The Majestic West Coast Canada – My First Solo Leisure Vacation

By Pamela Nandi | May 30, 2020

TIME OF VISIT: AUGUST

When you think of a vacation spot, while staying in Canada, then Canada‘s West Coast tops the list due to its unparalleled views and pre-eminence. Western Canada often referred to as the “west coast” or “Pacific Canada” located on the British Columbia Coast or BC Coast, on the North Pacific Ocean boasts distinctive features geographically, and politically. Starting from adventure, sightseeing to hiking, from Calgary to Vancouver Island on West Coast of British Columbia, the spectacular landscape of the stunning mountains and glittering lakes of Canada‘s dramatic west coast is just mind-blowing. It is the largest pacific island east of New Zealand.

So friends, check out my guide to Canada West Coast in 7 days to make the most of your getaway.

MY ARRIVAL: Flew from Waterloo, province of Ontario, Canada to Calgary, province of Alberta, Canada by WestJet (NON-STOP flight duration of 4 hrs 20 mins). Stayed overnight at Calgary and then indulged into my 2 days luxury train vacation to travel to Vancouver by boarding the luxury Rocky Mountaineer train. Checked-in to my hotel in Vancouver during the evening.

DESTINATION 1: WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

BRITISH COLUMBIA DAY 1: Sightseeing at Whistler

MY ARRIVAL: Picked up from my hotel at Vancouver by the tour operator – Landsea Tours & Adventures and headed off to Vancouver station in order to experience an epic train journey by boarding Whistler Mountaineer, that operates between Vancouver and Whistler.

TIPS: The cheapest way to get to Whistler is by bus or shuttle that leaves from the Vancouver International Airport. Check out this site to book bus or shuttle from Vancouver to Whistler.

Peak 2 Peak Gondola

My tour kicked off by exploring the wild and beautiful alpine village of Whistler, the home of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games located in the province of British Columbia. Spanning the distance between Whistler and Blackcomb mountains, the PEAK 2 PEAK gondola, the world’s highest gondola is a 4.4-kilometre/2.7mile, 11-minute journey that connects the high alpine terrain of both mountains in the Whistler village.

**Going to take the ride to** **Whistler Blackcomb**

**Explore the mountains by PEAK 2 PEAK** **Gondola**

**Unfortunately, in the midst of the clouds and rains on my way to the mountain top**

**It’s too cold at the top of Blackcomb Mountain**

**Turquoise lake surrounded by alpines and rugged mountains – view from the mountain top**

**View of the alpine hiking trails from the mountain top**

**Whistler Buddy Bear at the souvenir shop**

Tantalus Range

TIPS: You can take a cab or cheapest way to board a direct bus departing from Whistler Village and arriving at Squamish Adventure Centre.

Next sightseeing was the Tantalus Range, a subrange of the Pacific Ranges of the Coast Mountains in southern British Columbia from the “Sea to Sky Highway” that travels from Vancouver to Squamish and Whistler that boasts the most stunning venues in the world.

**Soaking up views of the Tantalus Mountains**

Forest walk at Whistler mountain

Walking through the woods at Whistler surrounded by the incredible coast mountain vistas, admiring the basalt cliffs, old-growth forest and creek is something marvellous.

**Nature walk through the lush forest of Whistler mountain**

Shannon Falls Provincial Park

TIPS: You may ride by bus, car or taxi to get into Shannon Falls Provincial Park from Whistler Village.

Another must-stop on your next visit to Squamish, a 10 minutes drive to the Shannon Falls Provincial Park, the third-highest waterfall in British Columbia, located 58 kilometres from Vancouver and 2 kilometres south of Squamish along the Sea to Sky Highway.

**Following the trail network at Shannon Falls Provincial Park**

Enjoyed a relaxing drive back to my hotel in Vancouver.

DESTINATION 2: VICTORIA, BRITISH COLUMBIA

BRITISH COLUMBIA DAY 2: VICTORIA (Sightseeing)

MY ARRIVAL: Picked up from my hotel at Vancouver by the tour operator – Landsea Tours & Adventures and headed off to Tsawwassen terminal, approximately 45 minutes south of downtown Vancouver. Boarded the British Columbia ferry, the biggest ferry company in the Western Canada state of BC, that took 90 minutes to reach Victoria’s Swartz Bay terminal.

TIPS: Check the schedule for BC ferries. The main departure/arrival port in Vancouver is Tsawwassen terminal and board the early morning BC ferry, which takes about 90 minutes to reach Victoria’s Swartz Bay terminal. The ferry operates every two hours, increasing to hourly during peak season. These ferries take both vehicles and walk-on passengers.

