One of my favourite things about living in Vancouver was how easy it was to head away for the weekend. From mountain towns and alpine lakes to surf beaches and national parks, there are so many incredible weekend getaways from Vancouver just a few hours from the city.
These are some of my favourite weekend getaways from Vancouver, based on the trips we took while living in British Columbia.
Best Weekend Getaways from Vancouver at a Glance
| Destination | Travel Time | Best For | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squamish | 1 hr | Hiking & breweries | Sea to Sky Gondola, Shannon Falls & mountain hikes |
| Whistler | 2 hrs | Hiking, lakes & skiing | Whistler Village, alpine lakes & Peak 2 Peak |
| Chilliwack | 2 hrs | Camping & hiking | Lindeman Lake, Chilliwack Lake & mountain trails |
| Mount Baker | 2.5 hrs | Scenic drives & hiking | Picture Lake, Artist Point & Heather Meadows |
| North Cascades National Park | 3 hrs | Hiking & scenic road trips | Diablo Lake, Blue Lake & Highway 20 |
| Vancouver Island | 4–6 hrs | Beaches & coastal towns | Tofino, Ucluelet & the west coast |
| Olympic National Park | 5 hrs | Rainforest, beaches & hiking | Hoh Rain Forest, rugged beaches & mountain scenery |
Travel times are approximate from Vancouver and may vary depending on ferry schedules, traffic and border crossing wait times.
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Weekend Getaways from Vancouver
Squamish, British Columbia
Just an hour north of Vancouver, Squamish is one of the easiest weekend escapes from the city. Surrounded by mountains, waterfalls and hiking trails, it’s the perfect destination if you’re looking to spend a weekend outdoors.
We visited in early autumn, and the cooler temperatures made it one of my favourite times to explore. The trees were just starting to change colour, and after a day of hiking, we finished the evening with burgers and a beer at A-Frame Brewing.
Don’t miss
- Slhanay Peak Hike
- Sea to Sky Gondola
- Shannon Falls
- Fergie’s Cafe
Read my Perfect Fall Weekend in Squamish itinerary.
Whistler, British Columbia
Only two hours from Vancouver, Whistler is one of the most iconic weekend getaways in British Columbia, and it’s easy to see why. Although it’s famous for skiing and snowboarding, don’t make the mistake of only visiting in winter.
We visited Whistler in every season while living in Vancouver, and each trip felt completely different. Summer was perfect for hiking and alpine lakes, autumn brought beautiful colours, spring was quieter in the village with snow still lingering on the mountain peaks, and winter transformed the village into a snow covered wonderland.
Don’t miss
- Whistler Blackcomb
- Peak 2 Peak Gondola
- Whistler Village
- Lost Lake
- Green Lake
- High Note Trail
- Scandinave Spa
Read my 11 Things to Do in Whistler in Summer and 7 Things to Do in Whistler this Winter guides.
Chilliwack, British Columbia
If you’re looking for a weekend filled with camping, mountain hikes and turquoise lakes, Chilliwack is hard to beat.
We camped at Lindeman Lake during autumn, and waking up beside the bright blue water surrounded by colourful trees made it one of my favourite camping trips in British Columbia. If you’re visiting in summer, a day at Chilliwack Lake is a must. Before heading home, make sure you stop by District 1881 for a coffee, a meal or a wander around. If you’re visiting around Christmas, it also transforms into a festive winter wonderland.
Don’t miss
- Lindeman Lake Hike
- Elk Mountain Hike
- Chilliwack Lake
- District 1881
Still on my list
- Flora Peak Hike
- Goat Ridge Hike
Mount Baker, Washington State
Just across the US border, Mount Baker is one of the easiest weekend getaways from Vancouver. The area is known for its winding mountain roads, alpine scenery and incredible viewpoints, many of which can be enjoyed without tackling a long hike. Artist Point and Picture Lake were easily two of the most scenic stops of the trip, and there’s still so much more of the area I’d love to explore.
We combined Mount Baker with North Cascades National Park over one weekend, but if I were planning the trip again, I’d spend the whole weekend exploring the Mount Baker area.
