Area Guide
British Columbia, Canada
Explore
Things to do: Chilliwack, Harrison Hot Springs and Vancouver
Taylor, Pat and their spoiled pups at Chilliwack Lake in Chilliwack, B.C.
Taylor and Pat's wedding venue sits so close to Canada, you might find yourself craving poutine by the end of the night.
Camp Saturna is just one mile south of the U.S.-Canada border, but the nearest crossing is about 20-minutes away at the Sumas/Abbotsford border.
If you plan to visit during your trip, remember to add your passport to your packing list!
The guide below features three British Columbia cities worth exploring, including two not far from the venue.
CHILLIWACK is less than an hour from Camp Saturna (not including border crossing time). The Fraser Valley city is nestled between mountains and rivers, with a lot more going on than you might expect. It's a great base for outdoor adventures, but also has a charming revitalized downtown with local shops, restaurants and breweries.
HARRISON HOT SPRINGS is a little resort town perched on the shores of Harrison Lake, about 30 minutes from Chilliwack and just over an hour from the wedding venue. The town, in B.C.'s Fraser Valley, has a cute walkable village with restaurants and shops. But the hot springs are the main draw. You can soak in natural mineral pools through the iconic Harrison Hot Springs Resort or the public pool in the village. The massive glacier-fed lake is equally impressive.
VANCOUVER
Vancouver is about 1.5 hours from Camp Saturna, making it a great add-on before or after the wedding weekend. It's a stunning city that sits between the mountains and the Pacific coast, with great food, walkable neighborhoods and outdoor adventure.
The Fraser Valley: Chilliwack and Harrison Hot Springs
46140 Yale Rd #201, Chilliwack, BC V2P 2P2, Canada
To Camp Saturna: 34.8 Miles
Horsehoe Bend Trail (MILD)
Length: 2.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 220 feet
Pass: Northwest Forest Pass
To Chair 9 Pizza & Sports Bar: 0.7 Miles
To Maple Fuels: 9.6 Miles
This adorable revitalized downtown district has a European village feel, with locally owned shops, cafes, breweries and restaurants connected by pedestrian laneways. On a recent visit, Taylor and Pat enjoyed morning coffee and pastries at Smoking Gun Coffee Roasters, and later had a great meal at Hugo's Mexican Kitchen.
This is a lovely, forested walk on a well-maintained trail along the Nooksack River, and it's easy enough for the whole family. The trailhead is conveniently located in the town of Glacier.
Why she loves it
"It’s close to town and not a big time commitment. You can walk the whole trail or just down to the river for a bit.”
Why he loves it
“I love the roaring Nooksack River. It’s so peaceful. We’ve seen salmon spawning here a few times.”
Chilliwack Lake Road, Fraser Valley E, BC, Canada
To Camp Saturna: 57 Miles
Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park is about 50 minutes southeast of Chilliwack, sitting right on the edge of North Cascades National Park near the US border. The glacier-fed lake is surrounded by old-growth forests and alpine ridges. There's plenty to do, with access to swimming, fishing and about 25 miles of hiking trails ranging from easy walks to serious backcountry routes.
Why she loves it
"It's one of those gorgeous, peaceful places that makes you feel really far from everything."
Why he loves it
"I love the drive out there, and it's just a short walk from the parking lot to the lake. Once you make it down there, it's like stepping into a postcard. It's seriously an underrated spot. I wish we knew about it sooner."
100 Esplanade Ave, Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M 1K0, Canada
To Camp Saturna: 53 Miles
Harrison Hot Springs sits on natural mineral hot springs right on the shores of Harrison Lake. The public mineral pool in the village is open to all visitors, while the five pools at the Harrison Hot Springs Resort are reserved for hotel guests.
Esplanade Ave, Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M 1K0
To Camp Saturna: 53 Miles
Right in the heart of the village and steps from the Harrison Hot Springs Resort, Harrison Lake Beach Park sits along the shores of the massive glacier-fed Harrison Lake. There's a sandy beach, swimming lagoon, picnic tables, and stunning mountain views in every direction — plus water sport rentals nearby if you want to get out on the lake.
Esplanade Ave, Harrison Hot Springs, BC V0M 1K0
To Camp Saturna: 53 Miles
The village of Harrison Hot Springs has a walkable main strip with local shops, cafes, and restaurants right along the lake. It's a great spot to grab a meal, browse some boutiques, or just wander around and take in the mountain views.
Vancouver
Stanley Park is one of the couple's favorite places to visit in Vancouver. The 1,000-acre park — larger than Central Park — is right on the edge of downtown with water on three sides and the North Shore mountains as a backdrop. You could easily spend a full day here walking or biking the 6-mile seawall, wandering old-growth forest trails, visiting the totem poles or grabbing a bite at one of the restaurants in the park.
Why she loves it
"My favorite part of visiting this park is walking the seawall. It's so scenic, and it's fun to watch seaplanes take off and land."
Why he loves it
"This park is my favorite thing about Vancouver. It's Canada's Central Park, but I'd say these views are even better."
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park in North Vancouver is one of BC's most visited attractions. The bridge stretches 450 feet across the Capilano River, 230 feet above the water, with a treetop walkway and cliffside path included with paid admission. For a smaller, less touristy alternative, Lynn Canyon Park has its own suspension bridge, waterfalls, and swimming holes, with free park entry.
Granville Island Public Market is a bustling indoor market tucked under the Granville Street Bridge, with around 50 vendors selling fresh seafood, produce, baked goods, gourmet cheeses and local artisan products. You can get there by ferry from downtown, which is half the fun.
The Sea to Sky Highway is one of BC's most scenic drives. Heading north out of Vancouver along Howe Sound, Highway 99 winds its way past beaches, trails and stunning viewpoints. If you keep going, you'll end up in Whistler, about two hours from Vancouver. But even if you're not planning to drive that far, there are plenty of spots worth seeing along the way.
Stop at Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver, play a round at Furry Creek Golf Course (where they filmed the Bob Barker fight scene in Happy Gilmore) or pull over at Shannon Falls.
About an hour from Vancouver, you'll reach one of Pat and Taylor's favorite destinations: the small outdoor adventure town of Squamish. From there, you can ride the Sea to Sky Gondola for incredible views without the climb. There are also great craft breweries and restaurants in the area.
Gastown is Vancouver's oldest neighborhood and a National Historic Site, named after "Gassy Jack" Deighton, a sailor who rowed up in 1867 with a barrel of whisky and opened the area's first saloon. The cobblestone streets are lined with heritage brick buildings, boutique shops, galleries and some of Vancouver's best restaurants and bars. Don't miss the famous steam clock on Water Street. Built in 1977, it's powered by steam from the city's underground heating system and whistles on the quarter hour.
Lighthouse Park in a great place to stop in West Vancouver. Wander through old-growth Douglas firs and follow the trails out to the rocky shoreline, where you'll get sweeping views of the Salish Sea, downtown Vancouver, Stanley Park, and Bowen Island. The historic Point Atkinson Lighthouse sits at the tip of the peninsula and is worth the walk. Trails are short and doable for most people — just wear good shoes.