**Soaked into breathtaking** **scenic ferry ride through the Gulf Islands**

On arrival, hopped aboard the awaiting coach at Victoria’s Swartz Bay terminal, which took about 1 hour to get into the beautiful Victoria.

TIPS: You may use different options to commute from Victoria’s Swartz Bay terminal to get into downtown Victoria. Option 1: Take the Pacific Coach Lines from the ferry, Option 2: Board a cab/private rental, Option 3: Commute with British Columbia Public Transit.

My excursion began with sightseeing of downtown Victoria, the capital city of the Canadian province of British Columbia, located on the rocky southern end of Vancouver Island off Canada‘s Pacific coast. With abundant parkland, known for outdoor activities, the beautiful city tales back to the British colonial era that is evident in its Victorian architecture.

**Victoria’s signature beauty** **– stunning waterways**

**Victoria’s Inner Harbour – one of the most beautiful locations in the world**

Fairmont Empress

The grand glimpse of this Fairmont Empress commonly referred to as The Empress is one of the oldest hotels in Victoria, overlooking the waterfront is one of the most iconic spots. Established in 1908, this historic grand Edwardian hotel not only captures the beauty of Vancouver Island but welcomes every patron in its own royal style.

British Columbia Parliament

The home to Legislative Assembly of British Columbia – British Columbia Parliament buildings is another beautiful palace-like structure with its eye-catching green dome facing Victoria‘s famous and scenic inner harbour.

**Parliament Building** – **the royal landmark**

Royal British Columbia Museum

The Royal British Columbia Museum was founded in 1886, a world-class museum of natural and human history that exhibits British Columbia‘s rich history, provincial archives (where visitors can trace their family histories through the province’s historical records) and present-day culture.

**Model of Woolly Mammoth has led to the idea that the species could be recreated by scientific means at Royal British Columbia Museum**

**The HMS (Her Majesty’s Ship) Discovery replica** **at Royal British Columbia Museum**

**Natural History at Royal British Columbia Museum**

Admire the exquisitely carved First Nation totem poles, the most visited monuments in British Columbia. Totem poles (also known as a monumental pole) are unique monumental posts or vertical pillars or painted log handcrafted with a series of totemic symbols or figures. A type of Northwest Coast art, constructed by the Indians of the Northwest Coast of the United States and Canada to variously portray family legends, ancestry, histories, people, or events.

**Native American tribes of the northwest coast, like the Haida, often built and carved totem poles as a sign of wealth**

Chinatown

Chinatown, a national historic site is a must-see when visiting Victoria. The oldest Chinatown in Canada and the second oldest in North America after San Francisco‘s. Established in the mid-nineteenth century in the mass influx of miners from California to what is now British Columbia. A visit to Chinatown always guarantees decadent food and eclectic shops.

Butchart Garden

After enjoying leisure time at Victoria, post-lunch, its time to see the city’s top attractions, the Butchart Garden. If you love flowers and nature enthusiasts, then this garden is one of the most beautiful public gardens on the planet. These world-renowned gardens have been designated a national historic site of Canada that features vivid floral displays and themed gardens in Brentwood Bay, located near Victoria on Vancouver Island resting on 55 acres of land.

**A magical oasis, for over 100 years** **attracting over a million visitors each year**

**Breathtaking view of the garden enveloped in lush greens and colourful blooms**

**Stroll along flower-lined paths with impressive floral displays**

Victoria tour concluded with a visit to Butchart Gardens. After the garden tour, headed to the ferry for the relaxing ride back to Vancouver.

And now the most awaited surprise – the breathtaking sunset of this surrey beautiful Pacific Ocean, covered by rugged coasts and lush rainforests before boarding the ferry left us just speechless.

Enjoyed the Pacific Buffet dinner at the cruise elegantly curated with fresh catches from the coast, a true coastal celebration on the plate with an ocean-view dining.

The tour ended with a return to my hotel at Vancouver.

DESTINATION 3: VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA

BRITISH COLUMBIA DAY 3 & 4: VANCOUVER (City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour)

My ticket for 48 hours Hop-On and Hop-Off City Tour was pre-booked by Landsea Tours & Adventures.

TIPS: The 24 hours Hop-On and Hop-Off City Sightseeing Tour is the cheapest and perfect way to explore Vancouver. The tickets are available from the tourist information in the city centre and the bus can be boarded from any one of the stops.

Vancouver, a bustling west coast seaport city located in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, is Canada’s densest, most ethnically diverse cities. A popular filming, gastronomy, cultural and lively location framed by the Pacific Ocean and coastal mountains.

Woke up on a cloudy Vancouver Day, and decided to make the most of it.

