Driving from Vancouver to Whistler on the Sea to Sky Freeway is a brief journey by street journey requirements, however this stretch alongside Freeway 99 in British Columbia is full of so many issues to see and do, it might probably take days to discover. We’ve rounded up the highest points of interest from Vancouver to Whistler together with locations to remain, the place to eat, and what adventures available.
Having lived in Vancouver, now we have pushed the Sea to Sky Freeway many instances in our lives, however it wasn’t till we revisited it as vacationers that we really took our time to absorb all the highest points of interest alongside the Sea to Sky hall. So sit again, benefit from the views, and begin planning your individual street journey from Vancouver to Whistler BC.
Sea to Sky Freeway Street Journey
The Sea to Sky Freeway is simply 154 km (95 miles) lengthy and the drive time from Vancouver to Whistler will be performed in a mere 90 minutes. If you wish to plan an important Sea to Sky Freeway street journey, plan on 4 to 5 days.
This journey is excellent and there are such a lot of issues to do you want time to go mountaineering, discover its epic waterfalls, immerse in its historical past and take within the sights. So let’s get began.
Locations to Go to from Vancouver to Whistler
1. Vancouver
Spend the evening in Vancouver and discover considered one of Canada’s finest cities for at the least a day. There are lots of issues to see in Vancouver that can hold you occupied from the waterfront path on False Creek to historic Gastown and the well-known Granville Island. Listed below are a couple of of our high strategies for issues to do in Vancouver.
The place to Keep in Vancouver
The Opus Vancouver is a wonderful boutique lodge situated in Yaletown that’s strolling distance to every part. This fashionable lodge was named one of many high lodges by Forbes and the highest luxurious property in BC. Learn extra: The place to Keep in Vancouver – Greatest Motels & Trip Leases By Space
It had a few of the friendliest service we’ve skilled at a lodge. It should be that recent West Coast air that makes everybody comfortable! We extremely advocate it. Plus there are nice choices for eating and nightlife shut by and its only a quick stroll to the waterfront.
2. Stanley Park and Downtown
We propose beginning with exploring Stanley Park. Hire a bicycle and take a spin across the Sea Wall. You should definitely cease on the Marina for a few of the finest views of the Vancouver Skyline. An important cease can also be the Stanley Park Totem Poles at Brockton. The totem poles show the indigenous tradition of British Columbia which could be very prevalent alongside the Sea to Sky Freeway aka British Columbia Freeway 1. Try 26 Greatest Issues to do in Vancouver, BC
Spend the remainder of the day exploring False Creek with a great chunk of time at Granville Island. Granville Island is full of eateries, boutique purchasing, artists studios, and even a theatre. It’s a enjoyable spot to hang around. Then take the water taxi throughout False Creek to stroll alongside the waterfront to Gastown. Vancouver’s oldest neighborhood was based by Gassy Jack Deighton in 1867. There’s numerous purchasing and eating in Vancouver.
3. Capilano Suspension Bridge
In your second day in Vancouver, head out within the morning to see the well-known Capilano suspension bridge. The Capilano Bridge is a 137meters lengthy (450 ft) suspension bridge swinging 70 meters (230 ft) above the Capilano River. That is the star attraction, however there may be additionally a excessive ropes treetop journey they usually supply guided strolling excursions by means of the rainforest. There are free shuttles from downtown Vancouver, however if in case you have a automobile, we propose driving since you’ll want to discover the opposite sights close to Vancouver.
4. Grouse Mountain Gondola
Grouse Mountain is house to some nice snowboarding proper close to the town middle. There additionally Cypress Bowl and Mount Seymour for winter sports activities, however Grouse Mountain has a variety of summer season actions and issues to do. To get to Grouse Mountain, cross the Lions Gate Bridge that takes you into North Vancouver.
Grouse mountain is a year-round vacation spot simply quarter-hour from downtown Vancouver. Take the Grouse Mountain Gondola up for magnificent views of Vancouver. In case you are touring within the winter, snowboarding is unquestionably so as however if you’re not into snowboarding or visiting throughout one other season, there’s a zipper line journey, lumberjack present, two resident grizzley bears that take pleasure in a pure sanctuary, eating, and mountaineering. Learn extra: 14 Greatest Hikes in Vancouver to Benefit from the Nice Outdoor
5. Hit The Seaside
If mountaineering and heights aren’t your issues, You may spend the day trying out Vancouver’s seashores. Vancouver has a couple of cool seashores to go to. Chances are high you already visited Second and Third Seashores when biking round Stanley Park. And when working your manner from Stanely Park in direction of Granville Island, there’s English Bay Seaside (the place we used to reside) and Sundown Seaside. However in the event you go throughout English Bay to Kistalano, there are much more seashores.
