Visit Vancouver BC, a city surrounded on three sides by beautiful sandy beaches like Kitsalano beach, Jericho beach and West End beach. Warmed by Pacific Ocean currents, it is protected by snow capped mountains to the north. Vancouver was signed into existence in 1886 and is now Canada’s third largest city.
Greater Vancouver boasts a population of 2.1 million inhabitants equal to half of British Columbia’s total 4 million population. Over one million of Vancouver’s inhabitants speak a language other than English. English and Chinese are the most common languages, followed by Punjabi, German, Italian, French, and Spanish and a potpourri of other tongues.
Sports in Vancouver BC
If you are a sports person, then you should visit Vancouver. There is no better place in the world than Vancouver for the boating and fishing enthusiast. There are miles of stunning coastline and endless waterways. Granville Island, Horseshoe Bay and Coal Harbour are home to most of Vancouver’s boat charter companies. Ask them where the best fishing spots are then charter a boat and head for open water.
Anglers will love to fish for the salmon, rainbow trout, steelhead, and sturgeon when they visit Vancouver’s local waters. Whether you are fresh water or salt-water fishing, you are required to have a license. Don’t worry, licenses are readily available at tackle shops, Army & Navy department stores, and all the marinas.
Outside the city, outdoors enthusiasts enjoy canoeing and kayaking, backpacking, camping and mountain biking as well as snowboarding and skiing in the winter. Walkers and joggers, cyclists and skaters can all take advantage of the many tree lined paths and trails throughout the city.
Some great downhill and cross-country ski facilities are located on Grouse Mountain, Cypress and Mount Seymour. These are great winter sport locations for Vancouver’s inhabitants. Two hours north of Vancouver BC, are Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, internationally renowned for their great skiing. Vancouver will host the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games beginning March 10th.
Things to do in Vancouver
Some of the most popular destinations are Vancouver’s public parks including the world famous Stanley Park and especially Queen Elizabeth Park. Known as “Little Mountain”, Queen Elizabeth Park is Vancouver’s geographic center. There are beautiful ornamental gardens full of trees and shrubs indigenous to the British Columbian coast. Visit Vancouver’s Queen Elizabeth Park for breathtaking views of the city,
Take a trip to Capilano Suspension Bridge; At 450 feet long, it is the longest suspended pedestrian bridge in the world. If you are squeamish or suffer vertigo, standing 230 feet over the Capilano River on a five-foot wide swinging bridge is not for you.
Yaletown, which used to be a rundown warehouse district, is now an upscale neighborhood full of boutiques and nightclubs. A trendy place and just a short walk from downtown; it is dedicated to entertainment and boasts many fashion and design shops.
The night scene in Vancouver is a mix of ultra-hip lounges, relaxing pubs and energetic live music clubs. If you are a night owl, there are plenty of fun dance clubs and late-night venues to keep you entertained. Enjoy the live music of any of the local bands and international groups that play the pubs and clubs.
Vancouver has many museums, theatres and art galleries, which you must visit as well as many great shops and antique stores. If you are a shopaholic, you really must come to the annual Shopping Festival held in early March.
Vancouver BC offers an amazing supply of attractions and things to do and see. No matter what time of year, there is always something going on that everyone can enjoy.
Visit Vancouver, it is the one stop shop for fun sport and entertainment. It has it all!