Great weekend getaways from Vancouver are magic – you can take a break from weekend chores, sleep in, experience new things, savour new foods and recharge your spirit!
You might ask why anyone would want to get away from Vancouver, given that it’s such a beautiful city? But, even denizens of beautiful places sometimes want to see and experience something new! Or perhaps you’re visiting Vancouver and want to know some great spots to explore within an easy driving distance? Let’s go!
If you’re looking for a great long weekend getaway in eastern British Columbia, check out Sally’s post all about Wing Creek Resort Cottages in Nelson!
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Weekend Getaway from Vancouver – Harrison Hot Springs
Located just 90 minutes from Vancouver, this hot spring near Vancouver is a straight shot on Highway 1 from Vancouver or a meandering scenic drive on Highway 7. Located on the southern end of Harrison Lake, this Vancouver hot springs resort is known for its medicinal hot springs, and has a population of just over 1500 people. The hot springs were originally used and revered by the Sts’Ailes First Nations people.
Harrison Hot Springs is one of the best weekend getaways from Vancouver! At just 90 minutes from Vancouver, the easy drive makes it a natural for a weekend getaway in BC.
The Harrison Hot Springs Resort is renown as a both a hot springs weekend getaway and a romantic getaway. Active since 1886, the resort has harnessed the hot springs into five mineral hot pools and healing spa treatments. Fine dining is available at the Resort’s Copper Room, one of the last places in the Pacific Northwest where you can still dine and dance to the house band. There’s even a separate children’s dance floor! It’s such a great getaway from Vancouver.
I love getting away to Harrison Hot Springs. The resort is lovely and offers both traditional guest rooms and private cottages. Views from the rooms are amazing. Watch out for Sasquatch sightings in Harrison!
Harrison Hot Springs is also a great motorcycle tour. The ride up Highway 7 from Vancouver is amazing! It’s one of the great short trips from Vancouver.
Check the price for the Harrison Hot Springs Resort here.
Vancouver Weekend Getaways – Whistler
Whistler is a 2 hour drive from Vancouver on the gorgeous Sea to Sky Highway and is one of the best long weekend getaways all year round. We escape to Whistler for a weekend getaway near Vancouver every year! There’s no other place like it to feel like you’re in a completely different place. Even though it’s one of the quick getaways from Vancouver, it feels like you’re on a real vacation!
The village is great for strolling and people-watching and there are lots of yummy places to eat. We love 21 Steps in the village and Wildflower in the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
Even if you’re not a skier, Whistler is a great long weekend getaway from Vancouver. We really enjoy the Scandinave Spa, even if we’re too chicken to spend more than 5 seconds in the cold pools!
Ride to the Peak to Peak gondola and take in the amazing views! We visited Whistler in November last year and had a great time!
Although Whistler isn’t one of the cheap getaways from Vancouver, you can find more budget accomodation in Whistler, especially if you visit in the off-season.
There is some great hiking in the Whistler area – check out the post I wrote for A World to Travel for all the details!
Check for the latest price for rooms at Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
Vancouver Weekend Getaway – Campbell River
Campbell River is a coastal city on the east coast of Vancouver Island, at the south end of the Discovery Passage. It is the salmon capital of the world!
Getting to Campbell River is easy via BC Ferries. Take the Horseshoe Bay ferry to Nanaimo – it’s an easy BC Ferries getaway. Campbell River is then 90 minutes from Nanaimo via Highway 19 or 2.5 hours via the great Old Island Highway. It winds along the beautiful coastline of Vancouver Island and offers amazing scenic views. I love the sight of the piles of oysters in Fanny Bay :-). Campbell River is one of the great weekend getaways from Vancouver BC.
Lisa has a great post on a Vancouver Island road trip – check it out!
Campbell River is one of the great getaways near Vancouver if you love nature, scenic vistas and fishing! It’s home to the breathtaking Strathcona Provincial Park and Elk Falls Provincial Park where hiking trails abound. There is also excellent golfing opportunities and gorgeous beaches and parks.
Cyclists will find ample backwoods trails through wildlife filled forests and easy paved paths. Motorcyclists will take great joy in riding from Campbell River to Gold River via one of the best riding roads in the province. I love riding this road on my Triumph Trophy! I’d say it’s one of the best getaways from Vancouver.
We have stayed at both the Coast Discovery Inn in downtown Campbell River and Heron’s Landing Hotel. We enjoyed both hotels; the Coast is slightly more upscale, and Heron’s Landing is right across from beach.
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway to Vancouver Island, check out this post for lots of details and suggestions.
Make sure you have everything you need for your road trip to Campbell River. Check out Lauren’s great list of road trip essentials with all the details.
Check the price for the Coast Discovery Inn and the Heron’s Landing Hotel.
Vancouver Getaways – Gibsons
Gibsons is on the Sunshine Coast, a short ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay. Gibsons is a coastal community and the main marine gateway to the rest of the Sunshine Coast and is a quick getaway from Vancouver. It will take approximately 3 hours total to get to Gibsons from Vancouver, the perfect amount of time for a weekend getaway near Vancouver. It’s also a great way to extend a 4-day stay in Vancouver!
Best known for the famous long-running CBC show The Beachcombers, Gibsons still plays home to the iconic Molly’s Reach, where you can get some of the best fish & chips around! It’s a great excuse for a weekend getaway from Vancouver.
Gibsons is also home to charming stores, an excellent public market and many beautiful sheltered beaches and coves. It’s one of the great choices for short getaways from Vancouver.
Gibsons is great jumping off point to explore the rest of the Sunshine Coast including Skookumchuck Narrows, Desolation Sound and Savary Island.
We like using AirBnB while staying on the Sunshine Coast as there are many charming B&B’s to choose from. We love spending a weekend away from Vancouver in Gibsons.
Getaways from Vancouver – Salt Spring Island
Salt Spring Island is the largest of the Gulf Islands and just a 2-hour ferry ride from Vancouver.
Ganges is the largest village on Salt Spring Island and home to the famous Salt Spring Market. Salt Spring Island is increasingly known for its foodie culture with artisan bakeries, organic produce and meats, and local Salt Spring Island cheese, wine and beer. There are fine restaurants and quirky cafes!
Salt Spring Island is one of the ideal long weekend getaways from Vancouver.
Salt Spring Island residents number just over 10,000 and are descendants of the original settlers or have escaped the city and fast-paced modern lifestyles for a simpler life of farming, crafting and health & wellness. If you’re looking for Vancouver weekend getaway ideas, Salt Spring Island is an ideal choice.
If you’re looking for short breaks from Vancouver, there are lots of great accommodations on Salt Spring Island from small cozy cottages to B&B’s to resorts. When we visit Salt Spring Island we like staying at Mineral Springs Resort in fabulous little private cottages.
If you love long weekend trips from Vancouver, you must try the tour from Vancouver to Banff! The scenery is absolutely spectacular!
What is your favourite getaway near Vancouver?
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