When to Visit

You can visit Pemberton any time of year, but the most popular seasons are summer and winter! Be sure to plan your visit between June and September if you’re looking for warm temperatures. There are plenty of hiking and biking trails, great spots to camp, farmer’s markets, outdoor festivals, and so much more. We visited Pemberton during August and it was perfect for enjoying summertime activities, exploring the outdoors, and soaking up the sunshine! During the winter months, Pemberton turns into a winter wonderland with tons of fun mountain sports and a Winter Festival! Along with skiing, snowboarding, and snowmobiling opportunities right in town, Pemberton is also only a 20 minute drive away from Whistler Blackcomb, a world-class ski resort!

Where to Stay

Along with plenty of options for camping, the Pemberton area has various small motels, cabins, and B&Bs around the village and near Mt. Currie and Lillooet Lake. The main hotel accommodation is right in town at Pemberton Valley Lodge! It’s in the most central location and is the perfect spot to stay for all Pemberton adventures. The cozy, pet-friendly, mountain resort offers amenities such as, a pool and hot tub, business centre, and cafe. It’s popular for special events and group bookings, but it’s also great for leisure travellers! The property has beautiful mountain views and very comfortable rooms. We recommend booking a one-bedroom suite if you’d like to have a full kitchen and in-suite laundry during your stay!

Pemberton Valley Lodge

We loved our experience at Pemberton Valley Lodge, and will definitely be returning. It was in the perfect location for exploring Pemberton, and they were very welcoming to our small dog Theo who came along. We received a personalized pet welcome package that included a doggie bed, food and water bowls, poop bags, and dog treats! We even met resident dog Kody, the lodge’s own “canine concierge”. We highly recommend bringing along your pup for your Pemberton stay and booking a pet-friendly room at Pemberton Valley Lodge. They allow up to 2 dogs per room, and there is a one-time pet fee of $45 CAD with a portion supporting the Pemberton Animal Well-Being Society. For more details about the hotel and to book your stay, you can visit their website here.

What to Do

Our summertime visit to Pemberton was jam-packed with hikes, nature walks, and visits to local businesses. We had such a great time and already can’t wait to return. If you’re planning your visit during the summer you will have plenty of activities to keep you busy! Keep reading for our list of things to do:

Explore Downtown Pemberton

Pemberton’s downtown area is a must-do during your visit. It has unbeatable mountain village vibes, and tons of great businesses to support! Be sure to stop by Mount Currie Coffee to get your caffeine fix in the morning, and grab lunch or dinner at Town Square Restaurant. Take a stroll down Frontier Street, and visit the Pemberton Downtown Community Barn. This is the perfect place to kick off your Pemberton adventures!

Visit a Local Farm

Along with being a mountain destination, Pemberton also has a thriving farm community. Don’t miss North Arm Farm for a “U-Pick” experience, and local favourite Laughing Crow Organics! If you visit in late summer you may even catch their Sunflower Festival. We were lucky enough to see the sunflowers in full bloom and it made for a beautiful photo taking opportunity!

Try Some Local Beer

Pemberton Brewing was one of our favourite stops in town. Grab a flight of local beer to enjoy in the tasting room or on the patio, or grab some seasonal brews to take home with you! Another great place for beer if you’re out in Pemberton Meadows, is Beer Farmers! A family owned brewery and well known Pemberton staple, Beer Farmers has a huge patio and fun farm activities. It’s right next to Laughing Crow Organics so you can do these activities together!

Hike One Mile Lake

One Mile Lake completely blew us away with how beautiful it is! Just a couple minutes outside of town, this hike is an easy walk along a boardwalk, circling the lake. The views of the mountains are gorgeous and you will definitely want to stop and take some photos! The boardwalk is bike friendly, wheelchair accessible, and dogs are allowed. There’s also an off-leash dog beach halfway around the lake so your pup will have a blast. Near the parking there is also a swimming beach, as well as canoe and paddle board rentals. This is a popular spot and an absolute must-do while you’re in Pemberton!

Book an Adventure Activity

For any thrill-seeking travellers, the Pemberton area has amazing summertime activities you can book. Go paragliding with Sea to Sky Paragliding, sky dive with Whistler Skydiving, or book a helicopter tour with Blackcomb Helicopters! If you’d rather have an adventure on water or land, check out boat tours or white water rafting activities, or try mountain biking on Pemberton’s world class biking trails!

Check out Pemberton’s Industrial Park

The industrial park is home to tons of awesome local businesses like Pemberton Brewing, and the Pemberton Distillery! The distillery is a family owned craft distillery that uses Pemberton Valley’s famous potatoes to make organic spirits. You can tour the facility and pick up some award winning vodka, gin, whiskey, absinthe, schnapps, or brandy. Another perfect stop in the industrial park is The Hwy Cafe! A newly opened, fully plant-based cafe offering breakfast, lunch, and baked goodies. The food is amazing and the owners are very friendly. Enjoy!

Hike to Nairn Falls

If you’re looking for a great hike in Pemberton, you need to add Nairn Falls to the list! Just south of the city centre, Nairn Falls Provincial Park is only a short drive outside of town along Hwy 99. There’s a beautiful trail to the Falls which is 3km round trip, and a beginner/intermediate level hike. It makes for a perfect afternoon activity when you’re heading into town, or at the end of your trip. The park has some unique wildlife including the rubber boa, the smallest of the boa constrictor family. They’re nocturnal so not always easy to spot on the trail, but keep an eye out on your way to the waterfall!

Visit the Local Lakes

Pemberton is a beautiful lake region and you will find plenty of lakes to explore both close to the city centre, and within a short drive. Along with One Mile Lake, Mosquito Lake and Ivey Lake are both local favourites. Just 15 minutes outside Pemberton they offer a beautiful getaway into nature! If you venture a bit further outside of town you can visit Lillooet Lake, a large lake with beautiful mountain backdrops. About 30 minutes east of Pemberton are Joffree Lakes. Well known for their beautiful vibrant colour, the three lakes are a quintessential West Coast experience. Finally, about 1 hour north of Pemberton is Birkenhead Lake, part of a gorgeous provincial park that is worth a visit if you have the time.

Lesbian Friendly

We feel so fortunate to be from such an LGBTQ+ friendly country as Canada. Vancouver and the surrounding area is very safe and inclusive, and we always feel comfortable being out and open as a lesbian couple. We’ve travelled all around the province of BC and have been welcomed everywhere we go! Pemberton is no exception and is absolutely a lesbian friendly travel destination. We highly recommend it to other LGBTQ+ travellers who are looking for a great mountain getaway near Vancouver! While the village is small and there is no dedicated gaybourhood or gay scene, we certainly felt comfortable being ourselves during our visit. Business owners and locals in town were all very friendly and made us feel right at home. The Pemberton Valley Lodge is a large supporter of the community and is welcoming to queer visitors. The general manager of the hotel is openly gay and the lodge is definitely LGBTQ+ friendly! If you’re looking for gay culture in the Pemberton area, the nearby Whistler resort has regular LGBTQ+ events including a huge Pride festival each year. Pemberton should definitely be added to your list of lesbian friendly travel destinations in BC!

Have any of you visited Pemberton? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: This post is in no way sponsored by Pemberton Tourism. Pemberton Valley Lodge did generously host us during our visit, and we had a really lovely time staying at their property. We enjoyed our trip to Pemberton so much and can’t wait to return!

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When to Visit

Abbotsford makes for a great trip from Vancouver anytime of year, but it’s especially wonderful in the summertime! Plan your visit between June and September for the warmest days and best summer activities. You can pick berries, enjoy the farms, grab some fresh veggies, visit the local wineries and breweries, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy everything the region has to offer. We visited at the beginning of August and it was perfect for a full day of exploring!

What to Do

Abbotsford is well known for its beautiful farmland, but there is also a thriving downtown district with many trendy restaurants, cafes, breweries, and more! Here is our list of must-do activities for a summertime visit:

Shop in Historic Downtown Abbotsford

Downtown Abbotsford is an essential stop for your visit! Being the oldest part of the city, historic downtown has been revitalized and is full of amazing boutiques and specialty shops. Be sure to check out Yes Chef for housewares and kitchen goods, Spruce Collective for locally made products and vintage finds, and Montrose & George for the local community general store. You will find all sorts of unique gems downtown, be sure to scour the shops for the perfect gifts and souvenirs to take home!

Visit Maan Farms

Maan Farms is one of Abbotsford’s most impressive and well-known farms. Started back in the 70’s by the Maan family, they’ve grown from a small roadside stand to a huge community establishment. The summer months are the perfect time to stop by and do their U-Pick berries. They are most famous for their strawberries, but you can also pick blueberries or raspberries! The farm has a full fruit and veggie market, a shop with homemade goods, a full kitchen serving lunch, a winery, and tons of family friendly activities. If you visit in the late summer you might also get to experience their annual sunflower festival!

Visit an Abbotsford Winery

Along with the new winery at Maan Farms, Abbotsford is home to many more! Pick up some local wines during your visit to make the most out of your trip. Some of the most popular spots include Seaside Pearl Farmgate Winery, Singletree Winery, and Mt Lehman Winery.

Check out the Local Cafes

Abbotsford’s downtown district doesn’t disappoint when it comes to coffee shops, bakeries, and cozy cafes. Stop by in the morning and grab a cold-pressed juice or smoothie bowl at The Habit Project, or get your caffeine fix at Old Hand Coffee. For pastries and baked goodies head to Duft & Co Bakehouse, for high tea go to Tracycakes Bakery, and for gluten-free and vegan options check out Polly Fox! We were so impressed with how much downtown Abbotsford has changed in recent years, and how many great establishments there are to check out. Be sure to spend some time exploring the neighbourhood!

Go Hiking

Abbotsford offers plenty of activities for the outdoorsy traveller, including some great hikes! Head up to Sumas Mountain on the Ledgeview trails for gorgeous views of the Fraser Valley, or for something more challenging try the Abby Grind, a hike along the Glen Ryder Trail. Other spots that make for a great scenic walk are the Downes Bowl trail, the Albert Dyck trail, the Mill Lake loop, or the Willband Creek trail. Enjoy!

Sample Abbotsford Beer & Cider

Abbotsford is home to one of the Vancouver area’s best craft beer breweries, Field House Brewing! We promise even the ultimate beer snob will be impressed. You won’t just find typical brews at Field House, they offer an impressive selection of specialty beers, like barrel aged ales and uniquely flavoured sours. Stop by to pick up some bottles to take home, or have a drink on their spacious outdoor patio. They even have a full food menu available if you get hungry!

If beer isn’t your thing, head to Taves Estate Cidery. It’s the newest addition to the longstanding Taves Farm, which they just opened up in 2020. Enjoy a flight of hard cider and relax in their outdoor picnic area. They have traditional apple blends as well as creative flavours like gooseberry, red currant, and black currant (our favourite)! Fill up a growler or grab some bottles of cider to take with you, and don’t leave without meeting the farm’s resident goats!

Lesbian Friendly

Vancouver and the Fraser Valley are very welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers. We’re so fortunate to say that our home province is such a beautifully welcoming place. Everywhere we went in Abbotsford we felt completely safe to be ourselves. We saw tons of rainbow flags in the windows of downtown businesses, and all of the local shop owners and farm owners welcomed us warmly as a same-sex couple. We never feel the need to closet ourselves here in BC and we love how open-minded and inclusive the Fraser Valley is. Abbotsford can definitely go on your list of lesbian friendly destinations!

Have any of you visited Abbotsford, BC? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: This post is in collaboration with Tourism Abbotsford! We are so happy to be working with them to share their beautiful BC destination with our audience. Tourism Abbotsford generously hosted us for a jam-packed day of summer activities. We had an amazing time and highly recommend this destination as a great day-trip from Vancouver!

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When to Visit

Harrison Mills and Harrison Hot Springs are amazing to visit anytime of year, but the summertime is especially wonderful to appreciate everything they have to offer. Plan your visit during the summer months for the best weather, and you’ll be able to enjoy all the fun seasonal activities. We visited in early August and it was perfect for exploring the area!

