX_PK=things%20to%20do%20in%20vancouver%20bc&HBX_OU=52&gclid=CNDnrdf5pp4CFU1M5Qod_08YsQ

Many clickable links there so you can check things out...hope it helps.

The only thing I would add to what LittleGreyKitten said, is to buy yourself a good umbrella. It''s been quite wet here the last few days.

Dining in our city is fabulous. You should never have trouble finding a great restaurant

Enjoy your stay, and if anyone gives you trouble, send them my way

~Allyson

 

[MichelleCarmen]

LittleGreyKitten - there's a MAC store in University Village. You probably know that. . .but I'm just mentioning in case.

Elegant - best thing I can recommend is a scarf and a pair of gloves. Old Navy has a bunch of them. . .I picked up three fun ones over the last few weeks (plus you can find some nice ones at the Nord. 1/2 yearly sale). Soon as fall hits, I bring out all my scarves and have them prepped for fall. In fact, I'm wearing one right now even though I'm inside the house with the heat set at 69! Layers are good. Usually I wear a sweater with a camisole under it and then a jacket and scarf. That does the trick. For shoes, I just wear whatever works for the occasion. I have size 8 "normal" feet and bought two pairs that are slightly wider so I can comfortably wear thicker socks.

I bought these Keens for walking & thick socks: http://www.zappos.com/keen-presidio-madder-brown?zlfid=111

Then I also have a pair of Ugg walking boots that will fit under my boot cut jeans: http://www.zappos.com/ugg-cove-black-leather

Then I have a pair of slip on clarks that look like pointed heels when I'm wearing jeans but they have lots of heel padding. Can't find them online.

Wow, I have to say Zappos is EXPENSIVE! Quite a bit more than what I paid for both of the above posted pairs I have!!!

 

[pinkelephant]

From another Vancouverite... I would suggest that a waterproof pair of boots are essential for the weather in Vancouver. Most people here wear some form of wellies, leather boots, or uggs. A few restaurants that are quite well known are: West, Lumiere, Market, "C", Sandbar, the list is really endless as Vancouver has so many wonderful restaurants.

I''m not sure if you will have access to a car, but a drive up to Whistler would be nice and can be done in a day if you don''t want to stay overnight. There are lots of places for shopping: Pacific Center is the main mall, and Holt Renfrew and Leone are great if you are interested in more high end retailers. I would also check out Yaletown as it has many wonderful shops and restaurants/lounges.

I would also check out the Vancouver Art Gallery and walk around gastown to experience a bit of ''old'' Vancouver.

Hope you have a great time! There are so many things to do and sites to see!

 

[Scorpioanne]

I love to go shopping on Broadway which is cool and I would suggest you go to Steveston which is where the fishing boats come in. There are some fabulous restraunts that make fish that just came off the boat. I love to go to White Spot for their burgers, they are a local favourite that get you addicted with one try...mmmmm. Shopping on Robson is cool too, very cosmopolitain. You will have to go to Roots for their fabulous last for ever leather goods.

Vancouver is one of my favourite places to visit!

Yes, it does rain a lot in winter but last Christmas they had more snow than we did and I love on the Canadian prairies!

 

[rainwood]

The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia is not to be missed if you are interested in First Nations (Indian) culture. They have some fabulous totems and carved pieces. It isn''t right in downtown Vancouver so you''d need to investigate transportation options. We always drive so I don''t know what other good options they have.

 

[setell]

I want to go to Vancouver too as I'm a east coaster so I've only been to places from Toronto and eastwards. If you like cold, come out east and we'll show you cold!

haha but it's been a great year so far as we haven't had snow yet. Vancouver barely gets snow the way we do!!! Well, that is if you're into snow

Enjoy Vancouver!!!!

 

[Elegant]

Thank you for the Welcomes native Canadians! LOL

Thanks for all of the links and everything. I guess I can still wear jeans and I am looking for waterproof boots right now. I usually don''t wear boots ever... just tennis shoes and flip flops. I''ll be out of my element!

I plan on going shopping when I am over there. Thanks for the links to shopping and for the tourist info site and the dining suggestions! I''m very excited!!!

