Feeling stuck at home this summer? How about trying out one (or all) of these day-trip ideas that whisk you away to some of the most magical destinations in BC?

For many of us, the need for a getaway is not only a nice-to-have but a necessity during this unprecedented time. With overseas and cross-border travel no longer being a viable option for many, our options seem scarce when it comes to an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Thankfully for those of us living in Vancouver, our expansive backyard is filled with many hidden treasures and secrets make for the perfect weekend playground for day-trips or even overnight camping adventures.

In this article, we curated four of our top destinations for an adventure-filled, one day trip in BC. An in-depth itinerary for the day will highlight some of our favourite spots in the area, so you save the hassle of research and start planning your day trips this weekend. We can’t wait for you to visit some of these destinations and fall in love with the magic of the Pacific Northwest.

QUARRY ROCK || Exploring Deep Cove’s Many Hidden Gems

Situated in North Vancouver’s Deep Cove community is the Quarry Rock hike, a popular trail for novice hikers and families looking to enjoy a relaxing day trip with sweeping views of the bay and a quaint, seaside village filled with bistros, cafes and ice cream parlours just minutes away from the trailhead. The 3.8km roundtrip trail offers rewarding scenery at the Quarry Rock viewpoint where you can enjoy unobstructed, panoramic views of the inlet, the harbour, and Deep Cove while relaxing on the large, rocky outcrop. Best of all, the short hike only takes about 1.5 hrs round-trip, giving you plenty of time to enjoy a delectable, pre-hike weekend brunch at the vibrant offerings available at Deep Cove, or engage in post-hike activities such as shopping at the many boutiques in the Village or taking in the view at the harbour seawall.

THE ITINERARY

Arrive at Deep Cove just before noon to enjoy a tranquil, weekend brunch at the Pacific Northwest-inspired Arms Reach Bistro. Make sure to book a reservation in advance and ask for a window-seating to enjoy sweeping views of the harbour.

After brunch, you can slowly make your way to the trailhead located just beyond the park area. Look for the sign to the Baden Powell Trail and begin your hike into the densely wooded area filled with cool, forest canopy, and trickling small creeks. Make sure to bring along hiking essentials such as bottled water, snacks, and an extra layer of outerwear in case of any abrupt temperature changes.

A 45-minute to an hour walk will lead you towards the clearing in the trees as the trail climbs up to the solid rock. Now, all you need to do is to find a comfortable spot with clear views, sit down, and relax in the warm sun while enjoying the scenic surroundings. Since the trail back is the same, you can take as much time as you need here before heading back into the cool forest canopy and through the descending trail.

Upon returning to Deep Cove, spend the rest of your afternoon on the rocky beach while you people watch, enjoy a stroll through the countless shops and boutiques in the village, make a pitstop at Cafe Orso for an iced coffee or a delectable waffle to refuel, and finally, make a mandatory stop by the famous Honey Doughnuts & Goods for a sweet and fluffy post-hike reward.

EAGLE BLUFFS || An Epic View of Metro Vancouver and the Burrard Inlet

Located just a short 45 minutes drive from Vancouver, the Eagle Bluffs hike at West Vancouver’s Cypress Mountain is a crowd favourite for beginners to intermediate hikers; it is the perfect length for a day-trip, and just difficult enough to get those muscles pumping. Not to mention, a glorious reward awaits at the top of Eagle Bluffs with a sweeping, birds-eye view of the Metro Vancouver region and the Burrard Inlet that spans hundreds of miles into the horizon.

The four-hour round-trip hike also allows just enough time to make a quick coffee and breakfast stop at one of our favourite cafes on the North Shore, located by the beautiful Ambleside park.

THE ITINERARY

Start the day early and make Cafe Crema your first stop on GPS. The neighbourhood cafe in North Vancouver not only offers great hand-crafted coffee, pastries and breakfast items to fuel your hike, but it’s also ideally located right across the picturesque Ambleside beach where you can enjoy a breathtaking walk along the West Vancouver seawall with a clear view of the Lions Gate Bridge.

Another 20-25 minutes drive North will lead you to the downhill skiing parking lot at Cypress Mountain. Due to the many trailheads available in the area, the trailhead may be a bit difficult to find. Make sure to visit the park map or ask other hikers along the way if you cannot locate the Black Mountain trailhead.

After locating the trailhead, make sure to follow signs that direct you to Black Mountain (a separate viewpoint follows the same trail). You will ascend quickly, so take your time making occasional stops to embrace the beauty of the Pacific Northwest along the way. After passing various lakes, microhabitats, landscapes, junctions, and a fair share of ascending and descending elevation, a clearing will emerge up ahead as you approach the spectacular Eagle Bluffs viewpoint. Take your time here for pictures, a much-needed break, and a well-deserved lunch with one of the best panoramic views of Metro Vancouver and the Burrard Inlet.

