We have a choice of going late aug (19-29) or early sept (9-19). any reason for one or the other?

also any suggestions on sights or restaurants or hotels?

thanks

September, just because you'll have less tourists with you. Teachers (!) and students will be back in school.

Love, love, love the O'Canada House
Also, if you like Indian food, hit Vij's. Check the archives, there's some other info there, too.

how is the weather in sept versus late aug?

realize less crowded. much less?

Be sure you take the ferry across to Landsdown wharf. Not only do you get to watch sea planes landing on the way its a quick 20min shot across the bay and the wharf and three levels of shops and its a great view from the deck back to the city and mt. behind the wharf.

The weather in the end of August and early September are pretty much the same. I would go in Sept. just because of the many, many tourists there in August. The last two weeks in August are also popular weeks with Pac Northwesterns to go on vacation too...so you have a lot of us on vacation plus all the tourists.

To respond to your email I don't have the level of membership so to answer you questions. I was there in mid september and it was in 70ies. Cooler at night. I don't know what it is like in August but the downtown area was crowded during the day IMHO but then most cities do have crowds during day. I was not impressed with the main drag as it was full of tourist shops and big name shops and not much inbetween. Prices I thought were high. About 10 min from the Lwharf is a mall that had lots of shops, good prices, and the Wal-Mart had a huge gift department with many items 1/2 of what they were on the main drag. I am talking about native crafts here.The mall was the usual mix of shops some good some not so hot.

In Victoria, two sites we particularly enjoyed were the Royal BC museum - fascinating permanent exhibits of local history - and Craigdarroch Castle.

And of course, afternoon tea at the Empress Hotel ...

Our hotel (Queen Victoria Hotel) was nothing special, but it was in a good location right downtown - so we walked everywhere. We were there in early September, and the weather was comfortable during the day, cool at night.

Weather in August is in the 70s, in September mid-high 60s. In either months, you might experience showery conditions but when the sun is out, there's nothing like Vancouver!

For hotels, one of the must stay hotels right now is Opus Hotel, a boutique hotel in Yaletown. Other suggestions would be Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Pan Pacific Hotel or Wedgewood Hotel. Visit Tourism Vancouver for more hotel suggestions.

Things to do: Walk the sea wall of Stanley Park; visit Granville Market and have lunch at Bridges; take the sea bus to Lonsdale Quay(North Vancouver); take a day trip to Whistler, where the 2010 Winter Olympics will be held; watch a play at Bard on the Beach ; for events while you're here, visit Vancouver City Guide .

For restaurant choices, see Vancouver Magazinebest restaurants list. Just in Yaletown alone, you can eat at Shiru-Bay, Cioppino's, Blue Water Cafe, Coast Restaurant, etc.

I hope you get to enjoy our beautiful city,
Chiqui

I hear there are a lot of homeless and druggies around on the streest bothering tourists. how much of an issue is this? and is this correct?

thanks

Unfortunately, the homeless and druggies love our city because of the mild weather. Don't let that deter you from visiting our beautiful city though. Just ignore them, don't make eye contact and keep on walking. Yes, it does seem insensitive but it's one way to deal with the situation. If you do feel inclined to make a cash donation to the homeless, do so because it's your choice and not because you were badgered into it.

Enjoy life,
Chiqui

In the many times I've been to Vancouver and Victoria, I've not been bothered by a homeless person or a druggie -- I don't even remember seeing them!

I was just in Vancouver for 6 days last week, and I can tell you that there are so many amazing places to go and things to see and do...it would take you several trips to begin to break the surface.

Here are a few of my recommended must-sees in Vancouver...this is going to be a long post, so get a cup of tea and put your feet up for a few minutes!

~ I love Granville Island...there are small ferries that take you across to the dock at the delish restaurant, Bridges. There are some great places to shop on the island.

~ If you can find Thomas Haas' delectable little chocolatiere and cafe, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven! Holy kamoley...I was there last week for lunch and a chocolate-pig-out. The best, simply the best.
Hard to find but worth the drive. It's really small inside and packed at lunchtime, so maybe earlier or later than noon? Janie, Janie, where ARE you? She's the resident expert on Thomas!

~ Stanley Park...gorgeous, waterfront park that is home to some of the most venerable old growth forest around. Last year, the massive trees took a licking from Mother Nature's windstorms and now you can see the clean-up and the rebuilding taking place.

If you are really brave, buy a bag of peanuts in the shell, stand with your hands open and full of nuts and the huge squirrels will swarm you to get their treats! Very cool experience, but only if you aren't spooked by them sitting on your arm, and eating out of your hands. I think they are gorgeous!

For accommodations in Vancouver, try something along the waterfront...
The Sylvia Hotel has been there for years. It has some faults, but the location is fantastic. I walked from the hotel to the ferry docking and took a little ferry across to Granville Island. Easy-peasy. You can walk or take a cab to several shopping areas, as well. Stanley Park is around the corner, not a short walk but a good long hike.

The Pan Pacific is gorgeous, but costly. I just stayed here for a conference so the rates were within reason for me, BUT they can go quite high, so check it out for some deals or specials. Nice location!

The Delta Waterfront is also a good location.

In Vancouver, try this B & B website. I'd stay at something right on the water.

Here are a few of my favorite things in Victoria:
~ Walk along the seawall, stop and buy some fresh fries in a newspaper cone, saturated with malt vinegar and ketchup or mayo for dipping. Eat them steaming hot, washed down with a fresh apple cider. Nothing better in this world.

~ The Blethering Place. The best teahouse in the city. Blethering is a Scottish word meaning "talking endlessly about nothing much!"

~ The Empress Hotel, an old Fairmont hotel that has the best high tea in the city, next to The Blethering Place. It's the atmosphere!

~ Irish Times Pub makes the best hot toddies and West Coast Seafood Platter, with fresh cut fries topped with fresh crab, prawns, mussels, halibut, Kilkenny-garlic cream and pecorino Romano. YUM!

~ Shopping along Government Street! While you are walking off the meal at the Irish Times Pub or the ever-rich, ever delicious High Tea at the lovely above-mentioned Empress Hotel, walk along this lovely street, shopping at a variety of fantastic stores and shops. The water is close by, there are places for a sit-down-and-put-'em-up and side streets to explore galore!

~ Rent a car, drive up the coast to Tofino, through the Pacific Rim National Park, stay overnight at an oceanfront B & B, if you have time. It's a gorgeous wild open-ocean beach there...nothing quite like it! Long Beach is spectacular.

This is my favorite B & B site. Check out the B & B's in Tofino, for starters, just in case you decide to go.
Harvey House, for example, sits right on Chesterman Beach in Tofino.

Chesterman Beach B & B is another beautiful place.

Storm Bay is also nice!

In Victoria, try the following B & B page... Victoria B & B's.

Hope this helps!

“May your joys be as deep as the ocean, your sorrows as light as its foam.” ~ Unknown
Brenda

thanks for all the ideas. unfortunately our vancouver trip will be postponed till another summer as something else has come up..