The Great Canadian Road Trip – Vancouver and Whistler
An art installation in front of the Vancouver skyline seen from the Granville Island Public Market (Janam A. Gupta/Siliconeer).
With a lifelong dream to cover all of the Western coastline in North America, we decided to take on a series of different road trips from the Bay Area to Whistler, Canada. This road trip covered the Oregon Coast, Seattle’s majestic mountains, and finally our friendly neighbors up north – Canada. After seeing myself in Vancouver, Canada through old videos that my parents kept, it was time to revisit the friendly neighbors and see why my parents were so in love with Western Canada.
Little did I know how much I would fall in love with the country. I would often hear about how picturesque Vancouver and Whistler are during the winters, but this time, I got to relive the serene experience, my parents raved about for decades.
Starting our trip, we left Seattle bright and early and made a straight beeline for Vancouver. Fall foliage and wet roads led our entrance into the Canadian border. Don’t worry we weren’t escaping America.
Day 1 – Venturing Vancouver
Entering Vancouver – South Granville
Passing the test with flying colors and entering Canada, our first stop was the South Granville borough of Vancouver. This gave us our first taste of Canada, literally. Famished, our first meal in Canada was at the Caffe Barney in what seemed like a quiet but upscale neighborhood of Vancouver.
A good area to grab food and drinks, we indulged in a typical pub affair – burgers, quesadillas, fries, etc. Caffe Barney brought me back to my days in London, except the food was exceptionally American.
Granville Island
Continuing our journey and yet to be awestruck by Canada’s magic, our next stop was Granville Island. Delectable pastries, aromatic coffee, magnificent views of the Vancouver Skyline, and a multitude of local shops, art installations, and eateries littered Granville Island.
Situated below the Granville Bridge, Granville Island is like a little village surrounded by water – reminiscent of a coastal town in a major city. It is a little escape from the bustling downtown of Vancouver. Yet, you are always reminded that you are still in the bustling downtown as the glistening skyline emerges from the clouds and surrounds Granville Island.
Vancouver Downtown
Having visited Portland and Seattle on this trip, the Vancouver Downtown gave me a very cosmopolitan and modern vibe. The vibrant tech and arts scene showcases the exponential growth and development of the city within the last two decades.
People with long coats, umbrellas, and boots walk on the clean sidewalks of downtown. This is the first time, I had seen a downtown so clean, with so much space, without any sign of homelessness, crackheads, or hecklers. It felt safe, welcoming, and warm. I guess the Canadian stereotype holds— even though it was cold and rainy on the day we were venturing around.
Capilano Bridge
As the sun set and it was time to seize the night, I was looking forward to hitting Vancouver Downtown and experiencing the nightlife. I forgot my family was with me and they decided we had other plans. I am so glad they did because what followed was the most elaborate and festive display of Christmas lights mixed with a sense of thrill.
We checked out the Capilano Suspension Bridge at night. Mesmerized with the “Enchanting Winter Wonderland” on display, we forgot we were about to step on a bridge suspended over a rushing river, with rain and wind. Yes, our adrenaline was rushing as we were crossing through the brightly lit bridge, but we simply couldn’t take our eyes off the variety of colors beaming through the natural forestry wonder, that is Capilano.
Whether it was a forest of trees or a forest of LEDs, we decided that this was the best Christmas display we have seen, ever. Top that off with Hot Cocoa available around the park and the kid inside of me was overjoyed.
Dinner in Yaletown
Following our “long” adventure through Capilano, it was time for a nice hot dinner. Heading back into the Cosmopolitan scene of Vancouver, we found ourselves in Yaletown. A bit sleepy compared to the rest of Vancouver, laid a gem for an upscale Indian restaurant.
Missing our staple food and tired of eating burgers and fries, we were craving a nice royal Indian meal. Enter, Tasty Indian Bistro in Yaletown, Vancouver. In an upscale environment with a welcoming attitude, cocktails and meals crafted to perfection, our cravings were more than satisfied.
Ending the night with some more venturing about, we headed for our Airbnb, located between Downtown and Chinatown. We were blessed with the views of Vancouver Downtown around us as we tasted the city loft life.
Day 2 – Canada’s Answer to Pacific Coast Highway
Being in California, we are very fortunate to have the Pacific Coast Highway and tend to boast a lot about it. Canada has the ‘Sea To Sky’ Highway. Being a sucker for scenic drives and twisty roads, the ‘Sea To Sky’ Highway was the hidden paradise waiting to be discovered. Day 2 started our journey to the 2010 Winter Olympics wonderland – Whistler.
‘Sea To Sky’ Highway
Words are not enough to describe the joyous scene of the ‘Sea to Sky’ Highway. A spectacular smooth road that winds its way from Vancouver to Whistler. Breathtaking views of the sea, mountains, and enchanting forests give you sensory overload throughout the two-hour journey.
With so much natural beauty to take in, it’s easy to spend an entire day exploring the area and not realize that there might be so much more. Making one stop at Tim Horton’s on the way, this was one of the most relaxing and entertaining drives for me as we had our sights on Whistler.
Whistler
Home of the 2010 Winter Olympics, Whistler is basically Olympic Valley, in California, on steroids. A bit frazzled by the maze in Whistler, we simply followed the snowy road and took our first stop at the Blackcomb Base. Not interested in skiing that day, we focused more on the snow play and explored Whistler’s different corners.
The next stop was the Lost Lake Park on the other side of the Whistler Village. Ironically, we were lost as we were driving around. With limited patches of snow, our guide was wherever white was and we finally stopped once our car decided to get stuck. We stumbled upon the Lost Lake and were in for a surprise.
Having seen many lakes that I have lost count at this point, Lost Lake in Whistler was one of the most peaceful lakes I have been to. Surrounded by dense forests and snow-capped mountains, Lost Lake is a marvel that leaves you speechless.
We ended our Whistler tour back in civilization, sort of. Nothing comes close to the vastness of Whistler’s ski village. With a hoard of food options, shopping options, and ample area to play with snow – the hours just flew by. Finally, as we saw the sunset, it was time to head back to where we came from: Seattle, America.
But there were two more unintended stops.
Vancouver Gastown Steam Clock
Forgetting to check out Gastown as we had so much on our plate and palate, we made a quick beeline for Vancouver’s landmark Gastown Steam Clock. Illuminated trees, old-school streetlights, and cobblestone sidewalks gave Gastown a very Victorian old-town feeling.
Gastown is significant because it is considered the birthplace of Vancouver, with its origins dating back to the 1860s when it was a logging settlement. Home to many creative businesses and tech startups, Gastown has a booming travel scene with a mix of trendy shops, restaurants, and bars, as well as a thriving arts and culture scene.
November in Canada was an unforgettable adventure that fulfilled our wanderlust and introduced us to the beauty and warmth of the country. From the friendly neighborhoods of Vancouver to the picturesque ‘Sea To Sky’ Highway, we experienced breathtaking scenery, delicious food, and warm hospitality that made us fall in love with the country.