Don’t Miss
- Picture Lake
- Artist Point
- Chain Lakes Loop Trail
Still on my list
- Park Butte Lookout Hike
- Winchester Mountain Lookout Hike
- Bagley Lakes Trail
Read my How to Spend One Perfect Day in Mount Baker Itinerary
NORTH CASCADES HIGHWAY, WASHINGTON STATE
The North Cascades Highway is one of the most scenic drives we did during our road trip through the USA, with alpine lakes, mountain passes and some incredible hiking trails along the way.
We only had one day to explore the area as part of a weekend around the North Cascades, and I definitely wish we’d allowed longer. We visited in October specifically to see the golden larch trees and spent the afternoon hiking to Blue Lake.
Don’t Miss
- Blue Lake Hike
- Diablo Lake
- Washington Pass Overlook
- Mazama Store & Bakery
Still on my list
- Maple Pass Loop Trail
- Cutthroat Pass Trail
Read my North Cascades Highway Ultimate One-Day Itinerary
Vancouver Island, British Columbia
If you have a long weekend, I’d highly recommend heading across to Vancouver Island.
We spent two weeks road-tripping around the island, but if I only had a few days, I’d base myself on the west coast around Tofino and Ucluelet, or explore the coastline between Sooke and Jordan River.
Tofino & Ucluelet
Tofino has a laid-back surf town vibe, with long sandy beaches, coastal walks and great little cafés. It’s somewhere you could easily spend a few days exploring.
The Beach Shack is the perfect spot for a coffee and breakfast before spending the day exploring the coastline. Make sure you head to Cox Bay for sunset, stop by the Tacofino food truck, and if you’re looking for something a little different, hike out to the Canso Plane Crash.
Ucluelet is only a short drive away and is well worth adding to your itinerary. We loved walking sections of the Wild Pacific Trail before heading back into town for lunch.
Don’t Miss
- Long Beach
- Cox Bay
- Cox Bay Lookout
- Chesterman Beach
- Canso Plane Crash
- Tacofino
- The Beach Shack
- Wild Pacific Trail
Jordan River & Sooke
If you’re looking for a slower weekend, head west from Victoria towards Sooke and Jordan River.
There’s plenty to see between Sooke and Jordan River, from coastal walks and rugged beaches to scenic lookouts and waterfalls.
Don’t Miss
- Goldstream Provincial Park
- Mystic Beach
- East Sooke Regional Park
- Sheringham Point Lighthouse
- Jordan River
- Shirley Delicious
Read my Ultimate Two Week Vancouver Island Road Trip.
Olympic National Park, Washington State
If you have a long weekend, Olympic National Park is well worth crossing the border for. It’s a bit of a trek from Vancouver, but it’s one of the most unique national parks we’ve visited, with rugged beaches, lush rainforest and alpine mountains all within the same park.
We spent three days exploring the park, visiting Lake Crescent, Sol Duc Falls, the Hoh Rain Forest and some of the beaches along the coastline. Ruby Beach was probably my favourite stop and the perfect place to watch the sunset. Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side, so we missed Hurricane Ridge and didn’t get to spend as much time as we’d hoped at Rialto Beach. If you’re planning to see the famous Hole-in-the-Wall, make sure you visit at low tide, otherwise you won’t be able to reach it.
Don’t Miss
- Lake Crescent
- Sol Duc Falls
- Hall of Mosses Trail
- Ruby Beach
- Rialto Beach & Hole-in-the-Wall
Still on my list
- Hurricane Ridge
Other Weekend Getaways from Vancouver Worth Considering
There are so many incredible places to explore within a few hours of Vancouver that it was impossible to fit them all in before we moved home. If you have a little longer, these are a few more destinations I’d consider adding to your itinerary:
- Mount Rainier National Park, Washington – Wildflower meadows, alpine lakes and glacier views.
- Sunshine Coast, BC – A relaxed coastal escape with beaches, hiking and charming seaside towns.
- Salt Spring Island, BC – Artisan markets, wineries and a slower pace of life.
- Harrison Hot Springs, BC – Lakeside relaxation, natural hot springs and easy hiking.
- Bowen Island, BC – An easy ferry trip with cafés, coastal walks and a peaceful island atmosphere.
Whether you’re planning your first trip to Vancouver or looking for a new weekend adventure, I hope this guide has inspired you to explore a little more of the Pacific Northwest. It was one of my favourite parts of living in British Columbia, and I hope you love it just as much as we did.
EXPLORING MORE OF CANADA?
check out my other travel guides for more inspiration.
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