Where do Vancouverites go for a weekend away?
June 12, 2008 6:43 PM Subscribe
Help me plan a short getaway near Vancouver
Hi,
My wife and I are heading to Vancouver for a wedding this July. We will be there for a week or so and the last few days will be filled with wedding-type events. During the week however we'd like to go somewhere for a night or two.
To complicate matters, my wife is pregnant and not really capable of highly active travel. We're basically looking for 2 days of R&R within reaching distance of Vancouver. We've skied in Whistler (and I've been there in the summer a bunch of times). We've both spent some time in Victoria and are both relatively familiar with Vancouver itself.
Two possibilities might be Salt Spring (or another) Island or the okanagan. I really have no idea where to start or what might be good value. Further what about ferries, driving and general accessibility?
Thanks for your help hive ...
Hi,
My wife and I are heading to Vancouver for a wedding this July. We will be there for a week or so and the last few days will be filled with wedding-type events. During the week however we'd like to go somewhere for a night or two.
To complicate matters, my wife is pregnant and not really capable of highly active travel. We're basically looking for 2 days of R&R within reaching distance of Vancouver. We've skied in Whistler (and I've been there in the summer a bunch of times). We've both spent some time in Victoria and are both relatively familiar with Vancouver itself.
Two possibilities might be Salt Spring (or another) Island or the okanagan. I really have no idea where to start or what might be good value. Further what about ferries, driving and general accessibility?
Thanks for your help hive ...
Bah, Saltspring smells of patchouli and unwashed hippies.
The Sunshine Coast is beautiful.. rent a cottage for a couple of days and flake the fuck out.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:03 PM on June 12, 2008
The Sunshine Coast is beautiful.. rent a cottage for a couple of days and flake the fuck out.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:03 PM on June 12, 2008
Seconding the Sunshine Coast for a good time off the city, in the quiet. Easy acces to the ferry at Horseshoe Bay. Drive a bit, go by Gibsons, Sechelt... Enjoy the scenic landscape and great people. You could also consider Tofino; it's a bit longer to get there, but Long Beach is paradise!
posted by ddaavviidd at 7:38 PM on June 12, 2008
posted by ddaavviidd at 7:38 PM on June 12, 2008
I've heard awesome, amazing, wonderful things about Tofino. Next time I make it to that coast I'll definitely be working it into the trip.
posted by Mimzy at 7:45 PM on June 12, 2008
posted by Mimzy at 7:45 PM on June 12, 2008
Oh yeah... Tofino is gorgeous. But the best time to go is during storm season, and stay at the Wickanninnish, and sit in the hot tub in your room (with convenient floor-to-ceiling windows) and watch the ocean do its crazy storm thing. Heaven.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:52 PM on June 12, 2008
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:52 PM on June 12, 2008
Tofino in the summer - one million tourists. I am not exaggerating: that number is on the brochures and the tourist maps.
In July the Okanagan is over-run and *hot*. Probably not very comfortable for your wife.
Here is what I propose: Winthrop WA, specifically Sun Mountain Lodge
Cross the border, take I-5 down to Sedro Wooley then hang a left on State Route 20. Drive over the North Cascades. This is a highway that you will not forget, beautiful snowy peaks all around you. Then descend into the Methow Valley, drive past Mazama and Winthrop and go up to Sun Mountain Lodge, on that little hill to your right.
It's splendid like Whistler used to be splendid - without all the crowds, the noise, the bustle. Do nothing at all, or partake in the activities offered at the lodge. It's a beautiful place to relax or just be.
Takes as long to get there, as it does to Tofino. I've been to both in the same month. And I'd rather drive SR20 than Highway 4 ;)
Ucluelet in the winter, now that's relaxation. Big waves, big beaches, 30 miles from Tofino, further South and further wild. But again, don't go there in the summer
posted by seawallrunner at 8:09 PM on June 12, 2008
In July the Okanagan is over-run and *hot*. Probably not very comfortable for your wife.
Here is what I propose: Winthrop WA, specifically Sun Mountain Lodge
Cross the border, take I-5 down to Sedro Wooley then hang a left on State Route 20. Drive over the North Cascades. This is a highway that you will not forget, beautiful snowy peaks all around you. Then descend into the Methow Valley, drive past Mazama and Winthrop and go up to Sun Mountain Lodge, on that little hill to your right.
