If you’ve been daydreaming of lush mountain views, family-friendly farms, lakefront towns and some of the best food and wine stops in Canada, it’s time to pack up the car and hit the road for the ultimate British Columbia road trip. And let me tell you- driving in BC is an attraction alone ( especially if you are from Ontario)- every view is something else!
This itinerary is perfect for families who want a mix of outdoor adventure, farm fun, incredible eats and charming stays. From berry picking in Abbotsford to winery hopping in Penticton, here’s how to plan an epic 7 to 10-day BC road trip you’ll never forget.
Where to Fly Into?✈️
For this itinerary, you’ll want to fly into Vancouver (YVR) and rent a car. It’s the perfect launch point for exploring the Fraser Valley and beyond. You’ll end your trip in Kelowna, so plan to fly out of there (YLW) — this way, you’re not doubling back. We are big fans of one way road trips over here- not just for the kids sake but also for ours!
👉 What airline did we fly with?
We flew with Porter Airlines which now flies directly from Hamilton to Vancouver and from Toronto to Kelowna , making this western Canada road trip super convenient for Ontarians! If you live downtown Toronto they also have direct flights from YYZ to Vancouver!
We did a Porter Reserve booking on the way there which included free checked bags, unlimited meals, snacks and cocktails and the seats had extra leg room. And on the way back, we did their normal fare which still was amazing. All their seats include:
- No middle Seats
- Free Wifi
- Premium Snacks
- Complimentary beer and Wine
I honestly am not sure how I will fly with anyone else moving forward. Our experience was seamless from start to finish! Porter now flies to so many different routes within Canada from the Hamilton Airport and will fly to sunny destinations like Orlando, Puerto Vallarta, Nassau and Fort Lauderdale launching in December! This is huge news if you live in the area.
Stop #1: Abbotsford & Chilliwack (2 nights)
This area is where you will kick off your road trip and it is a very unassuming region of British Columbia that some people might brush off. But I am here to tell you that this area has SO many hidden gems that really “Wow”ed us!
As a family travelling on this road trip, it was not only amazing for the kids but the stops made it equally as fun for us. It was the perfect blend of something for them and something for us- a vibe we love on all of our family trips!
Where to Stay?
Coast Chilliwack Hotel: Right on the water with mountain views — it’s close to everything and super comfy. The rates are reasonable and you can walk into the District 1801 area ( see below)
Hazelnut Inn: If you want something totally unique, this European-inspired inn is straight out of a fairytale (literally!).
Things to do in this Area
🌾 Maan Farms – The ultimate kid stop! Think berry picking, petting zoo, playground and even wine for the parents (strawberry!). They had soo many activities and the food was incredible. You can easily spend about 3-4 hours here
🌸 Lakeland Flowers – Fields of blooms perfect for running around and grabbing gorgeous family photos. We visited when there was a lavender but the flowers change each month depending on the season
🛍 District 1881 – An up-and-coming area with boutiques and cool local shops. This area made me feel like I was transported to Disneyworld or Europe. Just the most impeccable design!
*** It’s important to note that Chilliwack and Abbotsford are about 20 minutes apart so base yourself in one of the two spots and expect to drive***
We felt that 2 nights here was perfect and that we didn’t miss out on anything! If you are into hiking, you could maybe add on another night and do a hike to Lindeman Lake ( think a bright green/blue lake!)
Looking for other Canadian destinations to visit? Check out these posts below:
- Ultimate Weekend Guide to Quebec City: Everything you need to know!
- 5 of the Best Family Vacations in Ontario
- The Best Winter Activities in Ottawa for the Family
- 11 of the Best Wineries in Niagara on the Lake
- Ontario Romantic Getaways: 5 Places to bookmark
Where to Eat in this Area
I was shocked by the number of cool eateries in the region. Between breweries, coffee shops and trendy restaurants, it made it hard for us to pick where to go. We actually ended up eating more than expected because we just wanted to check so many places out!
- Hugo’s Mexican Kitchen ( Amazing Mexican place. They started as a Churro stand and just exploded in the BC area. Amazing tacos and vibe!)
- The Pastry Portal ( this place sells out regularly and for good reason. Loved the owner too!)
- Smoking Gun Coffee ( We admittedly went here far too often. We also want our future house to look like the interior of this place)
- Farmhouse Brewing ( This is a place that should be in every city. It’s a brewery serving up fresh pizzas with it’s OWN PLAYGROUND for kids. Its the coolest)
- Single Tree Winery ( Step away from the city and into the most serene setting where you feel like you are in Napa!)
- Field House Brewing ( With a location in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, this is a great stop for a local brew and a bite! We did their brunch and it did not disappoint)
Stop #2: Othello Tunnels (Quick Pit Stop)
As you start to head north, break up your drive with a leg stretch at the Othello Tunnels near Hope. These old railway tunnels cut through massive rock canyons — it’s an easy walk with kids and absolutely breathtaking.
