Are you looking for the best weekend getaways from Vancouver? You’ve come to the right place!
Although the city of Vancouver has much to offer for entertainment, sometimes it feels good to spice up your routine with a weekend road trip. Vancouver is one of those rare places in the world where you have both the ocean and incredible mountains right at your doorstep.
Whether it’s summer or winter, there is always something exciting to do here. When it comes to natural beauty and outdoor activities, Vancouver is unbeatable.
I asked Kamila from Expat in Canada, who spent a fair bit of time living in British Columbia, for her recommendations. Below, she shares her top picks for amazing weekend getaways from Vancouver.
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Table of Contents
The Best Weekend Getaways from Vancouver
Tofino
Distance: ~5 hours
Tofino is one of the most popular weekend getaways from Vancouver and for a good reason. It’s a charming surfing town on Vancouver Island with top-notch restaurants and beautiful long white sandy beaches.
To get there, you’ll need to take a BC ferry from Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal and then drive from Nanaimo to Tofino. The drive is an adventure in itself. There are so many incredible stops to explore along the way.
Two stops you shouldn’t miss out on are Old Country Market with goats on the roof and Cathedral Grove. You’ll see giant Douglas fir trees that are said to be 800 years old!
Once you get to Tofino, you can spend your weekend taking surfing lessons, hiking lush rainforest trails of Pacific Rim National Park, soaking in Hot Springs Cove, or whale watching.
Tofitian is my favorite spot to grab breakfast and coffee to kickstart a day before hitting the beach.
White Rock
Distance: ~1 hour
I’m surprised White Rock, a little beach town near Vancouver, isn’t hyped up more. It’s only an hour’s drive from Vancouver, which makes it a super convenient getaway.
I discovered this place when I was searching for Vancouver birthday ideas to spend a romantic weekend with my partner. White Rock turned out to be a perfect weekend trip.
The town has a vibrant atmosphere with many amazing cafes, restaurants, and ice cream shops. We bought an ice cream at Crazy Cows and strolled Canada’s longest pier.
Along the beach trail, you’ll find many blackberries that you can hand-pick as you go if you visit in the summer.
Keep an eye out for a giant white boulder that is sitting right on the beach. No idea how it got there, but it’s the city’s popular tourist attraction!
Whistler
Distance: ~1.5 hours
Whistler is a strikingly attractive alpine village/ski resort that hosted the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The village is less than 2 hours from Vancouver, with the journey itself being part of the weekend adventure. The route leading to Whistler is known as the Sea-to-Sky Highway. It’s one of the most scenic drives in British Columbia, hands down.
As you begin your trip, the urban landscape of downtown Vancouver gradually gets replaced by the breathtaking beauty of mountains, forests, and the coastline.
On your way, you can make stops at the stunning Shannon Falls or the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish for panoramic views.
Once you reach Whistler, check out Green Lake or go for a swim at Alta Lake. In winter, Vancouverites love skiing at the Whistler Black Comb ski slope.
Treehouse in Chilliwack
Distance: ~1 hour
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, Skoghus Treehouse is a gorgeous Vancouver romantic getaway in Chilliwack, BC. It’s been featured as one of the best Airbnb and vacation rentals in Canada and I’m not surprised. I mean, who doesn’t love highland cows and A-frame cabins?
The treehouse is an A-frame cabin in the center of a Scottish Highland cattle farm. You’ll have a cozy sleeping loft all to yourself, including a fire pit, hot tub, and highland cows at your doorstep.
Forest trails, ideal for biking or hiking, surround the area.
If you prefer something less physically demanding, Cultus Lake is less than half an hour’s drive from the cabin. Or you can grab a pint at Old Yale Brewing, which is great all year round.
If you visit in late summer, be sure to check out the Chilliwack Sunflower Festival, featuring thousands of sunflowers with views of the mountains in the background.
Victoria
Distance: ~4 hours
Another gem of a place for weekend trips from Vancouver is Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. The city is accessible by BC ferry.
With its afternoon tea at the Empress that looks like a castle, historic buildings, perfectly manicured gardens, and first-class fish and chips, Victoria makes for a perfect getaway from Vancouver.
It’s more slow-paced than Vancouver and you won’t find any skyscrapers here. The atmosphere feels more holiday-like, especially on hot summer days.
You can explore downtown and Victoria’s Chinatown, the oldest in Canada. Or check out the Butchart Gardens, full of stunningly beautiful gardens and flowers.
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, visit the Royal British Columbia Museum. It’s a great place to learn about indigenous people.
Fun fact: Victoria has pubs with funky names like Sticky Wicket and the Penny Farthing.
Porteau Cove Provincial Park
Distance: ~1 hour
If you like camping or are on the lookout for cheap getaways from Vancouver, Portea Cove Provincial Park should be on your radar.
