The most effective street journey from Vancouver for first time guests to British Columbia

Vancouver Street Journey itinerary

As residents of Vancouver, we’re typically requested concerning the greatest issues to do in Vancouver. The following most typical query is – what’s the greatest street journey from Vancouver for first time guests?

It’s a terrific query. You’ve got loads of choices in British Columbia. Do you go east to the Okanagan or west to Vancouver Island or north to Whistler and Pemberton?

In our opinion, British Columbia is the very best place on the earth to go to (and dwell). It’s a daring assertion – I do know. Nonetheless, if you happen to ask anybody who’s visited British Columbia, you’ll seemingly hear glowing opinions about it’s quick access to nature and countless out of doors journey.

At present, we share what we imagine is the very best street journey from Vancouver for first time guests. This 10 day street journey itinerary begins and finishes in Vancouver, with 1 day to discover town of Vancouver. That stated, we might encourage you to spend at the very least 2 or 3 days in Vancouver.

Earlier than we get began, there are some things to notice:

• This Vancouver street journey relies on 10 days (add or subtract days primarily based in your time)
• The street journey will be completed in any season, but it surely’s greatest in the course of the summer season months
• This itinerary is designed for automobile driving with lodge lodging, not tenting. Nonetheless, there are various campgrounds alongside this street journey route, if that’s your choice. Make campground reservations in the summertime!

When you solely have a couple of days in Vancouver, try these 25 day journeys from Vancouver.

Greatest Street Journey from Vancouver, Canada

Skip forward utilizing the Desk of Contents.

Day 1 & 2 – Discover Vancouver

Relying on if you arrive in Vancouver, you’ll wish to spend your first two days exploring town. There’s a lot to see and do in Vancouver that two days is probably going not sufficient time, however we wish to keep inside this 10 day itinerary. Add a couple of extras days on the finish of the street journey when you have extra time.

What makes Vancouver particular is that it’s a vibrant cosmopolitan metropolis surrounded by mountains AND ocean, which implies there’s actually one thing for everybody.

In sooner or later, you possibly can hike within the mountains, chill out on the seashore, catch a present or skilled sports activities recreation, dine at quite a lot of upscale eating places and end the evening at Granville’s legendary leisure district.

Listed below are the highest issues to do in Vancouver:

Associated publish: 25 Superior Day Journeys from Vancouver

Day 3 – Take the ferry to Victoria

The street journey begins on Day 3, if you catch a morning ferry from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (Vancouver) to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (Victoria). Examine the BC ferry schedule right here.

Plan to reach on the ferry terminal at the very least one hour earlier than your departure time. It’s smart to e-book a reservation forward of time, particularly if you happen to’re touring over a vacation weekend.

The ferry takes about 1.5 hours. The drive from Swartz Bay to downtown Victoria is about half-hour.

When you’ve settled into your lodge, head to Victoria’s picturesque Internal Harbour (see picture under). There are many Victoria eating places and cafes positioned right here. The downtown space could be very walkable.

Plan to spend your night wandering across the Internal Harbour and charming downtown space.

Day 4 – Take pleasure in a full day in Victoria

There are a couple of locations on this world that we’ll revisit time and again. Victoria is one in all them. We love town’s previous city character and laid again vibe. Victoria is a comparatively large metropolis, but it surely doesn’t really feel or act that means.

Issues to do in Victoria:

Associated publish: 20 Issues You Ought to Do in Victoria

The place to remain in Victoria?

We’ve stayed on the Magnolia Resort, Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort and Greatest Western Carlton Plaza and we’d suggest them. They’re centrally positioned and household pleasant.

The place to eat in Victoria?

You’ll not go hungry in Victoria. There are countless choices for each sort of delicacies. Being on the west coast, we’d suggest you dine at a seafood restaurant. The west coast can also be recognized for high quality sushi and Japanese delicacies.

Right here’s a downloadable Victoria map pdf

Day 5 – Drive from Victoria to Parksville

Take it straightforward and luxuriate in a late breakfast in Victoria earlier than driving north to Parksville, a preferred seashore city positioned on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Parksville is known for its lengthy, sandy seashores that recede over one kilometer at low tide.

The drive from Victoria to Parksville is just 2 hours. Nonetheless, there are many enjoyable street journey stops that it’s best to try.

