Rainy Season Weekend Trips from Vancouver
When the rainy season begins in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia (October/November), it may start to feel like there is nothing to do. Fear not – this is the best time of year to visit popular summer spots but at a more affordable and quieter time of year. Read on to learn more about ideal weekend getaways when the temperatures start to dip.
1. Bowen Island
30km from downtown Vancouver, Bowen Island can be enjoyed as either a day trip or a weekend getaway. The island is accessible from a ferry that leaves from Horseshoe Bay, nearly every hour serviced by BC ferries (20 minute ferry). Unfortunately you cannot book the ferry to Bowen in advance, so just make sure to show up early to make sure you get on the ferry you want, especially if leaving around rush hour on a Friday. There are also a few buses that go to Horseshoe Bay terminal if you are carless and traveling from downtown Vancouver. In particular, the 250 and 257 buses service this area. A ticket to walk on is approximately $13, and with a car, almost $47.
Bowen Island is a great place to go if you want just a quiet escape. There is hiking year round to Mt. Gardner, which rarely sees snow which makes it a safe and accessible option. There is kayaking if the weather isn’t too rainy or cold. I recommend however finding a cute and cozy VRBO or BnB near Snug Cove and just enjoy going out to dinner or cooking somewhere quiet and secluded.
For more suggestions on what to do on Bowen Island, check out my weekend getaway guide.
2. Sunshine Coast
For a weekend away that’s slightly further afield, opt for a trip to the Sunshine Coast, approximately 70km from downtown Vancouver. Accessed by BC ferries (40 minute ferry to Gibsons/Langdale from Horseshoe Bay), you can book in advance and secure your spot.
Sunshine Coast has more to do than Bowen Island – there’s great year round hiking, cideries, breweries, restaurants and quiet places to get away from city life. I recommend centering your visit around Sechelt, but if you’re feeling like getting really off the grid, you can take a second ferry to Powell River at the top of the coast.
More specifics on how to enjoy the Sunshine Coast can be found here as well as VRBO’s to rent for your weekend away.
3. Harrison Hot Springs
If you are looking for a weekend away that doesn’t involve the ferry and also likely doesn’t have snow to contend with, consider a trip to Harrison Hot Springs. Located 133km east of Vancouver, this drive takes you through the beautiful Chilliwack Valley and then into the mountains where you can explore lakes, go skiing at Sasquatch Resort, do a circle farm tour or soak in hot springs. What’s really nice is you can make a loop drive of it and diversify the scenery (take highway 1 one way, and highway 7 on the return). Consider a stay at Harrison Hot Springs Resort to stay right on the lake with access to hot springs.
More specifics on what there is to do on the way to Harrison Hot Springs and while you’re there can be found here.
4. Whistler
Probably one of the most popular weekend getaways for locals in the Vancouver area, Whistler is approximately 122km north of Vancouver. The most popular activity is skiing at the famed Whistler Blackcomb ski resort, the largest ski resort in North America. Of course, there is a lot more than skiing that you can enjoy in Whistler in the winter, including snow shoeing and nordic skiing at the Olympic Park (you can even try tobagganing!), bungee jumping, snow mobiling, scenic heli tours, or walking among beautiful light installations in the snow. My personal favorite is checking out Scandinave Spa, which is at it’s most beautiful in the winter as you soak in the deep hot tubs and saunas.
Whistler can be pretty pricey accommodation wise, but nearby Squamish may offer better deals on hotels and BnBs. Plus, there are a number of low elevation hikes you can do near Squamish that are snow free or avalanche risk free, including Jurassic Ridge in Murrin Provincial Park or walking around Alice Lakes.
More insights onto what to stop and visit along the Sea to Sky Highway (the road to Whistler) can be found in my Sea to Sky Itinerary.
5. Southern Gulf Islands
If you’re looking for some more island time, the Southern Gulf Island of Salt Spring offers a quiet but eclectic getaway in the off season. There are numerous coastal hikes that are snow free, as well as wineries, breweries and cideries to check out, along with beautiful artist galleries. Pick up some local artisanal cheese and bread and find a cozy inn to spend the weekend lounging at.
More information on how to spend a weekend on Salt Spring can be found in my itinerary. It’s 70km west of Vancouver, and there are various ferry options available from BC Ferries which are shared in the itinerary.
6. Bellingham, Washington
I’ve shared getaways to the North, East, and West, so this final one is to the south – Bellingham, Washington. Make sure you check border cross times before setting out on this adventure, and that you have the right visas and permissions to visit the United States depending on your nationality.
Bellingham is a cute town of approximately 100k people located 90km south of Vancouver (and over the United States border). Here you’ll find boardwalks along Bellingham Bay, hikes among the douglas fir and cedar trees in Larrabee State Park, breweries, great restaurants, and all the quintessential American consumerism shopping you could ask for. Plus, there are some cute towns outside of Bellingham worth checking out like the Dutch settlement of Lynden or the cute old town of Fairview. Find the perfect hotel in Bellingham here.
Bellingham is known for it’s hippy vibe so pop into a coffee shop like Cafe Adagio and check out their corkboard to see the local happenings – yoga, sound baths, and other out there weekend hangs.
