23 Best Day Trips From Vancouver (Local’s Guide)
Are you looking for the best day trips from Vancouver?
Vancouver’s central location allows for many day trips in almost every direction of the city. As a local, born and raised in Vancouver, I’ve been on many day trips and can list all of them for you.
While day trips can differentiate between people, for example, a day trip to some is somewhere you travel one to two hours away and spend the day there. In contrast, others may think it’s spending the day somewhere under an hour away.
But, whichever way you consider a day trip, I compiled a list of locations under or over an hour away so you can pick and choose which day trip from Vancouver best suits your interests.
Day Trips From Vancouver
Always be prepared when going on day trips. Check the weather and road conditions, pack snacks and water, and always have a charged phone.
There are ways to take a day trip from Vancouver without a car. For example, there are shuttle options to and from Whistler or public transportation to locations under an hour away.
Under An Hour Away From Vancouver
These are the day trips from Vancouver, under an hour from the city.
1. Steveston (Richmond)
Steveston is a neighbourhood in Richmond, and it’s a very touristy location. Bayview Street, specifically Steveston Wharf, is where all the action is with fish and chips restaurants, seafood restaurants, Canadian souvenir stores, and places to walk along, like the small Fraser River greenway or Garry Point Park.
2. Deep Cove
The easternmost part of North Vancouver is the community of Deep Cove. It’s a beautiful spot where water activities are the most popular things to do here.
Kayaking is the most popular activity, along with paddle boarding, canoeing, and boating. I remember going on a field trip in high school for P.E. class to go kayaking; it was a lot of fun.
You can kayak up the Indian Arm, but it’ll take a few hours to complete. There’s a waterfall called Silver Falls and other hidden things to see.
There’s also the easy hike up to Quarry Rock, where it overlooks Deep Cove.
3. Lynn Canyon
Another location in North Vancouver is Lynn Canyon. Many people like to visit Lynn Canyon because of the small suspension bridge and the 30-foot pool of glacial water. However, there are many trails linking up to many other hiking trails.
There’s the Baden Powell Trail, which links up to all three mountain ranges in Vancouver (which will take you days to complete). But, it does lead to some points of interest.
Don’t forget to check out the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre at the entrance. It’s a small nature museum, free to enter, with information about the area and local plants and animals.
4. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
One of North Vancouver’s most popular tourist locations is the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.
The 450-foot (137-metre) suspended bridge over the Capilano River, surrounded by forest, is an excellent way to experience nature. Other activities include Treetops Aventure, where you can walk between trees on smaller suspended bridges.
There’s also a Cliffwalk where you can walk along the side of a massive rock on the side of a cliff. Plus, there are informational centres where they talk about Indigenous history and culture.
It’s also a beautiful spot for a Christmas event in Vancouver, as the park is transformed for the holiday and decorated with Christmas lights and other festive decorations.
➡️ Check Prices & Availability Here For Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
5. Grouse Mountain
The last location in North Vancouver, I know North Vancouver has a lot of places to see, is Grouse Mountain.
Grouse Mountain is one of the three mountain ranges you see in Vancouver, and you can always remember it’s the middle mountain because of The Cut on the mountainside.
I’d have to say that Grouse is the most popular mountain for activities. It’s one of Vancouver’s go-to places to visit during the winter because you can snowboard, ski, visit the grizzly bears, do holiday activities, and the most popular summer activity, the Grouse Grind, and more.
The Grouse Grind, by the way, isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a steep incline trail, and it’s recommended that you’re in good health and wear the proper hiking shoes.
6. New Westminster Quay
One of the lesser-known areas to visit outside Vancouver is New Westminster. New Westminster Quay (pronounced KEY) is an excellent location for grabbing ice cream and walking along the BC Parkway.
I walked along here many times growing up—I used to have relatives who lived near the area. There’s a park at the other end of the walkway, which is fantastic for children.
7. Porteau Cove Provincal Park
An excellent pit stop along the Sea To Sky Highway is Porteau Cove Provincial Park. Here, you can see the old docking port, now used in dire emergencies if something happens to the highway, scuba divers, as it’s a popular location to practice (there’s a sunken ship), a lookout spot, and picnic tables.
For the past five years, one of my more recent traditions was staying at Porteau Cove Provincial Park. There are campsites available, and where I stay is the Proteau Cove Olympic Legacy Cabins.
Once you enjoyed your time here, you can travel to the following location 10 minutes North on the Sea To Sky Highway.
8. Britannia Beach
And the following location, from Porteau Cove, is Britannia Beach. It was once one of Canada’s most active and largest copper mining mines in the 1920s and 1930s.
Today, the Britannia Mine has become an award-winning museum and a top tourist location in British Columbia.
The non-profit museum is excellent for children to learn about and tour the underground of the once-active copper mine. I’ve been a handful of times, and it’s a fantastic, informative, and easy-to-understand tour.
