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I recently wrote about great long weekend destinations for Ontario residents, but if you live on the other side of the country, your options look completely different. BC is a world of its own. I moved here in November, having lived here briefly in 2021, and spent a lot of time here growing up, so I’ve been fortunate enough to explore a lot of the province over the years. Whether you want ocean air and old-growth forests, a sunny lake town, or a charming coastal strip to surf and wander, the options are endless.
I’m going to skip the obvious ones; Whistler is beautiful but on a long weekend it’s crowded, expensive, and far from relaxing. I spent Family Day weekend there recently, so I’m speaking from experience. If skiing is what you’re after, Revelstoke or Fernie will give you a better time at a fraction of the price.
These are my top three picks for a long weekend trip for BC residents.
1. Vancouver Island
Vancouver Island could fill this entire list on its own so I’ll narrow it to my three favourite spots.
Sombrio Beach, Vancouver Island (1h40m drive from Victoria)
Victoria is the strongest all-rounder and the place I keep coming back to most. I’ve been several times throughout my life, most recently this past September. Part of what makes it so easy to return is the scale; it’s not a big city, so you’re never fighting traffic or losing half a day getting somewhere, but you still have everything you need. The ocean, hiking trails, and rainforests are within reach, the downtown is walkable, and the vibe is relaxed without feeling sleepy. A late-morning walk along Fisherman’s Wharf is one of my favourite things to do on a sunny day. Whale watching is worth doing at least once, and the city works just as well for a friends trip as it does for couples or families. It’s an easy 1.5 hour ferry ride from Tsawwassen (one of Vancouver’s ferry terminals).
Victoria, BC
Tofino is a different kind of weekend – camping, surfing, hiking, boating, and properly unplugging. It’s small enough that you feel like you’ve escaped reality. I’ve been several times, most recently in 2021 and plan to go back again this summer.
Tofino, Vancouver Island
It’s also home to the original Tacofino, which serves some of the best food I’ve ever eaten.
Tofino, Vancouver Island
The trip from Vancouver is about 5.5 hours including the ferry, but the drive through the island is stunning – old-growth rainforest the whole way.
Qualicum Beach is the hidden gem of the three. I went almost every summer growing up, often for two weeks at a time, and the pace of it has never really changed. It’s slow and laid-back, with local markets and festivals that feel unhurried rather than curated for tourists. If you’re in the area, it’s worth making the short detour to the Old Country Market in Coombs, a quirky roadside establishment that’s been around since the 1970s. The market sells everything from local produce and specialty foods to unique gifts and souvenirs, but the real draw is the goats that live on the sod roof. Yes, actual goats, I’ve seen them many times. It’s great to visit as an adult but I would say it’s especially fun for kids.
One summer, there was an international sand sculpture competition on Rathtrevor Beach that was extraordinary. I still look at the photos to this day.
Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island (Source: Town of Qualicum Beach)
It’s about three hours from Vancouver including the ferry, and it doesn’t get nearly enough attention, which is a big part of what makes it special to visit.
The island is beautiful to drive, so if you have a few extra days, a road trip between any of these places would make for a great time.
2. Kelowna
Kelowna in the summer earns its reputation, and I say that having been a few times, most recently in July 2021 with a group of friends. The Okanagan wine scene is the obvious draw, and it delivers. Touring wineries through that landscape is a very good way to spend an afternoon. But Kelowna is more than just wine. My friends and I rented a boat, spent a full afternoon swimming and tubing on the lake, did a night hike, and made time for Kangaroo Creek Farm, where you can hand-feed and interact with kangaroos and other animals. It was genuinely one of the most unexpectedly fun afternoons I’ve had on any trip. The beaches are lively, the restaurant options are solid, and the overall energy is relaxed and social.
Kelowna, BC
It’s a 4.5 hour drive from Vancouver and works for almost any group because of the range of things you can do there.
Okanagan Lake, Kelowna
Kangaroo Creek Farm, Okanagan, BC
3. Seaside, Oregon
I know, this one isn’t in Canada, but for BC residents, Oregon is one of the best non-mainstream, long weekend options, even with the border crossing factored in.
Cannon Beach, Oregon
It’s roughly six hours from Vancouver, and the drive is part of the appeal. I went for Easter weekend this year, stopping through Skagit Valley and Seattle on the way down. Seaside sits about 15 minutes north of Cannon Beach, the more famous and more touristy of the two. I loved being close enough to visit without staying there. Cannon Beach is beautiful, but Seaside has more to it: a walkable Broadway strip with restaurants, independent shops, arcades, and a cinema, plus a gorgeous beach filled with families, dogs, and people flying kites. Everything is close together, which makes it ideal for a weekend with no particular itinerary.
Accommodation options range from family-run inns and Airbnbs to hotels; the Holiday Inn is the biggest brand name in town. For food, Pig ‘N Pancake was my go-to for breakfast, and Finn’s Fish House is my top pick for seafood: fresh and flavourful.
Broadway in Seaside, Oregon
The border crossing gives some people pause, but if you’re okay making the trip, it’s worth it. The Oregon Coast is stunning, Seaside is the kind of place that’s easy to underestimate until you’re actually there, and it’s just far enough from home to feel like a real escape.
Seaside, Oregon
Final Thoughts
For me, a long weekend isn’t just a few days off – it’s a chance to properly escape. I want to feel removed from everyday life, not just geographically but mentally. All three of these destinations offer that feeling. They’re drive-able, low-logistics, and deliver a real change of scenery which is exactly what a long weekend is supposed to do.
Fisherman’s Wharf, Victoria
