How far is that from the convention center? I’m trying to use Google Maps to see, but I kept getting stuff from California when I specified Wreck Beach. Another thing that comes up when I look for Wreck Beach is Vanier Park. 
Nowadays, drug stores have an entire aisle devoted to travel size toiletries. I would stock up there. You’d be amazed what you think is normal but other countries don’t use. While I was in Korea, we would ask new arrivals to bring deodorant for us and a case for themselves.
My travel kit includes: toothpicks, q-tips, razors, toothpaste (the kind you’re used to. In other countries, they use a variety of amazingly disgusting tasting toothpaste.), face lotion, cologne, deodorant, pins, eye drops, chapstick, dental floss, aftershave, bandaids, matches and other stuff. I also put a little spare cash in there, just in case.
Wreck Beach is further west than Vanier. It’s the nakey beach. 
If you have any other questions, send me a message. I like talking about my city a lot.
Another thing about Vancouver: the best Chinese food I’ve ever tasted! All of the vegetables are local, from the Fraser Valley, and this makes a big difference.
I grew up in the area, but haven’t been back for years. One of our favourite Chinese restaurants out there was called Chopsticks, which is in Sapperton. I see it’s still in business, so it must be doing something right.
Hmm, we have pretty much all the same stuff as the US, basically; there are just a few differences, including the shops where you’d find the stuff. If you’re looking for toiletries, you’d probably find the same brands here as in the US, except you might need to go to a London Drugs or a Shoppers Drug Mart (or a Wal*Mart, since they’re not satisfied with just taking over the US); the names give you a pretty good idea what you’re going to find there.
One thing we like to do when we go to the US is try all the different junk foods that we don’t have here. I don’t know why we don’t have Cheetos Blazing Hot Lime Crunchies here, but we don’t, which is probably just as well, since I’d eat far too many of them. Make sure you try all the Canadian chocolate bars, so you can be properly spoiled for crappy American chocolate. 
It’s too bad you won’t be in Calgary long enough to get together with some Calgary Dopers - we’re a pretty friendly bunch.
While this is true it is also a royal pain. It means getting your luggage, then schlepping it to recheck it, going through security a second time and can take forever. That’s why I avoid, if at all possible, changing planes in Canada.
I didn’t notice any mention of restaurants. If you like Indian food, I would like to recommend my favorite Indian restaurant in Vancouver, the Sitar. From downtown, just walk down Water St. to the end and you come to a 5-way intersection. It is readily visible from that intersection. There is a really fine Japanese restaurant, somewhat out of the downtown area and quite pricey called Tojo.
I like Coffee Crisp. I don’t eat candy often, so it’s been at least a year (maybe two) since I’ve had one.
And Smarties kick M&Ms’ ass.
Enjoy the experience of paying for things like a glass of beer with a couple of coins instead of having to use paper money for every. freaking. thing you buy. And if you’re on a tight budget as students often are, remember to use up your loonies and twonies before you come back home, otherwise when you do get back you might find yourself with $50 in Canadian coin that you can’t use or exchange here.
BTW is this the conference where you are going to present a paper? If so, I wish you the best of luck. I’m sure you’ll slay them.
I’ve found the basic doper philosophy of ‘don’t be a jerk’ amazingly effective, when in doubt, assume that the foreign standard is set a little higher than at home.
Good advice, outlierrn. Since he’s going to Canada, no one is likely to call him on anything, but that doesn’t mean that they won’t think he’s rude. Don’t want to perpetuate the “rude American” stereotype.
I read your title as “Going out of the century for the first time. What do I need to know”.
I was going to come on here and warn you against stepping on butterflies.