Get away from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco and head for the laidback seaport of Vancouver. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the snow-flecked North Shore Mountains, Vancouver is a city of extremes with endless recreational activities as well as many business centers, which cater for every type of traveler.

Here you can picnic on Granville Island, plunge into Seymour Mountain Forest, stroll through the VanDusen Botanical Gardens, window shop along Robson Street, tour the Vancouver Museum and kayak through Burrard Inlet.

Key Facts

As the site for the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver is an outdoor wonderland. Take a swim at English Bay Beach, ski at Whistler, fish in Sanctuary Pond or climb nature's Stairmaster to Grouse Mountain. Driving east on Highway 1 will also provide an inland escape for hiking Fraser Canyon and visiting the continent's largest tidal lake, Pitt Lake. After working up an appetite, head down Commercial Drive to sample some of North America's best Asian cuisine at places like The Mongolie Grill.

Hints and Tips

After your two-hour flight from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), you'll land in one of Canada's busiest airports. YVR is located on Sea Island about seven and a half miles from downtown Vancouver, so you'll want to rent a car to reach all the exciting activities around the city. Soon you'll be exploring the Vancouver Harbor, Stanley Park and the beloved downtown skyline.