Stanley Park is replete with gardens, a seawalk, a rainforest with trails, and swimming pools. Rollerblades and bicycles can be rented near the Denman Street entrance to the park.

Trails in this 2.9-sq miles (7.5-sq km) park, also known as UBC Endowment Lands, are frequented by equestrians, walkers, and cyclists. They’re well marked but can be rough going in bad weather.

This park at the highest point in Vancouver, 505 ft (167 m) above sea level, offers splendid views and gardens, and a conservatory (For further details see Queen Elizabeth Park).

Secluded nooks and crannies can still be found at this world-famous garden. Seasonal displays.

Walk, bike, hike, snowboard, or ski up the mountain and enjoy a fantastic view of the city once you’ve reached the top. Challenge yourself with the 2-mile (3-km) Grouse Grind climb to the summit, at 3,973 ft (1,211 m) (For further details see Grouse Mountain).

Mountaineers and skiers relish the snow and gentle slopes in winter. In summer, hikers come seeking fabulous views.

Cypress Mountain offers sports galore and panoramic views as far as Mount Baker, in Washington State.

Snow geese and gyrfalcons are among the 60,000 birds visiting this huge site on Westham Island. View the wetlands from the platforms and hides.

Giant ferns and huge boulders are signatures of this waterfront park. Quiet trails lead through the area’s last remaining stand of old-growth trees.

This 3.5-mile (5.5-km) trail offers views of Sturgeon Banks, an estuary attracting 1.4 million birds a year as part of the Pacific Flyway.

Horstman Glacier (For further details see Blackcomb Mountain) offers 0.2 sq miles (0.5 sq km) of skiing and incomparable views year-round. Varied terrain gives even experienced skiers plenty of thrills.

Fly away from the Whistler Blackcomb crowds into the pristine high-alpine powder. Guides help you choose from over 1,000 runs.

Learn to be airborne on a tandem flight with a certified teacher. Coastal winds ensure breathtaking heights.

Squamish is one of the top climbing areas in North America. If you’re not ready to tackle Stawamus Chief, a formidable cliff rising 2,139 ft (652 m), try Smoke Bluffs.

Windsurfers converge at the mouth of the Squamish River on Howe Sound, where north winds blow at 40 to 70 knots. Squamish Windsports Society operates the sailing park and rescue service, and charges a sailing fee.

Paddling or power rafting just two hours from Vancouver in Yale on the Nahatlatch, Thompson, and Fraser rivers. Choice of raft size, trip length, and fright factor.

BC offers unlimited trails and backroads. The 93-mile (150-km) Sea to Sky trail stretches from Squamish to D’Arcy. Find maps and trail ratings on the online Whistler Mountain Bike Guide.

Whether you’re experienced or a newcomer to skydiving, the view of the Fraser Valley at 3,000 ft (915 m) is amazing. First-jump tandem lessons are on weekends and holidays.

Find marine life, deep wall diving spots, a shipwreck, artificial reefs, and unusual geographic formations at Howe Sound’s many dive sites. Charters, lessons, and equipment available.

Paddle alongside an orca pod at Vancouver Island’s glacier-carved eastern coastline.

Chef John Bishop combines intimate dining with flawless service. Organic ingredients determine the weekly West Coast menu. Dinner only.

Enjoy panoramic views from the West Vancouver mountainside while savoring delicious, award winning cuisine that celebrates the west coast.

Perched in the North Shore hills, this restaurant is known for its green alderwood-grilled BC salmon. First Nations art and artifacts complement the rustic yet elegant interior of wood and glass.

This casual, lively restaurant offers a menu of comfort-style Italian- and Spanish-influenced dishes with a focus on pasta and risotto. Head there early on Mondays when all wines are half price.

Widely considered to be the “Best of the Burbs”, the Pear Tree feels world class. Its menu emphasizes fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Named Restaurant of the Year by Vancouver Magazine, Vancouverites flock here for exceptional Italian dishes, exemplary service, and a great selection of Italian wines.

Sit on the deck of this 1912 house, choose a glass of wine from the long list, and enjoy West Coast cuisine.

Local produce is served with a Pacific Northwest bent at this vibrant, classy spot. Oysters and wild salmon for fish-lovers, lamb confit and steaks for others. Good wine list.

The warmth of Tuscany is reflected in the imaginative pasta dishes of celebrity chef Umberto Menghi. Other highlights include cioppino (Italian fish chowder) and osso bucco (braised veal shank). Excellent wine list.

This relaxed eatery encourages families to share wood oven pizza, calamari, and rotisserie meats – try the chicken.

One of the best Chinese restaurants in Vancouver, the chef here is a true master. Try the dim sum and crackling Peking duck.

Don’t be fooled by the simple decor. Vancouverites line up here for the deep-fried squid and green papaya salad.

Voted best Malaysian restaurant in the city for such dishes as fried whole crab with sambal sauce, and king prawns with peppercorns and garlic.

Sushi chef Hidekazu Tojo welcomes you as warmly as he does the many celebrities who adore his cozy restaurant. Sidle up to the counter to watch this showman create delightful concoctions such as Dungeness crab topped with cherry blossoms, the shell serving as the plate.

Enjoy Cantonese, Shanghai, and Szechuan dishes and award-winning dim sum at this restaurant popular with families. Excellent service.

A symphony of wondrous flavors, the award-winning dishes are a West Coast adaptation of various Indian cooking styles. Specialties are curries, marinated lamb, short ribs, and duck. Dinner only.

A stunning interior and an exciting dim sum selection. Alaska king crab and roast squab are notable entrées. Cantonese dishes are created with light, finely tuned flavors.

This local favorite boasts a large Cantonese menu and a grand dining room with chandeliers.

In Bao Bei’s sophisticated dining room, a savvy take on Chinese home cooking is the order of the day, while one of the expertly composed cocktails makes a great way to start the evening.

Imaginative Japanese tapas winning the hearts of locals and tourists alike. Contemporary combinations of sushi and sashimi and hot noodle dishes.