One of BC's 'best small towns' is this waterfront paradise a BC Ferries ride from Vancouver

It's that time of the year — hop on BC Ferries and sail away from the city streets to cozy little corners of the province. Long stretches of beach, cute small towns and scenic views await you.

One of the best small towns in the province, according to a poll on the Narcity Facebook Page, is Gibsons, B.C. The waterfront community is set on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.

Gibsons is often the gateway to the Sunshine Coast, just a 40 minute ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver.

The small town has streets lined with local shops and eateries, all resting on a hillside overlooking the calm water with islands dotting it.

The town is tiny, but bursting with things to do and see. If you're a T.V. buff you might recognize it from the CBC show The Beachcombers — especially thanks to Molly's Reach (the restaurant from the show) being front and center.

Gibsons Landing is the harbour area here, where you can shop, take in the view, and try out some local restaurants and cafes.

The town is walkable so you can explore everything from the art galleries and museums to the boats bobbing in the water.

While there's a lot to do right in town, there's beauty all around. You can go hiking, kayaking, sailing or fishing here.

Keep on driving past town and you can also explore some of the other communities on the Sunshine Coast, stopping in at the beaches peppering the shoreline along the way.

This tiny town is the perfect summer escape, and the longer you have to visit the more in love you'll fall with the Sunshine Coast.

Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.