Weekend getaway near Vancouver

August 17, 2009 7:15 PM

Where can I go this weekend from Vancouver?

I would like to go away for a writing retreat this coming weekend. Probably Thursday to Tuesday morning.

Parameters: within 4 hours of Vancouver BC, power, cell coverage, ability to cook meals. Ideally, somewhat inspirational in terms of setting, just a good place to write and not a ridiculous amount of money.

The ideal spot would be someone's empty summer home on a Gulf Island, you know what I mean? (but I've used up my favours for this year)

posted by miles1972 to travel & transportation (7 comments total)

it's high season for tourism. Pretty much everything is booked - or expensive.

Do you have a tent? Do you like the outdoors? Go camping!!

I would suggest camping in WA state. Some campsites offer power for a modest increase in cost. The power is meant for an RV but you can plug in as well (I've seen this at Winthrop, lady at a picnic table, working on her macbook with a big orange long extension cord dangling between table and hitching post). Look for campsites like KOA, national parks, state parks. These larger more inclusive camp sites (more inclusive, as in allow RVs) also have full showers and little stores. Usually on a very scenic location like a lake (Pearygin Lake in Winthrop), the ocean (Kalaloch) or Puget Sound (Deception Pass).

If camping is not your style, then contact Tourism BC for information about Gulf Island lodges - there might be some specials there. 1-800-HELLOBC I've also received emails from Whistler with great deals on weekday hotel stays, might want to inquire with them as well.
posted by seawallrunner at 8:11 PM on August 17

I would go to either Parksville (Rathtrevor) and stay at one of the resorts (a cabin) or even a hotel, or the Comox Valley.

It's going to be warm and mild for the next week or so, and there is nothing more pleasant or inspirational than sitting on the beach on the Island at sunset, watching the Coast Mountains on the other side of the Strait slowly fade to blue, purple and black, and then watch a cruise ship or two go by.

I'm not really sure if this will match your budget, but, then again, anywhere you go and stay will be expensive.
posted by KokuRyu at 8:26 PM on August 17

Going to the Island with your car means an expensive ferry ride, regardless of destination. I'd head up the Sunshine Coast. Look for B&Bs in Pemberton. There are very nice, somewhat expensive ones, but I think there are more manageable ones as well, and from there you can drive to small tourist spots like Nairn Falls or up to provincial parks where you'll see bears on the way. Or just sit on a balcony in the valley and write.

My girlfriend and I had a weekend in the Valley Vineyard Inn B&B and loved it. Beautiful suite, gourmet meals, lovely vineyard surroundings. There are even chickens in the back. They have online booking, and as of posting this, they appear to have some of the less expensive rooms open for the weekend.
posted by fatbird at 9:09 PM on August 17

I think most camping is out if you really want to hold to the "cook meals" parameter, unless you either have a campstove or wouldn't mind buying one. There's a ton of campfire bans everywhere in BC right now.

That said, if you can live with a campstove, or could go with a weekend of cooler/nonrefrigerated staples interspersed with a restaurant meal or two, I'd head for either Saltspring or Pender island and camp. As KokuRyu says, it's going to be hot, so if camping is the way to go, I'd want to be relatively near a lot of water to help with the heat.
posted by barc0001 at 9:23 PM on August 17

What about up at Whistler? They bombard me offers to come visit them in summer so I have to think that there could be deals to be had.
posted by mmascolino at 9:28 PM on August 17

I don't know if this is your thing, but I remember talking to a friend who stayed at a Buddhist temple up in BC and I just googled it and came up with this.
posted by P.o.B. at 11:38 PM on August 17

Salt Spring Island or Seattle.
posted by jmmpangaea at 6:10 AM on August 18