Location

Burnaby, BC Located on the southwest coast of Canada just north of the United States border, Burnaby is an integral part of the Greater Vancouver region. With a population of approximately 195,000, Burnaby has evolved from a predominantly suburban, bedroom community to an urban centre in its own right serving as a regional focus for a variety of business, recreation and education activities.

Occupying 98.60 square kilometers (38.07 square miles) on the Burrard Peninsula between Vancouver to the west and New Westminster and Coquitlam to the east, Burnaby's elevation ranges from sea level to a maximum of 1,200 feet atop Burnaby Mountain. Overall, the physical landscape of the city is one of hills, ridges, valleys and alluvial plain. Many natural features including two large freshwater lakes, naturally forested mountain parkland, an ocean beach, a multitude of neighbourhood parks and open space, many with fish bearing rivers and streams provide an exceptional physical environment.

With its strong, vertical presence on Greater Vancouver's skyline, Burnaby's Metrotown has established itself as one of the region's most developed and fastest growing town centres. Served by the region's first SkyTrain line in the mid-1980s and anchored by BC's largest shopping and entertainment complex, Metrotown continues to attract new residents, visitors, and employers alike.

Metrotown provides quick and convenient access Downtown Vancouver by SkyTrain, bike, automobile, or bus. The connections to New Westminster, Surrey and other surrounding municipalities are also easy.

This diverse and exciting regional town centre encompasses a complete range of shopping, accommodation and recreation facilities. Within Metrotown you can enjoy Central Park, with its nature trails, picnic and golf facilities and professional sports at Swangard Stadium. You can also experience the largest shopping and entertainment complex in the province, the beautiful Burnaby Library and Civic Square and the Bonsor Recreation Complex. All of this is within walking distance from one another and is readily accessible from Vancouver, New Westminster and Surrey via SkyTrain.

Visit City of Burnaby -a must for those traveling to Burnaby. Or contact here to help plan your visit. Here are more links to help you become acquainted with Burnaby:

Climate

Vancouver is surrounded by water on three sides and overlooked by the Coast Range - mountains that rise abruptly to more than 1,500 m. Its climate is one of the mildest in Canada. Temperatures average 3°C in January and 18°C in July. Vancouver's average annual precipitation is 1,219 mm. Most rainfall occurs in winter.

Getting into and out of Burnaby

By Air: If you're arriving by air, you'll most likely be flying into Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Located just 25 minutes from downtown, YVR is consistently rated one of the best airports in North America. There are more than a dozen international flights in and out of YVR every day, with 22 bound for the United States. When traveling to Canada PLEASE BRING A PASSPORT. Visitors from the USA do not require a passport, but should bring a birth certificate or naturalization certificate and photo identification such as a current, valid driver's license. There are many ways to get to Burnaby from Vancouver International Airport: Limousine Service (on demand), Taxi Service, Public Transit, and Car Rentals. Here is a map of the Vancouver region.

By Train: Sightseeing at its finest. From the comfort of the observation lounge or dining car, relax and watch the beauty of BC.

Pacific Central Station is the terminus for transcontinental passenger rail and bus service, located at Main and Terminal Streets in downtown Vancouver.

VIA Rail has transcontinental services from Toronto via Jasper arriving at Vancouver's Pacific Central Station three times a week. Contact your travel agent for reservations or call 1.800.561.8630.

Rocky Mountaineer Tours provides two-four day train trips through the stunning Rocky Mountains between BC and Alberta.

Amtrak Cascades (1.800.872.7245) offers one round-trip per day between Seattle and Vancouver that depart Vancouver each evening.

By Bus: Take the scenic route. Relax. Leave the driving to someone else.

Greyhound Lines serves Vancouver from numerous cities in the United States and Canada. In Canada call 604. 482.8747 or 1.800.661.8747; in the United States, call 1.800.231.2222

By Car:

Highway 1, the Trans-Canada Highway, accesses Vancouver from points east. If planning a driving tour, allow 12 hours from Calgary and five days from Montreal. Vancouver is only three hours north of Seattle. Take the Interstate 5, which becomes Highway 99 at the United States-Canada border. For directions by road, please visit MapQuest.ca and search on Vancouver, BC. Look for the "Driving Directions" icon at the top of the site for help.

Communications

There are three telephone area codes for the province of British Columbia. Dialing in BC required 10-digit phone numbers, so ensure you include the correct area code in front of the local number you are dialing. 604, 778, 250

Daily newspapers include the Vancouver Sun and the Vancouver Courier

Handy Telephone Numbers

• Vancouver Tourist Info Centre: 604.683.2000
• Emergency: 911
• TransLink Information (public transit): 604.953.3333
• BC Ferries (Calling from Vancouver): 250.386.3431
• BC Rail: 604.984.5246
• Weather Report: 604.664.9010
• Road Reports: 1.900.451.4997
• Ski Information: 604.299.9000 ext. 3070
• Canada Customs: 604.666.0545
• Fish & Wildlife: 604.582.5200
• Ocean & Fisheries: 604.666.3545
• Super, Natural British Columbia Information and Reservations: 1.800.HELLO.BC (1.800.435.5622) in North America or 250.387.1642 from overseas

Drinking and Smoking:

The legal drinking age in British Columbia is 19. Liquor is sold and served in licensed establishments until 2 am. Please don't drink and drive. The by-laws prohibit smoking in indoor places and enclosed workplaces. The by-laws do not apply to highways but do apply to public transportation vehicles and taxicabs on the highway.