East Side Craft House: Vancouver

Thoughts:
Nice place with good food and a good selection of beers. Unfortunately they were out of some of the advertised brands and seeing how it was a Tuesday at lunch I am guessing that tgey ran out on the weekend and didn't bother getting more.

The food was good and the large portions made the above average price seem ok.

There didn't seem to be a lot of seating but based on it's location I don't see it getting too busy.

It was ok if you are in the area but could probably find better a short drive away.

Pros:
Good menu of food and drinks.

Cons:
Above average price and seemed out of stock on a few beverages.

Gold Creek Falls: Maple Ridge

Overview:
The Gold Creek Falls is a short hike that is perfect for the beginning of the season or in combination with a camping trip to the Golden Ears Provincial Park.

Thoughts:
This is a recently re-done trail making it nice and easy to walk through the forest up to the falls location.  Along the way there are plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the creek, either for the view or in the hotter months you can take a dip in the water.

The trail is compact gravel and very wide so it good for walking with a stroller, no bikes or horses are allowed on the trail either. The distance ends up being 5.4 km return (2.7km to the falls) and takes about 40 min to walk one way with minimal stopping.

A little ways to drive as it takes about 30 min from downtown Maple Ridge to get tot the trail head but if spending the day out there or just going for a walk up to the falls it is worth it.

There is also plenty of parking at the trail head but does get busy during the summer months and you may need to park further back up the road.

Pros:
Nice trail and easy to walk along wit strollers and not too physically challenging. Good swimming all along the creek

Cons:
A little ways out of tow to get to.

James St Cafe and Grill: Burnaby

Overview:

James Street Café & Grill boasts an array of dishes that are characteristic of East African cuisine with a hint of Western fusion. Your taste buds will take you on a journey to Dar es Salaam, Nairobi and Kampala, although you will really be on the border of Vancouver and Burnaby at Canada Way and Boundary Rd.

Thoughts:
Not the cheapest place around but definitely one of the better tasting. A good selection of both Indian and Western cuisines,  Jame St. Cafe and Grill will have sonething for everyone.  The burgers are big and flavorful and came with a good serving of fries. The butter chicken was very tasty as well, not too spicy but very good and filling.

We did get our menus relatively quickly but after that the service slowed exponentially.   After we got the orders placed the food came quick but then had to ask for the bill after waiting at the empty table. Thia has happened on a few visits.

Pros:
Good food and nice size portions.

Cons:
Above average prices and slow service.

Contact Information: 

3819 Canada Way 

Burnaby BC
V5G 1G6

Phone: (604) 676-1876 

Fax: (604) 676-1874

Email: jamesstcg@gmail.com

Cultus Lake Adventure Park: Cultus Lake

Overview:
Kids big and small, young and old, will love to get away from it all and play in the imaginary and wonderful world of Giggle Ridge Adventure Golf at Cultus Lake Adventure Park. It's Adventure Golf unlike any you've seen before! Make your way through the abandoned but recently rediscovered mountain lumber camp known as Giggle Ridge. Discover it for yourself at Cultus Lake and have an Adventure like none other!

Thoughts:
A great place to spend a couple of hours while out at the lake.  If you come for a picnic at the main beach or visited the waterslides for the day it is a nice way to finish off your visit. Although not a lot of rides there is a couple for kids of all ages including bumper boats and the Giggle Ridge Adventure Golf.  Prices are quite low for the rids and the golf is not too bad either.

As a fairly new place it is very clean and has a cartoon-ish theme to it. Not too big but great for little kids and good for older ones as well.

Price:
Admission is free
Tickets are $1.50/ea and most rides are 1 or 2 tickets
Mini Golf is $9
Combo and Discount packs are available

*waterslide tickets have a coupon for mini golf on the backs (buy 1 get one free I believe)

Pros:
Good for all kids and not so big you need to spend the day there to see and do everything.  Nice and clean, fun theme for the kids. Rides for kids and adults.  Quite cheap if you do not have a big family.

Cons:
Not very many rides.

Contact Information:
3993 Sunnyside Blvd
Cultus Lake, BC
V2R 5B5

Phone:  604-858-8777

Website: http://www.giggleridge.com/
Email: info@cultusadventure.com

Cultus Lake Park: Cultus Lake

Overview:
Many recreational activities can be enjoyed in the area, from boating, fishing and swimming, to picnicking, playground and walking.

Thoughts:
Although a long ways out this is a great way to spend the day at the lake.  The park is large and offers a good variety of things to do.  The swimming area is very large with a big dock and shallow waters. Unfortunately the "beach" is a bit rocky and gets worse in the water.  Because of the shallow waters though it is quite warm at this end of the lake.  Plenty of parking in the 2 main lots, unfortunately it is pay parking ($6/day). Lots of picnic tables around both on the beach area and the grass and a large playground for children of all ages.

Boat rentals are close by (http://www.mainbeachboats.com) as are large bathrooms, a concession stand and even a market on Saturdays.  Parking lot B is shared with the Cultus Lake Adventure Park giving you a change of scenery if needed and the Cultus Lake Waterslides are just across the street.

Pros:
Warm waters and plenty of things to do to keep you busy for the day.

Cons:
A far drive for anyone not in Abbotsford and Chilliwack areas.  The beaches are a bit rocky.

Contact Information:
Cultus Lake Park
4165 Columbia Valley Highway
Cultus Lake Park, BC V2R 5B5

Website: http://www.cultuslake.com/

Hot Summer Nights: Maple Ridge

Overview:
On Thursday evenings in July and August, the Maple Ridge Fire Department visits various community neighbourhoods, both pre-announced and random locations, after 6:30 pm.

Thoughts:
This is great fun for kids of all ages.  The fire department sets up a couple of hoses and sprays water out at the kids.  They also let the kids control the hoses (supervised), open up the fire trucks for tours and hand out informational kids packages.  They usually set up at a park giving the kids a playground to play at when they are tired of the water.

Pros:
Different locations throughout the city allowing for people in different areas to enjoy this event.

Cons:
A lot of people showed up and sometimes the park is not set up to handle that amount of vehicle traffic.

Contact Info:
Website: http://bc-mapleridge.civicplus.com/434/Hot-Summer-Nights

Hayward Lake: Mission

Overview:

Many recreational activities can be enjoyed in the area, from boating, fishing and swimming, to picnicking, hiking and mountain biking.

Thoughts: 
This little area is one of the best beaches around.  It is a bit bigger than the others in the area and the sand is great right out into the water with minimal rocks.  Large beach area and large grass with plenty of picnic tables.  The grass had both trees for shade and open field for sun and activities.

There is a bathroom / change room near the parking lot that was relatively clean and a non-motorized boat launch area.  Right at the base of the Stave Falls Power House, the water is fed down from Stave lake keeping it very clean and a little brisk.

A large parking lot with overflow parking on the Stave Falls Power house side and a walk along a short path.

Pros:
Close to the city but far enough out that it is not always busy.  The sand is great and goes out into the water with minimal rocks to step on.

Cons:
Parking lot is a bit of a hike from the beach/picnic area and the park gates close at 8:45 so you must make sure you are starting to pack up if you go for a later dinner.

Website: https://www.bchydro.com/community/recreation_areas/hayward_lake.html