Go Back  Fodor's Travel Talk Forums > Destinations > Canada
Reload this Page >

Vancouver and Vancouver Island - a quick summary

Vancouver and Vancouver Island - a quick summary

Old May 14th, 2017, 02:00 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
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.
willit is offline  
Old May 23rd, 2017, 07:58 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for reporting back Willit. Glad you had a good time.
sundriedtopepo is offline  
Old May 26th, 2017, 09:54 AM
  #3  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
glad you enjoyed your time here
live42day is online now  
Old May 26th, 2017, 09:57 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 1,686
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
where did you end up staying in Ucluelet?
live42day is online now  
Old May 26th, 2017, 08:55 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 7,960
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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 !!
justineparis is offline  
Old May 27th, 2017, 05:31 AM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
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.
willit is offline  
Old May 31st, 2017, 06:02 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,464
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
Daniel_Williams is offline  
Old Oct 11th, 2017, 09:53 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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
traveltime2000 is offline  
Old Oct 11th, 2017, 10:49 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,566
Received 22 Likes on 8 Posts
“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”.
xcountry is offline  
Old Nov 17th, 2018, 04:46 AM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 6,157
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
This is appallingly late, but for anybody who discovers this thread when doing research, I finally got around to writing up the trip report on my personal webpage
It can be found : Here
willit is offline  
Old Jan 4th, 2019, 01:08 PM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
shewanders is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
flowerpurple
Canada
9
May 10th, 2011 08:50 AM
glumbug
Canada
13
Apr 13th, 2008 01:41 PM
LuvToGo
Canada
6
Feb 4th, 2006 01:42 PM
terryr
Canada
12
Jan 18th, 2006 01:03 AM
annette
Canada
12
Apr 23rd, 2002 01:49 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -