The focal point of Kits should be 4th Avenue or the beachfront, or the pool, or the stone sidewalks leading up an down its gentle hills but instead, teh principal congregating spot is the King's Head Pub on Yew near 4th. Its reputation made on its Beggar's Breakfast, the King's Head is a local pub with all the flair for locals and a generous smattering of hospitality towards visitors. It's a sports bar, a date bar, a brunch joint, a drinking bar, a pub, a dive, a music venue, a meet-market, and a stoop all in one. It welcomes and doesn't alienate anyone and offers cheap and plentiful food, reasonably-priced beer (despite the complaints of locals who have had it better) and the greatest service in Vancouver.
Outside, the coffeehouses, Thai restaurants and sports memorabilia collectible shops mix in well with the laundries, grocery stores, and gyms. Sounds pretentious? It escapes it because its people are so real and really concerned with just enjoying life and not making tons of money and blowing it on unnecessary fads. Perhaps I am drawing a distinction that doesn't exist but after repeat visits to Kits in Vancouver and the Marina in San Francisco, I can tell you certainly which I prefer.
Another advantage that I see in Vancouver is the true multiculturalism on which North America is based. While some see the influx as overwhelming, the explosion of Vancouver as a City has led to a diverse set of professional and/or artistic immigrants landing with their feet on their ground on Kits Beach. Site of many major films and movies, it pretends to be California more on film than in real life.
The best recommendation in Kits is to spend some time here and take life at a different pace. You can't help but like it.