East of Commercial Drive, things are a bit edgier, as is south of Main Street (SoMa), but both are filled with alterna-boutiques, galleries and restaurants.

BBC: Living in: Vancouver

Come autumn, the fog clears, and this picturesque metropolis by the bay truly comes into its own, with alterna-dudes strutting up and down Valencia Street, skateboards in hand, and venture capitalists making deals from surfboards and road bikes.

WSJ: Journal Concierge: San Francisco