The highest Vancouver seashores to go to listed here are Jerico Seaside, Kitsilano Seaside, Spanish Banks Seaside, and Wreck Seaside. Wreck Seaside is taken into account among the finest nude seashores on this planet, so be warned, you’ll see a variety of pores and skin. The explanation it was most likely chosen as a great nude seaside is due to the five hundred steps main right down to the sandy seaside making it fairly secluded.
Stops on the Sea to Sky Freeway
After spending a few days exploring Vancouver and North Vancouver, it’s now time to hit the street and let the Sea to Sky Freeway street journey start. The drive takes us as soon as once more throughout the Lion’s Gate Bridge to North Van after which a drive by means of West Vancouver with a fast cease at Lighthouse Park earlier than getting into Horseshoe Bay. This, in my view the place the Sea to Sky Freeway actually begins.
6. Whytecliff Park
A well-liked cease at Horseshoe Bay is Whytecliff Park. This marine sanctuary is house to shipwrecks and an abundance of Marinelife and could be very widespread with scuba divers. It’s nice for swimming, plus at low tide, you’ll be able to stroll out to Whytecliff Island. Ensure to cease right here for some images and to absorb the view.
7. Britannia Mine
The subsequent cease is without doubt one of the hottest points of interest alongside the Sea to Sky Freeway. The Britannia Mine Museum is a Nationwide Historic Web site of Canada that was the most important copper mine in all the world. In the present day it is a wonderful interactive museum that takes guests on a prepare to the center of the mountain to see the place miners dug for copper. Be sure to take a look at the brand new present, BOOM. The multi-sensory movie takes place within the huge 20 story constructing the place we study in a really entertaining manner in regards to the 96-year historical past of mining in Squamish.
There’s additionally the “Linked by Copper: From Cells to Cell Telephones”, which provides a glimpse of how copper has influenced our day by day lives all through historical past since historic instances, from connecting us with electrical energy to wi-fi and defending us from dangerous micro organism. Learn extra about it right here.
8. Britannia Seaside
Close by you’ll be able to cease at Britannia Seaside which was as soon as a booming mining city, however at present it’s a small and charming village. Britannia Seaside was some of the polluted areas in North America due to the copper mine mine, however in 2005, a large mission was undertaken to wash up the waters. In the present day, the waters of Howe Sound at Britannia Seaside are 85% recovered with marine life coming again an increasing number of annually. You should definitely test it out for your self.
9. Shannon Falls
The primary waterfall we come throughout between Vancouver and Whistler is Shannon Falls situated simply South of Squamish. The falls are a brief and straightforward stroll from the parking zone so be sure to get out and take a look! Shannon Falls is the third largest waterfall in British Columbia. There are a few totally different viewpoints to absorb the large 335-meter (1099 foot) cascade. From Shannon Falls, you can begin considered one of three treks to the Stawamus Chief.
10. Sea to Sky Gondola
The Sea to Sky Gondola takes you as much as Summit Lodge for superior views of Howe Sound. When you’re on the high there are a number of viewing platforms, The Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge, and plenty of mountaineering. This is without doubt one of the premier points of interest on anybody’s Vancouver to Whistler street journey. (it was closed after we had been there, however it is without doubt one of the high points of interest alongside the Sea to Sky Freeway and to not be missed)
11. Sea to Sky Air
For the reason that Sea to Sky Gondola was closed, we nonetheless managed a fowl’s eye view by taking an unbelievable scenic flight on a floatplane over the Coast Mountains and Howe Sound with Sea to Sky Air. Our pilot David took us over the waters the place we landed on Howe Sound to toot round for some time in search of marine life. It was among the finest scenic flights we’ve ever taken.
12. Squamish
Driving from Vancouver to Whistler, the primary main group after Horseshoe bay is Squamish. It is a good place to spend the evening and take a look at the websites and actions within the space. For a extra in-depth information learn 14 Superb Issues to Do in Squamish BC
The place to Keep Squamish
A wonderful place to remain in Squamish is Sunwolf Riverside Lodge. These log cabins are situated on the river in a forest setting. They’ve wood-burning stoves and a implausible restaurant that’s widespread with locals and vacationers alike. It makes you’re feeling as if you’re out in nature however has all of the facilities you want.
13. Stawamus Chief
Recognized merely as The Chief, the Stawamus Chief is a 702 meter (2,303 foot) granite cliff towering over the town of Squamish. Rock Climbers come from all over the world to deal with its routes. The Chief is Canada’s Reply to El Capitan.
You don’t must be a rock climber to take pleasure in The Chief, you’ll be able to hike to the highest too! There are three totally different hikes, First Peak, Second Peak and, Third Peak hikes. (How unique proper?) You probably have restricted time the First Peak is the shortest (4km spherical journey) and has lovely views.
