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WHEN TO GO

Vancouver is one of the most temperate cities in Canada, with warm summer days, cooler nights, and occasional rain and fog. Winters are mild, and spring comes early, with a profusion of cherry and plum blossoms.

GETTING THERE

Along with Air Canada, carriers including United and Continental offer economical flights. Official identification—a passport or an original birth certificate and a driver's license—is required.

WHERE TO STAY

Listel Hotel
1300 Robson St.; 800/663-5491 or 604/684-8461; www.thelistelhotel.com; doubles from $315.

Opus Hotel
322 Davie St.; 866/642-6787 or 604/642-6787; www.opushotel.com; doubles from $375.

Wedgewood Hotel & Spa
845 Hornby St.; 800/663-0666 or 604/689-7777; www.wedgewoodhotel.com; doubles from $360.

WHERE TO EAT

Chopstick Café Shiru-Bay
1193 Hamilton St.; 604/408-9315; dinner for two $55.

Feenie's
2563 W. Broadway; 604/739-7115; brunch for two $45.

Lift Bar Grill View
333 Menchion Mews; 604/689-5438; dinner for two $100.

Lumière
2551 W. Broadway; 604/739-8185; eight-course tasting menu from $115 per person. Closed Mondays.

Rangoli
1488 W. 11th Ave.; 604/736-5711; dinner for two $55.

Sophie's Cosmic Café
Classic retro diner with belly-bomb omelettes and soda fountain. 2095 W. Fourth Ave.; 604/732-6810; brunch for two $23.

Vij's
1480 W. 11th Ave.; 604/736-6664; dinner for two $90.

WHERE TO SHOP

Alexander Lamb Antiques and Exotic World Museum
3271 Main St.; 604/876-8713.

Caban
2912 Granville St.; 604/742-1522.

Douglas Reynolds Gallery
2335 Granville St.; 604/731-9292.

Eugene Choo
3683 Main St.; 604/873-8874.

Inform Interiors
97 Water St.; 604/682-3868.

Lululemon Athletica
2113 W. Fourth Ave.; 877/263-9300 or 604/732-6111; www.lululemon.com.

Motherland
2539 Main St.; 604/876-3426.

Obakki
Clothing from local designers. 205–332 Water St.; 604/669-9727.

Peridot
1512 W. 14th Ave.; 604/736-4499.

Pleasant Girl
2541 Main St.; 604/677-4024.

Richard Kidd
65 Water St.; 604/677-1880.

Urbanity
"Wearable art" from B.C. designers and Norway's Oleana. 207 Abbott St.; 604/801-6262.

WHAT TO DO

By air See the city, coast, and mountains from the Grouse Mountain Skyride, the largest aerial tram in North America. www.grousemountain.com; $27.

By sea Ride the Aquabus, a short-haul ferry service on False Creek that stops at the Granville Island market and Yaletown, among other popular spots. 604/689-5858; www.theaquabus.com; one stop $2.25, 25-minute tour $5.40.

By land Rent a bicycle on Denman Street to cruise nearby Stanley Park and English Bay. Bayshore Bike Rentals; 745 Denman St.; 604/688-2453; www.bayshorebikerentals.ca.

WHAT TO READ

City of Glass by Douglas Coupland. Anecdotal and autobiographical introduction to the city by the novelist who coined the term Generation X.

Georgia Straight The city's weekly alternative publication, available free at kiosks citywide.

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