Will, i'd like to offer a suggestion, especially for someone who travels over (mostly) short distances (YVR to LAX isn't that far). Get your pilot's license, and start flying yourself. As private pilots it's necessary to do a bit of paperwork to cross the border, and clear customs each way, but it's really a lot better (and I mean a *lot* better) than being subjected to the lunacy you had to go through. And it's a hell of a lot of fun.

+100 karma points to the person suggesting that you leave a flower in Stanley Park to remember Andrew Koenig. Excellent suggestion. For geekiness, you could drive up to visit Caprica, otherwise known as Simon Fraser University on Burnaby Mountain. While you're there, an excellent place to eat is the Himalayan Peak which is on the campus. On the way up the mountain is Horizons Restaurant which has great views of the city and great food all in one place. And also in the area is Sushi Town, probably the best bang-for-the-buck Sushi joint in the lower mainland. Large portions, excellent menu, fresh fish. Can't go wrong there.