Yaletown

Designer purse: check. Tricked-out SUV: check. Purse-size dog: check. Yep, you’ve arrived in Yaletown, where ostentatiousness finds a home in our laidback, west coast city. This warehouse district-cum-trendville (à la New York’s Meatpacking District) has smoothed out its formerly rough edges and welcomed into its handsome arms fashion-forward clothing and accessories stores such as Global Atomic Design (1006 Mainland St., 604-806-6223) and Posh (1059 Mainland St., 604-669-6167) and see-and-be-seen dining rooms like Glowbal (1079 Mainland St., 604-602-0835) and Elixir (322 Davie St., 604-642-0557). High-end grocery store Urban Fare (177 Davie St., 604-975-7550) is where locals shop for imported olive oils, cheeses from boutique farms and other yummy, if pricey, treats.

EAT:

The to-die-for stamina sushi roll (fresh crab, barbecued eel and smoked salmon) at Blue Water Café—it’s among the best seafood restaurants in the city (1095 Hamilton St., 604-688-8078).

DRINK:

A passion elixir cocktail in the Opus Lounge at the swanky boutique hotel of the same name—not surprisingly the hotel is also a favourite hangout for visiting celebs (322 Davie St., 604-642-6787).

BROWSE:

Barking Babies to see dog culture at its height: designer jackets for spoiled pooches and doggie sushi (you heard us, doggie sushi) for Fifi’s own picnic in the park (433 Davie St., 604-647-2275)