Everything you need to know about living, working or studying in Vancouver

Discover BC

Lighthouse Park

Nature is never far away from Vancouver. Lighthouse Park in West Vancouver is only 30 minutes away from the city centre. Popular with photographers and bird watchers alike, you can also hike one of the many trails through the forest and fir trees.

Bowen Island

Bowen Island is a little further away and takes about an hour to reach from the city. The island is only accessible by ferry from the Horseshoe Bay terminal. It’s a great place to spend the weekend, with artisanal food, scenic coastal walks, and plenty of outdoor activities like kayaking and paddleboarding.

Lynn Canyon Park

Lynn Canyon is a popular attraction for Vancouverites. Drive 30 minutes from the city and you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery in this temperate rainforest. You’ll also find a suspension bridge here; a good way to avoid the crowds of tourists at Capilano!

Capilano Lake

Located near the base of Grouse Mountain, this beautiful, man-made lake is part of the Capilano River Regional Park. Here, you can walk across the Cleveland Dam or visit the Capilano River Hatchery to see salmon. It’s a popular stop for fishing and hiking, and it’s only half an hour from the city.

Deep Cove

Located near North Vancouver, Deep Cove is a cute seaside village. Follow some or all of the 41 km path along the Baden Powell Trail to the top of the Quarry Rock clifftop to admire the magnificent views. Bonus point for those with a sweet tooth: reward yourself with Honey doughnuts after the walk!

Horseshoe Bay

Horseshoe Bay is another quaint seaside town full of boutique shops and picturesque scenery. It’s easy to combine with other activities for a bigger trip, as Horseshoe Bay is also near Lighthouse Park and the start of the Sea to Sky highway to Whistler. Its ferry terminal is one of the jumping off points for trips to Bowen Island and Vancouver Island.

Golden Ears Park

If you want to venture into the real wilderness, immerse yourself in the backcountry of Golden Ears Park. An hour’s drive from Vancouver, you will leave the city behind for Alouette Lake (popular for swimming and watersports) and an extensive choice of hiking and horseback riding trails through the hemlock forest.

Discover Vancouver Island

Vancouver Island is worth a full article in itself and shouldn’t be missed! Visit for a day, a weekend or a week; there is something on offer for every type of traveller.

Victoria

This city is the capital of British Columbia. You can feel the English influence and the remains of the colonial era with its architecture and Butchart gardens.

Victoria is three hours from Vancouver, so could be done as a long day trip (though you should really stay for longer!) Highlights include the Parliament Buildings, the world’s tallest freestanding totem pole in Beacon Hill Park and Craigdarroch Castle.

Cathedral Grove

Located in MacMillan Provincial Park, Cathedral Grove is home to 800-year-old redwoods, Douglas firs and red cedars. The park is one of the most accessible stands of the Douglas firs in BC. Near Port Alberni, it’s a great stopping point on the way to Ucluelet or Tofino.

Nanaimo

Only a two-hour ferry from Vancouver, Nanaimo is an easy day trip or a reasonably central location on the island to start other road trips from. Foodies will delight in following the Nanaimo bar trail and trying different variations of this famous snack. On weekends during the summer, you can stop at the popular farmer’s markets. When you’re ready to walk off all that food, take a pleasant stroll through the old city quarter historic district or along the harbourfront.

Tofino

Tofino is one of Canada’s surfers’ paradises. For those looking to combine an adventurous day trip with some relaxation, a visit to the Hot Springs cove is a must. Tofino is also a great location for whale watching. Finally, don’t forget to hit up the original Tacofino taco truck!

Discover America

Seattle is only a three-hour drive from Vancouver – it would be a shame not to go there!

North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park are all within three hours’ drive of Seattle and are well worth a visit.

From Seattle, you may choose to head further south to explore Portland and the Oregon coastline. You can even keep going on an epic West Coast road trip down to San Francisco or LA!

To cross the American border, remember to comply with the requirements of the American authorities, including applying for any required visas or an ESTA (your Canadian IEC permit does not entitle you to enter the US!)

You also don’t have to rent a car to travel to the United States from Vancouver, thanks to the Amtrak Cascades train line.