12 of the best Vancouver weekend getaway ideas

One of the best things about our move to Vancouver, Canada is that there’s a whole new load of places to explore. We’ve managed to fit in a decent amount of Vancouver weekend getaways since we moved here in June 2017.

Looking for more things to do in Vancouver and nearby? Check out my Vancouver travel guides which are full of information on the best things to do in Vancouver, the best Vancouver restaurants, and detailed guides for each of the main neighborhoods.

From romantic weekend getaways to adventure weekend getaways and places that make a great mix of the two, Vancouver is in the prime place for some excellent BC getaways.

Check out these cosy cabin getaways in BC!

There are always more weekend getaway ideas that I could come up with, but here are some of the best weekend getaways we’ve done so far. If you’re planning some weekend vacations from Vancouver then make sure to check out these great weekend getaways.

Weekend getaway to Tofino, Vancouver Island

Tofino from Vancouver is probably among one of the most popular for a weekend getaway from the city. It’s over on the west coast of Vancouver Island and is famed for its beaches. The drive across the Island makes for one of the best road trips from Vancouver too.

It was the first weekend getaway we did and I loved in (particularly Ucluelet just south of Tofino). It’s a prime example of BC’s beauty. Think luscious forests, wide sandy beaches, surf, hiking and wildlife. Plus there’s also one of BC’s best hot springs and there are so many great Tofino hiking trails in the area too.

Where to stay in Tofino

• Ocean Village Resort
• Jamie’s Rainforest Inn
• Pacific Sands Beach Resort
• Sienna’s Tree House
• Camping: Book on Camping.BCParks.ca

How to get to Tofino from Vancouver

To get to Tofino from Vancouver you’ll need to take the ferry. The drive is a little quicker if you get the ferry from Vancouver to Nanaimo, but you can also get the ferry to Victoria too.

Travel with BC ferries from either Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen. Ferries from Horseshoe Bay takes about 1 hour 45 minutes, and from Tsawwassen the ferry is about 2 hours.

Romantic spa trip to Harrison Hot Springs

If you’re looking for romantic weekend getaways then a trip to the spa at Harrison Hot Springs is one to consider. Harrison Hot Springs is great if you’re looking for last minute vacations from Vancouver since it’s less than two hour’s drive away. One of the top spa resorts in BC, Harrison Hot Springs resort is a great place to relax.

Not only is there a spa here but lots of hiking, a great lake and a secret waterfall to explore too all of which make Harrison Hot Springs a great Vancouver getaway.

Where to stay in Harrison Hot Springs

• Harrison Hot Springs Spa & Resort (the one with the pools)
• Harrison Lakeview Resort
• The Lodge on Harrison Lake
• Harrison Beach Hotel

How to get to Harrison Hot Springs

Head east out of Vancouver on the 1 towards Abbostford/Chilliwack and Harrison Hot Springs. Take exit 135/Bridalveil Falls and follow signs north to Harrison Hot Springs.

Adventurous weekend in Whistler

Ah, Whistler. Whether you’re just paying a visit to Vancouver or not matter how long you’ve lived here, Whistler is a great place for an adventurous weekend getaway from Vancouver. You’re sure to find something new every time you visit.

Whistler in the summer and Whistler in the winter are two very different places. In the summer it’s all about mountain biking, exploring the best Whistler hikes and chilling out by the lakes. Come winter it’s all about skiing and snowboarding (but there is plenty of things to do in Whistler for non-skiers). It’s without a doubt one of the best winter getaways in BC.

However, even if you’re not a massive snow sports fan, there’s plenty to do in Whistler that’ll keep you entertained even in winter. Hit up some of the great restaurants, relax at the Scandinave Spa for an awesome spa retreat in BC, or take in the views from the top of the gondola.

Where to stay in Whistler

Check out these BC resorts and lodges in Whistler:

• Pangea Pod Hotel
• Nita Lake Lodge
• Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel
• Mountain Side Hotel

How to get to Whistler

Getting to Whistler from Vancouver is an experience in itself. The drive is absolutely beautiful and there are plenty of places to stop along the way to soak it all up. From Vancouver simply head north on Hwy 99/The Sea to Sky.

It takes between 1.5-2 hours to drive to Whistler which makes it great for those of you looking for short trips near Vancouver for a long weekend.

Wine tasting in the Okanagan

If you’re after a fun trip with friends then be sure to check out the Okanagan. The Okanagan is BC’s wine country and a trip here is one of the best weekend getaways in BC. There are vineyards all over the Okanagan and touring them is a great way to spend a late summer’s weekend.

Some of my favourites are these Kelowna vineyards.

Exploring the vineyards of Kelowna and the Myra Canyon Trestles has been one of my favourite weekend trips from Vancouver so far.

