Vancouver/Yaletown-False Creek
Yaletown-False Creek encompasses the established neighbourhood of Yaletown and the still-developing area of Southeast False Creek (better known as the Athlete's Village from the 2010 Winter Olympics). Reclaimed industrial areas, both neighbourhoods are a mix of modern condo architecture and restored industrial warehouses. Yaletown, in particular, is considered the yuppie side of Vancouver. For sports lovers, Vancouver's two main sports arenas/stadiums are also located here.
Get in
See Vancouver for options to get in the Vancouver area by plane, by bus, and by train, and by boat.
Get around
By public transit
TransLink, ☏ +1-604-953-3333. The main public transit network in the Vancouver area, including: Bowen Island, Burnaby, Coquitlam, Delta, Langley, Lions Bay, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, North Vancouver, Port Coquitlam, Pitt Meadows, Port Moody, Richmond, Surrey, Vancouver, West Vancouver, and White Rock. Its network includes buses, SkyTrain (rail rapid transit), SeaBus (ferries), West Coast Express (commuter rail), and HandyDART (door-to-door shared-ride service for those who cannot ride public transit without assistance).
Passengers can pay for fares using Compass Cards ($6 refundable deposit), Compass Tickets, or tap-to-pay using contactless credit cards (only American Express, Mastercard or Visa) or mobile wallets. Passengers using Compass Cards and Compass Tickets pay discounted fares. Passengers can transfer for up to 90 minutes, except if taking West Coast Express, in which case they can transfer for up to 120 minutes. On bus and HandyDART, passengers can also pay in cash, but in that case will not receive change and are not eligible for transfers. Zone based fares apply between Monday and Friday for trips starting before 6:30 pm, if travel involves SkyTrain or SeaBus. Outside of those hours or for travel on only bus or HandyDART, a single zone rate applies. If traveling by West Coast Express, a higher cost zone based fare system applies regardless of time of travel.Children 12 and under can ride for free. People aged 13 to 18, and 65 and older pay discounted concession fares.
By SkyTrain
The area is well served by the SkyTrain's Expo Line and Canada Line. The Expo Line travels to Vancouver's downtown, Gastown-Chinatown and East Van, and beyond Vancouver to Burnaby, New Westminster, and Surrey. The Canada Line travels to Vancouver's downtown, Mount Pleasant and South Vancouver, and beyond Vancouver to Vancouver International Airport and Richmond.
Four stations within this neighbourhood provide easy access to the sights and restaurants.
- 🌍 Stadium-Chinatown station (Expo Line) is across the street from Rogers Arena and a couple of blocks from BC Place.
- 🌍 Main Street-Science World (Expo Line) is a couple minutes walk from Science World and the Athlete's Village from the Olympics. It is located a block southwest of 🌍 Pacific Central Station, where many intercity trains and buses stop (see Vancouver).
- 🌍 Yaletown-Roundhouse station (Canada Line) is in the heart of Yaletown.
- 🌍 Olympic Village station (Canada Line) provides access to the Seawall and is about a 5-10 minute walk from the Olympic Village.
By boat
Two ferry operators provide similar service to Yaletown, Science World and the Olympic Village, with connections to Granville Island and Kitsilano (serviced only by False Creek Ferries). East of Granville Island, the two operators use the same docks, but on Granville Island and at docks west of Granville Island, they use different docks. Fares range between $2.50 and $11.00 for a one way trip, depending on the distance traveled. Trips by both ferry operators generally depart on a schedule of every 15 minutes from roughly 7:30 am to 8:00 pm Ferry operators:
See
- 🌍 BC Place, 777 Pacific Blvd (off the Georgia St Viaduct at Pacific Blvd near the shore of False Creek), ☏ +1 604-669-2300. The home of the BC Lions CFL football team and Vancouver Whitecaps FC in Major League Soccer. It also hosts the Canada Sevens, a major international event in the sevens variant of men's rugby union. The building is also home to many conventions, tradeshows and concerts. It has had two roofs in its history, both claimed as the largest of their types in the world. The original roof was air-supported, but it has since been replaced by a cable-supported retractable roof. The BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is located within BC Place. The museum includes permanent galleries devoted to Terry Fox and Rick Hansen as well as displays of BC sports history from the early 1800s to present.
- BC Lions, ☏ +1 604-589-7627. The local Canadian Football League (CFL) team. The regular season is June to October. Playoff are in November.
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC, ☏ +1 604-669-9283. The local Major League Soccer (MLS) team. The regular season is from February to October. Playoff are from October to December.
- 🌍 Rogers Arena (formerly GM Place), 800 Griffiths Way (across the street from the Stadium Skytrain station), ☏ +1 604-899-7400. The building also hosts many of the big name concerts that come to Vancouver.
