Getting to know Vancouver
James Boak and Katharine Wilson
September 3, 2009
Welcome to Vancouver!
Outline
• Practical Advice - James– Vancouver geography– Housing– Transportation
• Fun in Vancouver - Katharine– UBC Sports– Vancouver Sports– Local Outdoor Activities– Around Vancouver
We are on the West Coast
Greater Vancouver
Neighbourhoods
Google Maps is a great tool
• Get directions (car/transit/walk)
• maps.google.com
Online Bike Map
• www.cyclevancouver.ubc.ca/
Transit Website
• www.translink.ca/
Handy (free) little city maps
• Transit routes: from Trek Office or book store
• Bike routes: from Trek Office or MEC or bike kitchen
Biking Information
• Must wear helmet• Must have lights (front and back) if riding after
dark• Bike theft is CRAZY in Vancouver
– Get a beefy lock– If your bike is the best bike on the rack, don’t
leave it there• Cheapest bike accessories at MEC (but not the
best locks)
Biking Information
• Obey rules of the road • Designated Bike routes
– Bike lanes– “Traffic calmed” bike streets– Traffic light buttons
• Can take bike on bus or skytrain• Borrow tools to do own repairs at Bike Kitchen
(on campus) or Our Community Bikes
Transit
• U-pass at bookstore– Unlimited use
– All zones
– Buses
– Seabus
– Skytrains
Transit
• www.translink.bc.ca or google maps
• Call 604-953-3333 and then 5-digit stop number for schedule info
• Or text the 5-digits to 33-333
• B-line express buses• Night-buses
Housing
• Vancouver is EXPENSIVE
• If west of Granville, cheapest likely to find is:– Bachelor (one room no bedroom) - 700– One Bedroom - $900– Two Bedroom - $650 (each person)
• Cheaper east of Granville
Housing
• Many basement suites (family lives above)• Month to month or lease• Know your rights! BC Tenancy Act
– http://www.rto.gov.bc.ca/
• Listings:– Craiglist: vancouver.en.craigslist.ca– Even better: www.housingmaps.com/– AMS rentsline: www.amsrentsline.com– Canada.com: classifieds.canada.com/vancouver.html
Grocery Advice
• Costco/superstore – Can be cheap if you can buy in large quantities– (Flour/sugar/meat)
• Small independent produce markets – Very cheap fruits and veggies
• Safeway and IGA or other super-markets – Have everything – Can be expensive if items not on sale
• Capers/Choices Markets – Nice organic stuff– Very expensive
Fun Stuff
• UBC Sports
• Vancouver Sports
• Local Outdoor Activities
• Around Vancouver
UBC REC
• www.rec.ubc.ca
• UBC REC Leagues:– Soccer– Ultimate Frisbee– Hockey– Volleyball– Basketball, etc
• Make your own team or join an existing one!
UBC REC• Outdoor Instructional
– Climbing, Kayaking, Scuba Diving, etc
• Events– Day of the Long Boat (Sept 26/27)– Storm the Wall (Mar 28 – June 2)
• AMS Clubs Day
UBC Birdcoop Gym
• In the Student REC Centre• $25 per term
– Exercise Machines– Weights– Dance classes– Spin classes– Rock Climbing/Bouldering Room
UBC Aquatics Centre
• www.aquatics.ubc.ca• Indoor and Outdoor Pools• Diving Boards (1-10m)• Hot tub, Sauna, Steam Room• FREE for students!
Vancouver Sports• Vancouver Ultimate League (VUL)
• Urban Rec (volleyball, soccer, softball)
• Vancouver Rowing Club
• Dragon Boating at False Creek
• Jericho Sailing Centre
• and many others…
In Vancouver
In Vancouver
• Pacific Spirit Park / Endowment Lands– 50 km of forested walking, cycling and
horseback riding trails
• Stanley Park– 1000 acres, second-growth forest– Sea Wall : biking, walking, rollerblading– Pitch & Putt golf course– Tennis– Beaches– Restaurants/Tea House
• Beach volleyball
• Skimboarding
• Concession stands
• Change rooms, showers
• Jericho Beach: sailing, windsurfing, paddle boarding
Beaches
In Vancouver
Granville Island• Public Market (local produce, homemade
products, unusual ingredients)
• Shops (glass blowing, ceramics, woodwork, stone carvings, jewellery, etc)
• Granville Island Brewery
• Art schools and Galleries
• Restaurants/Patios
• Street performers
• Kayaking
• and more…
Festivals
• Fringe Festival (Sept 8-18)
• Vancouver International Film Festival (October)
• Cherry Blossom Festival (April)
• explorASIAN Festival (May)
• Celebration of Light Fireworks Competition (July)
Hiking• Local Mountains:
– Cypress– Seymour– Grouse (Grouse Grind)
• Lynn Valley and Canyon– GSS Hiking Trip: Sept 12th, $8
• Capilano Pacific Trail• The Lions• Baden Powell Trail• Howe Sound Crest Trail• Stawamus Chief in Squamish (“The Chief”)
Skiing
• Local Mountains:– Cypress– Seymour– Grouse
• Whistler Blackcomb• Mt. Baker
• Equipment: Vancouver Snow Show (Oct 24/25), Whistler Turkey Sale & Swap (Oct 12/13)
• UBC Ski & Board Club
Whistler Blackcomb• Student Season’s Pass: AMAZING DEAL! $460 (under
25) or $780 (over 25)
• Edge Cards (1,5,10 days)
• UBC Hostel: $25/night
• Rental Equipment Available
• Greyhound Bus from UBC to Whistler
www.ubcwhistlerlodge.com
Okanagan
• Penticton, Summerland, Kelowna, Vernon
• Wine Touring
• Fruit Orchards
• Lake Okanagan
• Mountain Biking
• Skiing (Big White, Apex, Silverstar)
• Golf
Thanks for listening!