What to Do

Harrison Mills and Harrison Hot Springs are primarily tourism communities offering plenty to do! Located only 20 minutes apart, both areas have tons of great activities and attractions to enjoy. Below is our list of must-dos for a summertime visit:

Check out the Sandpiper Resort

The most notable attraction in the community of Harrison Mills is the incredible Sandpiper Resort! Home to the Sandpiper Golfcourse and Rowena’s Inn on the River, the resort is worth a visit purely to enjoy the beautiful grounds and the stunning views of the Harrison River. You can stop by for a meal at the Clubhouse Restaurant, or if you are planning an overnight stay, Rowena’s Inn is a perfect choice. The main inn was converted from an old English-style manor, and they’ve added both rustic and luxury cabin accommodations to the grounds. The resort is family-friendly and some rooms/cabins are also pet-friendly. The 160 acre property is absolutely worth a visit, don’t miss it!

Go to the Kilby Historic Site

Just 5 minutes away from the Sandpiper Resort is the Kilby Historic Site, a living museum exploring BC’s history and rural life in the community of Harrison Mills. You can tour the whole site, which includes beautiful gardens, a 1906 general store museum, a heritage post office, gallery, and the Manchester house hotel. It’s the perfect educational attraction where you can learn the history of the area!

Experience the Circle Farm Tour

The Fraser Valley’s Circle Farm Tour offers an opportunity for a self-guided journey of unique attractions in the area. In Harrison you can visit family-owned farms, artisan shops, and so much more! Be sure to stop by the Canadian Pacific Railroad Station, Cabin Fever Junction, Farmhouse Natural Cheeses, Sparkes Corn Barn, Agassiz Farm, and the Lost Marble Cafe & Creamery to name a few! It’s a great way to support the local businesses in Harrison.

Check out The Back Porch Coffee Roastery

Part of the Fraser Valley’s ‘Circle Farm Tour’, The Back Porch Coffee Roastery is a must-do stop. This family-owned establishment includes a coffee roastery, pottery and basketry studio, vegetable gardens, and a shop. Stop by to check out beautiful antiques, pottery, collectibles, hand crafted baskets, as well as housewares and garden decor.

Stop by the Harrison Lavender Farm

Next door to The Back Porch is Harrison Lavender! This was our favourite stop, a beautiful family-owned micro-farm that just opened up in 2020. With 5 different varieties of lavender, a small shop with handmade lavender products, and a stunning opportunity for photos, this spot can’t be missed! Take some time to stroll through the field and admire the plants.

Explore the Village of Harrison Hot Springs

Harrison Hot Springs village sits on the edge of beautiful Harrison Lake. Full of small shops, cafes, and restaurants, the village is the heart of Harrison Hot Springs. Explore the town, look for local crafts and souvenirs to take home, and grab a meal at one of the great establishments on the esplanade. Our favourite stop is Muddy Waters Cafe, a casual bistro with great lunch options! You can also grab a treat at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, or have a drink at the beautiful Harrison Hot Springs Resort. Be sure to read about what local events are happening during your visit as there is always something going on, like the annual Harrison Festival of the Arts.

Walk the Sasquatch Trail

Harrison Hot Springs is Sasquatch country and there’s a fun trail that starts at the town welcome sign, and takes you up to the Sasquatch Museum. Learn about Harrison’s history with the Sasquatch and the local Sts’ailes First Nations that believe in the Sasquatch as an elusive spiritual being. The museum is always a fun place to visit and it’s also located at the Harrison Visitor Centre! If you’re looking for another trail you can also do the 1km Spirit Trail, which is accessible from the edge of the village. For a longer hike, try the trail to Sandy Cove. You’ll get a beautiful view of the lake!

Enjoy Harrison Lake

There are plenty of activities to enjoy on the lake in the summertime like kayaking, canoeing, and boating! You can also swim in the lake and in the lagoon, but keep in mind the glacier fed lake is very cold even in the summertime. There are some local companies offering guided kayak or boat tours, or you can rent paddle boards or boats to take out on your own.

