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! :)