Try to leave the viewpoint before mid-afternoon to ensure there is sufficient time to hike back to the trailhead before sundown. The same trail will lead you back to the parking lot. Give yourself a pat on the back for completing the hike, and perhaps reward yourself with a hearty dinner at one of the many restaurant options on the way back to Vancouver.

On the drive down the Cypress Mountain, make sure to catch the sunset (if you’re lucky) at the Cypress Mountain Vancouver Lookout point! This popular destination offers a different vantage point compared to the Eagle Bluffs viewpoint and is just as enchanting during night time as you watch the twinkling lights of Metro Vancouver below.

NORVAN FALLS || A Waterfall Lover’s Dream

There’s nothing more enchanting than a waterfall in a lush forest, and the Norvan Falls trail located in the Lynn Headwaters Regional Park in North Vancouver checks all the boxes. However, the 5-hour long hike spans over 18 km round trip, but we can assure you the reward at the end of the trail is definitely worth the effort. For this day trip, make sure to start your day early, fuel yourself with a hearty breakfast, pack your bags with energy fuelling snacks, lunches, and drinks for along the way.

THE ITINERARY

Start the day early and with breakfast at home or a quick stop along the way. A 40-minute drive from Vancouver will bring you to the popular Headwaters Regional Park parking lot. From there, cross the Lynn Creek Bridge and continue along the creek as you pass through the thick, cedar grove. The thick gravel road will start to narrow, as go deeper into the trails. Throughout the hike, you can follow junctions that will lead you to viewpoints that overlook the gushing river.

As you get closer towards Norvan Creek, the sound of the babbling creek will welcome you as you follow the creek upstream. A few hundred metres later, the beautiful Norvan Falls will become visible and you will be able to find a path down to the creek towards the base of the enchanting waterfall.

Find a comfortable spot to sit down and soak in the tranquil sounds of the waterfalls, the chirping birds, and the gentle breeze in the trees as you enjoy your lunch. On a hot summer day, cool off and relax those aching muscles by soaking your feet in the icy creek.

Make sure to leave Norvan Falls early in the afternoon in order to make it back to the parking lot by sundown. After a long and strenuous hike, we can’t think of a better reward than a scrumptious dinner at one of the many restaurants at the Quay such as Tap and Barrel Shipyards where you can enjoy sweeping views of the Vancouver Downtown skyline as the sun goes down.

GARIBALDI LAKE || Rewarding Views at Every Corner

Being one of our favourite day-trip destinations in BC, Garibaldi Lake is a 5-hour, roundtrip hike that is worth every bit of the hype. The clear, turquoise-coloured lake and snow-capped mountains at the end of the hike is the epitome of BC’s beauty. On a beautiful summer day, the striking blue-green lake increases in vibrancy, making every corner a picture-perfect photo-op. Picnic tables, campsites, and outhouses along the lake give hikers designated areas to rest, have lunch, and soak in the glorious views.

THE ITINERARY

Due to the long drive from Vancouver and the length of the hike, we recommend departing from Vancouver no later than 8 am. About an hour drive will bring you to Squamish, where you can make a quick stop at Garibaldi Cafe inside the architecturally stunning Squamish Adventure Centre. Coffee lovers can opt for a stop at the 1914 Coffee Company in Downtown Squamish, a popular café known for their highly curated speciality coffee selection.

Another 45 minutes drive from Squamish will bring you to the Rubble Creek parking lot just South of Whistler, and the hike begins along the top section of the parking lot. The first few kilometres will be a gradual uphill on a fairly wide trail until you reach a junction. For those unwary of adding a few kilometres to the hike can opt for the left trail which will pass through the Taylor Meadows, a magnificent area filled with colours from alpine flowers that cover the sides of the trail during the late summer and early fall. The right junction will lead you straight to Garibaldi Lake.

After a series of uphill and downhill elevation, a path will lead you towards the river and to the wooden bridge that brings you towards the lake. Here, you will start to get a glimpse of the striking blues of Garibaldi Lake as you approach your destination. A clearing with picnic areas along the lake will become visible, so take your time to pick out the perfect spot to marvel at the beautiful scenery while you enjoy a much-deserved lunch break.

Try to leave before mid-afternoon to make it back to the parking lot by sundown. The hike back follows the same trail (unless if you opt for the Taylor Meadows trail on your way to Garibaldi Lake). On your drive back to Vancouver, you can stop by Downtown Squamish for dinner, with our favourites being Joe Pesto’s Wood Fired Pizzeria for pizza, or Haru Fusion Cuisine for Korean and Japanese food with a modern twist.

Whether you are a nature or city lover, spending a full day in the beautiful BC wilderness will give you a much-needed escape from the stress and uncertainties that came with the global pandemic, it’s also a wonderful way to spend your spare time exploring our glorious backyard and reconnecting with nature. What are you waiting for?