Explore

Vancouver’s unbeatable location makes it the perfect gateway to the rest of British Columbia and beyond, with great opportunities for pre and post-conference travel.

Day Trip ideas

The Pan Pacific, Pinnacle Harborfront, and Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel all offer easy car rentals for around $75 a day.

Whistler

Just a 90-minute drive from Vancouver is the world-class resort of Whistler with some of the world’s best skiing in the winter, and golf and sightseeing in the summer. The journey is the destination, via the scenic Sea to Sky Highway that passes both the Pacific Ocean and rugged mountain peaks with plenty of stopping points. Detour at Squamish for the Sea to Sky Gondola for amazing views, or just a coffee and stroll around the downtown area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Victoria

Another day trip from the city is Victoria, British Columbia’s charming capital city, located on Vancouver Island, a spectacular 35-minute floatplane ride away. Wander the quaint downtown core with its British colonial architecture to shop, sightsee, admire heritage buildings, visit stunning gardens, then relax over afternoon tea. Don’t miss Butchart Gardens – world-renowned for its 55 acres of year-round, spectacular floral displays. Book a trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Steveston

Experience an active West Coast fishing community complete with the requisite pubs, museums, and a fish market! Just a 20-minute drive south of Vancouver and part of the suburb of Richmond, Steveston sits at the mouth of the Fraser River and was once the largest fishing port and cannery center on the West Coast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buntzen Lake

Rent a car and head east for an hour to get to bucolic Buntzen Lake for a picnic and a hike around one of the many scenic trails. Entry is free but Vancouverites in the know get there early(before 9 am) on a nice day for parking, or late afternoon when people start leaving again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Air’s floatplane service from downtown to the most popular Southern Gulf Island takes just 35 minutes. The unspoilt paradise is home to Canada’s best outdoor market, forested trails, lovely beaches and see-forever vistas.