Stay-cay all day: Fave spots near(ish) Vancouver

Spring is here, the sun’s making a comeback, and we’re officially daydreaming about our next escape. If you’re like us and craving a little getaway, check out these staycation spots just a couple hours from Vancouver. With fewer crowds, better prices and shorter ferry lineups, now is the best time to go. We’ve even brought back our Summer Rates early so you can adventure further for less!

Sea-to-Sky: North Van to Squamish

Perfect for a spontaneous weekend escape, exploring the North Shore to Whistler gives peak vibes without having to venture too far.

If you’ve only got one day: Start your morning at Nemesis Coffee (recently named as one of the world’s best coffee shops) and fuel up before grabbing an e-bike from one of the many parking stations spanning West Van, North Van and Deep Cove!

Have a bit more time? If you’re planning a weekend in Squamish or Whistler, add these to your spring/summer bucket list:

• Plan a picnic with amazing views in a cozy part of Porteau Cove or check out this hidden gem lookout in Lions Bay.
• Swing by Hop Creek Farm to shop local goodies at their farm market, meet the resident highland cows and relax with a bevy and bite on their outdoor patio.
• Head up to the Sea to Sky Gondola for sweeping vistas, tons of trails to explore and a patio with the best views in town.
• Rent a canoe or kayak to explore the Squamish Estuary or one of Squamish’s many lakes. Find more paddle destinations here.

And for the foodies, be sure to check out Fergie’s, The Watershed Grill, Zephyr Café, or Mag’s 99 in Squamish!

Heading all the way to Whistler? Exploring local is easy – our e-bikes are back for the season! With more than 24 parking zones around town, you can cruise from morning coffee at Creekside to afternoon hangs at Alta Lake to Whistler Village for dinner (we love Alta Bistro) – all without breaking a sweat.

Vancouver Island: Victoria to Comox

Catch the Island in full bloom – we recommend starting in the heart of Victoria to take in the sights and bites, then adventuring north for cozy stops along the coast. Plus, Evo Members save 10% on Harbour Air flights so you can be in Victoria within the hour!

Our fave two-day itinerary:

Fuel up first at Hey Happy or Union Pacific Coffee Co – then stretch your legs downtown with a stroll through Chinatown’s Fan Tan Alley (aka the narrowest street in North America) for cool little shops and photo ops. To see the city from a unique perspective, hop on a Harbour Ferry, kick back, and soak up the waterfront views.

Fuel up at Red Fish Blue Fish for ocean-wise fish & chips and seafood served by the seaside, Floyd’s Diner for brunch, and Janevca for elevated bites in a beautifully restored 1906 Tudor-style Rosemead House in Esquimalt.

If the sun’s out, nothing beats a scenic drive along Victoria’s coastline. Start in Beacon Hill Park with a sweet treat from the Beacon Drive In, then take Dallas Road towards Oak Bay for epic ocean views. These spots are a little further out but worth it:

• Saanich (30 mins from Victoria) for farm stall goodies and this scenic hike to a secluded cove in Gowland Tod Provincial Park. If you work up an appetite, pop by Junction Orchard and Cidery for delicious wood fired pizza on your way home.
• Sooke (45-60 mins from Victoria) is your gateway to the wild west coast and home to stunning scenery and yummy eats. Our recos: hiking to the petroglyphs in East Sooke Park followed by snacks from the Hide N Seek food truck. Or, a beach stroll at French Beach Provincial Park and goodies from Shirley Delicious Café.

Have a bit more time? If you’re continuing your Island road trip and headed to Nanaimo from Victoria, en route, grab a bite overlooking the wharf in Cowichan Bay or pop into the coziest British eatery outside of England: the Crow and Gate Pub near Nanaimo.

Headed straight to Nanaimo from Vancouver? Book Hullo Ferries for a quick, hassle-free commute (Evo Members get 10% off tix). With Evo Return conveniently located at the Nanaimo terminal, you can book ahead and have a car waiting for you on arrival.

Or, if you’re staying local you can hop on an E-Bike or E-Scooter to cruise around town – we’ll just go ahead and leave this here: Nanaimo Bar Trail. Our fave things to do in Nanaimo? Wander the trails Neck Point Park, browse the eclectic shops and galleries of the Old City Quarter, cruise the Harbourfront Walkway and dinner at Mahle House Restaurant.

If Nanaimo is a jumping off point for more Island adventures, you’ve got great options in every direction:

• Gabriola Island (25 min ferry ride from Nanaimo) is great for an overnight, or even worth the day trip to visit the iconic Malaspina Galleries (just google it!).
• Comox Valley (1 hour 15 mins from Nanaimo) is the underrated gem that offers amazing mountain biking, hiking, and coastal kayaking. Feeling adventurous? Plan ahead to visit Strathcona Provincial Park. More spontaneous? Grab fresh seafood from Fanny Bay Seafood Shop picnic on one of Comox Valley’s many beaches.
• Coombs (45 mins from Nanaimo) is worth a trip for the combo you didn’t know you needed: pizza and goats. Head to Old Country Market to meet the furry locals and dine at Cuckoo Trattoria. And if you’re into cheese and cute farm animals (who isn’t?), Little Qualicum Cheeseworks is a must-stop.

Ready to hit the road? From the city to BCs epic outdoors, Evo’s got your ride covered so you can focus on the fun. And with gas, insurance, and unlimited kilometres included in Evo’s low day rate, it’s the most convenient and affordable way to explore! Plus, with our e-bikes and e-scooters in even more places across the lower mainland and island (see the app for location deets), getting around is a breeze.

Streeeetch your $$: Right now hop in and save up to $100 with Evo’s 3- and 5-day summer rates or join BCAA GO and save 10% on every trip, including e-bikes and e-scooter too (up to $80/yr).