Sometimes, it's not about booking flights or in advance — it's about getting out right now.
Whether you're stressed from work, burnt out from dating, or just can't look at another grey skyline from your daily mental health walk on Kits beach (we're so lucky we get those), Vancouver is perfectly positioned for mini-escapes that feel way farther than they actually are.
From island hideaways to cross-border trips, these easy trips will get you breathing (and posting cute travel pics) in no time.
Bowen Island
Why You Need To Go: Bowen is your no-fuss nature reset. Just a quick 19-minute ferry from Horseshoe Bay (plus a scenic 25-minute drive from Vancouver), Bowen is the closest you can get to true island bliss without actually going off-grid. Or if you're in a "treat yourself" mood, skip the crowds and rent a private water taxi or speedboat straight from Granville Island.
You'll find forest hikes, sleepy beaches, and zero pressure to do anything at all. Grab a cinnamon bun at Snug Cafe and let life slow down. If you really want to lean in, plan ahead and try to snag a coveted two-night stay at Kitoki Inn — a serene, design-forward retreat, perfect for when you're in need some serious TLC.
Whistler
Why You Need To Go: About a 1.5 yo 2-hour drive from Vancouver along the iconic Sea-to-Sky Highway, Whistler delivers year-round. In winter, its ski central. In summer? It's all about lake dips, mountain hikes, and patios that demand sunglasses and hair-of-the-dog drinking.
Not feeling sporty? Book a spot at Scandinave Spa and soak under the trees while you play theTwilight soundtrack on speaker phone. The other guests will thank you.
Whistler is the perfect mix of outdoorsy and indulgent. Grab a bougie dinner at Araxi, and then stumble into Longhorn Saloon for tequila shots with a hundred strangers. The best thing about Whistler (and Kelowna, up next) is that even Earls is the place to be. When the vibe is right it doesn't matter where you are. That's the magic.
Kelowna
Why You Need To Go: About a 4.5-hour drive or a quick 1-hour flight from Vancouver, Kelowna is where lake life and wine culture collide — and somehow make being a little trashy feel chic (shout out to Hotel Zed, you have seen the worst of us all).
Spend your day sipping your way through wineries like Mission Hill or Quail's Gate or switch gears — find a group of locals and flirt your way onto their boat. Whether you're drinking at the Earls Rooftop, dancing at Liquid Zoo, or gossiping under the covers in a twin bed with a new best friend on a 10-person girls' trip — Kelowna is carefree, sun-soaked, and forever young.
Victoria
Why You Need To Go: About a 1.5-hour ferry ride or a breezy 35-minute seaplane from Vancouver, Victoria is your go-to when you want to be in Vancouver — but in the 90's. Back when the world felt charming, cooler, and no one ever referred to themselves as a "content creator".
Walkable and easygoing, this is where heritage buildings meet coastal breezes (and college kids) — and everything feels softer and slower.
When in doubt, you can always play tourist at The Empress, but locals know to hit Ferris' Upstairs for oysters and cocktails.
Bellingham or Seattle
Why You Need To Go: About a 1.5-hour drive to Bellingham (plus a quick border crossing) or 3 hours if you keep going to Seattle, this is your choose-your-own-American-adventure.
Bellingham gives small town grunge — perfect for vintage hunting at Penny Lane Antique Mall, doing a huge Trader Joe's run.
Feeling extra? Put on Alice in Chains', "Man in a Box" or Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit", and drive all the way down to Seattle. Hit Capitol Hill for dive bars and people-watching, or swing by Pike Place to get a PSL at the OG Starbucks. Do not go to the Space Needle.
When night hits, the Comet Tavern of Unicorn will remind you that Seattle nights can still get a little weird — in the best way.
Squamish
Why You Need To Go: Squamish is where you go when you want to go to Whistler, but not quite.
Just an hour north of Vancouver, it's the lazy girl dating the marathon-running guy's dream compromise weekend. It looks rugged — towering peaks, glacier-fed rivers, and The Chief that will make you break up at the 1/4 mark — but you have the option to skip the stress.
Take the Sea-to-Sky Gondola instead, then hit Backcountry Brewing for pizza and beer to revive your relationship. Squamish lets you fake outdoorsy while still keeping it very real, and that's the balance.
Sunshine Coast
Why You Need To Go: Just a 40-minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay, the Sunshine Coast feels like BC's best-kept secret, though locals would probably prefer it stayed that way. Small towns, rugged coastlines, and cafés where no one is in a rush, make this the perfect spot to disappear for a few days.
Stroll around Gibsons for charming shops and waterfront eats (hit Smitty's Oyster House for casual seafood with serious views), or head farther up the coast to find hidden beaches that feel worlds away from your inbox.
Salt Spring Island
Why You Need To Go: About a 90-minute ferry ride from Tsawwassen (plus a short drive), Salt Spring is peak Gulf Island energy — easier, artsier, and unapologetically itself.
Farmer's markets, ocean views, and locals who make their own kombucha make this the perfect unplug-and-pretend-you're-moving-here escape.
Browse local galleries, then head to Tree House Cafe for live music and casual eats under the stars. Salt Spring doesn't need to try hard, and when you're there, neither do you.
Harrison Hot Springs
Why You Need To Go: About 2 hours by car from Vancouver, Harrison is giving cozy meets camp. Best known for its healing mineral hot springs and lake views, this town is built for those who want to lean hard into doing nothing.
Soak your stress away at the public pool or one of the local hotels, stroll the lakefront in your fluffiest robe, then grab lunch at Muddy Waters Café.
Harrison is pure small-town comfort — no itinerary needed.