Where to stay in Kelowna

• Samesun Kelowna
• Stay at the Summer Hill Estate
• Kelowna Bed & Breakfast
• Delta Hotels
• Myra Canyon Ranch

How to get to Kelowna from Vancouver

Getting to Kelowna from Vancouver is easy. Simply follow the 1 eastbound out of Vancouver until you reach Hope. From here take the 5 northbound and switch to the 97c signposted to Kelowna.

Total drive time is about 4.5 – 5 hours.

Scenic weekend in Campbell River

Campbell River on Vancouver Island makes for a great British Columbia vacation. If you’re looking for a scenic and adventurous Vancouver Island vacation then be sure to look into a trip to Campbell River.

It’s one of the best places near Vancouver for whale watching and wildlife spotting on Vancouver Island and one of the most scenic places to go near Vancouver thanks to the beautiful Discovery Islands you can see from here.

Where to stay in Campbell River

There’s a lot of camping you can do here which makes it an addition to the list of cheap places to travel from Vancouver.

• Above Tide Motel
• Painter’s Lodge
• Campbell River Hostel
• Dolphins Resort

How to get to Campbell River from Vancouver

Getting from Vancouver to Campbell River is easy. Simply pick your departure point, either Tsawwassen or Horseshoe Bay and book your crossing with BC Ferries. It’s ever-so slightly quicker and cheaper to get the ferry from Horseshoe Bay, but these boats tend to book up a bit quicker than those from Tsawwassen.

You can sail into Nanaimo or Victoria. From Victoria you’re looking at a drive of just over 3 hours on the BC 1-N and then the BC-19 north bound towards Campbell River.

From Nanaimo the journey takes about half the time (roughly 1.5 hours) and you just head north on the BC-19 all the way.

A city break in Victoria on Vancouver Island

If you’re looking specifically for Vancouver Island getaways then make sure to look at a trip to Victoria.

Weekend getaways to Victoria are easy to book and plan as are day trips to Victoria. Just choose whether you’re getting there by ferry (as usual) or make it a more romantic getaway to Vancouver Island by arriving by seaplane.

Appreciate the more European architecture of Victoria, wander the waterfront, go for a hike and enjoy the change of scenery. A weekend getaway to Victoria is always a nice idea and you can fit in some easy hikes in Victoria too which give you a chance to enjoy the beautiful views around the city.

Where to stay in Victoria

• Downtown Condo
• The Inn at the Union Club of BC
• Prior Castle Inn

How to get to Victoria from Vancouver

Catch a BC Ferry from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and then head south to Victoria (it’s well signposted!). Or take a seaplane from downtown Vancouver with HarbourAir.

A weekend full of adventures in Squamish

If you’re looking for an adventurous couples getaway in BC then enter Squamish. This adventure town between Vancouver and Whistler is ideal for a cheap getaway from Vancouver. You can camp out in the forest, by a lake or by a river, go on the best Squamish hikes, mountain biking, climbing and more.

I love Alice Lake for swimming and kayaking, Murrin Lake Provincial Park for hiking and the Brackendale area of Squamish for some easier mountain biking trails.

It’s also a great weekend trip from Vancouver in winter since there’s snowshoeing and skiing nearby.

Check out my guide to what to do in Squamish for more ideas.

Where to stay in Squamish

If you don’t plan on camping then take a look at these Squamish hotels.

• Mountain Retreat
• Howe Sound Inn and Brewing Company
• Squamish Adventure Inn

How to get to Squamish from Vancouver

Head north on Hwy 99 towards Whistler. Squamish is about 1 hour’s drive away from downtown Vancouver.

A foodie weekend getaway to Salt Spring Island

Another great Vancouver vacation is to Salt Spring Island. This Vancouver trip is especially great if you’re a foodie. This little island has plenty to offer visitors in terms of food and is best visited in the summer when the market is one.

There are so many awesome things to do on Salt Spring Island.

Be sure to check out the Salt Spring Island Cheese Company, drink plenty of Salt Spring Island Coffee and have a look at some of the art while you’re there too.

Where to stay on Salt Spring Island

• Mariner’s Loft
• The Cottages on Salt Spring Island
• Camping at Ruckle Park overlooking the ocean

How to get to Salt Spring Island from Vancouver

The most common way to get to Salt Spring Island is to take the ferry from Vancouver. BC Ferries leave from Tsawwassen to Long Harbour regularly throughout the day.

Some ferries stop off at other Gulf Islands like Galiano Island which adds quite a bit of time to the journey, whereas others go direct.

A relaxing break on the Sunshine Coast

Still wondering where to go in BC for a weekend?

