Sea of Sand
August 13 to 28
Take advantage of Vancouver’s gorgeous summer weather and make your way to the beach an hour before sunset to see this unique outdoor production, which explores memory, amnesia and desire. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget.—Sheri Radford
The seaside tents at Bard on the Beach
All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players at seaside summer festival Bard on the Beach (Jun. 2 to Sep. 24). See four of Shakespeare’s plays, including As You Like It and The Merchant of Venice, under open-air tents offering peekaboo views of Vancouver’s skyline. Reserved seating is a welcome addition this year, so buy tickets early for the best spots.—Kristina Urquhart
We love this gorgeous cover-up from Change
If a family beach vacation sits on this year’s to-do list, why not help Mom prep for warmer weather with a chic tunic from Change (aqua print tunic $38, pictured)? The stylish cover-up acts as the ideal accompaniment to the new range of one-piece, bandeau- and bikini-style bathing suits. Every swimsuit fits and supports the same way as Change’s lingerie, right down to cup size.—Jennifer Patterson
Enjoy drinks on the patio at neighbourhood haunt Local Public Eater. Photo by KK Law
Combine an afternoon at the beach with drinks and a bite at any number of handy haunts. Local Public Eatery (pictured) boasts a bustling patio right across from grassy Kits Beach, while the deck of The Boathouse Restaurant is the perfect spot for a bucket of shrimp and a cold cerveza in the heart of English Bay. Locals make sunset treks to Jericho Beach’s The Galley Patio & Grill to watch the yachts over buffalo burgers and R&B pale ale.—Tim Pawsey
BC Ferries photo by Andrea Johnson courtesy Tourism BC
1 BC Ferries, now celebrating its 50th birthday.
2 Heading east to visit Fort Langley (where BC had its beginnings) before lunch overlooking the vines at Domaine de Chaberton Winery’s Bacchus Bistro.
3 Joshua Jackson. He was born in Vancouver, he appeared in The Mighty Ducks and Dawson’s Creek, and he’s back in town right now shooting the third season of Fringe.
4 Why I Love Vancouver, by Linda Solomon. Find it at local bookstores.
5 Shopping for everything local at Trout Lake (and other) farmers’ markets.
6 Hanging out all morning in wide-open garage-door cafes, such as JJ Bean Coffee Roasters at Main and 14th and Kitsilano’s Bistrot Bistro.
7 Fireworks during the HSBC Celebration of Light (Jul. 21, 24, 28, 31).
Fireworks photo by Danielle Hayes courtesy Tourism Vancouver
8 Celebrating Canada Day (Jul. 1).
9 The seawall.
10 Listening to the waves lapping while barbecuing hamburgers on Third Beach as the sun sets somewhere behind Howe Sound.
11 Dapper dogs in mini tuxedos. Find clothes for your own posh pooch at Barking Babies.
12 Spending an afternoon strolling through the Vancouver Art Gallery.
13 Unusual cuts of meat on the menus at Salt, Refuel, Campagnolo and The Irish Heather, part of the “waste not, want not” philosophy of the local nose-to-tail dining movement. Your taste buds won’t be disappointed.
14 Totem poles in Stanley Park.
15 Perfect summer days that never seem to end.
1 The Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. After years of preparation, the biggest party this city has ever seen is starting.
Olympic mascots Quatchi and Miga don their cheerful red mittens. Photo copyright VANOC/COVAN
2 Our cuddly Games mascots Quatchi and Miga, especially when they’re wearing their Vancouver 2010 Red Mittens.
3 The fact that it’s only a short car or bus ride from the beach to the snow-capped mountains. How many other cities can claim the same?
4 Walking along the shoreline in a pair of rubber boots.
5 The world’s largest Canadian flag, near the Olympic Countdown Clock.
6 Celebrity spotting. Rumour has it that supermodel Cindy Crawford, swimmer Michael Phelps, actor George Clooney and NASA astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Thomas Stafford and Eugene Cernan will all be in town during the 2010 Winter Games, as well as U.S. president Barack Obama.
7 Pedestrian corridors along parts of Robson, Granville, Beatty, Hamilton and Mainland streets.
The massive Canada flag behind the Olympic Countdown Clock is a perfect photo opportunity. Photo by KK Law
8 The large inukshuk that sits in English Bay.
9 The love and appreciation for all things local and sustainable, including food, drink and even clothing.
10 Skiing and snowboarding on local mountains.
11 Stanley Park, one of the largest urban parks in the world.
12 Enjoying a hot drink while people-watching on South Granville, Robson Street or Granville Island.
13 The clean, crisp winter air.
14 Public art installations that make our city even more interesting than it already is.
15 Red and white everywhere. The Canadian Olympic Committee has invited local residents and businesses to proudly wear and display our national colours.
Do you have great photos from your travels in Canada that you'd like to share with us? Submit them to the Where Canada Flickr pool and they'll show up here.
Stay, Dine, Do
