Focus on Vancouver and Victoria
Print
Email
Save to Favorites
Trip Ideas
- Best of Vancouver and Victoria
- Vancouver Island: High Tea to Low Tide
- Vancouver’s Totem Poles
- Vancouver’s Best Hiking
- Family Fun in Vancouver & Victoria
- Focus on Vancouver and Victoria
- Vancouver Weekend Getaway
- Victoria Weekend Getaway
- A Tour Through Time
- Inside Passage Cruises
- Outdoor Adventures
- Winter Fun in Vancouver & Victoria
View This Map
--- Click to Enlarge ---
Explore Further
Trying to figure out the best way to see the highlights of British Columbia by looking at a map or flipping through this guidebook can be daunting. If all you have is one week, you must face reality: You’re not going to see it all. This itinerary balances a little bit of everything—the major cities, mountains, and the ocean—without putting a ridiculous amount of mileage on your vehicle.
Day 1
Head north from Vancouver airport and loop around Point Grey to the Museum of Anthropology, a wonderful introduction to the history of the Pacific Northwest. Duck through the old-growth forest behind the museum to get a feel for the city’s natural splendor. Check in to your hotel and take an evening stroll through Gastown.
Day 2
Even if you hit Stanley Park as the sun first rises, you’ll find that many locals have beaten you on their morning jog. Cross to the North Shore and take the Grouse Mountain Skyride. Drive the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler. Spend the evening at your leisure exploring the resort village.
Day 3
Catch the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island. Drive across to Tofino, making a stop at He-tin-kis Park.
Day 4
Book a whale-watching tour for the morning, and then take a beach walk in Pacific Rim National Park before returning to Nanaimo for the night.
Day 5
Detour from the Island Highway at Crofton Bay to catch a ferry to Salt Spring Island. Enjoy lunch at an outdoor café in Ganges, then make the short ferry hop to Victoria.
Day 6
Today is a walking day, so leave your vehicle at your accommodation and make your way to the Inner Harbour. The Royal BC Museum is a must-see, Market Square and the surrounding streets are interesting to explore, and Barb’s Place is perfect for lunch. Still hungry? Head to Oak Bay for afternoon tea.
Day 7
Arrive at Butchart Gardens at opening time—before the bus tour crowd arrives—then return to Vancouver by ferry. You’ll arrive in time for an afternoon flight home.
© Andrew Hempstead, from Moon Western Canada, 3rd Edition
Buy Moon Travel Guides
Search
Moon Travel Guides make independent travel and outdoor exploration fun and accessible. With expert and adventurous travel writers delivering a mix of honest insight, first-rate strategic travel advice, insider travel tips and an essential dose of humor, Moon Travel Guides ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience. Each travel book is filled with unique trip ideas, easy-to-use maps, and detailed information on sights, restaurants, and accommodations. Moon Travel Guides not only point you in the right direction, they inspire new ideas and adventure. Whether you are seeking a relaxing beach trip to Hawaii, or an adventure travel trip to the rainforests of Costa Rica, Moon guidebooks—and Moon.com—are with you every step of the way. Founded in 1973, the Moon Travel Guides series includes Moon Handbooks, Moon Outdoors, Moon Metro, Moon Living Abroad and Moon Spotlight travel books. Moon is based in Berkeley, California and is a proud member of the Perseus Books Group.