1. Hatley Fort at Royal Roads College (30-60 minutes)
2. Take a hike in Goldstream Provincial Park (45-90 minutes)
3. Cut up Rock Lookout on the Malahat Freeway (10 minutes)
4. See the world’s largest hockey stick and puck in Duncan (10 minutes)
5. Try the Murals of Chemainus (45-90 minutes)
6. Non-compulsory – go to the Harbourfront Walkway in Nanaimo (60-90 minutes)

The place to remain in Parksville?

Parksville is a vacationer pushed city, so you’ve loads of choices for lodging.

When you’re searching for an upscale expertise, try the Tigh Na Mara Seaside Resort. You’ll be able to keep in a non-public cabin or ocean view suite.

For price range lodging, try the Travelodge by Wyndham Parksville. That is the place we stayed this previous summer season. It’s good worth. The rooms are clear and up to date, it has a pool and sizzling tub, and breakfast is included.

We’ve additionally stayed on the Ocean Sands Resort and would suggest it. It’s cheaper than Tigh Na Mara and it has related ocean entrance views.

Enjoyable Truth – Vancouver Island is the most important Pacific island east of New Zealand.

 Low tide at Rathtrevor Seashore Provincial Park in Parksville

Hatley Fort at Royal Roads College. This fortress is featured within the X-men and Deadpool films.

Cut up Rock Lookout on the Malahat Freeway

The world’s largest hockey stick in Duncan, British Columbia.

The Murals of Chemainus on Vancouver Island

Day 5 – Drive from Parksville to Ucluelet

Earlier than you hit the street, be sure you spend a while strolling alongside the seashore in Parksville. You’ll be able to both go to Rathtrevor Seashore Provincial Park or the seashore at Parksville Group Park (pictured above).

The drive from Parksville to Ucluelet takes about 2.5 hours, however you’ll wish to make a couple of stops alongside the way in which.

The primary cease you’ll wish to go to is the Coombs Outdated Nation Market, well-known for its Goats on the Roof. The market is positioned about quarter-hour west of Parksville, so it’s a perfect location for espresso or an early lunch (relying on if you go away Parksville). See pictures under.

After Coombs, proceed west in the direction of Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park. This can be a good place for a simple forest hike to see waterfalls. There are 6 km of strolling trails all through the park.

Subsequent on the street journey is a go to to MacMillan Provincial Park, house to the traditional Douglas fir in Cathedral Grove. The freeway splits the park, so you’ll drive proper via it.

There may be restricted parking at Cathedral Grove and it might get fairly busy, however don’t hand over! This place is unquestionably value visiting. A few of the bushes are greater than 800 years previous and 9 metres in circumference.

Plan to spend about 45 minutes right here.

After witnessing the unimaginable bushes in Cathedral Grove, proceed driving west to Port Alberni. This is a perfect spot to seize a fast lunch, gas up your car and restock your provides.

The drive from Port Alberni to Ucluelet is about 1.5 hours. This stretch of freeway is beautiful, so be sure you have your digicam useful.

You need to arrive in Ucluelet by late afternoon.

After you check-in to your lodging, head to the ocean to look at the sundown from both Large Seashore or the Wild Pacific Path. See picture under as proof.

Listed below are maps for seashores in Tofino and Ucluelet.

Goats on the Roof at Coombs Market within the city of Coombs.

Day 6 & 7 – Ucluelet and Tofino

The cities of Tofino and Ucluelet are positioned on the northern and southern factors of a peninsula that stretches alongside the west coast of Vancouver Island. That is the place you can find Pacific Rim Nationwide Park, one in all Canada’s biggest pure treasures.

I’m grouping these two cities collectively since you ought to go to each, however you don’t want to modify lodging. Choose a spot and keep there for 3 nights, which will provide you with two FULL days in Tofino and/or Ucluelet.

It’s a couple of 40 minute drive from Tofino to Ucluelet, and vice versa.

