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Afternoon Tea for Mother’s Day

May 9th, 2012

Photo: Afternoon tea at Tracycakes Bakery Cafe. Source: Tracycakes via Facebook.

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13, 2012 which is really just a few days away. If you’re anything like me, you might be wondering what you’re going to do to celebrate (without copying whatever it was you did last year). So why not take your Mom out for an afternoon tea? Whether you do it on Mother’s Day or get her a gift certificate to do it at a later date, you’ve got more than a few places to choose from in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. Here’s just a sampling!

Tracycakes Bakery Cafe – White Rock

Here’s an idea for Mother’s Day. Surprise mom with a drive out to the seaside community of White Rock for the afternoon. Meander along the pier and stroll up and down Marine Drive, and then pop into Tracycakes Bakery Cafe for some High Tea. Their High Tea includes specialty loose leaf teas, finger sandwiches, Devonshire cream, jam, baby cake cupcakes and “dainty rounds” (which is, well, I’m not entirely sure, but I’m sure that it must be delicious!). They also have locations in Abbotsford and Fort Langley. Visit their website for more info.

Adorabelle Tea Room – Steveston

In a similar fashion, you could take mom out to Steveston for the afternoon, browsing through the boutiques and admiring the fishing boats. If you haven’t visited Steveston in a few years, it’s actually changed quite a bit. The Adorabelle Tea Room is one of those changes, being the new kid on the block in this historic fishing village. Adorabelle Tea Room offers a one-hour tea service four times a day with menus tailored to both adults ($23) and children ($16). Afternoon tea includes sandwiches, fresh baked scones with sweetened cream and strawberry preserves, house-made petite sweets plus an individual pot of tea per person. Visit their website for more info.

Rowena’s Inn on the River – Harrison Mills

If mom ever wanted to see Harrison Hot Springs, take her for a scenic drive along Hwy 7, stopping off in the community of Harrison Mills. It’s here where you can treat mom to an Afternoon Tea at Rowena’s Inn on the River, a short distance from Harrison Hot Springs. This daily tea service is $19.95 per person and it’s served in the Drawing Room of a beautiful English-style manor on their secluded 160-acre waterfront estate. This daily tea service includes scones with Devonshire cream and strawberry preserve, a variety of tea sandwiches (curry chicken, cucumber and butter, smoked salmon and cream cheese) as well as a sampling of cakes and pastries. Visit their website for more info.

Little White House & Co. – Fort Langley

Maybe your mom has a thing for French style? If so, delight her with a visit to The Little White House & Co. This is a charmingly sophisticated Parisien-inspired boutique located in a beautiful heritage house at the heart of Fort Langley. Not only do they have beautiful merchandise for sale, they’re also hosting a Mother’s Day High Tea for $18 per person in their Salon Café. This special Mother’s Day Tea includes pink champagne punch and pink sweet petits. Visit their website for more info.

Truffles Café - Gibsons

Surprisingly, many people who live in the Lower Mainland have never been to the Sunshine Coast, despite it being only a 40 minute ferry ride away from Horseshoe Bay (and a spectacular one at that!). If you or your mom have never ventured to the other side of Howe Sound, use Afternoon Tea at Truffles Café in Gibsons as your excuse. Vancouver-based blog Wise Monkeys wrote a review about their experience having afternoon tea there last year where they dined on smoked turkey, roast beef and onion, and sandwiches cucumber; cheese and crackers, rugelach, scones, lemon-poppyseed tea bread, blueberry tarts, merengues and a selection of teas served up in an old English “Betty” teapot. They say it’s a steal of a deal, but reservations are recommended. Read their story and check out their photos here. And seriously consider making this a Mother’s Day outing to remember.

The Shangri-La Hotel – Vancouver

Maybe your mom likes to live it up a little, and really, who doesn’t? If your mom enjoys the hustle and bustle of a city centre, take her shopping (perhaps along Alberni, Robson & Burrard?) and then take her out for an Afternoon Tea at the Xi Shi Lounge at the Shangri-La Hotel. Their afternoon tea is served daily (until June 30, 2012) and includes a variety of savoury snacks, sweet treats, and exotic loose leaf teas. Visit their website for full details.

Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont

The Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria may be the most famous place in BC (if not all of Canada) for a traditional afternoon tea, but did you know that the other Fairmont hotels in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region host traditional afternoon teas as well? All feature signature Fairmont teas, a variety of sandwiches, pastries, and scones, and are without a doubt elegant experiences unique to their properties. There’s the Fairmont Vancouver Airport which does an Afternoon Tea as you watch the planes take off. If you’re doing a trip to Whistler, why not go for at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler? And in downtown Vancouver, the Fairmont Pacific Rim does a unique take on afternoon tea in their Lobby Lounge by serving both classic and sushi-style sandwiches. Of course, there’s also the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver for an “Afternoon Tea at the Castle” – a nod to their castle-like architecture; the perfect place to dote on mom.

Tags: Abbotsford, afternoon tea, cafes, culinary, Fort Langley, Gibsons, Harrison Mills, Langley, Mother's Day, restaurants, Richmond, Steveston, tea, Vancouver, Whistler, White Rock
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Best Places for BBQ in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

March 21st, 2012

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Photo: BBQ’ing it up at the Hog Shack Cook House. Photo by Rick Chung for RickChung.com

Let’s face it, Vancouver doesn’t really have a southern-style BBQ culture. As the Globe and Mail‘s Alexandra Gill states, “In Canada, we often confuse barbecue with backyard grilling”. By comparison, southern BBQ is all about slow cooking the meat with smoke at low temperatures for long periods of time.

Our fascination with smoky carnivorous delight is on the rise, however, and I’m not talking char siu or Montreal-style rotisserie chicken either, but good ol’ fashioned BBQ ribs, brisket, sausage, and pulled pork. Inspired by the 1st Annual Big Red Barn Burner BBQ Competition in Chilliwack this weekend (March 23-25), we thought we’d list five of the best places for southern-style BBQ in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains.

1. The Campfire Grill – Squamish

Start off your trip to Whistler with a pit stop at The Campfire Grill, or simply make this Squamish BBQ joint a worthy destination in its own right. Serving up BBQ sandwiches, BBQ grub plates, campfire feasts, and BBQ street tacos, The Campire Grill prides itself on smoking their ribs, chicken, pulled pork and beef low and slow on their outdoor wood pellet BBQ. A popular place for take-out, it’s even better if you stay to eat in their alfresco environment. They have a covered seating area and an open fire to enjoy. You can even roast marshmallows for dessert! It’s only fitting that they’re located within an RV park.

2. Lucky’s Smokehouse – Sechelt

If you’re seeking natural wood smoked BBQ on the Sunshine Coast, look no further than Sechelt’s Lucky’s Smokehouse. They serve up southern style BBQ from slow roast chicken to melt-in-your-mouth brisket, all made in-house on their wood smoker. Their sides are also made from scratch, from their pit-smoked beans to the slaw. But what’s particularly appealing to yours truly is their “Train Wreck” sandwich. It’s not every day that you get pulled pork, smoked sausage, brisket and slaw piled high between two pieces of bread!

3. Memphis Blues BBQ House

Memphis Blues BBQ House is definitely a pioneer of the Vancouver southern BBQ scene. It’s by far the most popular BBQ joint in the city and is often considered the litmus test for good BBQ in the region. Try their Elvis Platter if you want to sample every meat (ribs, rib ends, brisket, pulled pork, smoked sausage, catfish, chicken) and every fixing (corn bread, collard greens, slaw, potato salad, fries, BBQ pit beans) on the menu. Needless to say, it’s ludicrously huge. If you had to choose one item, their brisket is supposed to be phenomenal. Memphis Blues ain’t fancy, but BBQ isn’t supposed to be. Just flavourful, hearty, stick-to-your-ribs goodness, and you know that’s exactly what you’re going to get here.

4. Embers BBQ House – Mission

BBQ lovers in the Fraser Valley have a hidden gem in their back yard called Embers BBQ House. Not only do they make all their food fresh from scratch, they’re the only BBQ joint around to bake their own bread and wraps in-house in a stone oven! While BBQ ribs, brisket, and chicken are items on their menu, they also offer some creative wraps and sandwiches, like the Heidi Baked – a BBQ chicken sandwich with pickled asparagus, tarragon sauce and Swiss cheese, served on the very bread that Embers is so famous for.

5. Hog Shack – Richmond

If you love craft beer with your BBQ, the Hog Shack Cook House will satisfy your soul. It’s Steveston’s first (and only) BBQ restaurant, offering a nice contrast to the typical seafood offerings the place is famous for. Their beer list is one of the most impressive in all of Richmond, although those in the know come to Hog Shack for their coveted nuggets of BBQ gold: Burnt Ends. The only caveat is that burnt ends aren’t actually on the menu, so you’ll have to find out about them via word of mouth. (Hint: follow Hog Shack on Twitter @HogShackCa). And if you’re wondering what the heck burnt ends are, allow me to introduce you to local food blogger Ed Lau who explains on his blog Ed Eats why they’re considered the most desired food amongst BBQ enthusiasts.

