It’s a road as beautiful as its name. Discover the grandeur of the area’s coastline and travel through five distinct climates.
Regardless of which end you start on British Columbia’s 101 miles (163 kilometers) Sea to Sky Highway, you’ll want to stop often to view the constantly changing sights and features. For the best views, begin at the northern end so that the ocean is on your right side along the way. Try to make this at least a two-day trip to allow time to experience the moments and take lots of photos.
The northernmost part of the Sea to Sky Highway is at Hat Creek. The community relives what conditions were like during the gold rush with period buildings, exhibits and opportunities to stay overnight in covered wagons.
Travel on to Lillooet with its surprising and pleasant semi-desert climate, followed by Pemberton and its natural hot springs. The mountain resort town of Whistler is a year-round attraction with skiing in the winter and hiking and biking the rest of the year. Its pedestrian-only village has excellent restaurants and stores.
Stop to photograph the incredible reflections of mountains in the tranquil lakes, making the area one of the most photographed in the province. Continue southward through old-growth rainforests to arrive at Garibaldi Provincial Park with outstanding mountain views and crystal clear lakes. Squamish is next and extremely popular as a hiking area, with hundreds of trails as well as abundant fishing spots.
West Vancouver has an assortment of attractions including Shannon Falls, the third highest waterfall in the province. Ride the Sea to Sky Gondola, not far from Britannia Beach, for a panoramic view of the region. Whytecliff Park, located on Horseshoe Bay, offers spectacular views of the Strait of Georgia, which separates the mainland from Vancouver Island.
Get a thrill in North Vancouver by walking the Capilano Suspension Bridge 450 feet (140 meters) above the ground. Arrive at the other end of the Sea to Sky Highway in Vancouver and discover the multitude of attractions this western metropolis has to offer.