Canada Place

The first area that I explored in the city is Vancouver‘s meandering oceanside pathways i.e. Canada Place, an iconic landmark and venue for world-class events located in the heart of Canada‘s busiest harbour – Burrard Inlet (most populated beach area in Vancouver) waterfront of Vancouver. Canada Place is the home of a multi-use facility that includes the Vancouver Convention Centre, Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel, Vancouver’s World Trade Centre, Port Metro Vancouver cruise ship.

**Pan Pacific Vancouver Hotel – the perfect getaway with views of the sweeping mountain vistas**

**Vancouver Convention Centre, one of Canada’s largest convention centres, with an inspiring event space and an unbeatable waterfront view**

**Canada Place** – **the home port for Alaska cruises**

**Vancouver’s World Trade Centre – a subsidiary of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade dedicated to strengthening the export**

Coal Harbour

While exploring the modern neighbourhood in the downtown area of Vancouver‘s waterfront, I came across Coal Harbour that is located between forested Stanley Park and Canada Place, known for its marina, waterside eateries offering exceptional views of lush green spaces, majestic North Shore Mountains. Located in Vancouver‘s sheltered inner harbour, this northern Vancouver Island marine hub offers a superior range of yachting amenities to annual tenants and services for fishing charters, boaters, kayakers and campers.

**Gleaming condo towers at the backdrop** **of Coal Harbour**

Granville Island

If you are a shopping freak, then you will adore this historic hidden gem – Granville Island, a peninsula and shopping district and city’s cultural hub and home to an incredible variety of craftsmen, artisans, theatres. One of Vancouver‘s busiest tourist attractions in the summer. Don’t miss the food stalls at Granville Island’s public market, the jewel in the island’s crown.

Vancouver Lookout

Get a staple of Vancouver‘s amazing skyline view by ascending this tower in a glass elevator – Vancouver Lookout opened in 1977 at the skyscraper – Harbour Centre located in the central business district of downtown Vancouver.

**The observation deck offers a spectacular 360° view of Metro Vancouver**

**At the observation deck of Vancouver Lookout**

Stanley Park

Another key tourist attraction of Vancouver is the famous Stanley Park, the jewel in the crown of Vancouver. A 405-hectare world-renowned public park that borders the downtown of Vancouver mostly surrounded by waters of Burrard Inlet and English Bay with long stretches of green. This oldest, largest park has a long history.

Stanley Park is home to some of Vancouver‘s most famous landmarks. One such major tourist attraction is the Vancouver Aquarium located in Stanley Park, a centre for marine research, ocean literacy education, conservation and marine animal rehabilitation.

**At Vancouver Aquarium**, **Canada’s largest public aquarium**

**Vancouver Aquarium, home to more than 70,000 creatures – tropical fish and penguins**

Another showpiece is the Brockton Point Lighthouse – a point and attached peninsula in Vancouver named after Francis Brockton, located at the northeastern part of Stanley Park. It borders Burrard Inlet to the north and Coal Harbour to the south.

**Brockton Point Lighthouse, home to a 100-year-old lighthouse built-in 1914 located right along the seawall**

**Vancouver panorama was taken from **Stanley Park** with Lions Gate bridge**

The highest point at the northern tip of Stanley Park is the Prospect Point, located on the south side of the First Narrows of Burrard Inlet with great views of West Vancouver, ocean and Cascade Mountains.

**Prospect Point wh**ere the Lions Gate Bridge leaves the park

Another greatest landmark is the Lions Gate Bridge, opened in 1938 known as the First Narrows Bridge, that connects Vancouver main city to north and west Vancouver across the first narrows of Burrard Inlet to the harbour. A suspension bridge with a series of massive steel cables supports the bridge deck, which is suspended below them. A three-lane bridge, traffic is sometimes two lanes one way and one way the other, and vice versa depending on the flow.

**Lions Gate Bridge – the iconic longest suspension bridge in Western Canada**

If you are interested to know about the history of Vancouver, then visit the Museum of Vancouver. To educate and inspire yourself about the stars, universe, planet, and space exploration then the best place to visit is the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, an astronomy museum founded in 1968, located at picturesque Vanier Park in Vancouver.

**Vanier Park – space museum – The H.R. MacMillan Space Centre** **(Canada’s Premiere Space Centre)**

Vancouver’s history is also embedded in its streets. Glimpses of some of its famous streets are here.

If you’re in the mood for some shopping, then hop to Robson Street. Vancouver‘s most popular shopping thoroughfare flanked by tiny boutiques, big brand-name stores and major attractions – Stanley Park. Robson Street is a major southeast-northwest thoroughfare in downtown and west end of Vancouver.

**Shoppers Destination – Robson Street**

Burrard Street is a major thoroughfare in the central street of downtown Vancouver and the Financial District named Sir Harry Burrard-Neale, bookended by modern skyscrapers.