- Vancouver Canucks, ☏ +1 604-899-4625. The local National Hockey League (NHL) team. The regular season runs from October until early April. Playoffs last until June. Games are usually good entertainment. However, tickets and food/drink are expensive, and tickets can be hard to get if the team is having an average or better season.
- 🌍 Olympic Village (The Village on False Creek), Manitoba St & Athletes Way (five minute walk west of Science World along the Seawall). The site of the Vancouver Athletes Village during the 2010 Winter Olympic Games. It's slowly being sold off as condos and becoming a community within Vancouver. The central plaza is distinctive with the deep red of the Salt Building and the giant sparrow statues. There is also a terraced slope leading down to False Creek that is lovely for sitting in the sun. Free.
- 🌍 Roundhouse Community Center, 181 Roundhouse Mews (corner of Pacific Blvd and Davie St), ☏ +1 604-713-1800. M-F 9AM-10PM, Sa-Su 9AM-5PM. The restored roundhouse that used to work the railyard before the condos were built. Engine 374, which hauled the first passengers into Vancouver, is on display with some historical information. There is also a gym that can be used on a drop-in basis (for a small fee) and a small performing arts centre.
- 🌍 Science World, 1455 Quebec St, ☏ +1 604-443-7443. This science centre is located in the distinctive building from Expo 86 at the end of False Creek. Has a wide range of participatory exhibits. Get off the Skytrain at the Main St/Science World station. The building is a unique shaped building that was constructed for Expo 86. Popular with the young and with those who like science. An Omnimax theatre is in this building as well. $30.40 per adult, $24.30 for 13-18 years old and 65+, $20.30 for 3-12 years old, free for 2 years old and younger.
Do
- A section of the Seawall passes through Yaletown and around the eastern end of False Creek, including Creekside Park, Science World and the Olympic Village. 🌍 Habitat Island is just off the path near Olympic Village and was built to restore some of the natural habitat for native birds. It's a nice place to stop and relax or take in the view (particularly in spring when the blossoms are out).
- 🌍 JV Bike, 955 Expo Blvd, ☏ +1 604-694-2453 (service and rentals). M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su and holidays 11AM-5PM. Bicycle shop that also rents bikes, including tandem bikes and electric assist bikes to make the hills a little easier. Options to rent hourly, or daily up to a week. $10-16 for first hour (depends on the type of bike) and $5-8 for each additional hour. $40-60 for 24 hours. Additional charge for trailers.
- Aquabus False Creek "Mini-cruise" for $8/adult, $4/child or senior, leaving every 15 minutes from any Aquabus station. A 25-minute tour.
Buy
Yaletown
Yaletown, being rather yuppie, has many upscale and mid-range stores, including plenty of beauty shops and self-improvement facilities (such as cosmetic dentistry and plastic surgery). As an illustration of the neighbourhood's character, one cosmetic surgery office has valet parking in front. Start your tour at Yaletown-Roundhouse station located at David St and Mainland St (see marker in "By SkyTrain" above) and visit:
- The immediate area of the station, an area bounded by Homer St to the west, Nelson St to the north, Mainland St to the east, and Drake St to south)
- 🌍 Marinaside Crescent (Marinaside Crescent east of David Street). Located about south 300 m south of the station.
False Creek
- 🌍 Mountain Equipment Company (MEC), 111 2nd Ave E, ☏ +1 604-872-7858. M-F 10AM-9PM, Sa 9AM-6PM and Su 11AM-5PM. A popular store for outdoors supplies.
Eat
- 🌍 Fuse Pan-Asian Express (合), 1078 Mainland St (entrance off Helmecken St parking lot of Yaletown Galleria), ☏ +1 604 687-3873, info@FuseExpress.com. Coffee & self-serve 9AM onward daily; Full menu M-F 11AM-8PM; Sa Su Hols noon-6PM. A fusion of several Asian cuisines, and a fusion of the virtues of prompt service and good food. Except for the grab-and-go items, everything is made to order with house-made sauces. There is a respectable vegetarian selection. Free parking, and an easy walk from Yaletown offices or the Roundhouse. Phone in advanced orders. Tapas, salads $3-7, stir-fried to order $8, Grilled items $6-12.
- 🌍 Glowbal grill & satay bar, 1079 Mainland St, ☏ +1 604 602-0835. afternoon menu 3PM-5PM daily, dinner 5PM-Midnight daily; M-F lunch 11:30AM-3PM; Sa Su brunch 10:30AM-3PM. Glowbal is a trendy hit in the heart of the Yaletown restaurant row. Brunches are famous, but dinners are also outstanding. Don't be surprised if the chef stops by to offer some custom-made treat if the menu doesn't suffice, and expect the flavours to be marvellous. Attentive, friendly, and uniformly black-clad service. A top-notch operation in every way. Valet parking Thursday-Saturday nights. Brunch $10-16, Dinner $18-35.
