Summer is our absolute favourite! We’re fortunate to have lots of vacation days from work so we tend to tack them on to weekends or Sundays to make them 3-day weekends. This is how we plan a lot of our getaways and adventures, so we’re gone for almost every Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in the Summer.
This was our second Summer with COVID restrictions! We had to get creative with our adventures while staying safe. While many main attractions are busy on the weekends, here are some of the unique places and adventures we went on this Summer where we felt were away from the crowds!
Go Strawberry Picking
In June, we always go Strawberry picking. We like going in June because that’s when our BC strawberries are the SWEETEST! They taste like candy! We put them in everything, cereal, ice cream, muffins, crisps or just eat them whole! I always freeze some for smoothies and milkshakes later on in the season.
Here’s a VLOG of us Strawberry Picking at Emma Lea Farms in Ladner, BC.
A Day trip to Porteau Cove Beach
If you go north on the Sea To Sky Highway, shortly after West Vancouver you’ll see an exit for Porteau Cove Provincial Park. Porteau Cove offers beautiful oceanfront camping. For years, my parents brought their RV here every summer to camp and as teenagers we would drive up and spend the day with them swimming in the ocean and BBQing.
In the cove, there’s a sunken ship which has turned into a reef, bringing lots of marine life to the tide pools at the beach. You’ll find jellyfish, lots of muscles, clams, barnacles, sea urchins and sea stars.
The pier has lots of look out spots where you can get some great photos with a beautiful view of Howe Sound and the Islands.
Bring a picnic lunch and your beach stuff! Hope you can get out to explore the area!
Go on a historical hike
July is a beautiful time to visit the Sunshine Coast. We explored Smugglers Cove Marine Provincial Park, which is a kid friendly walk through a beautiful, marshy area that opens up into a quiet cove. Look for Woodpeckers, Beavers, snakes, bumble bees and all kinds of birds! The story of Smugglers Cove is a good one too. You’ll see lots of signage along your walk.
Have a Lake Day at Hicks Lake in Harrison Hot Springs
Harrison Hot Springs is an hour and a half from Vancouver and has a bunch of smaller lakes in Sasquatch Provincial Park. Camp or use the Day Use area for swimming and a BBQ! These lakes are great for groups of all sizes too. The smaller lakes don’t allow motorized boats making the lake very quiet and peaceful.
Also! Dogs aren’t allowed on the beaches at a lot of Provincial Parks. You can see all the rules here.
Visit a U-Pick Sunflower Field
The Sunflower festivals are so beautiful and we love them! But visiting a sunflower u-pick is a little off the beaten path and also just as beautiful! We love visiting Cultus Lake Flower Festival or Emma Lea Farms for some beautiful flowers and saying hi to the farm animals.
Other fun ideas:
- Pick blackberries (for free!)
- Have a waterslides day
- Host a BBQ
- Day date: paddle boarding & beers in Vancouver
- Bike to a brewery
- Plan an art activity for the kids
Amanda is a writer, photographer, videographer and a content creator with a passion for sharing stories. With her family of 5, they share experiences, tips and ideas that empower Moms to make memories with their families right here in British Columbia.
