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Vancouver is an awesome city.
I've traveled there with various groups of friends, and not once have I felt uncomfortable striking out on my own in that city. I stayed in the hostel on Granville Street, which is in an area going through transition (from sex shops to nightclubs). The hostel offers a lot of opportunities to go on tours and whatnot of Vancouver. One tip I will offer is that the Holiday Inn in that part of Vancouver has a lock-up parking lot that was $10 for 24 hours last time I was there (no doubt it's increased since then). A rental car is nice in some situations, but if you're going to do a lot of exploring of urban Vancouver, it may not be the best choice, as you'll park it and walk/use the SkyTrain/take the SeaBus. And driving up from Seattle may be cheaper, but it also may be more of a headache. Depending on how you hit traffic, the drive that usually takes about 2 hours could turn into 3.
Most Vancouverites are very polite and helpful. The city also attracts a number of Aussies and Kiwis who work in various service industries. Keep your eyes out for cute Kiwis; they're very polite and will buy you drinks. They like American girls. Aussies are fun to drink with too. Most of these people have some great stories about traveling.
There are lots of outdoor opportunities within easy reach of Vancouver. LOTS. Like, I don't even know where to begin. If you drive up from Seattle, a stop by the San Juans or the North Cascades would be a good choice.
One thing I will mention is the weather--the rain moves in at about that time of year. If you catch it just right, it may still be fairly nice. Vancouver is very temperate thanks to its maritime climate. Just don't forget your raincoat.
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If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau
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