Special Mention: Re-Up BBQ – Vancouver

A shout out to my favourite Vancouver food cart, Re-Up BBQ. They serve pulled pork sandwiches, beef brisket, and sweet tea. I can only vouch for their pulled pork sandwich, but it’s one killer pulled pork sandwich – tangy, melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Due to the nature of being a food cart, they can literally pick up and take off to whatever destination they desire. Fortunately they remain parked by the Vancouver Art Gallery on some Thursdays and Fridays (11am-3pm), but on Fridays and Saturday nights they’ll linger outside the Biltmore Cabaret feeding hipsters from 9pm-2:30am! Nevertheless, if you have a craving for pulled pork sandwiches (and who doesn’t?), you can’t go wrong with Re-Up BBQ.

Note: This is not a comprehensive list of every BBQ restaurant in the region, but merely a sampling of the better ones based on our research and your feedback. Did we miss your favourite BBQ joint? Leave a comment below and let us know!

5 Japanese Gardens in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains

March 20th, 2012

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Photo: Japanese plum blossoms growing in Steveston last spring. Photo by Robyn Hanson.

It’s the first day of spring!

Yeah, it’s hard to believe with the frigid temperatures, although there’s that fresh smell in the air of cherry blossoms waiting to bloom. You know it’s just going to be a matter of days before we start seeing pink everywhere. It’s seriously one of my favourite times of the year, so fleeting yet magical all the same.

Back when I was a student at UBC, I took an art history class about Japanese ukiyo-e painting, and one recurring subject in the artwork was “hanami” which is the Japanese custom of enjoying beautiful flowers… or more specifically, cherry blossoms at that precise moment when the petals begin to fall. My professor would tell us stories of modern day Japanese hanami or sakura parties in Toyko where people in the hundreds would flock to the cherry trees at the first site of fluttering petals, and would proceed to drink sake all day under the canopies of pink.

But that got me thinking… there’s a strong tie to the Japanese community here and while we don’t exactly have a hanami tradition, we do appreciate spring, cherry blossoms, and Japanese culture. We also have several Japanese gardens scattered around our beautiful Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region of BC.

To kick off spring, I thought I’d highlight five of such gardens:

1. Nitobe Memorial Garden – Vancouver

Photo: UBC’s Nitobe Memorial Garden in March, 2003. Photo by Robyn Hanson.

Located at UBC campus, Nitobe Memorial Garden is a traditional Japanese Tea and Stroll garden and according to their website, it’s considered to be one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America and among the top five Japanese gardens outside of Japan. Nitobe Garden also includes a rare authentic Tea Garden with a ceremonial Tea House. Traditional Japanese tea ceremonies are always a possibility when you visit.

Though tiny in size, Nitobe’s a must for anyone interested in traditional Japanese gardens. Each tree, stone and shrub has been deliberately placed and is carefully maintained to reflect an idealized conception and symbolic representation of nature. The garden honours Inazo Nitobe (1862-1933) whose goal was “to become a bridge across the Pacific”.

When you’re planning a visit, take note that the garden is only open on weekdays from 10am-2pm. Admission is by donation.

2. Kuno Garden – Richmond

Richmond has strong ties to Japan, and it’s not just because they’re sister cities with Wakayama. Japanese Canadians were Steveston pioneers, making up a significant chunk of the village’s population back in the infancy of the fishing industry. Just drop by the Steveston Museum for proof where you can glimpse at the old photo albums and you’ll see that Steveston was once home to Japanese schools, a Japanese hospital, and countless shops catering to the Japanese Canadian community. This was pre-WWII Steveston.

Steveston is a different place now, but legacies of its Japanese heritage live on in places such as Kuno Garden. Situated at the entrance of Garry Point Park, Kuno Garden was created to celebrate the centennial year of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant to Canada. It’s a tiny section of an otherwise expansive park, but the nearby grove of cherry trees makes it a particularly alluring place to visit in the springtime.

