3 Weekend Getaways from Vancouver

British Columbia’s west coast is renowned for its outstanding beauty. The city of Vancouver is nestled in between several prominent mountain ranges and the wild, rugged coast, meaning that you are never more than a few hours’ drive from amazing adventures. Whether you live here or are just passing through, there are plenty of weekend getaways from Vancouver. Check out the destinations below for some travel inspiration! 

Tofino – 6 hours

One of the personal favorite destinations amongst Karma staffers has to be Tofino! This quaint surf town is tucked away on the west coast of Vancouver Island and is unlike anywhere else. Here you will find countless beaches, spectacular coastlines, lots of wildlife, and some of the best food we have ever eaten. 

The most popular activity in Tofino is surfing! You can rent gear from any of the local surf shops and enjoy catching some waves. Check out Long Beach, Cox Bay, and Chesterman Beach for Tofino’s  renowned icy cold waves and laid-back surf culture. 

Another top Tofino attraction is the Hot Springs Cove. It is a 1.5-hour boat ride in which you’ll ride through the waters of Clayoquot Sound, passing tons of tiny islands and getting incredible views of the surrounding landscapes. Once you arrive at the dock for the hot springs it is a spectacular 1.5km walk through an old growth forest along a wooden boardwalk.

Squamish – 1 hour

If you are after a weekend full of outdoor adventure then make the short trip to Squamish. Whether you want to hike, mountain bike, or ride your dirt bike, this is the place to go. Squamish has endless hiking trails such as the Chief, Crooked Falls, and Murrin Loop.

This is also an excellent choice for weekend trips from Vancouver in the winter. There are lots of good snowshoe trails and lots of world-class backcountry skiing to be enjoyed in the surrounding mountains.

While in Squamish, you can’t miss a ride on the Sea to Sky Gondola! This 10 minute ride in the gondola will take you 885 meters up to a truly magical place with spectacular views. Once at the top, you can test your nerves and get some instagram worthy photos by going across the 100 meter Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. 

Kelowna – 4 hours

Explore the interior of British Columbia and head into Kelowna for a visit. Kelowna is located along the shores of the Okanagan Lake and offers an energetic downtown with great shops and a beautiful waterfront boardwalk.

The city is set in BC’s wine country and renowned for producing some of the best wines in Canada. The wineries are positioned throughout the region and trying the local wineries is a fantastic way to spend a weekend.

In the summertime, you can enjoy swimming in the Okanagan Lake or take a boat and spend time out on the water. Kelowna is also a short distance from Big White Ski Resort which is home to some of the best snow anywhere in the world.

Did the travel bug bite you while reading? Click here to check out available dates for your campervan rental!

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