British Columbia in Summer?

[MrBig]

Sat idly contemplating next years holiday and thinking we haven't seen our friends in Vancouver for a few years now, so 2023 would be a good time to go again and I'm wondering what there is to do/see in the summer. We would most likely go for 2 weeks and spend 5-7 days with them in Vancouver and then travel on somewhere else... but where?

Head up to Kamloops? Banff? Or cross the border and visit Seattle or Oregan? Other suggestions?

[tribalsurfer]

MrBig said:

Sat idly contemplating next years holiday and thinking we haven't seen our friends in Vancouver for a few years now, so 2023 would be a good time to go again and I'm wondering what there is to do/see in the summer. We would most likely go for 2 weeks and spend 5-7 days with them in Vancouver and then travel on somewhere else... but where?

Head up to Kamloops? Banff? Or cross the border and visit Seattle or Oregan? Other suggestions?

Got family in Vancouver and regularly travel out that way. July / August can sometimes be a bit iffy with forest fires in the Rockys. Last few trips we went over to the Island and hired an Airbnb in Parksville. Years ago I went as far north as Tofino and over to Campbell River where we have friends, both lovely places.

If you did head West, i've spent many a happy day doing a tour of the wineries in the Okanagon. Kelowna is OK but love the areas of Peachland and Summerland. Penticton is a marmite place but you do get the best of 2 lakes (Okanagon and Skaha). In fact between the 2 lakes is a natural lazy river where you can float for about 5 miles (organised activity).

Another suggestion that we are yet to do is go up the Sunshine Coast (Sechelt etc).

BTW whilst in Vancouver spend a couple evenings at a bar on False Creek or walking around Granville Island.

[MrBig]

Thank you, very helpful. Been to both False Creek and Granville Island a few times now, love it there. Apart from a day trip to Whistler and another up Grouse Mountain we've never really left Vancouver before now, so hoping to explore the wider area but without spending days driving.

[Silvanus]

I suggest you need a helper, book me in and I will carry your bags and drive for you

[MrBig]

Silvanus said:

I suggest you need a helper, book me in and I will carry your bags and drive for you

Throw in a couple of evenings looking after the kids and you have a deal

[Silvanus]

MrBig said:

Silvanus said:

I suggest you need a helper, book me in and I will carry your bags and drive for you

Throw in a couple of evenings looking after the kids and you have a deal

You're on, can I bring my mountain bike, kayak and fishing rods

[RC1807]

PHer samj2014 lives in BC


"beware of the bears!"

[djc206]

MrBig said:

Sat idly contemplating next years holiday and thinking we haven't seen our friends in Vancouver for a few years now, so 2023 would be a good time to go again and I'm wondering what there is to do/see in the summer. We would most likely go for 2 weeks and spend 5-7 days with them in Vancouver and then travel on somewhere else... but where?

Head up to Kamloops? Banff? Or cross the border and visit Seattle or Oregan? Other suggestions?

We went at the end of summer last year and going again this year.

Last year: Vancouver>Tofino>Whistler>Jasper>Banff then headed over to Toronto and Niagara on the Lake.

This year: Vancouver>Victoria>Whistler>Okanagan>Banff then heading over to Montreal and Mont Tremblant.

Unlike the person above I was massively underwhelmed by Tofino. It’s got a good BBQ restaurant and we took a successful whale watching tour from there but I just didn’t really get the appeal of the place. I thought Whistler was underrated and we’re going back to mountain bike there. Banff is just lovely and a short drive to Lake Louise. We will probably drive and up down the Icefields Parkway again and try and get a decent hike in as we had poor weather last time. The reason we’re building Okanagan Valley in is the surprising quality of the white wine from there, very similar to NZ sauv blanc.

I would gladly never return to Seattle, we were there earlier this year and it’s a toilet. Chatting to the crew on the way out two of them separately said Seattle used to be their favourite destination but not any more, we were on the same page. Portland, OR might be nice though?

Don’t underestimate the distances and times involved in some of those trips. Vancouver to Banff is ~10hrs, 12hrs if you take the scenic route via the sea to sky highway. That’s without stopping which you’d want to do because it’s breath taking.

[BobToc]

I’m August 2018 we did Vancouver, flight to Calgary, Banff (Lake Louise), Emerald Lake, Jasper, Clearwater, Pemberton and Tofino.

Only tips would be to book accommodation and Vancouver Island ferry well in advance. Sensational trip, very jealous if you’re doing anything remotely similar.

Shame to hear of PP disappointing time in Seattle. We had a wonderful afternoon there about 4-5 years ago but I get the sense a lot of US tech cities have become quite unliveable. We liked the outskirts of Portland though.

[djc206]

BobToc said:

I’m August 2018 we did Vancouver, flight to Calgary, Banff (Lake Louise), Emerald Lake, Jasper, Clearwater, Pemberton and Tofino.

Only tips would be to book accommodation and Vancouver Island ferry well in advance. Sensational trip, very jealous if you’re doing anything remotely similar.

Shame to hear of PP disappointing time in Seattle. We had a wonderful afternoon there about 4-5 years ago but I get the sense a lot of US tech cities have become quite unliveable. We liked the outskirts of Portland though.

Reference your middle paragraph, great advice, I’d add car hire to that list. Car hire is still very expensive in Canada but leaving it until a few months before will see that already steep cost rise to outrageous, if you can find a car at all.

[Boringvolvodriver]

I was disappointed with Vancouver Island although would recommend Campbell River for whale watching - had a great trip.

Liked Tofino and that coast- just not the bit in between and found Victoria a bit meh.

Would recommend the Rockies though

[Rich_AR]

I live in BC. Used to live in Vancouver and now further inland near Kamloops. The drive from Vancouver to Kamloops is a breeze, just over 4 hours, open road, mountain views etc.

As above, if you like wine, the Okanagan region is lovely, LOADS of wineries to visit and consume at.

Seattle is a bit meh to be honest. I was there last week in fact, it's homeless people central and really not that much to do.

Are you wanting to do outdoor stuff, activities, hiking etc or more city ?

[Freakuk]

Portland and the surrounding areas are lovely, my wife lived out there for a few years before I met her so she took me there a few years ago. On the whole Oregon is a nice state from what I saw.

Been to Whistler, Banff, Lake Louise, Kicking horse several times but all in the winter, I'd love to do them all in summer though.

[ruggedscotty]

Ok...

its a nice area...


Are you out doorsy... ?

there are 4 basic options....

Stay city...

Whistler - in summer is good, trails walks gondolas etc.... squamish... mountain bike capital of the pacific northwest

circle trip through rockies to calgary head south cross border and head back to seattle.... north bend snohomish etc twin peaks country

Vancouver island ferry port angeles and circle back to vancouver taking in seattle.... pike market and space needle ?

[Lotusgone]

Just been researching the very trip. This came from a feature in one of Mrs L's magazines - the travel company was Discover The World, though I was looking into replicating the same fly-drive trip but self-booking. Westjet are quite flexible with their flight booking, in terms of flying in to one airport and out of another.

We've put the plans on hold, though, because Canada are still keen on face masks and other rules, with every possibility of further rules being imposed if Mrs Smith of Moosecrutch wakes up with the sniffles.