Itinerary Help - Vancouver Area
 

My wife and I and our two daughters (19 and 23) are planning a trip to Seattle and the Vancouver area the last week of June. We think we'll spend three days in Seattle and then are thinking we would spend another 3 days in Vancouver and/or Vancouver Island. For Vancouver, we likely will want to find a place to stay that is just outside of the city (a good place to just relax). We would like to spend some time in the city, but also explore some other outdoor activities (hiking, kayaking, whale watching, etc).

I could use some recommendations on 1) whether Vancouver will offer this mix of activities (city vs. outdoors, etc.) and recommendation on areas to stay (likely would choose a VRBO).

Thanks in advance!

I think you will find all of the things you are looking for in Stanley Park. http://stanleypark.org/
You do not need to rent a vehicle and drive out of the city.
Be sure to take a walk through Gastown.
To get from Seattle to Vancouver, my favorite way is to take the Amtrak train or bus from the King Street station.

Even more than its cousin to the south, Seattle, Vancouver is jammed up against the coastal mountains. You can stand on the shore of English Bay and stare up to the Grouse Mountain ski hill. Vancouver is a hive of outdoor activities year-round and the wilderness, or at least a sense of it, is never very far away. And thanks to those mountains and the sea, it gets its share of rain, and then some. Just get on your bike and go anyhow.

We prefer to be out of the immediate downtown a bit if possible. I was looking at a VRBO in near Horseshoe Bay. Any other areas that I should consider? Would like a nice view if possible, small kitchen, and a nice patio or deck to relax on for some down time.

We would like to do a 1/2 day kayak tour - any thoughts about Deep Cove? Seemed like the most peaceful location that is close? Also, Whale watching which I assume may be available out of Horseshoe Bay?

Deep Cove is a favorite spot for our friends who like to kayak. Very peaceful and not too far.

Horseshoe Bay is a really beautiful spot, a little bit of a drive into the city, and does get crowded with ferry passengers. But it's also close to The Chief, a pretty good hike to the top. There is also a new gondola there. The views are amazing.

There are whale watching tours from Steveston, which is a little fishing village about half hour south of the city. Sorry, I don't know about any others.

Here's another kayaking alternative, from Granville Island

http://www.falsecreekcc.ca/waterfront.htm

And whale watching info

http://www.hellobc.com/vancouver/thi...-watching.aspx

There are quite a few bike rental companies and it's possible to cycle around Stanley Park, as well as the sea wall around False Creek, South False Creek. There are designated bike lanes.

I would rent a car and drive towards Whistlers. Even if you didn't have time to go that far the drive along the coast is great.

You could stay in N Vancouver at the Lonsdale Quay Hotel or Pinnacle at the Pier.

There is a seabus from that area- a passenger ferry- that takes you to the Vancouver waterfront.
From there you could use the Hop On Hop Off trolley to see the city.

Any suggestions for areas to stay closer to downtown that have nice views but aren't right in the center of downtown?

You might look in the kitsilano area for a Vrbo rental. Kits is a vibrant and fun area, not in the downtown core but part of the city. Near beaches and sea wall on the south west side of the city. Will you have a car?

See above

http://www.tourismvancouver.com/vanc...ods/kitsilano/

If you are wanting to do serious hiking then you might want to stay on the Northshore close to the mountains.

http://vancouversnorthshore.com/thin...vities/hiking/

The north shore also has some beautiful short hikes; Lighthouse Park, Whytecliff Park, Quarry Rock by Deep Cove, Lynn Canyon the free suspension bridge.

If you stayed in North Vancouver you would have access to all these places plus the Sea Bus brings you across to downtown in about 15 minutes.

We do plan to have a car. Thanks for all of the great ideas!

more information about travel you can find on http://www.worldtraveltime.net

I live in Vancouver. I would recommend the North Shore for you. There are lots of great rentals on AirBnB and VRBO.
You may find Horeshoe Bay a bit too far from everything. It's only about 30 min to downtown but that it a bit inconvenient.
Look for something near Lonsdale in North Vancouver or even near the beach in West Van. The Pinnacle Hotel is nice but it's a typical urban hotel, busy and not at all a "get away form it all" kind of spot.
My top pick: Definitely spend some time in Deep Cove. I have kayaked there and it is stunning. There is a great hike called :Quarry Rock" which is just over an hour round trip and gives stunning views of Deep Cove from up high. Visit Cafe Orso for waffles and coffee or Honey's for amazing donuts. There are a few very sweet boutiques in The Cove as well.
Driving up to the Sea to Sky Gondola would be a great idea. It's about an hour from the city and you will get a breathtaking view on your ride up the gondola (as well as on the drive). There is a great trail network at the top and a restaurant too. It's fairly new and is really worth the trip.
Rent cruiser bikes downtown around Georgia and Denman and bike the Stanley Park seawall. It gives you a panoramic view of the city and is a "must do". There are a few great restaurants close by for lunch or dinner -Lift and Carderos are two of my faves. Or bring along a picnic to have at Second Beach.
If I had to pick a "don't miss" museum it would be the Museum of Athropology on the UBC campus. It is an architecturally stunning building by Arthur Erickson and it houses an incredible collection of First Nations art and artifacts. Well worth the 20 min drive from downtown.
Granville Island Market is also a must-do. Wander the stalls, buy some great snacks and treats. Sit outside and watch the boats go by along False Creek. Explore the galleries and shops. Have a beer at Bridges out on the deck
I don't know about whale watching from Horseshoe Bay. You would have to go quite far out into the Straight to find whales I would think. It is more typically an activity off the west coast of Van Island in Tofino.
So..can you tell I LOVE my city?!!

If you don't mind my hijacking, my friend and I will have the day in Vancouver (coming off a repositioning cruise from LA and then flying back that night).
The flight is Air Canada a bit after 8 pm.

We are interested in bird-watching but maybe other things.

Since it would be much less expensive to rent a car at the airport, what do you think of going there first, from Canada Place on the Canada Line, then working our way back toward Stanley Park or toward the mountains, then heading back toward the airport (I would guess start to make our way back across town no later than 4 pm? Or earlier?)

PS we have been to Vancouver before and MUCH prefer it to Seattle!

PS, what do you think of leaving luggage in the car trunk? We would take valuables with us when hiking.

We have found the airport is often the MOST expensive rental car option so check out downtown rental options if you really want a car. If you don't have much time then going to the airport, picking up the car, and then driving back downtown is going to be at least 2 hours out of your day.
Leaving luggage in the trunk out of sight will be fine but definitely take valuables. Stanley Park is notorious for theft so avoid letting anyone see what you are stashing.

thanks for the advice

I was able to find a rental with Costco discount without a drop charge from Hornsby location. Not too far from Canada Place.

The Canada Place locations all seem to want a $50 or $60 extra drop fee.