Vancouver and Vancouver Island - a quick summary
#1
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Vancouver and Vancouver Island - a quick summary
A very quick overview
As always, my thanks to all Fodorites who helped me in the planning of this trip.
We flew into Vancouver in late April, spent a week in a rental apartment near Main Street and 30th.
Took a ferry to Victoria and stayed overnight before picking up a car and driving to Ucluelet for 4 nights, returning for another night in Victoria then ferry back and three nights in another rental in North Vancouver.
We loved: Stanley Park, The Museum of Anthropology, Lynn Canyon Park, Victoria, Ucluelet, Whale Watching
Slightly disappointed by: Granville Island, The Aquarium, Chinatown - not to say any of these were bad, but not as enjoyable as expected.
Surprised by: The number of homeless people/beggars (I can understand why, geographically). Prices - particularly house prices and the cost of foods in supermarkets - I looked at salaries for my profession and immediately decided I would simply not be able to afford to live here (I appreciate there must be cheaper areas than those in which I was staying).
Dining out - was hit and miss: cannot really say we had a bad meal, but some were indifferent. Loved the huge numbers of local beers available some were exceptionally good - there must be 30+ breweries in Vancouver.
Overall we had a great time. With the benefit of hindsight I'd probably have spent slightly less time in Vancouver and more on the Island.
As always, my thanks to all Fodorites who helped me in the planning of this trip.
We flew into Vancouver in late April, spent a week in a rental apartment near Main Street and 30th.
Took a ferry to Victoria and stayed overnight before picking up a car and driving to Ucluelet for 4 nights, returning for another night in Victoria then ferry back and three nights in another rental in North Vancouver.
We loved: Stanley Park, The Museum of Anthropology, Lynn Canyon Park, Victoria, Ucluelet, Whale Watching
Slightly disappointed by: Granville Island, The Aquarium, Chinatown - not to say any of these were bad, but not as enjoyable as expected.
Surprised by: The number of homeless people/beggars (I can understand why, geographically). Prices - particularly house prices and the cost of foods in supermarkets - I looked at salaries for my profession and immediately decided I would simply not be able to afford to live here (I appreciate there must be cheaper areas than those in which I was staying).
Dining out - was hit and miss: cannot really say we had a bad meal, but some were indifferent. Loved the huge numbers of local beers available some were exceptionally good - there must be 30+ breweries in Vancouver.
Overall we had a great time. With the benefit of hindsight I'd probably have spent slightly less time in Vancouver and more on the Island.
#5
Join Date: Aug 2011
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Sounds like a nice trip , and of course being an island girl I'd agree , more time here next time ! Vancouver is a nice place to visit , but glad we live here .
Housing prices are truly insane here now , starter crap boxes going for a million dollars . It's sad for our young adult kids , getting their own homes now means moving far out from town or wanting for life !!
Housing prices are truly insane here now , starter crap boxes going for a million dollars . It's sad for our young adult kids , getting their own homes now means moving far out from town or wanting for life !!
#6
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live42day - in Ucluelet we stayed in the Reef Point cottages. They were inexpensive and comfortable enough for our needs.
I made a major error in not checking when I hired a car. The only Victoria location that I was offered was the airport, and I had no idea it was that far out of the city - but it gave me two opportunities to see other parts of the Island from the local bus and giving envious looks at some of the properties.
As with my only previous trip to the Country, a huge part of the enjoyment was a result of Canadians themselves. I have never met such a consistently helpful and friendly nationality.
I made a major error in not checking when I hired a car. The only Victoria location that I was offered was the airport, and I had no idea it was that far out of the city - but it gave me two opportunities to see other parts of the Island from the local bus and giving envious looks at some of the properties.
As with my only previous trip to the Country, a huge part of the enjoyment was a result of Canadians themselves. I have never met such a consistently helpful and friendly nationality.
#7
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Willit,
Just to say, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on Vancouver & the Island. Prices have gone insane in Vancouver; a number of close friends have left recently because of that--I wonder what sort of effect this will have on the appeal of the city? It's become hard for people with multiple degrees and job experience, I can't imagine how insurmountable things must seem to itinerants.
I also found Stanley Park, Lynn Canyon & Victoria quite beautiful. I liked Granville Island for items at the eponymous brewery--I think my expectations of activities on the island were not high, so ended up enjoying (my friend there knew some of the craftsmen too, so that helped).
Thanks for the report! Daniel
Just to say, I enjoyed reading your thoughts on Vancouver & the Island. Prices have gone insane in Vancouver; a number of close friends have left recently because of that--I wonder what sort of effect this will have on the appeal of the city? It's become hard for people with multiple degrees and job experience, I can't imagine how insurmountable things must seem to itinerants.
I also found Stanley Park, Lynn Canyon & Victoria quite beautiful. I liked Granville Island for items at the eponymous brewery--I think my expectations of activities on the island were not high, so ended up enjoying (my friend there knew some of the craftsmen too, so that helped).
Thanks for the report! Daniel
#8
Join Date: Feb 2016
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For all those traveling in the fall/winter, prices on the west coast of Vancouver Island around Ucluelet and Tofino fall significantly. If you plan your travel ahead of time for next summer there are good deals to be had but the best deals usually get booked a year in advance. I think this is one of the best places to vacation in BC if you like the ocean and sand. There are lots of other things to do as well: http://www.tofino-info.com/top-10-th...-do-in-tofino/. I am someone who likes to get away from the population for vacation so I would lean towards the Pacific Rim. The Campbell River area-to Telegraph Cover area is also nice for wildlife.
Happy traveling!
Sam
Happy traveling!
Sam
#9
“The Campbell River area to Telegraph Cove area is also nice for wildlife.”
That’s for sure. We were just there. Whales everywhere. Grizzlies if you’re willing to take a boat for a couple of hours. We were also warned to stay inside our motel room one morning in Campbell River as there was a cougar who had forgotten to retreat back to the woods when daylight arrived. The wildlife control officer described this particular cougar as “not too bright”.
That’s for sure. We were just there. Whales everywhere. Grizzlies if you’re willing to take a boat for a couple of hours. We were also warned to stay inside our motel room one morning in Campbell River as there was a cougar who had forgotten to retreat back to the woods when daylight arrived. The wildlife control officer described this particular cougar as “not too bright”.
#11
Join Date: Dec 2018
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So many wonderful memories visiting Pacific Rim park in the Tofino and Ucluelet area. I keep going back and have been there almost a dozen times. Still haven't made it during the winter months for storm watching it's a bit wet at that time, but maybe someday. I've been up and down the island and Tofino/Ucluelet is my haven to get away from it all.