 

[Vancity]

Hi Elegant

Too bad you weren''t in Vancouver today...the sun is streaming through my office windows, and warming my face right now...a perfect day here

We Vancouverites are a happy hardy bunch...as long as it''s dry out, and hovering around 10 degrees, the tops go down on our convertibles

~Allyson

 

[DianaBanana]

Date: 11/27/2009 2:40:37 PM
Author: Elegant
Thank you for the Welcomes native Canadians! LOL

Thanks for all of the links and everything. I guess I can still wear jeans and I am looking for waterproof boots right now. I usually don''t wear boots ever... just tennis shoes and flip flops. I''ll be out of my element!

I plan on going shopping when I am over there. Thanks for the links to shopping and for the tourist info site and the dining suggestions! I''m very excited!!!

No worries on wearing your jeans....Vancouver is one of the most casual cities you can visit, jeans are acceptable anywhere, even in the fanciest of our fancy restaurants.

Definitely grab a coffee and stroll around the sea wall at Stanley Park. Check out Granville Island, a great place to spend an afternoon followed by a dinner overlooking the water. If you love sushi, you need to check out a few here...we have PHENOMENAL Japanese restaurants. Actually, we''ve got phenomenal restaurants in general.

You might consider taking the ferry over to Victoria for the day or an overnighter.

I travel a fair bit and everytime I fly home to Vancouver, I feel blessed to live here. Despite the all the rain and taxes...I figure the rain makes my skin look young and dewy and the taxes keep me working hard!

 

[upgrade]

I would like to second what an above poster said about going to Whistler... but add that if you''re from southern California, maybe go on a bus trip rather than drive? That highway can get pretty snowy once you get closer to Whistler and if you aren''t used to driving in it, it may not be such a fun road trip for you!

Jeans and tennis shoes are fine, but your feet may get wet if it rains. I''d pack some form of waterproof footwear if you''re going to be walking outside a lot. In addition to the scarves and umbrellas suggested above, a touque or ear muffs or some sort of headband that covers your ears would be good for December. You won''t always need it but it sucks to be outside with aching, cold ears!

Robson Street is a must for shopping. The other big tourist draws are Stanley Park, Granville Island, the Capliano Suspension Bridge, etc... Gastown is really cool too, but proceed with caution- it''s very close to the downtown eastside and that really is not Vancouver''s best side! Grouse Mountain is fun. There''s an outdoor skating rink at the top (with a skate rental place) and a couple of restaurants- one more casual, one more fine dining. The skyride up is beautiful on a clear night.

The dining options are endless and fabulous... The Cannery and the Fish House in Stanley Park are 2 personal faves if you like seafood. If you''re staying downtown the Fish House would be a short drive/cab ride.

 

[Elegant]

Wow - great suggestions again. So in regards to the jeans - I was just wondering if they would be okay because of the cold? lol I don''t know why bu I am really freaking out about what type of clothing to wear. I bought two coats, one white and one a dark pink that are very cute and will keep me warm. They are knee length. I like to wear tanks with sweaters anyways, and thought that would be fine too. No flip flops, I get that one! lol

Thanks too for the food places to go to. I have a friend there who I plan to go out to dinner with and I need places to go!

And the suggestion about the skyride up Grouse Mountain sounds absolutely great. Is it open at night too? How romantic that is!

THanks so much - this has been so helpful to me!

 

[Elegant]

So a wrench has been thrown into my plans... I was supposed to be staying with my uncle at his house in Canada - he has an extra room. Now I won''t be able to... any suggestions on nice hotels around the Vancouver area?

 

[pinkelephant]

I wouldn''t worry about the jeans. It does not get that cold here as we are on the coast. Most people will be wearing jeans tucked into boots. Just make sure you have a good umbrella to keep you dry!

As for hotels, there are quite a few. The Shangri La just opened and is pretty nice, the Opus is great if you want to be close to Yaletown, the Fairmont is pretty central and is also a Vancouver landmark. It depends on where you want to be and how much you want to spend...

 

[Elegant]

Thanks Janey,
I''m not looking to spend very much, that''s for sure. I will look into those hotels though, thank you!
Great - jeans and cordoury''s it is! lol THanks!