Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast

Feb 16-22, 2022
AC123 YYZ-YVR, AC118 YVR-YYZ

It was only a few months since our last trip to British Columbia, but with good friends recently relocating to the sunshine coast and some expiring hotel credits, it was a great excuse to get a brief break from Toronto in February. As we arrived late in the day, we spent our first day near the airport.

Feb 17

After a rest, we made our way downtown and checked in for our free night at the Shangri-La Vancouver. Although we wouldn’t have paid the normal rate for the hotel, it was nice to stay in a new hotel. With a different home base, we still returned to familiar locations and enjoyed some mild winter weather.

Catching a goose landing on False Creek

Light graphic on False Creek

Science World

A hardy kayaker enjoying a bit of sun

Boats docked near Granville

Tour boat crossing the creek

Some racing practice

Some of the more interesting condo architecture near Granville Island

Welcome to Granville Island

Barge washed ashore on Sunset Beach

After getting our steps in for the day and a nice dinner, we called it a day.

Feb 18

With an early walk, we explored some of the harbour area before catching our bus to Horseshoe Bay and the ferry to the Sunshine Coast.

Morning walk around Coal Harbour Marina

Trail through Stanley Park

Walking under Lions Gate Bridge as we moved away from the some of the storm damage on the seawall trail

Much closer view of the barge beached on sunset beach from the recent winter storms

After the ferry crossing from Horseshoe Bay, our friends picked us up at the ferry and drove us to their beautiful home in Sechelt, where we checked their new home and enjoyed a nice dinner and a visit.

Feb 19

With our home base in Sechelt and the weather not all that sunny, we didn’t get too far out, but loved the view regardless.

View from the sheltered guest suite deck

With a brief break in the rain we took the dogs down to Porpoise Bay

Moose, one of the two elkhounds who allowed us to visit

The younger and slightly smaller Lilje

Feb 20

With a little bit more sun, we headed into the town of Sechelt and explored the nearby parks to give everyone a well needed walk.

Back at our home base, we enjoyed our last night in Sechelt with our friends.

Looking across Porpoise Bay on our way into town

Walking along Sechelt beachfront

View from the deck

Taking the dog for a walk in Kinnikinnick Park

Feb 21

Before getting dropped off at the afternoon ferry to Horseshoe Bay, we briefly stopped in Gibsons Harbour, made famous by the classic Canadian show the Beachcombers that aired from 1972 to 1990 on the CBC. I didn’t watch many episodes, but it was hard to ignore when it was in its prime.

Looking across at the coastal mountains from Gibsons

Gibsons Marina

Enjoying the walk along the beach

Molly's Reach made famous by the Beachcombers

Looking back at Gibsons Marina

Moose enjoying the sea breeze

Back in Vancouver, we headed to the Fairmont for our second free hotel night and a late dinner.

Feb 22

Before our flight, we had a bit of time to walk around Vancouver and got a little deeper into Gastown, the area around our hotel and Canada Place.

Gastown's steam clock

Hotel Europe, Vancouver's flatiron building

Vancouver train station

Checking out the cargo action from Canada Place

Commuter Ferry headed across the Habour to Lonsdale

Looking back on Vancouver from the edge of Canada Place

With our walking tour complete, we checked out of the hotel and made our way to the airport and home to Toronto, ready to check on the house construction progress.