- Parking is free
- The path is stroller and bike friendly
- The entire hike only takes about one hour round trip including time for stopping and pictures.
- Bring a mini flash light or make sure your phone flash light is working for the tunnel portion of the hike
- We got there at 9am and it was really quiet. This is what we especially loved about this hike- no crowds!
Stop #3: Kamloops (Quick Stop OR if you want to add an overnight here you can)
Kamloops is a perfect mid-way spot. You can stretch your legs, fill your bellies and get in a short adventure. You can definitely spend a night here if you want to add on some time to your trip. There are also a ton of wineries in the region too. Kamloops felt like the desert region of Canada and also made me feel like I was in Palm Springs at the same time
Where to Eat
- Hello Toast – Cozy brunch spot with killer bennies.
- Amplified Coffee– Coolest space and 10/10 coffee. They are open really early was awesome for our early morning road trip stop from Sun Peaks down to Vernon
- Bright Eye Brewing – Great beer, even better pizza. We stopped here for lunch en route to Sun peaks and it was amazing!
Quick Hike
Peterson Creek Park – A short trail with views over the city and a little waterfall. Perfect to let the kids run wild before getting back in the car.
Stop #4: Sun Peaks
Your next base is the alpine village of Sun Peaks, about 45 minutes from Kamloops.
This place is a family paradise in the summer with Jeep tours, paddle boarding on Heffley Lake, hiking, and fun events in the village.
Stop #5: Vernon, British Columbia ( Quick Stop En Route)
On your way down to the Okanagan, pop into Vernon.
- Davison Orchards – Farm playgrounds, tractor tours and fresh pie. The place also looks like a movie set from a Western film!
- Kangaroo Creek Farm – Snuggle baby kangaroos, capybaras and more. Your kids will lose their minds. We went at 10AM when it opened and it was not busy but when we left- it was a zoo ( pun intended). Get there early to avoid the crowds! Tickets are $30.00 for adults, kids are $15.00 and kids under 4 are free!
Stop #6: Kelowna, British Columbia ( Quick Stop En Route)
If we weren’t going to base ourselves in Penticton ( see below), we would have based ourselves here! Kelowna is actually quite
You can’t do an Okanagan road trip without some wineries.
- Quails’ Gate ( we did a tasting here and it was beautiful! The onsite market is also great for a quick pizza in their garden)
- Mission Hill ( Considered one of the best wineries in the area)
- Frind Winery ( Canada’s only lakefront winery!)
Stop #7: Penticton, British Columbia ( 2-3 Nights)
Where to Eat
- Kin & Folk – Modern Asian Fusion. Every dish and drink was 10/10. 4.7 Google Rating for a good reason!
- Wayne & Freda – Best brunch & coffee in town. We came here 3 times lol
- Cannery Brewing– an OG place and it shows! Hand crafted beers in an amazing space RIGHT in town. We loved their patio and BBQ menu and the staff was so knowledgeable!
- Abandoned Rail Brewing –- A laid back brewery that is so peaceful and serene. They had an amazing little play area for kids too with cider slushies!
- Poplar Grove – This might be one of the nicest wineries we have ever visited. The most insane views, delisih reds and
- Frog City Café – A lunch cafe surrounded by nature. We felt like we were in a tropical forest and the good reflected this vibe with organic sandwiches, salads and elixirs.
Where to Stay:
Kettle Beach Resort – A charming spot right on across from the beach and cose to the action. The rooms have full fridges and little kitchenettes perfect for having breakfasts and lots of snacks for the kiddos. Would definitely stay here again!
Activities to do with the Kids:
- LocoLanding Adventure Park – Mini golf, climbing, go-karts. Your kids will beg to come back.
- Gotta Goat Farm – Yes, you can snuggle goats.
- Linden Gardens – Beautiful gardens with space to wander.
- Marine Heritage Museum– An historic steamboat that has been converted into a museum right on the water!
We broke up our time here as follows:
Day 1: Beach time in the morning then an afternoon at Poplar Grove and Abandoned Rail Brewing. These are a 5 minute drive together. We did dinner that night at Kin and Folk
Day 2: We did Gotta Goat Farm in the morning, followed by lunch at Frog City Cafe and then a stroll and viewing of Linden Gardens. We ate dinner that night at Cannery Brewing
Day 3: We had a morning at Locco Landing Adventure and spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach. For dinner we went to Elma!
If we had more time…
You truly could spend a good 2 weeks road tripping through this area of British Columbia and if we had another 2-4 days, we would have added the following spots to our itinerary ( which came highly recommended)
- Oliver ( a little town that has a WINE VILLAGE aka a bunch of little mini stores and tasting rooms all in a little village)
- Osoyoos ( considered a spiritual spot right on the most southern tip of the region)
- More time in Kelowna….
Whether you’re sipping wine overlooking vineyards, chasing your kids through sunflower fields, or hiking through ancient tunnels, a British Columbia road trip is the perfect way to make family memories that will last a lifetime. We couldn’t recommend this route more!
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