Not only is the mine tour with the BOOM! show entertaining, but there’s also panning for gold and all the outdoor museums to visit.
➡️ Check Prices & Availability Here For Britannia Mine Museum
Over An Hour Away From Vancouver
As a heads up, traffic usually starts in the morning around 6:00 to 8:30 AM and afternoons around 3:30 PM to 6:30 PM.
These are the day trips you can take from Vancouver that are over an hour away.
9. Bowen Island
Bowen Island is a small island in Howe Sound (you can see it from the Sea To Sky Highway). The island is only a 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal.
It’s a quiet island with 4,255 residences, known for outdoor activities and the arts.
10. Golden Ears Provincial Park
While you need a day-use pass to access the park (they go quickly in the summer), Golden Ears Provincial Park is a beautiful spot to swim, paddleboard or do other water activities in Alouette Lake.
There are also hiking opportunities within the provincial park and stunning views from the top.
11. Harrison Hot Springs
Harrison Hot Springs is located in the Fraser Valley. It’s a small village where many locals stay for the long weekend or a weekend getaway.
Natural hot springs are on the left side of Harrison Lake, and other activities, such as the Harrison Floating Waterpark and hiking trails, are available.
12. Hope
To me, Hope—the municipality, not the actual hope feeling, is always the last stop before leaving for Okanagan. Also, it’s the last place before the highways split into different directions for travelling into the interior of British Columbia.
Hope is known for chainsaw carvings, mountain ranges, and canyons offering some of the most beautiful views. It also has historic spots like the Hope Slide in 1965, the second-largest landslide in British Columbia, which killed four people and completely displaced Outram Lake.
💡 Fun Fact: Many television shows and movies have been filmed in Hope, and one of the most popular is First Blood, Rambo.
13. Fort Langley
A historical location, Fort Langley, part of Langley, was a fur trading post. You may recognize the famous yellow Community Hall featured in many movies and TV shows.
The Fort is an excellent place to take children. I remember in elementary school, there were always field trips to Fort Langley, where you would learn about the people who lived there and their jobs. My favourite, and everyone’s favourite, was panning for gold.
You can also walk within the town, enjoy lunch at restaurants or cafes, and explore the other small businesses in the area.
14. Whiterock
Whiterock is a city closest to the Canada and United States Border. It’s a popular place to enjoy ice cream or fish and chips. I recommend Moby Dick Restaurant for fish and chips, and it’s probably the most popular spot in Whiterock to eat. There are also many restaurants along Marine Drive.
You can walk along the Whiterock Promenade following the shores of the ocean. There are many notable points along the promenade, like the large white-painted rock, the 1,542-foot (470 metres) Whiterock Pier, and parks.
15. Cultus Lake
I’m not going to lie; Cultus Lake gets extremely busy during the summer, mainly because it’s one of the go-to lakes locals like to swim in. So, I recommend going as early as possible to secure a spot.
Not only is there the lake but also the Cultus Lake Waterpark, which is a lot of fun for families with children as there are many slides and pools.
💡 Note: If you go swimming or do any water activities on the lake, stay in the designated swim areas and wear a life vest or jacket when out in the lake because Cultus Lake has undercurrents. People have drowned at the lake before, so be careful with young children and yourself.
If you travel past Cultus Lake, there’s a beautiful lake that you can hike to called Lindeman Lake. However, I’d consider it as its own day trip.
16. Squamish
Squamish is an outdoor town where you can do almost every outdoor activity, such as rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, windsurfing, etc.
It’s home to the famous Stawamus Chief, or “The Chief,” as we locals call it. The hike is divided into three parts, so you can climb to the top or turn around at any point, but I recommend hiking up to the top.
Other places to visit in Squamish include the Sea to Sky Gondola, Shannon Falls Provincial Park, where you can see a waterfall and also see it from the highway, and Cleveland Avenue, where there are popular coffee shops and cafes.
You can head to Eagle Run Vista Point during certain times of the year, a popular point for seeing bald eagles. You can also walk along the trail parallel to the Squamish River.
17. Garibaldi
If you’re an experienced hiker, I recommend heading to Garibaldi. The park has beautiful trails with stunning views of mountains and Garibaldi Lake. However, some trails, like the Black Tusk, may take more than a day to complete.
You’ll have to purchase a day-use pass to hike a Garibaldi two days before the expected hike day, and they tend to go fast during the summer.
18. Whistler
One of the top day trips from Vancouver is Whistler. Whistler is worth visiting for many reasons, as there are many activities that you can do year-round.
You can walk on easy trails around Lost Lake Park, learn about the Squamish and Lil’wat Nations at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre, golf, and more.
My favourite place to grab lunch in Whistler Village is Mongolie Grill. You can choose ingredients there; the cooks cook your food on a round flat top. You pay by weight. Also, if you’re looking for ice cream, COWS is the place to be in Whistler.
