City Layout
With four different bodies of water lapping at its edges and miles of shoreline, not to mention a major mountain range, numerous bridges, and a handful of islands, Vancouver’s geography can seem a bit complicated. At least it’s always easy to orient yourself: The North Shore Mountains (which are, indeed, to the north) are visible from just about everywhere. Most of your time will likely be spent in Vancouver city proper, which covers a peninsula that comprises Stanley Park, the West End, Yaletown, Chinatown, and Downtown. It’s bordered to the north by Burrard Inlet, the city’s main deep-water harbor and port; to the west by English Bay; and to the south by False Creek, which is actually an inlet. There are four key east-west streets on the peninsula—Robson, Georgia, Hastings, and Davie—and three major north-south streets: Denman, Burrard, and Granville.
Tourist information centers and most hotels can provide you with a detailed downtown street map. A good all-around metropolitan area map is the Rand McNally Vancouver city map. If you’re an auto club member, the Canadian Automobile Association map is free to AAA and CAA members.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