Check out the Sunshine Coast for a romantic weekend getaway in BC. There are beautiful beaches, a slower pace of life, the incredible Skookumchuck rapids, and so, so many lakes. The further north you go, the prettier it gets!

This is one of the top romantic getaways near Vancouver thanks to its proximity to the mainland. You can catch a ferry from Horseshoe Bay which takes just 20 minutes to reach the Sunshine Coast. All in all, you could be on the Sunshine Coast in just an hour from downtown Vancouver!

You can make things romantic by staying in some picturesque waterside lodges, walking along the beach at sunset and spending some quality time together on the Sunshine Coast BC.

Where to stay on the Sunshine Coast

• Driftwood Inn
• Treetop Wonderland
• Gibsons Garden Hotel
• Backeddy Resort – Super cool glamping domes and cabins pictured above
• Rockwater Secret Cove Resort – has some amazing oceanview glamping tents

How to get to the Sunshine Coast

The easiest and cheapest way is to take the ferry from Horseshoe Bay. BC Ferries depart from Horseshoe Bay throughout the day, every day and the crossing takes just 40 minutes.

Explore the Fraser Valley

I feel like the Fraser Valley is often forgotten when it comes to Vancouver vacation ideas but it definitely shouldn’t be! It’s one of many short road trips from Vancouver and is a great cheap destination from Vancouver.

If you’re looking for weekend getaways in BC that are cheap consider the Fraser Valley. In the Fraser Valley, you can chill out at the lakes near Chilliwack, go camping for free at Jones Lake, discover the Othello Tunnels and the Ladner Creek trestle and so much more!

Where to stay in the Fraser Valley

If you’re staying in Chilliwack I’d recommend camping by a lake, otherwise here are a few options for hotels & B&Bs in Chilliwack.

• Fraser River’s Edge Inn
• Chilliwack Farm
• Cabins at Cultus Lake

For Abbotsford check out these hotels:

• Sweet Dreams Luxury Inn
• Brookside Inn Boutique Hotel

How to get to the Fraser Valley

The Fraser Valley stretches from Abbotsford to the Coquihalla. It takes about an hour to get to Abbotsford from Vancouver (depending on traffic) and closer to 3 to get to the Coquihalla.

Just head east on Hwy 1/Trans Canada.

Relax on Bowen Island

Bowen Island is one of the most relaxing places to visit near Vancouver. Whilst it makes a great day trip from Vancouver it’s also great as a short trip from Vancouver for the weekend.

It’s a pretty cheap trip from Vancouver too since you won’t need a car; you can get the bus to Horseshoe Bay, catch the ferry across as a foot passenger and then either walk, hitchhike or get the bus on the island.

Check out the cafes and restaurants in Snug Cove on Bowen Island, go kayaking, hike Mt Gardner on Bowen Island or just chill out in a cosy cabin.

Where to stay on Bowen Island

• See my full list of where to stay on Bowen Island
• Nectar Yoga B&B: Read my full review 
• Artisan Suites on Bowen Island
• On the sea

How to get to Bowen Island

Take a BC ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Snug Cove.

Staycation in Vancouver

If you’re looking for some romantic getaways in BC but don’t own a car and don’t want to hire one then why not consider a staycation? Sure it’s not exactly a getaway but it can be fun nonetheless.

For your holiday in Vancouver book one of the luxury Vancouver hotels, head out to a restaurant or a bar and see the city in a new light. Aim to visit an area or a park you wouldn’t usually go to to make it really feel like you’re somewhere else.

You might even want to revisit the Vancouver tourist spots as I bet if you live here you’ve not really done them! Or, check out these photo spots in Vancouver where you’re bound to find somewhere new to visit.

There are also some pretty romantic things to do in Vancouver (walks around Stanley Park at sunset, cocktails at Juniper or Prohibition and a trip to the Vancouver lookout or a Seaplane ride to name a few) for a Vancouver romantic getaway.

Useful things to know about these Vancouver weekend getaways

• Book ferries in advance to avoid disappointment, especially on long weekends.

I use comparison sites like DiscoverCars and RentalCars to book my car rentals as it’s easy to check prices and compare the best deals!

Final thoughts on these short trips from Vancouver

If you’re looking for romantic getaways BC has to offer, this list of some of the best weekend getaways BC should provide you with some ideas.

All of these destinations are a short drive or a ferry trip away from Vancouver and some offer great ideas for hidden romantic getaways BC can provide.

From enjoying some island time on the Gulf Islands or Bowen Island (one of the best weekend getaways from Vancouver) to heading to the Fraser Valley or to Whistler, these quick getaways from Vancouver can provide you with rest, relaxation and adventure.

What more could you need from a weekend getaway from Vancouver?

Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by Hannah