Alberni Street is a road in downtown Vancouver. It is the home of many prestigious retail addresses in North America and fine dine restaurants.

**Star Properties** **of Vancouver – Fairmont, Hyatt, Westin**

**Eatery chains of Vancouver – Old Spaghetti Factory, Hon’s Wun Tun House, Chill Winston**

Being a sunset seeker, after spending a magnificent day by city sightseeing, soaked into the profoundly beautiful waterfront sight of the downtown skyline.

**Vibrant hues, magnificent view of sunset coming up over the water**

**Colourful sunset paints Vancouver skies**

BRITISH COLUMBIA DAY 5: Visit GROUSE MOUNTAIN, CAPILANO RIVER REGIONAL PARK, CAPILANO SUSPENSION BRIDGE

Grouse Mountain

MY ARRIVAL: Picked up from my hotel at Vancouver by the tour operator – Landsea Tours & Adventures and headed off by coach covering the sweeping views of Vancouver landmarks on a half an hour ride to Grouse Mountain.

TIPS: You may take the Grouse Mountain Shuttle from Canada Place to Grouse Mountain.

Grouse Mountain, one of the North Shore Mountains of the Pacific Ranges located in the district municipality of North Vancouver.

**At **Grouse Mountain**, ascend into the coastal mountains by gondola to catch up the phenomenal views**

**Travelled to a 3,937-foot (1,200-meter) viewpoint to enjoy one of the best views in Vancouver overlooking the city**

**A year-round resort that offers snow sports in winter and loads of outdoor activities**

Check out the world-famous, award-winning, action-packed, non-stop family-friendly entertainment – Grouse Mountain Lumberjack Show.

TIPS: The Lumberjack show runs about three times a day from late May until early October.

**The show features champion performers presenting axe-throwing, tree-climbing log-rolling and other exciting skills**

Don’t miss the fascinating bird shows at Grouse Mountain– ‘Birds in Motion’.

**Amazing** chainsaw wood carving at the **Grouse Mountain**

Capilano River Regional Park

The next stop was the Capilano River Regional Park (aka Capilano Canyon), a few minutes drive from Grouse Mountain. One of Metro Vancouver‘s outdoor gems and oldest parks located in the District of North Vancouver. The park encompasses most of the upstream areas of the Capilano River below the Cleveland Damnd Dam and the home to Capilano Lake. A great place for a photo stop or a picnic spot and hiking trails.

**Capilano River – flows from north to south through the Coast Mountains on Vancouver’s North Shore and empties into Burrard Inlet, opposite Stanley Park**

The Cleveland Dam in Capilano River Regional Park is a 91 m high concrete dam set in a deep bedrock canyon constructed in 1950′ at the head of the Capilano River that holds back Capilano Lake, also known as Capilano reservoir – one of Vancouver‘s main sources of drinking water.

Capilano Lake, one of the most beautiful uninhabited manmade artificial lakes in British Columbia which supplies fresh drinking water to the Lower Mainland (Greater Vancouver), now known as Metro Vancouver.

**The Capilano Pacific Trail starts at Ambleside in West Vancouver and follows the Capilano River up to Cleveland Dam**

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park

And finally, the world-famous popular tourist attraction is the 450 ft (137m) suspension footbridge, Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, crossing the Capilano River in the district of North Vancouver. The attraction boasts other adventures like – cliff walk, treetop walk and the traditions of the Coast Salish indigenous people.

**Totem Poles Park at Capilano Suspension Bridge** **with the welcome log**

**Exploring some breathtaking beauties of the rain forests, towering trees** **and massive trees houses**

Capilano Suspension Bridge Park has the world’s largest private collection of totem poles.

**Indigenous pole carving traditions in the park designed by the local Squamish band**

BRITISH COLUMBIA DAY 6: Shopping at VANCOUVER

Who doesn’t enjoy shopping during vacation? Enjoyed a day-long shopping at the mall at Pacific Centre, a premier shopping mall located in downtown Vancouver and ranked as the second most productive shopping malls in Canada.

**Pacific Centre – the largest shopping mall in Vancouver**

**Pacific Centre Mall offers hundreds of high-end brand name stores**

MY STAY: At Sandman Suites – Vancouver Davie Street overlooking English Bay, a modern hotel situated in the picturesque neighbourhood of the West End of Vancouver.

**Sandman Suites – Vancouver Davie Street** **– 24 storey hotel boasts all the comforts of home**

Happy Journey !!!

Food & Travel Blogger

The Majestic West Coast Canada – My First Solo Leisure Vacation

DESTINATION 1: WHISTLER, BRITISH COLUMBIA