5 Best Summer Weekend Getaways in BC that are Less Than 6 Hours Drive Away from Vancouver

British Colombians are being encouraged to staycation in BC this Summer for many reasons and one of them is to support our local tourism-reliant businesses. I have always enjoyed staycationing and stayed at a number of hotels locally last year (hotel reviews here). Staycations are a nice way to support the local economy on top of them being much cheaper than an overseas vacation (no flights, no foreign currency exchange etc).

To help you decide and plan the perfect summer weekend vacations in BC, I am sharing the 5 best summer weekend vacations in BC.

More Weekend Getaways ~
5 Best Weekend Getaways on Vancouver Island

Sun Peaks Resort, BC

Drive from Downtown Vancouver: 4 hours 15 mins
Average Weather in July & August: 15 – 29 C, 4 days rain/month

Featured Hotels with Deals for 2020

– Sun Peaks Grand Hotel (full hotel review) 60% of your second night
– Coast Sundance Lodge 20% off the best available rate for BC Residents

Recommended Activities

– Alpine sightseeing
– Biking at the Sun Peaks Bike Park
– Canoeing or kayaking on the McGillivray Lake
– Hiking on one of the 18 hiking trails
– Golfing at the Golf Course at Sun Peaks Resort
– Wine touring on the Kamloops Wine Trail

Recommended Restaurants

Voyageur Bistro
Bottoms Bar & Grill
Mountain High Pizza
Hello Toast (in Downtown Kamloops)

Follow my summer weekend itinerary for Sun Peaks Resort here!

Tofino, BC

Drive from Downtown Vancouver: 5 hours 12 mins including 2 hours ferry ride
Average Weather in July & August: 11 – 19 C, 6 days rain/month

Featured Hotels with Deals for 2020

– Long Beach Lodge Resort Tofino Bed & Brunch Package
– Pacific Sands Beach Resort Summer Adventure Packages
– Tofino Resort + Marina Stay & Play Packages

Recommended Activities

– Bear watching led by a guided tour
– Biking on the 6-km multi-use path
– Canoeing and kayaking into the waters of the Tofino harbour
– Golding at the Long Beach Golf Course
– Hiking in Clayoquot Sound
– Surfing and stand up paddleboarding on the beaches
– Ziplining above the Kennedy River Canyon

Recommended Restaurants

Bravocados
Sea Monster Noodle Bar
Shed Tofino
Lil’ Ronnie’s Beachside BBQ
Wolf in the Fog

Vancouver, BC

Drive from Downtown Vancouver: N/A
Average Weather in July & August: 14 – 22C, 4 days rain/month

Featured Hotels with Deals for 2020

– EXchange Hotel Vancouver 3rd night free
– JW Marriott Parq Vancouver (full hotel review) $100 VISA gift card per night
– the DOUGLAS Hotel, Autograph Collection (full hotel review) $100 VISA gift card per night

Recommended Activities

– Taking the gondola or hiking up the Grouse Mountain
– Visiting the VanDusen Garden
– Spending time on one of the beaches in the city
– Biking or taking a walk in Stanley Park
– Kayaking at Deep Cove
– Patio dining at one of the restaurants in Yaletown

Recommended Restaurants

Miku Restaurant
Ramen Gojiro
Stepho’s Souvlaki Greek Taverna
The Keg Steakhouse + Bar, Yaletown

Victoria, BC

Drive from Downtown Vancouver: 3 hours 4 mins including 2 hours ferry ride
Average Weather in July & August: 13 – 20C, 3 days rain/month

Featured Hotels with Deals for 2020

– Delta Hotels Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort $75 VISA gift card for 2 consecutive nights
– Inn at Laurel Point $75 VISA gift card for 2 consecutive nights
– Oak Bay Beach Hotel $75 VISA gift card for 2 consecutive nights

Recommended Activities

– Biking around Downtown Victoria
– Going on a fun adventure at the WildPlay Element Parks
– Having a beer or two at the tasting room of Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.
– Kayaking on the Ocean River
– Visiting The Butchart Gardens

Recommended Restaurants

Gozen Sushi Bar Izakaya
II Terrazzo
John’s Place Restaurant
Part and Parcel
Tea at the Empress

Whistler, BC

Drive from Downtown Vancouver: 1 hour 40 mins
Average Weather in July & August: 10 – 25C, 4 days rain/month

Featured Hotels with Deals for 2020

– Blackcomb Springs Suites By Clique Third night free
– Four Seasons Resort Whistler 20% off and a complimentary upgrade
– Nita Lake Lodge 20% off & complimentary self-parking

Recommended Activities

– Enjoying a pampered spa day at the Scandinave Spa
– Golfing at one of the four championship golf courses
– Mountain biking at the Whistler Mountain Bike Park
– Taking the Peak 2 Peak Gondola
Ziplining back and forth between the Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb

Recommended Restaurants

COWS Inc.
El Furniture Warehouse
Peaked Pies
Pasta Lupino Whistler
Sidecut at Four Seasons

More Whistler Posts ~
Restaurants in Whistler, BC That You Have to Try

Conclusion

There are many beautiful places in BC that you might not have explored yet. You can easily take a day off from work and make a trip to one of the locations on my list for a staycation that is beneficial to our local economy and gentler on your wallet compared to an overseas vacation.

If you have a destination that is not on this list, please share in the comments below.