14. Bald Eagles at Squamish River
When you keep at Sunwolf Riverside, you’ll be straight on the Squamish River the place you’ll discover the perfect Bald Eagle sightings on this planet. From November to February a whole lot of bald eagles flock to the river to munch on the abundance of salmon inventory. We had been there in October and we noticed a number of bald eagles ourselves, so one thing tells me they’re round all year long. We stood on the bridge overlooking the river and watched them sweep in for his or her catch earlier than sitting on excessive treetops.
Sea to Sky Half to – Squamish to Whistler Stops
After at the least 2 nights in Squamish, it’s time to hit the street once more and make your manner in direction of Whistler. There are many stops on this portion of Freeway 1, so make sure you take your time and benefit from the drive.
15. Garibaldi Provincial Park
House to the putting Mount Garibaldi, Garibaldi Provincial Park is a large recreation space at 480990 acres (194,650-hectares) in space. Widespread mountaineering trails from Diamond Head embrace a cool hike out to Elfin Lake the place for $15 you’ll be able to keep in a cabin full with a propane range. It is a widespread park for mountaineering and canoeing too! See one other BC mountain vacation spot at The Greatest Issues to do in Revelstoke, BC – In addition to Snowboarding
16. Brandywine Falls
The subsequent well-known waterfall on our Vancouver to Whistler journey is Brandywine Falls. It’s one other straightforward 10 to 15-minute stroll from the parking zone throughout a railway observe to a beautiful 70 meters (230 foot) dashing waterfall dropping right into a horseshoe canyon.
17. Whistler
Congratulations you made it to Whistler! Whistler is considered one of Canada’s high vacationer locations and we advocate staying at the least a couple of days. Longer in the event you plan on snowboarding or snowboarding! There are such a lot of issues to do in Whistler, it makes for a superb ending level to our Sea to Sky Freeway journey.
Whereas there, make sure you take a look at the Olympic Village, hit a few of the Olympic websites just like the bobsleigh to strive your hand at a spin down the observe or head up the mountain for magnificent views on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola. There are nice mountaineering trails and if you’re visiting within the winter, there are clearly excellent winter points of interest however listed here are a couple of concepts outdoors the conventional snowboarding and spa experiences in Whistler.
18. Prepare Wreck Path
The subsequent widespread cease on our drive from Vancouver to Whistler is the Prepare Wreck Path. Situated on the Cheakamus River, the Trainwreck Path turned extra simply accessible to vacationers in 2013 after the municipality opened up the bridge to maintain folks from crossing the prepare tracks to entry it. The path begins at Cheakamus Crossing and is a couple of 15-minute hike to an attractive suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge, the stays of seven wrecked boxcars stand within the forest. They’re coated in graffiti making for wonderful picture alternatives.
The boxcars are stays from a 1956 prepare derailment from Lillooet. The prepare was not on time, so to make up time it was going almost twice the pace restrict. When it got here to a pointy curve on a slim part of the observe, it flew off the rails. Get coordinates right here from Google maps.
19. Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
We had been to Whistler a number of instances and by no means made it to any of the indoor points of interest however I’m glad we lastly did! The middle is devoted to the historical past and tradition of The Squamish and Lil’wat tribes. It is a wonderful interactive museum.
20. Whistler Photograph Safaris
In case you are visiting Whistler throughout the summer season months, make sure you hop on a bear safari. Whistler Photograph Safaris takes you thru the Whistler Olympic Park in the hunt for black bears. You additionally get a tour of the Whistler Olympic Park’s Ski Jumps and cross nation snowboarding tracks.
It’s a good way to get out and discover extra of the encircling Whistler and to see some wildlife alongside the best way. The ocean to sky freeway positively lives as much as its status as one of many nice drives on earth. We now have a complete submit devoted to issues to do in Whistler right here so test it out to see all of the issues to do when you finish your Sea to Sky Freeway street journey.
The place to Keep in Whistler
We made our base on the Pan Pacific Mountainside situated straight on the mountain. It’s nice for ski in ski out within the winter or for simple entry to the gondola in the summertime. And it has parking! We now have stayed in many alternative lodging downtown Whistler and you actually can’t go unsuitable with any of them.
Watch our Sea to Sky Freeway Street Journey Video
Did you take pleasure in all of the wonderful issues you are able to do from Vancouver to Whistler? What are you ready for? Begin planning your drive alongside the Sea to Sky Freeway and ensure to spend a while in each Vancouver and Whistler, two of Canada’s most fun and delightful locations.
You should definitely get the tunes prepared in your drive. We’ve put collectively the Final Street Journey Playlist.
- Learn extra the stops on the Sea to Sky Freeway at:
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