#Westcoastbestcoast – highlights from the most beautiful (and expensive) city in the world [Vancouver]

I’ve always been a west coast girl at heart. Maybe it’s the proximity to the ocean, the ability to go skiing on a moment’s notice, beautiful 200 year old forests basically in my backyard or the struggle of deciding which world class restaurant to eat at. Even after living in California for four amazing years, and now Ontario, it’s still the place I call home.

Seriously, Vancouver is lit.

It’s definitely changed a lot since I was a kid. There are more skyscrapers now, more expensive luxury apartments, more hustle and bustle, way more Mandarin (like there are Chinese people EVERYWHERE), but a few things haven’t changed. The food, the water, the mountains and the shopping (I mean, Vancouver gave us Oak + Fort, Aritzia, Lululemon etc etc) are still wholly unforgettable. It’s hard to not fall in love with a city that has everything, as long as you don’t mind a little rain.

Some fun facts when your preceptors ask you why you’re here:

• Vancouver was recently ranked as the third most “livable place in the world” for its high standard of living and quality of life (caveat: if you can afford it) 
• Vancouver has the 4th largest cruise ship terminal in the world (ummm ok, I guess that’s great for people in retirement) 
• Home to Canada’s longest pool. Measuring 137.5 meters (451 feet), it is nearly the size of three Olympic pools.  This outdoor, saltwater pool is a major tourist attraction and is open year round
• Vancouver has the highest real estate prices in Canada. In 2011, the average price of a detached home was a staggering $1,204,587. Some say this is close to rivaling New York City and London (See point 1, would 10/10 recommend becoming a billionaire first before moving here, a million bucks won’t get you very far)
• Vancouver is the largest film production center in North America after Los Angeles and New York City (if anyone is a fan of Riverdale (ME) it was actually filmed at my high school, Point Grey – also, Twilight was filmed at Churchill, but RIVERDALE)
• Stanley Park, an urban oasis, is 10% larger than New York City’s Central Park. It is a staggering 1001 acres (if you don’t have any friends, you should find one and go tandem biking here)
• The Vancouver Aquarium ranks in the top 5 worldwide (Ok)
• Vancouver has the mildest climate in Canada. Although, it receives on average, 1,589mm of rain per year (which is why Vancouverites had no idea what to do this year, 1 foot of snow in this city = apocalypse)
• Greenpeace, one of the world’s oldest and most successful environmental groups was established in Vancouver

MAP OF VANCOUVER (very accurate)

Now that you know a little bit about this city, and are super impressed and want to do a post-CaRMS elective here, here’re some suggestions for things to do and see in this amazing city:

FOOD (note: list is limited to places I’ve tried or that come highly recommended)

Vancouver is literally a mecca for good food. From Japanese to Indian to dim sum, to brunch, there’s no shortage of great places to try. Also, Yelpers appear to be quite active here, so I recommend going on one of my favourite apps if you hate my list and want to listen to strangers instead.

Dim sum

• Kirin Seafood Restaurant
• Shanghai River
• Shiang Garden Restaurant
• Neptune Seafood Restaurant
• Shanghai Morning Restaurant
• Grand Crystal Seafood Restaurant

Japanese

• Miku
• Tojo’s
• Guu with Garlic
• Westcoast Poke
• Kingyo

Indian

• Vij’s Restaurant
• Vij’s Rangoli
• Salam Bombay
• Indian Roti Kitchen
• East is East
• And otherwise basically any Indian restaurant on Fraser street

Dinner (other than the categories listed above)

• Hawksworth
• Yew St. Restaurant (in the Four Seasons)
• Cactus Club Cafe
• Nuba Gastown
• L’Abbatoir
• Blue Water Cafe
• La Belle Patate
• Kessel&March
• Rodney’s Oyster House

Brunch:

• Fable
• Jam Cafe on Beatty
• Medina Cafe
• Twisted Fork
• Forage
• Nomad
• The Flying Pig
• Breka Bakery & Cafe
• The Acorn

Dessert:

