As I’ve been planning an upcoming trip to enjoy over Labor Day, I’ve been thinking back to how I spent the holiday last year. The boyfriend and I traveled to British Columbia last Labor Day Weekend, and we spent a short but incredible three nights and two days exploring Vancouver, Whistler, Pemberton, and everywhere in between. Looking back now, I can’t believe we traveled across the continent and spent only three nights in British Columbia. It feels like we spent far more time there, as we packed so much fun into that very short vacation.
I think the reason it feels like we were there for so much longer than we were is because our time in transit was actually some of the best sightseeing opportunities we’ve ever had. We never felt like we were on the road simply trying to get from point A to point B. Driving the Sea to Sky Highway from Vancouver to Whistler and then from Whistler back to Vancouver were fun and beautiful adventures on their own.
The Sea to Sky Highway is one of the most incredible roads I’ve ever had the pleasure of traveling on. Beautiful scenes abound on this highway, and there are plenty of convenient exits to take when you want to explore a waterfall, mountain overlook, or small town. We even stopped in Squamish to meet a friend for coffee and tea, which was really fun.
We did experience a little bit of traffic on the highway when we neared Whistler. Apparently, that’s typical, as people flock to The Village during the weekend.
Here are my recommendations for stops along the Sea to Sky Highway.
Horseshoe Bay
This area is popular for whale watching tours. We didn’t have time to get out on the water, but we did enjoy gorgeous views from the shore. I also ordered a hot cocoa for the road after walking around the beach. There are plenty of cafés in the area, which makes it easy to grab a snack, full meal, or hot beverage.
Shannon Falls
This waterfall is easy to access from the highway. All you have to do is pull into the parking lot and walk a short bit on an easy trail. If you want to view the fall from a different vantage point, there’s a steeper trail you can take to get closer to the waterfall. We walked that trail with no problem and enjoyed the beautiful views.
Squamish
This gorgeous mountain town is the perfect place to stop for lunch. There are cute cafés, shops, and markets all over Squamish. I recommend checking out Zephyr Café for some delicious tea, coffee, and healthy lunch options.
Brandywine Falls
This waterfall is another easy spot to visit. It’s closer to Whistler, so it’s a great place to stretch your legs before sitting in some of The Village traffic. There’s a large parking lot off the highway to park in, and the short trail to the fall is easy to follow. This waterfall was fairly crowded when we were there, so it’s fair to expect to share the trail with other waterfall enthusiasts.
Camp Lifestyle + Coffee Co
Once we got to Whistler, we stopped by Camp Lifestyle + Coffee Co. I wanted to try their hot chocolate (pictured below), which turned out to be stellar. We sat outside on their patio and relaxed a bit before heading to check in at Four Seasons Whistler. If you are interested in doing some shopping, make sure you stop by this café. They have such neat inventory to pick from. I loved the art made by local artists.
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about traveling along the Sea to Sky Highway, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can comment below or email me at emilykeenphotography@gmail.com.
Emily Keen Photography 