5 Great Summer Getaways from Vancouver

Summer Travel from Vancouver London Drugs Blog

When we’re already surrounded by so much natural beauty, it’s easy to forget that there are other amazing places to explore outside of Vancouver. And they’re not far away! At London Drugs, we’re proud of our Canadian roots and we love discovering new places to travel—right here in our beautiful country. So, if summertime has you feeling like it’s time to pack up the car and hit the road, here are some great ideas for local travel this summer.

Yoho National Park, BC

760 km from Vancouver

Emerald Lake Yoho National Park London Drugs

Cruise the Trans Canada Highway to the spectacular Yoho National Park, located on the western side of the Rocky Mountains, in eastern BC. Named for a Cree expression of awe and wonder, Yoho has an abundance of natural beauty including waterfalls, 400 km of trails, crystal clear lakes, and four campgrounds. Train buffs can watch trains entering the spiral tunnels near Kicking Horse Pass.

Nelson, BC

650 km from Vancouver

Nelson BC Getaway London Drugs

Known as the “Queen City” of the Kootenays, Nelson is a rare gem. It has maintained its heritage feel while still providing plenty for visitors to do. It has more restaurants per capita than Manhattan or San Francisco, so it’s a foodie’s paradise. Wander around the downtown core and take in the restaurant scene or one of the many coffee houses or breweries. If you’re more of an adrenaline junkie, Nelson also boasts impressive river rafting or kayaking on Kootenay Lake, as well as ziplining over the Kokanee Creek Canyon.

The Okanagan Valley

400 km from Vancouver

Okanagan Lake BC Roadtrip Vancouver London Drugs

Known for its sunny and dry climate, the Okanagan Valley provides a stunning backdrop for boating, water sports, golfing, and wine tasting. This region has long been a summer playground for visitors from Vancouver and Alberta alike. Whether you’re exploring the many vineyards in Kelowna, the desert oasis in Osoyoos, golfing in Penticton, or boating on Kalamalka Lake in Vernon, there’s always something to do in the Okanagan Valley.

Pemberton, BC

158 km from Vancouver

Pemberton BC Joffre Lake Getaway from Vancouver London Drugs

Most of us think of Whistler when we think of a quick getaway close to Vancouver. But just 20km north of Whistler is Pemberton, a quieter option which also has a lot to offer. There’s hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, golfing, and fishing, to name a few. With plenty of lakes in the area, water sports are popular and visitors can enjoy white water rafting, kayaking, and jet boat tours. Pemberton is also an agri-tourism hot spot and features u-pick farms, a distillery tour, bustling farmers markets, and the slow food cycle every Sunday in the summer.

Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville, BC

115 km from Vancouver

Parksville BC Vancouver Getaway London Drugs

Located in the 347-hectare park near Parksville, Rathtrevor Beach is surrounded by Douglas Firs. It’s perfect for exploring the wooded trails as you make your way to this wide sandy beach. At low tide, the ocean recedes one-kilometre into the Strait of Georgia, providing lots of space to enjoy the sand and surf. This spot is ideal for lovers of wildlife and many varieties of birdlife, including eagles, hawks and owls. It’s also home to the Rathtrevor Beach Nature House. You will need to ferry to Nanaimo and then drive to Parksville to access Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park.


Whatever sort of summer getaway you are after, there’s plenty to offer right here in our Canadian backyard. Wherever you go, London Drugs is your first stop for local Canadian products. Happy travels!

4 Spectacular Weekend Getaways for Calgarians

Where to go for a weekend away from Cowtown? Obviously the Okanagan and Lake Louise are worthy destinations, but we’re willing to bet that most Calgarians already hit both of them on the regular (wine tours in the summer and ski trips in the winter, right?). Instead, we’re sending you off the beaten path to some drivable destinations that deserve a little more credit.

Drumheller, Alberta (Driving distance: 135 km)

Of course there’s the Royal Tyrrell Museum and the hoodoos, but Drumheller is also a top pick purely because of its beautiful landscape. Camping & hiking in the Badlands will treat visitors to Horseshoe Canyon, a mini Grand Canyon, where you can view the sedimentary layers of the land. There’s also the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dinosaur Provincial Park, where vast amounts of dinosaur bones have been discovered. Take a tour and revel in the long history of the beautiful province.

Jasper, Alberta (Driving distance: 413 km)

 

Heading to Alberta’s other National Park may seem like an extra far drive, but keep in mind that the Columbia Icefields Parkway (Highway 93) from Banff to Jasper is agreed upon by many to be Canada’s most beautiful drive. Take your time on the drive, and expect to stop for several photo ops. Once in Jasper, you can hike, bike, wander, ski, snowmobile – whatever you want! A fun aspect of skiing Marmot Basin is the ski-out parking lots. Join in on the fun with the locals by tailgating for lunch.

Kalispell, Montana (Driving distance: 423 km)

Despite the declining value of the Canadian dollar, we had to include at least one roadtrip south of the border. Calgarians are lucky to be so close to the beautiful rolling hills of Montana, so why not take advantage? Whether it’s ski-out accommodations at nearby Whitefish Mountain Resort or the rustic village culture in downtown Kalispell, you’re in for a treat.

Edmonton, Alberta (Driving distance: 299 km)

 

We know the rivalry is intense between Calgarians and Edmontonians, but hear us out. Sometimes it’s just fun to go to another city for a weekend. What other excuse do you have to get a hotel room and wrap up in a fluffy bathrobe? Nicknamed “Canada’s Festival City,” you know there’s always going to be something going on for entertainment. It’s also got a river valley that’s 22 times bigger than New York’s Central Park. Bike and kayak in the summer, or snowshoe and cross-country ski in the winter for a real treat. Lastly, when Edmonton opens their new hockey arena, Rogers Place, in fall 2016, it’s going to be a must-see (and in the process, you can see new NHL all-star Connor McDavid play).