3. Chiba Garden – North Vancouver

Located along the 200 block of West Esplanade at Waterfront Park, North Vancouver’s Chiba Garden is a traditional Japanese garden tucked away behind cedar gates. Built in 1986, it commemorates the friendship between the City of North Vancouver and its sister city, Chiba. Although the North Shore News‘ Todd Major suggests that it’s “a little neglected”, he explains that “the garden’s design is comprised of two streams originating from one source, representing the friendship between these two cities”.

Local blog This Is the Way It Is & That’s Okay visited Chiba Garden in February 2012 where they relaxed and absorbed the scenery – the trees, the sea air, and the quiet. Check out their photos as it’ll no doubt inspire you to hop on the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay where Chiba Garden awaits less than a 10 minute stroll away.

4. Friendship Garden – Hope

Photo: Friendship Garden in May, 2008. Photo by Robyn Hanson.

Located in the heart of Hope is a beautiful Japanese garden simply known as Friendship Garden. I’m embarrassed to admit that I had only discovered this garden in May of 2008 despite a lifetime of visits to Hope. It’s only two short blocks east of Water Avenue (the main strip when you first enter the town) and any time I visit Hope now, I definitely make a point at stopping by. It’s a beautiful park to stretch your legs and breathe in the mountain air. Of course, the cherry blossoms make it particularly picturesque.

But there’s a deeper meaning to this park as explained by the plaque on the rock. It reads, “Built by the local Japanese Canadians commemorating the Japanese Canadians interned during World War II in Tashme Camp, 20 kilometers east of Hope on Hwy No. 3 and also to demonstrate Japanese culture to the general public. Presented to the Town of Hope on July 27, 1991. Project design and supervision provided by the Japanese Gardeners Cooperative of B.C.”

5. Friendship Garden – New Westminster

Yes, there are two Japanese Friendship Gardens in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains! Located adjacent to New Westminster’s Tipperary Park, Friendship Garden is a Japanese-inspired garden that was built in 1963 as a tribute to Moriguchi, Japan – New Westminster’s sister city. Unlike the more traditional Japanese gardens, this garden blends the aesthetics of a Japanese garden with the more informal garden style typical of the Canadian west coast.

Ironically, it’s situated right next to City Hall, but there’s no better place to escape the city. Relax on a bench to enjoy the beauty of the trees, flowers, and native plants, or go for a short stroll along the walking paths. The park also features a waterfall and pond as well as a totem pole. In any case, it’s the perfect hybrid of Japanese and west coast culture.

10 Great Spring Break Ideas – Part 1

March 9th, 2012

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It’s Spring Break and the kids are out of school! With so many fantastic family events and activities taking place throughout the month of March, we thought we’d highlight some great spring break ideas Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region for you and your family. This is part one of our two part blog post.

1. Britannia Mine Museum

From March 10-25, the Britannia Mine Museum will be offering fun activities led by their interpreters every day at 11am and 2pm. These family-friendly programs will be themed around Japanese culture to support their temporary exhibit, Stolen Lives: Remember the Japanese Canadian Internment.

One such activity is the Japanese Drumming Performance which takes place on Saturday, March 10. Sansho Taiko will be here from Vancouver for two special performances, 11am and 2pm. There will also be a chance to try drumming yourself.

2. Ice Skating

Let the kids go ice skating while you go shopping! West Vancouver’s Park Royal (March 9-18 from 12-6pm) and The Shops at Morgan’s Crossing in Surrey (March 22-25 from 10am-6pm) both have synthetic ice rinks set up and welcome everyone to come down for an open-air skate.

Photo: Whistler Olympic Plaza. Source: Mike Crane via Tourism Whistler.

Another idea is relive the 2010 Winter Olympics at the Whistler Olympic Plaza where there’s free outdoor ice skating daily from 11am-5pm and from 6pm-9pm.

3. Gulf of Georgia Cannery

Photo: Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. Source: Robyn Hanson.

Want to know what it was like to work in a Steveston cannery? Find out at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery on March 16 and 18 where you can join their costumed interpreter in their new “CAN you handle it?” tour and learn first-hand. Can’t make those dates? Starting March 10, the Gulf of Georgia Cannery will be hosting all kinds of fun March break activities like arts and crafts, map-making, cork boat-making, and more!

4. Sunshine Coast Winter Fest

The Sunshine Coast Winter Fest takes place on Saturday, March 10. Sponsored by Alpha Adventures, the festival takes place on Dakota Ridge where there will be product demos, snowshoe races, a kid’s ski race, a cross country ski mini-loppet (race) and more!