19. Joffre Lake
Being one of British Columbia’s most beautiful spots, another hiking location is Joffre Lake. Depending on your pace and how many rest stops you take, the hike will take approximately 3.5 to 5 hours.
The trail is easy and well-maintained compared to the other challenging trails in the area. You’ll also need a day-use pass to hike Joffre Lake, which needs to be booked two days before the date you plan to go.
20. Victoria
Another top-day trip from Vancouver is travelling to Victoria. British Columbia’s capital is where you can visit downtown in a day, but I recommend staying for at least two days.
Victoria is worth visiting for many reasons. There are many things to do and landmarks to see, such as the Fairmont Empress Hotel, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Royal BC Museum, Butchart Garden, and Victoria’s Chinatown with Canada’s famous Fan Tan Alley.
21. Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast is another location you can travel to for the day from Vancouver. A 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal will take you to the Langdale Ferry Terminal, and from there, you can take a 10-minute car ride to Gibsons.
Known as the gateway to the Sunshine Coast, Gibsons is a quaint town on the coast. From Gibsons, you can take a car ride 16 minutes away to Roberts Creek and from Roberts Creek, another 13 minutes to Sechelt. And lastly, a 13-minute ride from Sechelt to Halfmoon Bay.
The Sunshine Coast is known for many outdoor and water activities and the arts. While you can drive from Gibsons to Earls Cove (about an hour and 16-minute car ride), you’ll have to take a ferry to explore the rest of the Sunshine Coast (Powell River, Copeland Islands, Savary Island, Lund).
It’s a non-bookable ferry from Earls Cove to Saltery Bay, so you’ll pay for the ferry ride when you arrive at the terminal. But from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, you must book in advance.
However, I recommend spending the day trip until you reach Halfmoon Bay and adding an extra day to explore more towns and things to do on the Sunshine Coast.
22. (Southern) Gulf Islands
Hundreds of islands run along the Strait of Georgia between the mainland of British Columbia and Vancouver Island. The Gulf Islands are divided into the Northern, Southern, and Discovery Islands.
While you could visit the Northern Gulf Islands, they’re more than a one-day type of visit, which is why many people visit the Southern Gulf Islands more often.
The Southern Gulf Islands most visited by people are Salt Spring, Galiano, Mayne, Pender, and Saturna. These islands are known for outdoor hiking opportunities, kayaking, and local artisans.
It’s also an excellent place if you’re looking for a romantic getaway on the Gulf Islands.
23. Point Roberts (USA)
Last but not least is Point Roberts. You’ll need your passports to explore Point Roberts.
While technically, Port Roberts is part of the United States, you can only access Point Roberts from British Columbia (it’s under the 49th parallel division between Canada and the United States).
It’s part of the Tsawwassen peninsula and is considered a pene-exclave. There’s not much to do at Point Roberts other than hang out at some parks or play golf, but it’s a unique spot.
BC Ferry Tips
These are some local tips for travelling with BC Ferries.
The first tip is to book your ferry reservations in advance. While you can buy tickets at the ticket booth when you get to the terminal, you’re not guaranteed the next sailing or any sailing.
Especially during the summer, the most used and popular ferry routes are extra busy. They can sell out for the entire day or certain sail times. There are ferries you can’t book in advance and must be purchased at the ticket booth, which these routes are less popular (ex, Horsebay to Bowen Island).
My second tip is that if you’re travelling around Vancouver without a car, you can take public transportation to the ferry terminals and walk on the ferry. Usually, there are also public buses that’ll take you into the city or town.
Walk-on passengers are a cheaper way to travel on the ferries. You don’t need to book in advance, but you can. You can purchase tickets at the ticket booth inside the terminal.
My third tip is that if you’re visiting Vancouver with a car but plan on not using it on the ferry, don’t park it at the ferry terminal lots. They’re pretty small, and spots go quickly. Plus, all-day parking is expensive.
Instead, I’d get someone else to drop you off at the terminal or use the public transportation system.
Day Trips From Vancouver — FAQs
These are some frequently asked questions on day trips from Vancouver.
Is A Day Trip To Victoria From Vancouver Worth It?
Yes! A day trip to Victoria from Vancouver is worth it. Many tourists and locals like to travel to Victoria for the day. And it’s easy to get to from the mainland.
Is Whistler Worth A Day Trip From Vancouver?
Yes, Whistler is worth a day trip from Vancouver. It’s only two hours away by car, so getting there is easy.
What Is The Easiest Island To Get To From Vancouver?
Bowen Island is the easiest island to get to from Vancouver. It’s a 20-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many day trips from Vancouver that you can do. Whether you consider a day trip under or over an hour long, I hope you found a day trip location in Vancouver that piqued your interest.
Have a good day 🙂