Issues to do in Tofino and Ucluelet:

• The seashores on the coast are house to the very best browsing in Canada
• Sea kayaking via the pristine waters of Clayoquot and Barkley Sound
• Cultural canoe excursions and Bear watching excursions
• See orcas and grey whales on a whale watching tour (March to October)
• Guided fishing excursions within the ocean or freshwater lakes
• Countless climbing trails in Pacific Rim Nationwide Park and Wild Pacific Path
• Storm watching throughout winter months
• Go to the Ucluelet Aquarium and the Amphitrite Level Lighthouse
• Scenic flight tour in a sea aircraft or helicopter
• Watch the sundown from the shores of Chesterman Spit

The place to Keep in Ucluelet

We stayed on the Large Seashore BÄRN in Ucluelet and would extremely suggest it. The views from the balcony are excellent. Inform the host, Pete Raab, the Touring Canucks despatched you.

The place to Keep in Tofino

There are a number of seashore resorts in Tofino. Over time, we’ve stayed at a variety of these seashore resorts and would suggest the next:

The place to eat in Tofino and Ucluelet

Associated: Sea kayaking the coast of Vancouver Island

Calm waters on the rugged Large Seashore in Ucluelet

Large skies over the seashore in Pacific Rim Nationwide Park in Tofino.

The above picture is low tide at South Chesterman Seashore in Tofino.

Tofino Sea kayaking tour round Clayoquot Sound.

Harbour views from the city of Tofino.

Browsing at Wickaninnish Seashore in Pacific Rim Nationwide Park.

Day 8 – Journey from Tofino to Whistler

Your time on the coast has come to an finish. It’s time to commerce the sandy surf for snow-capped peaks. You’ll wish to get a great begin to the day and be on the street by 10:00 AM. That is the longest journey day on this 10 day street journey from Vancouver.

Drive from Tofino to Nanaimo and take the ferry again to the Mainland, the place you’ll proceed to Whistler.

The drive from Tofino to Nanaimo ferry terminal takes about 3 hours. There’s sometimes a 3:00 PM ferry that you’ll want to catch from Departure Bay. It’s good to make a reservation for the ferry crossing forward of time. Arrive on the ferry terminal at the very least one hour early.

Examine the BC ferry schedule right here.

The ferry from Departure Bay (Nanaimo) to Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver) takes about 1.5 hours. Whenever you disembark the ferry, drive on the freeway till you see a turnoff that claims ‘BC Ferries’ or ‘Horseshoe Bay’. It will likely be about 5-7 minutes earlier than you see the indicators.

It is advisable turnaround and head again in the direction of the ferry terminal the place you simply got here from. It’s a bizarre system. You’ll flip off the freeway, take a left and cross the bridge throughout the freeway, then left once more so you will get again on the freeway. This time you can be driving west/north, in the direction of Whistler.

Use your GPS, simply in case. You don’t wish to really return to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. You wish to comply with the street indicators for Squamish and Whistler.

When you’re hungry, cease within the city of Squamish for dinner. There are a number of eating places and quick meals joints simply off the freeway. The whole drive time from Horseshoe Bay to Whistler is about 1.5 hours.

You need to arrive in Whistler round 7:00 PM.

Associated: Do you have to go to the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish?

The sundeck of the BC Ferries. That’s the Coastal Mountain Vary within the distance.

Day 9 – Discover Whistler

Whistler is our pleased place. We attempt to go to this alpine village each few months. It’s a 4 season resort, so there’s at all times one thing to do, whatever the month or season.

You’ll be able to simply spend per week in Whistler, so that you’ll need to be selective together with your full day. Do you wish to hike within the mountains? Kayak on a freshwater lake? Take pleasure in a spa day or sit on a patio and chill out?

Our suggestion can be to do the Peak 2 Peak 360 Expertise (gondola up the mountain, alpine climbing, suspension bridge, and so forth), have lunch at Christine’s On Blackcomb, then again to your Whistler lodge for soak within the sizzling tub or pool, then head to Whistler Village and discover a patio for dinner. 

