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!