7-Day Self-Drive Itinerary for British Columbia: Vancouver, Whistler, Squamish, Tofino

  1. Day 1: Vancouver
    Arrive at Vancouver International Airport
    30-minute drive (13 miles) to Stanley Park

    Explore Stanley Park's gardens, totems, and beaches. Walk along the seawall and watch for dolphins and seals. Have lunch at one of the many food trucks or restaurants around the park.

  2. Day 2: Whistler
    2-hour drive (76 miles) from Vancouver to Whistler

    Explore Whistler Village and its shops, restaurants, and art galleries. Take the gondola to the top of Whistler Mountain for breathtaking views and hiking trails. If open, try ziplining or bungee jumping.

  3. Day 3: Squamish
    1-hour drive (37 miles) from Whistler to Squamish

    Visit the Sea to Sky Gondola for panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and fjords. Hike to the Shannon Falls and the Stawamus Chief. Drive to Alice Lake Provincial Park for a picnic and a swim.

  4. Day 4: Tofino
    6-hour drive (247 miles) from Squamish to Tofino

    Drive to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve for whale watching, hot springs, and surfing. Visit the Wickaninnish Interpretive Center to learn about the First Nations culture and history. Have dinner at one of the many seafood restaurants in town.

  5. Day 5: Tofino
    Day trip to Meares Island

    Take a water taxi to Meares Island for a guided hike through the ancient rainforest. Visit the Big Tree Trail and see the giant cedars, some over 1000 years old. Have lunch at the Lone Cone Cafe and enjoy the view of Clayoquot Sound.

  6. Day 6: Tofino
    Visit Chesterman Beach

    Spend the day at Chesterman Beach, one of the best beaches in Canada. Walk along the tide pools and watch for bald eagles and sea otters. Have a picnic or a barbecue and watch the sunset over the Pacific Ocean.

  7. Day 7: Vancouver
    5.5-hour drive (195 miles) from Tofino to Vancouver

    Drive back to Vancouver and visit the Capilano Suspension Bridge Park for a walk in the treetops and a visit to the Cliffwalk. Have lunch in Gastown, the oldest neighborhood in Vancouver, and visit the Steam Clock. Return your RV and depart from Vancouver International Airport.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Stanley Park (3 hours, free)
  • Whistler Village (4 hours, free)
  • Whistler Mountain Gondola (3 hours, $69)
  • Sea to Sky Gondola (3 hours, $45)
  • Pacific Rim National Park Reserve (5 hours, $20)
  • Meares Island (5 hours, $40)
  • Chesterman Beach (4 hours, free)
  • Capilano Suspension Bridge Park (3 hours, $55)
  • Total Estimated Costs: $229 per person
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