VANCOUVER - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 72

house that guides shipping into narrow Burrard Inlet. Views from the lighthouse grounds
are spectacular, extending west over the Strait of Georgia and east to Stanley Park and the
Vancouver skyline.
Horseshoe Bay
The pretty little residential area of Horseshoe Bay offers plenty to see and do while you
wait for the Vancouver Island or Sunshine Coast ferry. If you and your trusty vehicle are
catching one of the ferries, buy your ticket at the car booth, move your automobile into the
lineup, and then explore the town. Several restaurants, a bakery, a supermarket, a pub, and
a couple of good delis cater to the hungry and thirsty. A stroll along the beautiful waterfront
marina is a good way to cool your heels and dawdle away some waiting time.
Bowen Island
From Vancouver, this is the most accessible of hundreds of islands dotting the Strait of
Georgia. The island is only a 20-minute ferry trip from Horseshoe Bay, but it seems
a world away from the city. The ferry (250/386-3431, hourly 6am-9:45pm daily, adult
$10.45, child $5:30, vehicle $30.40) docks at the island's main settlement, aptly named
Snug Cove, where you'll find all the services of a small town. There's good swimming
at Mannion Bay, near Snug Cove, and Bowen Island Sea Kayaking rents kayaks (604/
947-9266, three hours, $45 s, $65 d) and offers twice-daily tours (three hours, $65 per per-
son). Island information is available in the chamber of commerce office (432 Cardena Rd.,
604/947-9024, www.bowenchamber.com , 10am-3pm daily in summer).
TOURS
If you don't have a lot of time to explore Vancouver on your own, or just want an intro-
duction to the city, consider taking one of the many tours available. They'll maximize your
time and get you to the highlights with minimum stress.
Vancouver Trolley Company
From the main pickup point, a trolley-shaped booth at the top end of Gastown, the Van-
couver Trolley Company (157 Water St., 604/801-5515 or 888/451-5581,
www.vancouvertrolly.com ) operates an old-fashioned trolley through the streets of down-
town Vancouver. The two-hour City Attractions Tour stops at over 20 tourist attractions,
from Stanley Park in the north to Science World in the south. Trolleys run 9am-4pm daily
in summer, coming by each stop every half hour. A day pass for adults is $42, seniors $38,
children $22. Reservations aren't necessary.