Trying to figure out the best way to see the highlights of British Columbia [1] 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.
Head north from Vancouver [2] airport and loop around Point Grey to the Museum of Anthropology [3], 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 [4].
Even if you hit Stanley Park [5] as the sun first rises, you’ll find that many locals have beaten you on their morning jog. Cross to the North Shore [6] and take the Grouse Mountain Skyride [7]. Drive the Sea to Sky Highway to Whistler [8]. Spend the evening at your leisure exploring the resort village.
Catch the ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo [9], on Vancouver Island [10]. Drive across to Tofino, making a stop at He-tin-kis Park [11].
Book a whale-watching tour [12] for the morning, and then take a beach walk in Pacific Rim National Park [13] before returning to Nanaimo for the night.
Detour from the Island Highway at Crofton Bay to catch a ferry to Salt Spring Island [14]. Enjoy lunch at an outdoor café in Ganges, then make the short ferry hop to Victoria [15].
Today is a walking day, so leave your vehicle at your accommodation and make your way to the Inner Harbour [16]. The Royal BC Museum [17] is a must-see, Market Square [18] and the surrounding streets are interesting to explore, and Barb’s Place [19] is perfect for lunch. Still hungry? Head to Oak Bay for afternoon tea.
Arrive at Butchart Gardens [20] at opening time—before the bus tour crowd arrives—then return to Vancouver [2] by ferry. You’ll arrive in time for an afternoon flight home.
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/british-columbia
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/university-british-columbia
[4] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/downtown/gastown
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/stanley-park
[6] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/north-shore
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/sights/north-shore/grouse-mountain
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver/whistler
[9] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/nanaimo
[10] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island
[11] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/west-coast/ucluelet
[12] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/west-coast/tofino
[13] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/west-coast/pacific-rim-national-park
[14] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/southern-gulf-islands/salt-spring-island
[15] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria
[16] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/inner-harbour-sights
[17] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/inner-harbour-sights/royal-british-columbia-museum
[18] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/shopping
[19] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/food/seafood
[20] http://www.moon.com/destinations/vancouver-victoria/vancouver-island/victoria/saanich-peninsula/butchart-gardens