7 spots to go in BC instead of just visiting Vancouver, according to locals
Skip the city and head here. 👇
Person on the Sunshine Coast in B.C. Right: Someone at a vinyeard in BC.
Vancouver is the crown jewel of British Columbia – it's where people flock for that classic West Coast experience. City beaches, mountain hikes, top-tier shopping and award-winning restaurants. There's a lot more to the province than the streets of Vancouver though.
While your flight most likely will touch down in the city, it's worth looking beyond the borders of Metro Van. Unbelievable beauty awaits you, if you know where to look.
We turned to locals to see where in the province is worth giving up your trip to the city for. The places that that are more underrated, usually harder to get to, but often make for an even better trip. Suggestions poured in on the Narcity Facebook Page – people eager to share spots that they think beat out Vancouver every day of the week.
Victoria
Alright, so it's another city — but this one hits different. It's reminiscent of a little European city almost, with old buildings, picturesque streets, and a cozier vibe. It's not as overwhelming as Vancouver, but you still get all those city amenities. We're talking incredible restaurants and loads of cute boutiques.
Nothing beats the Inner Harbor on a sunny day in Victoria. Then you have the little neighbourhoods, each offering their own charm, and the stunning parks and waterfront walks. Make sure to wander around Beacon Hill Park to get your nature fix, or go to The Butchart Gardens to see thousands of beautiful blooms.
If you want to up the fairytale vibes the city is home to not one but two castles. Hatley Castle is right outside the city in Colwood and will transport you to the set of Bridgerton. Then you have Craigdarroch Castle, a restored mansion from the 1890s that's open to the public now.
Plus, this is the ideal base for Vancouver Island exploring. The island is chalk full of incredible places to visit, and some of the most spectacular natural beauty in the world. Sandy beaches, misty rainforests, swimming holes, and hidden waterfalls are all around the island.A visit to Victoria basically has to include a little road trip out to somewhere along the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, or maybe a day at the Sooke Potholes. If you want to take it a step further go explore some of the nearby little islands on BC Ferries from here.
The Okanagan
The Okanagan gets some well-deserved love in the summertime. It's beach towns, rolling vineyards and desert landscape tempt tourists there — which is totally fair.
You've got idyllic lakes, rolling mountains, wine tours, fields of lavender, and cute towns scattered throughout. Driving around you'll notice the unique landscape, since this is actually where Canada's only desert is. The town of Osoyoos is home to the desert, and you can explore it from the Osoyoos Desert Centre and the Nk’Mip Desert Cultural Centre.
Another claim to fame here is Osoyoos Lake, which is the warmest fresh-water lake in Canada. You'll dive into 24°C water here in July and August, and be surrounded by the stunning lake scenery.
The wineries around here are also legendary, and you can tour around different vineyards or head to District Wine Village in Oliver to get a few in at once.
The main city in the area is Kelowna, which is a great base to stay in.
The Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast tourism website calls the region a "180 km stretch of paradise," which says it all.
You can take a 45-minute BC Ferries ride over here from Vancouver, and the first stop is the little town of Gibsons. The waterfront community has little shops, cafes and boutiques to peruse and makes for a wholesome afternoon. Keep on driving and you'll pass by gorgeous ocean vistas, stretches of beach, and other charming communities.
The Northern Sunshine Coast and the Southern Sunshine Coast are two main areas here, which are connected by a ferry. The South Coast is ideal for a quicker trip from Vancouver and you can stop though Gibsons, Roberts Creek, Sechelt, Halfmoon Bay & Secret Cove, Pender Harbour, and Egmont by driving along Highway 101.
If you're up for more adventure you can plan a trip to the North Coast, where you'll find even more unbelievable nature and beauty.
Whistler
This ski town is a go-to destination for a reason. Ski season or not, it makes for an incredible trip filled with beauty, fun and adventure.
Summers here are spent roaming the village, laying out by the sparkling lakes, and hiking up trails to get unreal views of jagged peaks and glacial lakes.
Plus, it's just an hour and a half from Vancouver, so you don't actually have to skip the city completely.
Tofino
This is another popular destination that deserves the hype it gets. Set on Vancouver Island this little surf spot has a unique mix of sandy beaches, rainforest trails, and a charming town.
Its natural beauty is hard to beat, from the vibrant greenery of the forests to the sparkling ocean. It's the kind of place you never want to leave.
It might be a small town but there's a lot to do. Take your pick of one of the many beaches and relax or head out into the waves for a surf. Then you can rent a bike in town and make your way along the paved pathway that takes you past sandy shores and towering trees. Then you have whale-watching tours, hiking, boating, and basically every type of summer fun you could ask for.
After a day of adventure you can head to one of the local restaurants — likely getting a stunning view with your dinner.
If you're building out your 2025 travel buck list still — now you have some new additions.