Hi,<BR><BR>We'll be visiting Vancouver for our first time the following week and want to know if this is possible and safe to travel from Vancover downtown to Grouse mountain by the local transportation like the seabus and buses. How long does it usually take? We plan to visit there to see the sunset & to have a dinner and concern if those buses are still running late before midnight. By the way, tell me if you know what is the best restaurant on the mountain at moderate price. We appreciate your help.

http://www.translink.bc.ca/ will give you the schedule info you need.<BR><BR>Yes it's safe-the busses travel thru a very nice neighbourhood.<BR><BR>There are 4 eateries and I don't recommend eating at any of them-there has never been an operation worthy of the name restaurant at the top of Grouse Mountain and probably never will be-not enough traffic to justify spending the money for anything more than a bar.<BR><BR>Check the other Vancouver posts for suggestions.

There are several interesting places on the way to Grouse and was wondering if there was a tour (like Gray Lines or equivalent) that would allow you to do what you want to do. Have you been to the Capilano Suspension Bridge or the Capilano Dam? Or is it only the top of Grouse that you're interested in?

Bonnie,<BR>I did take a look at the tour operated by Gray Line after you recommended, but it is expensive to us like can$ 78/person for a 5-hour day trip. We want to keep the spending in budget. We prefer to do so if this is pretty convenient and cheaper to get there by local transportations. How do most of the local people get to Grouse mountain? <BR><BR>P.S. Carl, thanks for the website provided.

When we were their it appeared the locals just got on the bus with their Snow boards or skis, (It was March) jumped off the bus and on to the cable car - no problem. I definately wouldn't recommend a organised tour as it is so easy to do it yourself. The Seabus from downtown to North Van couldn't be easier, when we got off the Seabus the bus was waiting for the the passengers when they were all on away it went. I would recommend stopping off on the way up the road at the Capilano Suspension Bridge. You get back on the same bus and carry on up the hill to Grouse Mountain.<BR>Have a great time.

Grouse has a number of eating places with most being of the bistro, bar or cafeterria variety. However the main dining room has been upgraded in the past few years and actually is a quite nice resturant. On a clear night the view is fabulous but if it looks cloudy, don't bother as there are better places to eat in the city.<BR><BR>When you make advanced reservations for the main dining room,the fee for your trip up the gondola is waived. If you were to go up top on spec and then decide to eat, you would have to pay for the gondola.

Very safe, easy, and the connections are good (all the buses wait at the North Van side of the seabus for the seabus to come in). <BR><BR>Don't bother with the Capilano Suspension Bridge unless you like tourist traps. You'll see better nature and views on Grouse. The Capilano Dam is interesting if you're into that kind of thing, though.<BR><BR>I haven't eaten there for ages, but the Grouse Nest restaurant on the top of Grouse used to be excellent (if slightly overpriced), and with a fantastic view. And, as someone else said, if you reserve, the price of the gondola trip up is deducted from your bill.