Issues to do in Whistler:

• Take the Peak 2 Peak 360 Expertise – learn extra right here. Give your self 3 to 4 hours for this expertise.
• Rejuvenate and chill out on the conventional Scandinave Spa
• Golf at 3 completely different programs, together with the spectacular Nicklaus North Golf Course
• SUP or kayaking at Misplaced Lake, Alta Lake or Inexperienced Lake
• Downhill mountain biking and/or cross-country path using
• Zipline course, ATV within the mountains, white water rafting or bungee leaping
• Helicopter tour or float aircraft sightseeing tour
• Bear viewing tour and/or nature safari
• Hike to beautiful alpine lakes at both Garibali Lake, Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, Chekamus Lake, Elfin Lakes or Wedgemount Lake
• Listed below are a couple of extra concepts for Whistler summer season actions

Associated publish: 20 Issues to do in Whistler this Summer time

The place to Keep in Whistler:

The place to Eat in Whistler:

• Well-liked patios in Whistler Village are Garibaldi Raise Co or Longhorn Saloon & Grill
• For scrumptious brunch, try Stonesedge Kitchen, Components or Brickworks
• Wanting one thing a little bit completely different, try Sushi Village or Mongolie Grill
• For informal brewpub expertise, try Merlin’s Bar & Grill, Amsterdam Pub, Dubh Linn Gate Irish Pub or Whistler Brewhouse

Right here’s a Whistler Village map and Whistler Blackcomb path map.

Strolling throughout the brand new suspension bridge at Whistler Mountain.

The above picture is Joffre Lakes Provincial Park, positioned an hour north of Whistler.

Day 10 – Whistler to Vancouver

After one last soak within the sizzling tub and a scrumptious brunch within the Village, pack up your automobile and drive south to Vancouver. That is the ultimate day of your epic British Columbia street journey. If you’re flying house this present day, plan for delays on the drive to the airport as Vancouver site visitors will be fairly heavy.

The drive time from Whistler to Vancouver is about 2 hours, however you’ll wish to make a couple of stops alongside the way in which.

About quarter-hour south of Whistler is Brandywine Falls Provincial Park. See picture under. Maintain an eye fixed out for the indicators, you may miss the turnoff if you happen to’re not paying consideration.

To see the waterfall, you’ll stroll via a pleasant forest path for about quarter-hour. Plan to spend about 45 minutes right here.

Brandywine Falls, positioned about quarter-hour south of Whistler.

The following cease is Shannon Falls Provincial Park (pictured above) and Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish.

When you’ve received time, we suggest taking the gondola to the Sea to Sky Summit lodge. There are many climbing trails and viewpoints on the high of the gondola. It’s also possible to take pleasure in lunch on the patio on the lodge. The views from listed below are superb.

When you’re tight on time, skip the gondola and go to Shannon Falls as an alternative. The falls are solely a 5 minute stroll from the car parking zone, so that you’ll solely want about half-hour right here.

Street journey from Squamish to Vancouver

When you’d love to do a couple of extra stops, contemplate the Britannia Mine Museum within the city of Britannia Seashore or stroll on the previous pier at Porteau Cove Provincial Park. Each stops are positioned simply off the freeway.

If the climate is sweet, be sure you pull over at Tantalus lookout level to see the large glacier on the Tantalus Vary. The lookout is between Whistler and Squamish. Right here’s the placement.

Try the Squamish Journey Centre for issues to do in Squamish.

Associated publish – 15 issues to do in Squamish this summer season

Mountain views from the highest of the Sea to Sky Gondola.

The place to remain in Vancouver

There are many inns in Vancouver to select from, starting from upscale 5 star inns to backpacker hostels and every little thing in between.

• A lot of the widespread Vancouver vacationer sights are positioned within the downtown space. Take into account this when deciding on the place to remain in Vancouver.
• Downtown inns typically require further charges for in a single day parking – typically as excessive as $40 per evening. Take into account this when reserving inns and automobile leases.
• When you desire to remain nearer to the mountains, contemplate staying on the Lonsdale Quay Resort or the Vacation Inn North Vancouver.

British Columbia Journey suggestions and issues to know:

• Choose up and return your car rental on the Vancouver airport. Save as much as 30% on automobile leases right here.
• When you go to in the course of the winter, be sure you have snow tires for the drive to Whistler.
• Seek for Vancouver lodge lodging right here. A lot of the widespread sights are positioned within the downtown space. It’s possible you’ll have to pay further for parking – typically as excessive as $40 per evening.
• Vancouver is Wifi pleasant with over 550 places. Search for a Free Wifi location.
• It’s smart to e-book reservations for the ferry to and from Vancouver Island, particularly if you happen to’re visiting over a vacation weekend. Right here’s the listing of holidays in BC. Examine ferry schedule right here.

Searching for extra Canada street journeys inspiration? Try Street Journey Alberta and Street Journey Manitoba. 

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