Photo: Snowshoeing on Dakota Ridge during Winter Fest 2011. Source: wotocho Flickr.

Can’t make it to Dakota Ridge in time? Not to worry! With a base of 200cm, the snow’s not going anywhere soon. Bring the whole family to Dakota Ridge any time this month to experience their fabulous cross country skiing and snowshoeing opportunities. Be sure to check out the Dakota Ridge Facebook Page for daily updates on snow and road conditions.

5. Burnaby Village Museum

Photo: The Coursel at the Burnaby Village Museum. Source: Bruce Irschick via Flickr.

From March 19-25 (12-4pm) the Burnaby Village Museum is hosting a Spring Break Scavenger Hunt with the theme being Puppets and Pageantry. They write, “Start the hunt! Marionette, paper bag, and shadow puppets of all sorts! Explore this unique form of theatre art with a scavenger hunt, crafts, and lively performances. Need to take a break – make a craft, enjoy a performance or take a whirl on the carousel. All are included with admission”.

Hidden Secrets: Last Minute Christmas Shopping – Richmond

December 19th, 2011

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Photo: A great place to buy loose leaf tea in Steveston. Source: Clayton Perry via Flickr.

In true spirit of our Hidden Secrets posts, we try to showcase the cool and quirky offerings in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region. For these last few days before Christmas, we thought we’d highlight several shopping destinations in the region for reasons you might not have previously considered.

Richmond

This Lulu Island city of 188,000 has always been a shopping hotspot. Whether it’s the mall scene along No. 3 Road, the big box bonanza along Bridgeport, or the quaint boutique-y Steveston, you know you’re going to find something in Richmond – it’s just a matter of where. And while Richmond may be famous for its Chinese culture, its Japanese offerings are also pretty fantastic.

Everyone loves The Daiso at Aberdeen Centre for its authentic if not overwhelming taste of Japanese retail. This bargain department store’s stock consists entirely of products made for the Japanese market, and they sell here for $2 an item (or unless otherwise specified). Christmas toys? Check. Cutesy Japanese stationery? Check. Kitchen utensils, non-perishable food, garden supplies, beauty products? It’s all here, including some rather baffling items. Amusing stocking stuffer fodder, nonetheless.

Just around the corner from Daiso is Utsuwa-No-Yakata. This is the largest Japanese tableware chain and one of my favourite shops in Aberdeen Centre because it’s so rare to find a diversity of affordable Japanese ceramics under one roof. Sushi plates, dish sets, teapots, sake carafes, Kyoto lacquerware – the products are simply beautiful. They’d make lovely gifts for the Martha Stewart in your life.

But maybe you’re shopping for a comic book nerd. If manga happens to be on your Christmas shopping list, just head south down No 3 Road a few blocks to Imperial Hobbies. Sure, you’ll find manga elsewhere, but Imperial Hobbies is considered one of the Lower Mainland’s premier hobby and gaming supply shops for over 20 years. Not only can you pick up your All Purpose Cultural Cat Girl Nuku Nuku, but if you’re seeking toys, games, miniatures, model kits or board games, this is your store.

Of course, there’s more to Richmond than No. 3 Road. In the southwest corner of the city is the historic fishing village of Steveston where chic boutiques have given the hood’s reputation for fish & chips a good run for their money. Shops such as Nikaido lead the way, specializing in stylish imports of Japanese and French descent. But it’s Nikaido’s selection of loose leaf tea and ceramics that truly make this Moncton Street gift shop special.

Finally, if you’re seeking insight into Steveston’s Japanese heritage, drop by the The Cannery Store at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site. This classy souvenir shop is a treasure trove of quality items, including cannery and maritime-themed merchandise. But what makes this gift shop truly stand apart from others is its impressive collection of books on Steveston – one of the best you’ll ever find. From photojournalism coffee table books to historical narratives on Steveston’s Japanese legacy, if you’re shopping for a history buff, this store will not disappoint.

Map of Richmond

Click on each red marker for address and directions to each store.

Tags: Christmas, shopping, Steveston
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Hidden Secrets for December 2-4

December 2nd, 2011

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Photo: Santa arrives in Steveston this Saturday afternoon. Source: Steveston Merchants Association.

Wine Country Christmas at Township 7 Winery – Langley

Kick off the holiday season at Langley’s Township 7 Winery this Sunday. They’ll have live Christmas music, new winter wine releases, and a fireside chat with the winemaker. There will also be seasonal craft making and gingerbread cookie decorating for the kids, hot mulled wine, and other campfire goodies will be available by donation to their charity partner, the Langley Christmas Bureau. Bring a new unwrapped toy for the Christmas Bureau – and will receive a complimentary wine tasting for two.

