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My husband and I only have one week in BC and are overwhelmed by all the ground that could be covered and the enormous distances between, for example, Banff and Tofino. There is so much to see and so little time. Please help us by sharing your feedback on what not to miss so we can start eliminating things. We love beautiful scenery, ocean and mountains, hiking, wine, wildlife, and gardens. Thanks.
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Top sites to visit in BC during one week?
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What time of year are you coming?
Will you have a car? or are you depending on buses/trains/transit etc?
I ask because you mentioned (among other things) wine, and that brings to mind the Okanogan Valley as a place to locate yourselves and really explore...it offers most of what you have mentioned on your list.
But you would need a car.
Coming in mid June for two weeks, one of which will be in BC and one of which will be in Seattle/Washington. Could rent a car or not. Will definitely be flying from the East coast into either Seattle or Vancouver and then flying back home again.
With a car then and having already seen a west coast city, I would head straight for the Okanogan Valley. Lots of wineries, spectacular scenery, wonderful water and mountain views. There are excellent hiking trails, and charming small towns, like Summerland and Penticton at the bottom of the Valley. At the far north end of the valley, Sorrento, Sicamous, Blind Bay, Copper Cliff/Islane area, there are great hikes and beautiful parks, water falls, more winderies, some ski hill resorts with stuff to do off-season and some indigenous native galleries, restaurants and museums to add to the interest.
Others will chime in I am sure.
I'd consider Vancouver Island; it has most of the things you mentioned and is easily accessible from Seattle or Vancouver vis ferry. Victoria has Butchart Gardens, of course, and where we live in Sooke there is lots of wildlife and some good hikes. Why not do some research and then come back with specific questions? I'd be happy to answer them if I can.
Agree on Vancouver Island, the Cowichan Valley and Sooke Peninsula have some wonderful wineries, cideries too and there are even a couple places that make Mead.
Strathcona Park for mountain hiking/biking, 100% surrounded by the sea so all kinds of water sports options including but not limited to Whale and Bear watching, easy access from Seattle-all found!
If I have time tomorrow I'll add a dozen or so island links for your perusal.
What about Salt Spring Island? I keep hearing not to miss the Saturday market. If we are focusing on Vancouver Island and other locations in the western part of BC, wouldn't it make sense to include it?
Saltspring is something of a distant suburb of Victoria that being said coming/going are time consuming and apart from the Market is a very low key holiday destination.
I no particualr order some options to consider
http://www.aboriginaljourneys.com/
http://www.crd.bc.ca/parks/lochside/index.htm
http://www.gallopinggoosetrail.com/
http://tlaook.com/
http://www.alberni-clayoquottourism.ca/
http://www.campbellriversnorkeltours.com/
http://www.wineislands.ca/
http://www.fairburnfarm.bc.ca/
http://www.seacider.ca/
http://www.merridalecider.com/
http://www.middlemountainmead.com/
http://www.islandfarmfresh.com/
I agree with Sam - personally I wouldn't bother with Salt Spring time time. The market is okay - great if you're already on the island, but not worth going out of your way for, especially considering the time and effort it takes to get there. It wouldn't be the sole reason for going to Salt Spring, in my opinion.
I don't know the island but I saw a TV show that featured a really neat looking "storm watching" hotel out on the west side of the island. Others may know what I'm talking about or if it's as nice as it looked.