Lesbian Friendly

We feel incredibly fortunate to be able to say that our home province of BC is very accepting of the LGBTQ+ community. The Greater Vancouver Area and the Fraser Valley is a safe and inclusive place for LGBTQ+ travellers, and you will feel very welcome in Harrison Mills and Harrison Hot Springs! We always feel comfortable being out and open during our local adventures. Everywhere we’ve visited in Harrison felt very welcoming and we’ve never had any issues as a same-sex couple. It can definitely go on your list of lesbian friendly travel destinations!

Have any of you visited Harrison Mills or Harrison Hot Springs, BC? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: This post is in collaboration with Tourism Harrison Mills and Tourism Harrison! We are so excited to work with them to share their beautiful destinations with our audience. Tourism Harrison Mills generously hosted us for an overnight stay, and Tourism Harrison hosted us for an afternoon of summer activities. We had a great experience and recommend both destinations as amazing summertime day trips from Vancouver!

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How to Get There

The Oceanfront Hotel in Sointula is a beachfront property located steps away from the Malcolm Island ferry terminal. Ferry service from Port McNeil on Vancouver Island is quick and easy, and your fare includes a return trip. Port McNeil is about 4 hours from Nanaimo, which has regular ferry service to the mainland, and it’s a beautiful drive. There are plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife on your way, we even saw a baby black bear! A day of travel is absolutely worth it once you get to the paradise that is Malcolm Island. You will immediately relax looking out at the stunning ocean views and you can fall asleep to the sound of the waves crashing on the beach.

The Hotel

The Oceanfront Hotel has been owned by a lovely local couple for the past 40 years. The property is right in the centre of the island’s small town, with unbelievable ocean views. There is an onsite pub, which is currently closed due to COVID-19 regulations, but they’ve opened up a take-out window! Open for lunch and dinner every day 11:30am-1:30pm and 5pm-8pm. There are also plenty of activities you can have arranged during your stay if you’re interested. Ask the owners Robin and Ray about whale-watching tours, fishing/crabbing charters, and kayaking! From the hotel’s beach you can spot minks, sea lions, eagles, and more, and you’ll be in the perfect spot to watch the most beautiful sunsets.

The Rooms

The hotel has a variety of rooms available including pet-friendly options, wheelchair accessible rooms, rooms with private kitchens/kitchenettes, and plenty of ocean view options. There is also a communal kitchen in the building that all guests have access to. Our stay was in the Green Lodge 3 Apartment, which we highly recommend if you want lots of space, a full kitchen to cook in, and a large balcony overlooking the beach! We ate all our meals outside, and spent every morning and evening looking out over the water and enjoying the view. The hotel has a lovely rustic charm and we felt right at home. The bed was super comfortable, there was plenty of hot water, and we had everything we needed for an enjoyable stay. We also got a tour through the hotel to see the other rooms and each one had it’s own unique feel. You truly can’t go wrong here!

The Island

Malcolm Island has so much to offer from great hiking trails to an incredible whale watching spot. We highly recommend exploring the island during your stay and enjoying some of the most popular spots including Bere Point, Big Lake, and the Pulteney Point Lighthouse. For a full list of what to do on Malcolm Island, be sure to read our complete guide here. Outside the small town of Sointula, keep in mind that most roads are unpaved and you will lose cell service in some spots. Be sure to plan ahead for your daily outings! Everywhere we went on the island we felt safe and comfortable to be ourselves. The hotel owners and all of the locals in town were warm, welcoming, and completely accepting of us as a same-sex couple. We highly recommend this destination to other LGBTQ+ travellers and we truly can’t wait for more people to experience this special gem!

For information on The Oceanfront Hotel Sointula and more about Malcolm Island, you can visit their website here.

Has anyone else been to the Northern Gulf Islands in BC? Let us know in the comments!

Disclosure: This post is in collaboration with The Oceanfront Hotel Sointula. We are so happy to be working with them to share their beautiful family owned property with our audience! The Oceanfront Hotel Sointula generously hosted us (and Theo) for our stay on Malcolm Island. We had a wonderful experience and cannot recommend this property and this destination enough.

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