When: Sunday, December 4 from 12-4pm.
Website: www.township7.com

Gifted 2011 Artist’s Reception – Bowen Island

Looking for a unique Friday night activity? Spend the evening on Bowen Island for the artist’s reception of Gifted 2011: the Bowen Island Arts Council annual community art show and sale. Held at The Gallery at Artisan Square, this annual event features the artwork of local Bowen Island artists and will remain open to the public until December 24 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12 noon until 4pm.

When: Friday, December 2 from 7-9pm.
Website: www.biac.ca

Christmas in Steveston Village – Richmond

If you want to experience a truly authentic west coast fishing village Christmas tradition, head to the southwest corner of Richmond this Saturday for Christmas in Steveston Village. Santa will be arriving at 2pm by boat at Steveston’s Fisherman’s Wharf. He’ll then walk over to the Gulf of Georgia Cannery where kids can get their photo taken with him. Throughout the village the festive charm will continue with old-fashioned horse drawn carriage rides, Christmas carolers, and the lighting of the tree.

When: Saturday, December 3 from 2-6pm.
Website: www.exploresteveston.com

Carol Ships Parade of Lights – North Shore

The Carol Ships Parade of Lights is a distinctly Vancouver holiday tradition that kicks off this Friday evening on the Inner Harbour of Burrard Inlet. Come down to the North Shore waterfront on Saturday at 8:30pm for a viewing of these beautifully decorated boats, or West Vancouver’s Ambleside at 7:35pm and 8:30pm, Dundarave at 7:50pm and 8:15pm, Caulfield Cover at 8pm.

When: Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4
Website: www.carolships.org

West Coast Christmas Show & Marketplace – Abbotsford

The TRADEX in Abbotsford will be hosting the West Coast Christmas Show & Market Place this weekend. There will photos with Santa, live music, an onsite nursery, a gingerbread competition, a Festival of Trees, festive creation workshops, special presentations, an artisan market and more. And for the foodies thinking of attending, Chef Dale MacKay of ensemble Restaurant and winner of Top Chef Canada will be presenting on the Home for the Holidays Presentation Stage on Saturday at 12:30pm. He’ll be entertaining guests with his culinary skills, sharing tips for holiday cooking projects.

When: Friday, December 2 until Sunday, December 4.
Website: www.westcoastchristmasshow.com

Tags: Abbotsford, art, Bowen Island, Christmas, Langley, North Shore, North Vancouver, Richmond, Steveston, West Vancouver, wineries
Posted in Featured, Hidden Secrets | 1 Comment »

About 604 Pulse

Where should we go this weekend? This is a question we hear a lot, and it’s a question we often ask ourselves. So we had an idea: why not create a website where we explore all the things to see and do in the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region, and then share them with you. We’ll provide locals and visitors personal insight into the cool things you can see and do in the region. Each week we’ll give you new tips, highlight upcoming events, share our favourite blogs, and tell you about our travels.

Vancouver, Coast & Mountains is a non-profit society, which represents business and community tourism interests from throughout the region. VCM invites you to come and discover the four distinct destination areas that make up Vancouver, Coast & Mountains: Metro Vancouver, Mighty Fraser Country, Sea to Sky Country, and the Sunshine Coast.

Do you have a suggestion for a blog post?
E-mail us at info@604Pulse.com.

Blogger Bio

The voice behind 604 Pulse is that of Robyn Hanson. Born and raised in Vancouver, Robyn is a recognized expert on social media use for tourism operators. She has been an active participant and frequent contributor to online travel communities since 1998. With a keen interest in local history, geography, live music, and photography, Robyn has a passion for the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains tourism region that is evident in the enthusiasm in the posts. Robyn posts almost daily to 604 Pulse and authors all of the site content.

604Pulse: May Long Weekend Round-Up - activities to do this weekend in Vancouver, Coast & Mountains: http://t.co/zubNtmjz

604Pulse: Want to escape the city and go for a walk in the forest? Head to Lynn Canyon Park: http://t.co/MmpMSo3y

604Pulse: @SeanEckford Egmonsters? Love it!

604Pulse: Seeking adventure this weekend? We recommend river rafting in the Fraser Canyon: http://t.co/MmpMSo3y

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