Welcome to the Sunshine Coast! 

Spring time is here! Time to pack your bags and hit the road towards... the coast! Stretching along 180km of land from Gibsons to Lund, the Sunshine Coast is separated from the Lower Mainland by the Coast Mountains and the Strait of Georgia, and it is British Columbia's best kept secret, with many quaint, tiny coastal communities along the way. And best of all: it is only a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, close enough to the city, but with an independent, island-like mentality.

The Sunshine Coast is a pacific paradise of friendly people, easygoing lifestyle and peculiar waterfront shops. There's a variety of things to do and places to visit along the coast and its communities. Highway 101 links the key communities of Gibsons, with its eclectic mix of local ware; tiny and laid-back Roberts Creek, 15 minutes drive of Gibsons, Sechelt, the region's largest community and a central gateway to all things outdoorsy and artsy, and the historic townsite of Powell River – all worth the stop, as this is an easy and convivial region to explore.


There are also plenty of activities to keep things lively. Visitors can stroll the endless kilometers of windswept seashore to sailing up to Princess Louisa Inlet, do ocean kayaking and incredible wilderness hiking, as well as enjoy the swell of creativity on the Sunshine Coast – the region brags about being the home of more artists, crafters and artisans per capita than almost any other region in Canada.


If this is your kind of travel, you won't regret it. For more outdoorsy suggestions throughout the area, there are Recreation Maps and Activity Guides available in upper and lower region versions, as well as the Sunshine Coast Tourism website to be checked prior to the trip. It is undoubtedly a lifetime experience! :)

Garibaldi Lake

With turquoise-colored water nestled between alpine mountains and a spectacular glacier as the backdrop, Garibaldi Lake is one of the most scenic destinations in British Columbia.

Accessible from the Rubble Creek parking lot just south of Whistler, the hike begins at the wooden steps along the top section of the car park.
The first 6km of the trail is a gradual uphill climb through dense forests of Douglas Fir trees. At times, the trail can seem like it goes on forever, however, keep moving as the reward will be well worth the effort.

Shortly after the 6km mark, you reach a junction with a map of the surrounding area. Going right takes you directly to Garibaldi Lake, the perfect option for those who may be short on time or want a shorter hike. However, going left and adding a few kilometers onto the hike takes you up through Taylor Meadows, a magnificent area filled with colors from alpine flowers that cover the sides of the trail during the late summer and early fall. At the junction, go left and head towards Taylor Meadows.

After another 20 minutes of gradual uphill, the trail begins to level, and you arrive at the Taylor Meadows campsite. Looking up to the left between the trees reveals the towering peak of Black Tusk.

Continue along the trail through the meadows occasionally stopping to check out the view behind you. The fields are very sensitive to any sort of foot traffic, so it is important that hikers stay on the marked trails to protect and promote the growth of this ecologically sensitive environment.

Eventually, you arrive at another main junction where you have the choice of continuing to Black Tusk or Panorama Ridge. We will save these long and challenging hikes for another day and head off to the right towards Garibaldi Lake.

The trail continues it's meandering path through the meadows for the next 20 minutes. The trail eventually begins to head downhill through a series of switchbacks offering the occasional views of the turquoise
colored lake through the trees.

Once you reach the bottom of the switchbacks, watch for a sign and a trail that goes down a steep dirt slope. Take this path as it heads down towards the river draining from Garibaldi Lake and a wooden bridge crossing. Cross the bridge and continue to the left towards the lake. As you continue walking, the lake becomes more and more visible until you reach a wooden structure where the trees open up completely revealing a panoramic view of the entire lake and glacier off in the distance. From this point on, several places offer scenic views. Pick one that is less busy and stop to take a break and soak up the view.

Once you are satisfied you have taken enough photos and are ready to head back to the parking lot, walk back alongside the lake where you came towards the wooden bridge that crosses the river. Head up the steep path to the junction but this time, go left. This trail will go directly to the first junction, bypassing Taylor Meadows.

Continue along the path as it passes two other smaller lakes that Garibaldi Lake drains into. These lakes also offer beautiful scenery, but they are not quite as spectacular as their mother lake.

After passing the second lake, continue into the forest and a short distance later the first junction appears that you passed earlier in the day. Continue straight back downhill towards the Rubble Creek parking lot. The next 6 km are long but keep in mind the accomplishment and reward of getting to enjoy one of the most beautiful places in British Columbia.

The Okanagan

Beautiful, sandy/pebbly beaches surrounded by ponderosa pine and sagebrush make this park the perfect spot for swimming and water activities. At the two large campgrounds in the park, panoramic views will add to your enjoyment.

Many parks and beaches are found along the shores of the lake, which make boating and swimming very popular activities.
The lake is home to several species of fish, including rainbow trout and kokanee. It is said by some to be home to its own lake monster - a giant serpent-like creature named Ogopogo.

The landscape across the lake, from beach to skyline, is part of Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park, accessible by boat or by driving back through Kelowna.

Created in 1955, this park shows what effective park planning can achieve. In the late fifties, thousands of non-native trees were planted on a barren hillside between the highway and the lake. Today, this area is a natural arboretum and the extensive tree cover is home to various bird types.

Activities Available at this Park

 Canoeing

 Cycling

 Fishing

 Hiking

 Swimming

 Waterskiing

If being in or on the lake isn't your thing, romantic lakeside patio dining or a leisurely boardwalk stroll is an equally enjoyable way to enjoy the lake while staying dry.

