VANCOUVER - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 55

At the opposite end of the island is the Emily Carr University of Art + Design
(1399 Johnston St., 604/844-3800, Mon.-Thurs. 7:30am-11pm, Fri. 7:30am-6pm, Sat.-Sun.
8:30am-5pm, free), with two public galleries in the North Building. Named for one of
Canada's best-known artists, the facility attracts students from across the country to study
fine arts, applied arts, and media arts. Three galleries are open to the public.
To get to the island by boat, jump aboard one of the small False Creek Ferries. The
boats run regularly between the island, Vancouver Aquatic Centre at Sunset Beach ($3.25),
and Vanier Park ($5.50). To get to the island by land, take a number 50 (False Creek) bus
from Howe Street to the stop under Granville Street Bridge at the entrance to the island,
or take a Granville Island bus from downtown. Parking on the island is almost impossible,
especially on weekends when locals do their fresh-produce shopping. If you do find a spot,
it'll have a three-hour maximum time limit.
WEST END
The West End (not to be confused with the West Side, south of downtown, or West Van-
couver, on the north side of the harbor) lies west of the Central Business District, between
Burrard Street and English Bay Beach, the gateway to Stanley Park. Wander down Robson
or Denman Street and you'll soon see the appeal of the urban lifestyle afforded by life in the
West End—the endless outdoor cafés, wide range of dining choices, fashionable boutiques,
the sandy beaches of English Bay, and, of course, the proximity of Stanley Park.
Robson Street
What began as an enclave of European businesses has transformed itself into one of Van-
couver's most fashionable shopping and dining precincts. If you like to shop in designer
boutiques, sample European delicacies, and sip lattes at sidewalk cafés, then this is the place
to do it. The main concentration of shops is the few blocks northwest from Burrard Street.
If anywhere in the city could be called “coffee row,” then this would be it. From the inter-
section with Jervis Street, Robson Street begins its gradual descent to the West End. Rob-
son Public Market (1610 Robson St.) occupies an atrium-topped building filled with meat,
seafood, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, nuts, flowers, craft vendors, fresh juice and
salad bars, and an international food fair.