Our Vancouver residence is located at the north end of the University of British Columbia, close to beaches, public transportation and the Pacific Spirit Regional Park, with more than 50 km of hiking and cycling trails. All of the facilities and services of UBC are within easy walking distance.
Welcome to the Cheriton Residence
Located in UBC at Chancellor Place
Visitor Guide
TRANSPORTATION
The main UBC bus terminal is located about a three-minute walk from us. Buses run frequently to popular destinations throughout Vancouver and the lower mainland including Skytrain stations. Fares are paid by exact cash (starting at $2.85) or Compass Card only.
Click on the SkyTrain image to the right to access the Trip Planner to plan your travels. Use "UBC Exchange" as the destination closest to our home.
Don't be surprised to hear passengers on buses thank the driver as they get off the bus. It's a tradition here. "Thank you!"
Our residence is approximately 17 km north of Vancouver International Airport (YVR). The drive takes approximately 20-25 minutes at non-peak times along SW Marine Drive. Two hour parking is available in front of our building (pass required from us) and limited street parking. A public parking garage is located south of us with access from Student Union Boulevard or at the Chan Centre to the west.
Car sharing services, including ZipCar, Car2Go, Modo and Evo are all located within walking distance.
Vancouver is a cycling city with many bike routes and dedicated lanes. Bike rentals are found throughout the city and bike sharing services. UBC is an especially enjoyable place to cycle. Enjoy the quiet streets, pathways and trails. We have extra bikes and gear for visitors.
UBC and the surrounding areas lie at a higher altitude than the rest of Vancouver. Therefore it is downhill to the sights of the city but a vigorous uphill climb upon your return. Beware and/or ask us for alterative ideas such as taking a bike with you on the bus.
Please note that local laws require bicycle helmets for all riders.
Vancouver is a cycling city with many bike routes and dedicated lanes. Bike rentals are found throughout the city and bike sharing services. UBC is an especially enjoyable place to cycle. Enjoy the quiet streets, pathways and trails. We have extra bikes and gear for visitors.
UBC and the surrounding areas lie at a higher altitude than the rest of Vancouver. Therefore it is downhill to the sights of the city but a vigorous uphill climb upon your return. Beware and/or ask us for alterative ideas such as taking a bike with you on the bus.
Please note that local laws require bicycle helmets for all riders.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Most of Vancouver's luxury hotels are located in the downtown area, about 20-30 minutes away from UBC. Check the reviews and pricing on TripAdvisor for ideas.
One of our favorite recommendations is the Granville Island Hotel. The island is a culinary destination, working market, artistic community and conveniently located in central Vancouver.
If you want to stay at UBC, there are no traditional hotels on campus but some options managed by the University. Our recommendation are the West Coast Suites, which are located just minutes away from our home.
NEARBY ACTIVITIES
The Iona Building/UBC School of Economics
The Iona Building is located directly to the west of our condo building. It was originally built to house the newly formed Union College of British Columbia, a teaching arm of the United Church. The cornerstone for the West Wing was laid on May 21, 1927. The iconic tower with its stained glass windows was added in the 1930s, and a new East Wing in the 1950s. In 1972, Union College merged with the Anglican Theological College of BC to form the VST.
In 2015 it became The UBC School of Economics after an extensive renovation.
1 minute
Website
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
The Museum of Anthropology at the UBC campus is renowned for its displays of world arts and cultures, in particular works by First Nation band governments of the Pacific Northwest. As well as being a major tourist destination, MOA is a research and teaching museum, where UBC courses in art, anthropology, archaeology, conservation, and museum studies are given. MOA houses 38,000 ethnographic objects, as well as 535,000 archaeological objects in its building alone.
Tuesday 5-9 PM are discounted admission times. Check the website to confirm
5 minutes
Website
Tower Beach at Wreck Beach
Wreck Beach is a popular clothing-optional beach located in Pacific Spirit Regional Park, which is in turn part of the University Endowment Lands. The clothing-optional section is clearly marked with signs and stretches approximately 6.7 kilometres. The closest section to our residence is Tower Beach, accessible via a stairway near the intersection of NW Marine Drive and Chancellor Boulevard. It is a steep climb up from the beach!
10 minutes
Nitobe Memorial Garden
The Nitobe Memorial Garden is a 2½ acre traditional Japanese garden located at UBC. It is one of the most authentic Japanese gardens in North America, It honours Japanese author, educator, diplomat, and politician Nitobe Inazo (1862–1933), who died in Victoria, British Columbia and whose goal was "to become a bridge across the Pacific."
The garden has been the subject of more than fifteen years' study by a UBC professor, who believes that its construction hides a number of impressive features, including references to Japanese philosophy and mythology.
10 minutes
Website
Pacific Spirit Regional Park
Pacific Spirit Regional Park is a 874 hectares park located in the University Endowment Lands. It surrounds the endowment lands of the University of British Columbia on the shores of Georgia Strait in the Pacific Ocean. It is a nature preserve of the British Columbia government and classified under Electoral Area
The park contains over 73 km of walking/hiking trails, 50 km of which are designated multi-use and available for cycling and horseback riding as well. There is a Park Centre which is located on 16th Avenue.
5-20 minutes
Website
TRIUMF Particle Accelerator
Few locals know that one of the most important particle accelerators in the world is located right here in Vancouver.
Discreetly situated in a quiet corner of UBC, the TRIUMF facility is one of only three subatomic research facilities across the globe that specializes in producing extremely intense beams of particles.
Free public tours are held at 1PM, M-F in the summer and W&F in other seasons. Check the website for details.
5 minutes
Website
The Great Dane Cafe
Great coffee is right outside our building at The Great Dane Cafe, operated by our neighbor and dog-loving friend, Andrew. The cafe is named after his Great Dane, Lady.
A highly recommended alternative to the brand name cafes around UBC.
SHOPPING AND DINING
The closest shopping for the basics is located at the AMS Student Union Building (known as The Nest), which houses eight eateries and 11 retailers including a convenience store. There is also a hub of shops on University Avenue a block east of Wesbrook Mall.
Wesbrook Village is about 2.5 km away and accessible by the #41 bus. Shopping includes Sav-on Foods, BC Liquor Store and other services. Two-hour parking is free.
Point Grey Village (on10th Avenue) is about 4 km away and accessible by #99 bus. There is a Safeway, butcher, produce shop and banking. Street parking is metered 9am until 10pm, seven days a week.
Fashion and Upscale: Go downtown to Pacific Centre, Nordstroms and Holt Refrew (#4, #14 or #44 buses). Oakridge Shopping Mall is another option (#41 bus)
UBC Campus:
Koerner's Pub, Point Grill and Sage
Wesbrook Village
Biercraft, Togo Sushi
Point Grey Village
Burgoo Bistro, Enigma Restaurant, Provence Meditteranean
Dunbar-Southlands
Jethros Fine Grub, LaNotte and The Dunbar Public House
Special Occasions?
Hawksworth, Bishops, Five Sails
Weekend Brunch
Westward Ho! at the UBC Golf Course