It's splendid like Whistler used to be splendid - without all the crowds, the noise, the bustle. Do nothing at all, or partake in the activities offered at the lodge. It's a beautiful place to relax or just be.
Takes as long to get there, as it does to Tofino. I've been to both in the same month. And I'd rather drive SR20 than Highway 4 ;)
Ucluelet in the winter, now that's relaxation. Big waves, big beaches, 30 miles from Tofino, further South and further wild. But again, don't go there in the summer
posted by seawallrunner at 8:09 PM on June 12, 2008
I don't know if hot springs are okay for pregnant people, but they're good for aching tired bodies. Why not grab a night or two at Harrison Resort? The buffet breakfast is a dream to satisfy those food cravings. Skip the expensive dinner restaurant and have simple picnic food by the lake or Bridal Falls (short short trail to the falls) for the other meals.
posted by Listener at 9:44 PM on June 12, 2008
posted by Listener at 9:44 PM on June 12, 2008
I think on the west coast, (in my biased opinion) you can't really go too wrong, especially if you hit up the smaller islands. In consideration of your pregnant wife, I would avoid Tofino and the Oakanogan. The road to Tonfino can be long and rough, and the trip out to the Oakanagan from Vancouver is quite long by car. The travel aspect to these two locations might be less fun depending on how far along she is. Don't get me wrong though, I've been to both several times and I love it, but with only two days, the travel time might make them not the best choices. (Unless you plan to go by plane).
When visiting the small islands you do need to take a ferry. Generally you pay to get on the island, and on the way back it's 'free'. (With the exception of the Victoria/Vancouver Island routes). All of the local area is serviced by BC Ferries. The schedules here are probably the best place for you to start. You can click on either the north or southern gulf islands from there, and select the link for 'Vancouver Departures' if that is where you are planning to leave from.
Saltspring, although filled with hippies, is well equipped with B&B's and touristy hippy type things to do. I also recently came back from a trip to Quadra Island, which is a favourite destination of mine. Generally though, all the suggestions are really nice places. If you like the Harrison Hotsprings idea, I can also second it as a nice place to go.
posted by billy_the_punk at 10:13 PM on June 12, 2008
When visiting the small islands you do need to take a ferry. Generally you pay to get on the island, and on the way back it's 'free'. (With the exception of the Victoria/Vancouver Island routes). All of the local area is serviced by BC Ferries. The schedules here are probably the best place for you to start. You can click on either the north or southern gulf islands from there, and select the link for 'Vancouver Departures' if that is where you are planning to leave from.
Saltspring, although filled with hippies, is well equipped with B&B's and touristy hippy type things to do. I also recently came back from a trip to Quadra Island, which is a favourite destination of mine. Generally though, all the suggestions are really nice places. If you like the Harrison Hotsprings idea, I can also second it as a nice place to go.
posted by billy_the_punk at 10:13 PM on June 12, 2008
Er. I mean Vancouver/Vancouver Island routes. Sorry. :P
posted by billy_the_punk at 10:14 PM on June 12, 2008
posted by billy_the_punk at 10:14 PM on June 12, 2008
Savary Island on the edge of Desolation Sound, at the Northern tip of the Sunshine Coast. Beautiful, restful, historic - also known as the "Hawaii of The North".
posted by seawallrunner at 11:25 PM on June 12, 2008
posted by seawallrunner at 11:25 PM on June 12, 2008
Parksville's Rathrevor Beach on Vancouver Island. The sandy beach is a mile wide and, when the tide goes out, the beach is a mile long, too. Tons of tidal pools to explore. It's just 25 minutes north from the Nanaimo ferry.
posted by acoutu at 1:24 PM on June 13, 2008
posted by acoutu at 1:24 PM on June 13, 2008
Lions Bay is really sweet, and it's just a quick drive north out of town.
Also, Saltspring is not the best gulf island! Galiano [my favourite], Pender, Gabriola, Mayne, and all the others are all just a ferry out of Vancouver and they're a lot less touristy. They all specialize in lovely little B&Bs and cottages.
posted by rhinny at 3:05 PM on June 13, 2008
Also, Saltspring is not the best gulf island! Galiano [my favourite], Pender, Gabriola, Mayne, and all the others are all just a ferry out of Vancouver and they're a lot less touristy. They all specialize in lovely little B&Bs and cottages.
posted by rhinny at 3:05 PM on June 13, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by melgy at 6:53 PM on June 12, 2008