The campground is neat and well maintained, with crystal clear azure waters and mountains in the backdrop as a bonus. It’s also an amazing place for stargazing and scuba diving.
The only downside is that the camp has only pit toilets and is close to train tracks so it can be a bit noisy when the train passes.
If you don’t want to camp, you can make it into a day trip and stop by for a short walk or swim. In the summer, the water is cold, but the color is jaw-dropping.
When I first visited Portea Cove, it made me forget that I was still in British Columbia and felt like I had been teleported to the Caribbean.
Bowen Island
Distance: ~1 hour
One of the best days out you can have from Vancouver is Bowen Island.
If you’re looking for short trips from Vancouver, it’s only a 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, but it feels a million miles from downtown. It’s like British Columbia in miniature.
Time slows down a notch here in yoga retreats, boutique shops, and pretty heritage buildings of the cozy harbor, appropriately called Snug Cove.
For a fun activity, I recommend renting a kayak or booking a kayaking tour with Bowen Island Sea Kayaking.
Seattle
Distance: ~2.5 hours
If you’re not in the mood for the outdoors, Seattle in Washington State is a great option. It’s only three hours away from Vancouver, and there are countless things to keep you entertained for an entire weekend or longer.
If you do only one thing in Seattle, it should be visiting Pike Place Market. It’s similar to Vancouver’s Granville Island, but in my opinion, it’s better. (sorry, Vancouver)
The market has been running since 1907, and it’s full of artisan goods, crafts, and fresh produce.
Don’t forget to get a coffee from the oldest Starbucks in the world!
For something unique, head to a quirky Chewing gum wall.
Harrison Hot Springs
Distance: ~1.5 hours
Do you need proper relaxation without too much action? Then Harrison Hot Springs in beautiful Fraser Valley is a perfect spot for you.
The springs are only about a 2-hour drive, so it’s a sweet little getaway from Vancouver. You can stay directly at Harrison Hot Springs Resort and pamper yourself with the spa all weekend.
In winter, you can warm up with a pleasant soak. In the summer, you can pair your visit to hot springs with a beach day at Harrison Lake.
Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park is also pretty close and makes for a pleasant walk.
Sunshine Coast
Distance: ~2 hours
Sunshine Coast is an easy and leisurely region to explore with a holiday-like mentality.
The coast is only accessible by ferry. It’s a popular getaway for hikers, kayakers, and mountain bikers. It also has a small-scale arts scene.
Once you hop off the ferry, the highway will take you to the small coastal towns of Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, and Powell River.
You’ll find a mixture of cafes and family-run restaurants here.
The top attraction on the Sunshine Coast is visiting Princess Louisa Inlet – a 6km long fjord, hiking the Sunshine Coast Trail, or paddling the Powell Forest Canoe Route.
Squamish
Distance: ~1 hour
Squamish used to be only a one-time coffee stop on the way to Whistler, but that’s changed. Now, it’s a destination of its own and a hot spot for rock climbing.
Squamish’s spectacular sea-to-sky gondola offers an unbeatable view of the surrounding mountains and Howe Sound fjord.
On top, you can admire the glass-and-wood architecture of Summit Lodge and get the adrenaline boost at the 100m-long Sky Pilot suspension bridge.
For an active weekend getaway from Vancouver, hike up from Shannon Falls on the Sea to Summit Trail and take the gondola down afterward.
If you’re looking for more adventure, check out Squamish zip lining or go kitesurfing at Howe Sound.
Port Renfrew
Distance: ~4.5 hours
Port Renfrew on Vancouver Island is a great alternative to overpriced and busy Tofino. It’s more low-key, and it’s a fun road trip from Vancouver. Plus, you can enjoy some fantastic Pacific Ocean trails along the way, like the Juan de Fuca trail.
On the way to Port Renfrew, you shouldn’t miss out on visiting Mystic Beach. It can be a bit tricky to find and you need to walk for about 20 minutes on the trail to get there, but it’s well worth the stop.
The beach has interesting rock formations and even a waterfall that flows straight from the top of the rock. I visited the beach on Sunday in August, and it was quite busy but breathtaking nonetheless.
Once you reach Renfrew, reward yourself with a meal at the Renfrew pub outdoor patio. A few minutes’ drive will take you to Avatar Tree, Canada’s gnarliest tree.
If you have more time, you can make the entire loop and return to Victoria via Cowichan Lake.
Pemberton
Distance: ~2 hours
If you’re craving an alternative to tourist-heavy Whistler Village, head for Pemberton, the next community north along scenic Hwy 99.
Founded as a farming and cowboy town, it still has that small-town vibe.
