Toronto Uncovered

Posts Tagged ‘Salt Spring Island’

I have always thought of myself as a West coast girl at heart. Although I haven’t been lucky enough to boast long term residence there, I spent many summers in California growing up.

I took my first trip to Canada’s West coast this weekend, flying into Vancouver and touring the Gulf Islands aboard an amazing 2 bedroom yacht. The 4 days flew by way too quickly, but were packed with amazing experiences from start to finish.

Arriving late Thursday night, we stayed in  Coast Coal Harbour Hotel, which was an affordable rate of $139.00/night with a spectacular mountain view of Coal Harbour.  Friday morning I boarded my first float plane and headed out to Galiano Island which lays nestled in amazingly lush green hills. The weather couldn’t have been better, a perfect 25 degrees with a cool mountain breeze.  The day was spent reading, boating and jumping into the freezing water off of the yacht’s deck. It was exhilarating.

Saturday morning we strapped on our running shoes and went for a run through the tree lined hills of Galiano. Deer ran across our path more than once as we tried to conquer rolling hills, unparalleled to anything you might find in Toronto. Saturday afternoon we set off towards Salt Spring Island Market. Being a beautifully sunny day on the August long weekend, the market was packed with bargain hunters from every harbour around. I grabbed a few gluten free chocolate goodies, and then devoured a delicious lunch of seafood and caesars at the Oyster Catcher Seafood Bar and Grill. Thoroughly stuffed, we headed out to open waters towards Vancouver proper. I have to say, traveling by boat is pretty fantastic: no cramped car, beautiful scenery, relaxing lull of the engine and no annoying  traffic.  We docked back in Coal Harbour and enjoyed a relaxing evening of BBQ burgers and red wine.

Sunday morning brought with it delicious smoked salmon and chorizo breakfast sandwiches  from Vancouver’s Urban Fare. As the weather started to warm up, we strapped on our runners once again and powered through a 10K run along the Sea Wall. Beautiful scenery – mountains in the distance and the Pacific ocean right below our feet.

Sunday afternoon was Pride celebration – we hit the town, starting at Score on Davie (sports bar), ending at Chill Winston. If you end up here, I highly recommend their cheese and charcuterie platters.

In case you couldn’t tell I loved my time on Canada’s West coast and cant wait to return.

Have you been to Vancouver? What are your favourite things to do there?