Vancouver, BC

[eastbayguy]

Hi,

 

A friend is heading up to Vancouver, BC this weekend. Anyone care to suggest cool places to go, things to see and do there? This person is gay, so any tips on where the gay scene there is would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

--EBG

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

Wreck Beach (gay, nude, picturesque.... really) GasTown, China Town,... and to the north, Whistler resort area.

 

Some of the locals can embellish on these and add others, I'm sure.

 

Enjoy one of the most beautiful city settings anywhere.

[+ Axiom2001]

Of course, Stanley Park and the fabulous gay bars. I'd be somewhat reluctant to go to Chinatown since SARS has hit the Chinese community in Vancouver, too. I saw the news where some highranking official from Vancouver discussed this. (I'm not being paraoid--I'm merely being cautious in advising and doing an area in light of...)

 

Go to GayVancouver... and see if there is a site. I did this for Florence, Italy, and sure enough I got about five suggestions regarding gay venues...

 

If time permits-- go to Victoria via ferry.

[Guest fukamarine]

>Wreck Beach (gay, nude, picturesque.... really)

 

The above is true - but your friend should be prepared for a hell of a treck down from the road and back up again as it is a the bottom of a very steep embankment. After you get down to the beach from the main entrance - easy to spot - it has the most traffic - tell him to turn to his left. To the right is the straight area - yuk!

 

>GasTown,China Town,... and to the north, Whistler resort area.

 

Depends what one is looking for, Gas Town and China Town while interesting in a touristy way, have no "GAY" appeal what so ever. Ditto for Whistler which is one of the premier sky resorts in North America these days. But the village is very Alpine looking and the drive up the coast is breath taking! As it is getting close to summer, the ski season isn't exactly in high gear right now.

 

There are some very cruisy areas in Stanley Park - both day and night - around "second beach" & "Lee's Trail". (And quite safe too if one uses a bit of common sense) Hard to describe exactly where in the park they are (it's 1000 acres) but any local will give you directions.

 

Several bars in the area of Davie Street. Denman Street (lots of stores and restaurants) is almost 100% gay and Robson Street is a close second.

 

Be sure to tell him to check out the area known as Yale Town - very trendy - nice sidewalk cafes and good restaurants. Gay and gay friendly crown - it's located in an old warehouse area.

 

Another area worth a look is "Commercial Drive" very ethnic area, great bistros and lots of people watching.

 

There is also a great gay massage parlour called "Harbour Relaxation" that should not be missed. The management will tell you it is for massage only, but they have to say that to keep it legit. Once you have chosen the masseur of you choice and the door to the room is closed, it's up to you and the masseur what happens. Very clean and nicely decorated room. Ask for their VIP session - I think they charge $110 for 90 minutes + a tip for the "attendant" most of whom are very cute and you get to choose the one you want. Do a google search under their name to get to their website.

 

Hope this helps and that your friend has a great time.

 

fukamarine

[Guest Callipygean]

Axiom, just a word on your cautionary comments. While you are right to advise caution during this SARS outbreak, there are many myths and unwarranted fears spreading along with the disease. Some of these are, indeed, based on paranoia more than facts -- it is a scary thing and this is understandable. The suggestion, however, that the outbreak is localized to Vancouver's Chinatown is wholly unwarranted. SARS, like most forms of influenza, seems to have originated in Asia, this time especially concentrated in the Hong Kong area. Vancouver's cases, like those in Toronto, can be traced to people travelling to and from those areas where there is a high incidence of the virus. It has nothing to do with ethnicity -- indeed, I believe many of the current cases under quarantine are non-Chinese travellers or those who have been in contact with them (sadly, this includes many health care professionals). Vancouver is a main entry point for travellers from Asia, so it is not surprising that cases should crop up here. At this point, nevertheless, BC's health system has been more successful at containing the outbreak than has Ontario's. Precisely because people in Vancouver are so much more conscious of the disease, they are more likely to be taking the necessary precautions than elsewhere where the threat is less well perceived. Vancouver has the highest proportion of ethnic Chinese of any Canadian city. And the second largest Chinatown in North America outside of San Francisco's. Most of Vancouver's Chinese community are Canadian born for several generations, and do not live in any localized enclaves. They are an integral part of a general population that reflects a cosmopolitan blend in which Asian culture provides one of the strongest, most desirable contributions. You are at no greater risk from SARS in Vancouver's Chinatown than you would be in Stanley Park, or Gastown, or Yaletown, or downtown, or any other part of the city. Stay away altogether if you are really that fearful, but I'd suggest exercising common sense and enjoying all Vancouver has to offer. Do a google search on "SARS" and get the facts before letting fear dictate choices or prejudices.

[Luv2play]

I don't want to play into fears about SARS unnecessarily but I think caution is dictated when suggesting venues for vacationers and sight-seers. While it is true the Chinatowns in Vancouver or Toronto or Montreal don't present any greater risk to the casual visitor than any other parts of those cities, the fact remains that fears concern the fact that the populations in the Chinatowns are more closely linked to regions in the Far East where SARS is an epidemic. As a result, Chinatown business is down substantially and even the ethnic Chinese in these cities are avoiding their own restaurants and businesses. So would you feel comfortable going there on a vacation trip?

 

Our political leaders are saying yes. But then last week, the Ontario gpovernment ran a full page ad in newspapers saying SARS could not be spread by casual contact, only to discover this week that scientists now say the virus can live outside the human host for up to 24 hours. This means you can get it from touching a surface that has been contaminated quite some time ago.

 

This a a rapidly evolving situation that requires careful monitoring. 15 people have now died in Canada in the last several weeks. The disease is spreading and we MAY be in the early phases of what could become a pandemic. We just don't know yet. The US media is not seized of the situation the way the Canadian media is but then we are on the front lines while they are not. If it spreads more widely in the US, watch how their media responds.

[Luv2play]

Do people really go to Wreck Beach in April when its about 50 degrees and raining? In the nude yet?? OY vey!:+

[Guest VanBCGuy]

SARS, SHMARS, come and have a good time.

 

I think I would second fukamarine's comments. I don't care for Gastown as its too touristy. Certainly Stanley Park is not to be missed, and I really like the Granville Island Public Market. Also, if the weather is good, Lighthouse Park on the North Shore is great.

 

Yaletown is a great restaurant area, if you have a few $$$s try Circolo. Its spring and the cities parks are starting to look great. Its a good city to walk around. I like to walk down Robson to Denman, over to Davie street and walk up to Burrard. Lots to see!

 

If your friend needs more info, ask and I'll expound.