- 🌍 Terra Breads Cafe, 1605 Manitoba St (corner of Manitoba & Athletes Way), ☏ +1 604 877-1183. M-F 7AM-7PM, Sa-Su 8AM-7PM. Bakery and cafe known for its artisan breads baked in a stone hearth oven. Serves a selection of salads, sandwiches and hot plates for lunch, plus a small breakfast menu. Sandwiches/paninis are made with their own bread, and include tasty options like roast lamb on fig and anise bread and roast turkey on cranberry pistachio bread. $6-10.
- 🌍 Yaletown Brewing Company, 1111 Mainland St (Mainland & Helmecken), ☏ +1 604 681-2739. Su-W 11:30AM-Midnight, Th 11:30AM-1AM, F Sa 11:30AM-3AM. Popular brewpub in the heart of Yaletown. Starters $6-16, Mains $12-23.
- 🌍 Blue Water Cafe, 1095 Hamilton St, ☏ +1 604 688-8078, info@bluewatercafe.net. 5PM-11PM (dinner); 4:30PM-1AM (bar). Arguably Vancouver's premier upscale destination for seafood, Blue Water offers fine dining, drinking, and a raw bar. The seafood preparations are direct, emphasizing fresh, flavorful ingredients over showy virtuoso techniques, and many are Japanese-influenced. The wine and cocktail lists are also exceptional. A few non-seafood items (including a couple of vegetarian friendly options) make it possible to bring a group that includes some who may not love what the ocean has to offer.
Drink
- 🌍 The London Public House, 700 Main St (SE corner of Main & Georgia, 2 min walk north of Main St Skytrain station), ☏ +1 604-563-5053. Su-Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-2AM. Imported & craft beers, pub food, but it's not a great place to walk at night, as that section is not far removed from the worst areas of the Eastside.
- 🌍 Capo and the Spritz, 350 Davie St, ☏ +1 604-642-0557. Bar/lounge inside the much-hyped Opus Hotel in Yaletown.
Sleep
There is a small but diverse range of accommodation in Yaletown and nearby areas. Midrange and high-end hotels can be found in Yaletown, while there a couple of hostels on the other side of False Creek near the train/bus station.
- 🌍 C&N Backpackers Hostel, 927 Main St (two blocks north of Scienceworld/Main Street SkyTrain station), ☏ +1 604 682-2441, toll-free: +1 888-434-6060. Hostel with dorm rooms (3 or 4 beds) and double rooms. Also offers bike rentals, free Wifi and will arrange pub crawls. $25 for a dorm room, $55 for a double room.
- 🌍 C&N Central Station Hostel, 1038 Main St (one block north of the train/bus station at National Ave), ☏ +1 604 681-9118, toll-free: +1 888-434-6060. Second location for C&N. $25 for a dorm room, $55 for a private room.
- 🌍 Hampton Inn & Suites, 111 Robson St, ☏ +1 604 602-1008, fax: +1 604 602-1008. Rooms come with two queen beds or a king bed. Suite options are also available. Amenities include free hot breakfast, free Wifi, free bike rentals, a free shuttle service to downtown (operates between 7AM and 8PM) and gym/fitness center with sauna and whirlpool. From $249 (parking is an extra $19 + tax per night).
- 🌍 Opus Hotel, 322 Davie St, ☏ +1 604 642-6787. Stylish hotel in Yaletown that has made it to Conde Nast's gold list four years running. Reviewers like the modern decor and friendly staff but don't recommend it for families. Perks include free bike rentals, free in-room iPad and free Wifi. From $300 in summer, from $200 other times.
- 🌍 YWCA Hotel, 733 Beatty St, ☏ +1 604 895-5830, toll-free: +1 800-663-1424. A modern hotel with a range of room sizes and prices. Close walk to most attractions and near BC Place Stadium. All rooms are private but some have shared bathrooms. Summer rates range from $73-90 (single room) and $90-133 (double room).
- 🌍 JW Marriott Parq Vancouver, 39 Smithe St, ☏ +1 604 566-8808. A four star hotel opened in September 2017, right next to BC Place.
Go next
| Routes through Yaletown-False Creek |
| City Centre ← Gastown-Chinatown ← | W E | → Commercial Dr-Hastings Park → Surrey |
| END ← City Centre ← | N S | → Mount Pleasant → Richmond |