Vancouver Sightseeing

Vancouver B.C. Canada

Vancouver is a coastal city and major seaport located in the Lower Mainland of southwestern British Columbia, Canada. It is the largest city in both British Columbia and Western Canada and the second largest after Seattle in the Pacific Northwest. Vancouver is bounded by the Strait of Georgia, Burrard Inlet, the Fraser River, the city of Burnaby. Description from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia..

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Spectator sports and  sporting activities

Vancouver has several professional sports teams and, depending on the time of year, you can watch many different sporting events including hockey, baseball, football, and soccer.  Hockey is very popular in Vancouver and the locals are passionate about the Vancouver Canucks professional team and the Vancouver Giants junior team. 

The hockey season runs from the middle of September until at least the middle of April, and Canuck games are at GM Place (usually starting at 7 pm).  For ticket information, see the Canucks website or check the Yellow Pages for ticket brokers. Vancouver’s CFL (Canadian Football League) team, the B.C. Lions, plays at B.C. Place Stadium, and their season runs from June until at least October.  See the team’s website for ticket information. 

The local professional soccer team is the Vancouver Whitecaps.  In 2009, games will be played at Swanguard Stadium.  And then, when the team joins the MLS in 2010, games will be played in B.C. Place Stadium under the new retractable roof.  For ticket information, go to the Whitecap’s website.  The Vancouver Canadians are the local baseball team (part of the Oakland A’s farm system) and their season runs from June until September.  They play in historic Nat Bailey Stadium, which is one of the oldest minor league stadiums still in use.  And for fans of amateur sports, Vancouver will host the world as the site of Winter Olympics in February 2010.

 

Vancouver B.C. Sporting Activities

There are many sporting activities to keep you busy in the Vancouver area.  In the winter (usually November until April), there is skiing and snowboarding at Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain, and Mount Seymour.  All of these ski areas are within 30 minutes of the city; and all offer lessons, equipment rentals, restaurants, and pub facilities.

 

In the summer when the snow melts, the north shore mountain area is among the best in the world for mountain biking. Maps of the many biking trails can be purchased at local mountain bike shops.  Another popular Vancouver activity is ocean kayaking.  Shops at Granville Island, Jericho Beach, Ambleside Beach, and Deep Cove rent a variety of 1- and 2-person kayaks. 

 

You can explore False Creek, English Bay, Indian Arm, and other scenic kayaking areas.  Vancouver is also a year-round golfing paradise.  For the beginner and for family outings, the city has several pitch ‘n putt courses.  And for the serious golfer, in addition to private clubs, there are number of excellent public courses.Three of the best are Fraserview in Vancouver, Northlands in North Vancouver, and Riverway in Burnaby.  Golf is particularly popular in the summer months so remember to book your tee-time in advance if possible.