Real Travels: Krystal Bick’s Guide to Vancouver
We’ve teamed up with Krystal Bick of This Time Tomorrow to bring you a destination and style-hopping series: Real Travels. Follow along as she takes off on adventures far, wide and sartorial.
There’s nothing I love more about summer than making up excuses to pack up my bags and catch a flight somewhere. The more packed I can make my weekends, either with day-trips out to Napa or dusting off the passport to head out of the country, the more balanced I feel when I finally do touch back down in SF. Summer break forever, right?
Just the other week, I had the chance to visit Vancouver and explore up north a bit for a new cashmere line launch Kit & Ace (which I highly recommend you check out!). While I’ve been to Canada a handful of times (random fact: I’m a half Canuck), I’ve never had a chance to really roam around and experience some of the local flair. What makes traveling so special to me is pushing myself to really picture my life there. What stores would I haunt with my friends? Where would we go on weekends? What coffee shop would I work from on Saturday mornings? And really, what would I wear on, let’s say, a date night out?
Luckily, packing was pretty easy this time around — Vancouver could practically be San Francisco’s sister city (same downtown vibe, same art/culture scene, same outdoorsy affinity) so packing was a breeze, especially when I had The RealReal warehouse as my extended closet (hello, floral Givenchy skirt that twirls for days!). Here’s a rundown of what I did, saw, ate, shopped and more importantly, wore. Enjoy!
STAY
Loden Hotel: A modern, chic hotel located just a stone’s throw from the ocean front and a short walk to Gastown — brimming with cute boutiques and coffee shops. I loved the Loden for a number of reasons, mainly including the beyond adorable restaurant downstairs, Tableau, and their enormous bath tubs.
PLAY
Granville Island: Super bustling farmer’s market island just under the Granville Bridge (about a 15 minute water taxi ride from downtown). We stopped for brunch along the water and then browsed around from vendor to vendor. 
Stanley Park: Think Central Park, but bigger and wrapping along the coast. Best way to explore it? Bike it and head over to the Lions Gate Bridge (Golden Gate’s sister bridge).
Celebration of Light: Over the summer, Vancouver hosts an international fireworks competition at English Bay. Get there early! Nearly 400,000 spectators come out to enjoy the show.
Seaplane Tour: Hands down, one of the most breathtaking ways to take in all the views of the city and surrounding mountain + waterscapes. I really wanted to head up to Whistler and Victoria but didn’t have enough time. Next visit!
SHOP
Kit & Ace: From a few of the same folks who brought you Lululemon — seriously luxe, but wearable and cashable cashmere blend basics. More on them to come, but be sure to stop by their new store location on Water Street.
Secret Location: Not quite so secret as the name would imply but I did leave wishing there were more stores like this! Vika Gazinskaya, Ostwald Helgason, Rochas. Olympia Le-Tan. So good.
Holt Renfrew: While this is a department store, their sale discounts were too good. These Saint Laurents joined me on my return flight home.
Roden Gray: This is actually a menswear shop but they had me hooked with their Givenchy printed sweaters in the window.
EAT/DRINK
The Flying Pig: Elevated comfort food. We had their lobster and prawn risotto, crispy Brussels sprouts and cheesy bread. I highly recommend you sit outside and take in some of the people watching on the patio.
Smart Mouth Coffee: This was my home base for a few afternoons when I had to get work done. I love coffee shops that just feel like someone’s living room and this place fits the bill.
Revolver Coffee: Serious coffee, serious coffee drinks. I had their iced coffee brew on a particularly hot day and it hit the spot.
Medina Cafe: Waffles + lavender chocolate + maple syrup. I’m going to let that marinate a bit.
3 Acres: Apparently, I was on a risotto kick this trip because I had the truffle risotto here plus a French 75. But my favorite would have to be the gorgonzola hot pot. Pretty much ate the whole plate myself.