Bob's Lake, Merritt, BC

Bob’s lake is the little slice of paradise just off the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt. From Merritt travel southeast on highway 5A for 23 km, then take highway 97C towards Kelowna for another 26 km. Exit the highway at the Elkhart Lake Interchange, proceed under the highway and turn left immediately onto the paved Paradise Lake Road. 

Travel along this road for approximately 5 kms passing by the recreation site for Elkhart Lake. Watch for the Bob's Lake directional sign. 

Turn right onto the Bob's Lake access road and travel a few hundred yards to the lake and campsites. It is a recreation spot that comes in the driving route between Vancouver and Okanagan.

Bob’s Lake is few kilometers down a dirt road and on the edge of the lake is a small campground, maintained by BC Forest Service. Campground has a small outhouse and 2 picnic tables.

It is a good refreshment place to chill and enjoy with friends. It’s a place for camping, fishing, hiking and a lot more. 

During the winter the lake gets frozen and looks more beautiful.

It has 2 campsites and it is small, treeless recreation site located beside the northwest shore of the lake. Bob’s lake has facilities of Boat Launch, tables and toilets. 

For more information, take a look at the pictures below and see how people enjoy fishing at Bob's Lake!! 

Galiano Island, BC

Have you ever heard about Galiano Island? Are you bored in Vancouver on the weekend? You have many places to explore and discover around here.

Galiano Island is one of the Canadian Southern Gulf Islands lying between Vancouver Island and British Columbia's Lower Mainland. It is located on the west side of the Strait of Georgia, is 27.5 km long, 6 km at our widest point, and 1.6 km across at our narrowest point. The population is just over a thousand residents.

The closest island to Vancouver and it is easily accessible from the mainland and local islands by ferry, boat or floatplane. Check it here for more informations: http://www.galianoisland.com/travel. Galiano is a small, but a long and narrow island. However, the island does not have public transportation. The tourists can drive or ride.

The island has lots and different activities to do, such as arts, culture and galleries; dining out; shopping; play outdoors; wellness & SPA experiences.

Come and enjoy it!

                                          Photo http://www.galianoisland.com/about

Jones Lake, BC, Canada

Located in easy to access area of lower mainland between Vancouver and Hope.  Exit no. 151 from highway no.1 about 20 minutes past Chilliwack directly to forest service road gravel covered that runs 10km up to Jones lake. Always better to access when using a 4x4, but the road is not bad for every car

The lake serves as a recreational area for Camping, fishing boating, hiking, mountain biking and swimming (in summers) and is also a source of hydroelectric power for BC. Heavy snowfall during the winter month restricts vehicle access sometime (have a check before you leave)

Three are two campsites Jones Lake Main and Jones Lake west

There are 2 recreational area on the north shore of the reservoir and is accessible for camping, pit toilets and picnic tables

Camping Are

Jones Lake Main

North of Boulder Creek	South of Boulder Creek
·      31 campsites ·      4 toilets  ·      No drinking water available  ·      Access to car top boats	·      6 campsites ·      Grassy landing ·      2 toilets ·      No drinking water available  ·      17 vehicle parking

Jones Lake West

·      18 campsites ·      Grassy land with picnic table ·      6 parking lot ·      No drinking water ·      2 picnic table and pit toilets

For more information have a look at the videos telling you more about the things to do there and the  beautiful lake..

Sasquatch Provincial Park

Our first post will begin with a very straight to the point question: are you an adventurer, a nature lover and an explorer? If so, you’re in the right place. In the following lines (and the upcoming ones), we’ll share some of the best places in British Columbia – but not limited to it – to embark on a road trip from Vancouver. So, let’s get this started. Take notes, enjoy the visuals, and allow us to be part of your trip planning. Oh! And please share your moments with us by hashtagging us on Instagram: #vantrip. Enjoy it! 

Photo: Camping & RV in BC.

Just a couple of hours driving from Vancouver, six kilometers north of Harrison Hot Springs, Sasquatch Provincial Park is a perfect camping destination, featuring three campgrounds: Lakeside, Bench (close to Deer Lake), and Hicks Lake. Since the campgrounds are adjacent to those lakes, they’re good options for fishing, boating and swimming lovers (although it may be cold for swimming in spring time, so it’s more ideally in summer). Speaking of summer, you don’t have to wait until then to make a trip to Sasquatch Provincial Park. Yes, it’s probably still soggy out there right now, but it will be dry and sunny soon. If you think about, spring – which is an alternative camping season other than summer – is not that far, and in the meantime, you can work on your trip planning. Keep in mind that in peak season you need to make a reservation for the nights that you are going to be camping with plenty time in advance. In other seasons you should reserve beforehand too, but since it doesn’t get as crowded as in summer time, some sites are set for first come, first served visitors, but you have to be willing to get there before 7am.

Photo: Sea to Sky Parks.

The campgrounds are equipped with day-use area with picnic benches and plenty of green grass. Clean running water and pit toilets are available in all three sites. So don’t forget to pack your picnic basket before hitting the road. Make sure to shop for non-perishable groceries so the food won’t go bad while camping. And last, but not least, do not forget an almost vital item in a camping trip: mosquito repellent spray! I’m sure you will want to keep those bites away, eh? ;)

Photo: Sea to Sky Parks.

For more information about the park, access the BC Parks’ official website: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/sasquatch/

Photo: Sea to Sky Parks.