Start your perfect weekend with coffee and a giant cinnamon bun at cozy little Blackbird Bakery, and then go horse riding with Copper Cayuse Outfitters.
You’ll get to ride the horse through a blue-green river and stunning trails with breathtaking mountains in the background as a bonus.
I recommend a half-day tour, including lunch. It’s an experience worth every penny. Pemberton is also close to the ice-blue glacier Joffre Lakes.
Just keep in mind that you’ll need to book a day-use pass at least two days upfront. It’s a popular hiking location, so the passes vanish quickly, especially in the peak summer season.
Salt Spring Island
Distance: ~2.5 hours
Salt Spring Island, accessible by ferry from Vancouver, is well worth a long weekend visit. It’s one of the Southern Gulf Islands full of artists and interesting people who live an alternative lifestyle.
The best time to visit the island is on Saturdays when they have an awesome summer market. But it’s also the busiest time. You’ll find here locally made artwork and lots of fresh produce. Everything on the market is made, baked, or grown on the island.
After the market, you can go kayaking with Salt Spring Adventure or explore Ruckle Provincial Park.
Tree House Cafe is a popular hang-out spot with delicious food and live music on summer nights.
Pender Island
Distance: ~3 hours
Just a short hop by ferry from Salt Spring Island is Pender Island. The island has a small population of eccentric people and dozens of little beautiful beaches to explore.
One of the nicest ones is Hamilton Beach on Browning Harbour.
For foodies, a not-to-miss spot is Vanilla Leaf Bakery Cafe, with cinnamon buns, ready-made sandwiches, fresh bread, and too many delicious treats to list.
The most affordable way to enjoy an overnight stay on North Pender Island is to camp at Prior Centennial Campground. Alternatively, if you plan ahead, you might luck out, and find a house-sitting opportunity. If you haven’t heard about house sitting in Canada before, it’s caring for someone’s house and pets in their absence in exchange for a free stay at their place.
Kamloops
Distance: ~4 hours
Kamloops is about a 4-hour drive from Vancouver and a nice place to explore.
The focus of the downtown area is tree-lined Victoria St., which is a lively place on sunny days with trendy cafes and restaurants.
For a stroll, head to Riverside Park along Thompson River. I love the scenic views of Kamloops Lake, which is ideal for a picnic.
In winter months, Sun Peaks Ski Resort is not too far from Kamloops. After a day on the slopes, you can unwind in one of the cozy mountain lodges or explore the European-style village.
Okanagan
Distance: ~4 hours
Okanagan is the perfect weekend escape from Vancouver, especially if you love wine or U-pick farms.
It’s a beautiful drive that will take you through winding roads surrounded by orchards and vineyards.
The Okanagan Valley includes several cities, with Kelowna being the biggest one. There are over 150 wineries in the Okanagan region, so wine tasting and dining is the top tourist activity here.
After your meal, you can go boating or swimming at Okanagan Lake. If you want to make your weekend getaway an unforgettable experience, take a hot air balloon ride.
In the winter season, Big White Ski Resort is an awesome spot for some skiing fun.
Manning Provincial Park
Distance: ~2 hours
Traveling east from Vancouver will take you through the winding roads of Manning Provincial Park. This rugged park in the Cascade Mountains stretches down to the Canada-US border.
But to really appreciate the park, you need to get off the highway to take in the beautiful views of Lightning Lake, and hike on the numerous trails with high alpine meadows.
Manning Park Resort is a great, family-friendly place to stay, with an indoor pool. The resort has a ski and snowboard hill, so it’s one of the most popular Vancouver weekend getaways in winter.
You’ll have access to a variety of outdoor activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and more.
If you’re an avid hiker, challenge yourself and climb up Frosty Mountain Trail for a scenic view of the surrounding coastal mountain ranges.
San Juan Islands
Distance: ~4 hours
Seattle is not the only fun nearby US trip from Vancouver. You should also add the San Juan Islands to your list of weekend getaways from Vancouver.
To get to San Juan Island, you’ll need to drive to Anacortes Ferry Terminal and hop on a ferry.
It’s about a 4-hour drive, including the ferry ride, to get there, so it’s definitely a doable long weekend getaway from Vancouver.
Once you get to San Juan Island, the main town is Friday Harbor. Even its name suggests that it’s a place to visit on Friday, and I agree. You can rent bikes here and explore the island or take a whale-watching tour.
The island is famous for Orca whales, but if you’re lucky, you might even spot sea lions, seals, and bald eagles.
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Have you been on any weekend getaways from Vancouver? Let me know where you went and how you spent your time in the comments!
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One Comment
The Elegant Wanderer
This is a great list of getaway ideas. I love a good weekend getaway and with my 9 to 5 job I try to do as many weekend getaways as I can. Thank you for sharing it!