I have three nights and two full days to take a side trip after spending four full days in Vancouver. I can rent a car. I think the west coast of Vancouver Island is too far and I have been to Victoria proper. Is the Okanagan Valley too far? Is the Sushine Coast the easiest? Area to stay and sight see please. Diane
Side Trip from Vancouver?
Recent Activity
View all Canada activity »
- 1 Nova Scotia ideas...
- 2 Jasper - a drive too far?
- 3 Time Management between Montreal and Quebec City
- 4 Nova Scotia in 10 days - Roundtrip from Bangor, ME
- 5 Dressing for Dinner on a BC Road Trip
- 6 Two nights in Quebec City - hotel, restaurant, activity suggestions?
- 7 New to Montreal - want to stay in Plateau area
- 8 Woody Island Resort in Newfoundland
- 9 Vancouver shopping with teens
- 10 Calgary treats
- 11 Honeymoon in Quebec City
- 12 Best way to get from Quebec City to Boston
- 13 Canadian Rockies - Burgess Shale and rafting
- 14 Hotel for Calgary Arrival?
- 15 Best nature options near Vancouver
- 16 Northern Vermont to Sault Ste Marie via Trans-Canada Highway
- 17
Montreal Race Weekend - Grand Prix F1
- 18 Recommendations needed for change of Hotel in Victoria, please.
- 19 Wine Tour - Where to stay, how long to plan for
- 20 Gros Morne accommodations
- 21 Vancouver Whale Watching
- 22 DOG SLEDDING
- 23 Route from Ns to Calgary, side trip to Niagra Falls
- 24 Downtown Toronto to Niagara Falls
- 25 Downtown Toronto to Canada's Wonderland
The Sunshine Coast is probably the easiest as you only have to drive to the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal (a quick 20 minute drive north-west of Vancouver), board a ferry and after x-amount of time, you're there. I don't think the ferries are that long - less than an hour, for sure.
The west coast of Vancouver Island is a world away from the faux-Englishness of Victoria, but it's absolutely spectacular. You'd also take a ferry from the Horseshoe Bay terminal, this time across to Nanaimo. From Nanaimo to Tofino I think it takes about 4 hours (give or take).
The Okanagan is the same distance as going to Tofino - it's about a 5 hour drive assuming you take the Coquihalla from Hope to Merritt, then from Merritt to Kelowna, although the slower, scenic route is my personal favourite (from Hope to Princeton, and then to Penticton).
The Okanagan is so *different* from Vancouver Island and the coast of BC because of the semi-arid climate (I don't think the temperature ever drops below 25 degrees Celsius during the days), the lake is gorgeous, but the real gem of the Okanagan is all the fresh fruit stands on the side of the roads selling all the local crops (peaches, apples, nectarines, plums, etc) - and the wineries. There are dozens of wineries in that region, most of which you can tour. The Okanagan's lovely in the summer. It can be done if you have three nights. If you leave early morning, you can usually reach Kelowna by noon, giving you the entire day, plus the following 2 days to explore the region. On the day back you can take the scenic route (via Hwy 3).
My boyfriend and I did that trip last July for the Canada Day long weekend. It can be done without feeling rushed.
I would recommend the Okanagan for several reasons: nice 4-5 hour drive -scenic for the most part (can do a circle route), no ferries to pay for or line up for (can be a huge hassle), better weather - Vancouver has unpredictable weather, could be hot and sunny or cool and wet - the same day even!!, Okanagan climate is dry and not humid, great swimming lakes, great wineries!!!!!, nice people, better weather, better weather....anyway the only drawback is that it is expensive. Go to Kelowna, Penticton, Osoyoos, and Naramata (Check out Sandy Beach Resort website for a great B&B) West Coast of Island is great - but you will want to stay and wont have time.
ttt