• Beta5 Chocolates
• French Made Baking
• Rain or Shine Ice Cream
• PappaRoti
• Thierry Chocolate Patisserie Cafe
• Bakery State
• Nero Belgian Waffle Bar
• Cheesecake Etc
• Trafiq Cafe & Bakery
• Transylvanian Traditions Bakery (get their chimney cake on a cold day, SO yummy freshly made)
• Breka Bakery & Cafe
• Granville Island Public Market
• Purebread
• Beard Papa’s (they’re everywhere, but cream puffs, especially the matcha ice cream ones are 11/10)
• Earnest Ice Cream
• Mink – Chocolate Cafe
• Cartems Donuterie
• Mister

Also, you have to try bubble tea here (I guess some people call it boba). Can basically get any type of boba your heart desires, anywhere in the city.

TOURISTY THINGS:

1. Stanley Park:
2. Capilano Suspension Bridge:
3. Granville Island
4. Science World
5. Vancouver Aquarium
6. Cyprus, Grouse and Seymour
7. Whistler
8. Kitsilano Beach
9. Gastown
10. Canada Place
11. Chinatown –
12. English Bay
13. Robson Street
14. Richmond
15. Yaletown
16. Vancouver Art Gallery

CLUBS AND BARS:

Some people say Vancouver is kind of sleepy. Depending on the weekend, I may or may not agree with them. A lot of EDM big names come here, and there’re lots of concerts every week and festivals in the spring and summer (again, ABGs flock here). Also, can attest to the fact that raves are 10 times cheaper in Canada than the US (another reason to move here other than the obvious one, Drumpf).

Bars:

1. Alibi Room:
2. Chill Winston’s
3. Lamplighter
4. Long Table Distillery
5. Prohibition:
6. Tuc Craft Kitchen
7. The Refinery
8. Brix & Mortar
9. Salt Tasting Room
10. Bin 941

Clubs (so fair warning, a lot of these are populated by the Vancouver underage population, but can still be fun if you want to dance for free – usually women are free before 11-12)

1. Fortune Sound Club
2. The Roxy
3. Venue
4. Celebrities
5. XY
6. Vinyl
7. Republic
8. The Bourbon
9. Au Bar

TRANSPORTATION: 

So I recently discovered Car2Go (thanks C). Literally changed my life, not that I actually downloaded it because I’m trash and Uber exists where I go to school. It’s carsharing, but apparently there are now parking spots EVERYWHERE. Vancouver is notorious for scarce parking, especially around downtown and all the places you actually want to go. This is a great solution, since most destination spots will have places reserved for Car2Go’s, and you can just park your car there for the next person to rent out. The app also tells you where the nearest parking spots are and whether they’re occupied. All in all, a pretty 100 app.

Otherwise, the skytrain is also super easy to take and navigate. If you’re here for a while, would recommend getting a Compass card. It’s a reloadable fair card that gives you small discounts each time you swipe. Worth it for the $6 deposit if you’re going to be using public transport a lot. The skytrain goes everywhere and each line comes pretty frequently. There’re the Millenium, Expo and Canada lines, Millenium and Expo have similar routes, Canada line goes along Cambie from Richmond to downtown. Seriously though, probably my favourite train that actually travels in the sky.

Finally, there’re always buses and cabs. Cabs are outrageously expensive, but sometimes your only option if you’re out late at night. Not to fear though, if you really don’t want to spend the money on a cab, the streets are fairly safe at night as long as you stay away from East Hastings.

HOW TO DATE IN VANCOUVER:

If you’re single and looking to mingle, here’s some verified info on the types of girls and boys that populate this city:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXQCABue8y8 (Vancouver girls)

AND:

You may have also heard of this show about ultra rich Asian people, literally called “Ultra Rich Asian Girls.”Some fun brain-numbing reality TV, reminiscent of the Kardashians, but with smaller butts and more Louis Vuitton: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VR9Xu878pkE

Finally, some parting tips:

1. Go on Groupon for some great deals on food, cooking classes and other attractions! Eg. Dark Table, interesting experience but terrible food