"Robert M. Gary" wrote in message
om...
1) where the best places to land (near Vancouver)

For GA, Boundary Bay airport is probably your best bet.

2) What types of activities can you do near there?

Vancouver is a real city. You can do pretty much whatever you'd do in any
other major city. I prefer the outdoor activities, and for in-town outdoor
stuff, Stanley Park is a really nice place to go.
http://www.seestanleypark.com/

There are lots of great restaurants, a nice science center/museum, and
shows.

If you're into Asian food, especially Chinese or Taiwanese, Vancouver has a
great Chinatown, and for the more modern stuff, Richmond just south of
Vancouver is a great place to go too.

3) Can I rent a car with a California DL?

I can't imagine that you wouldn't be able to, but I've never tried, so I
don't know for sure.

4) Where is the best place to get airport information (AOPA web
sight?)

Get the Canadian Aerodrome supplement. It's their equivalent of our A/FD,
and is chock-full of great information.

5) Should I get approach plates, do you get much IMC this time of
year?

You can never rule out instrument flying, but generally speaking we're
getting into our good weather season. It will be much more reliable in
August and September, but even in June and July there are numerous
good-weather flying days (not just basic VFR).

Since you're doing the tour, you might also consider checking out Victoria,
over on Vancouver Island. The airport is pretty far from the city, but it's
easy to get a taxiride in, and taxi drivers are great resources for local
info. A very popular tourism site in Victoria is the Butchart Gardens
(imagine a couple dozen different styles of gardens, all at the same
location, spread over a large area), but of course the Victoria downtown
itself is a great attraction. Get a tour of the Parliament, go have high
tea at the Empress Hotel, have a spectacular Sunday brunch at the Laurel
Point Inn, see the Crystal Gardens Conservatory, or just wander around
downtown.

Pete