British Columbia Road Trip Pit Stops

Our British Columbia road trip was the perfect way to take in all of the new to us scenery offered by Canada’s westernmost province.  The hotels we stayed at and the pit stops along the way allowed us to appreciate the beauty of both the nature and people of British Columbia.

Road Trip British Columbia with 2017 Genesis G90

British Columbia has always been on our travel bucket list. So how could we resist an opportunity to test drive for three days the new 2017 G90 as they launch Genesis as its own luxury brand? We heard many descriptive traits about this area that resonated with things we love about the Midwest (where we grew up) and the West Coast (where we now live).

Our British Columbia road trip began in downtown Vancouver and followed Route 1 along the Fraser River through Chilliwack while stopping in Hope for a bite to eat and stretch break. After this, we continued along Route 1. Then 5 North to Route 97C took us to Kelowna for a breathtaking view overlooking Okanagan Lake at the beautiful Sparkling Hill Resort.

Rosewood Hotel Georgia

Located in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the Rosewood Hotel Georgia exemplifies luxury as the perfect place to stay in Vancouver along your road trip. Boasting the title of “Most Historic Retreat,” the Rosewood Hotel Georgia brings contemporary design and the roaring twenties together to create a luxurious experience. Forbes has ranked the Georgia with 5-stars making it one of the most popular destinations in the world.

Owl Street Cafe

When traveling, there’s nothing better than being greeted with a smile by strangers. Owl Street Cafe serves up every homemade dish with a smile. The atmosphere compliments the fresh food which is made from local and organic ingredients. Even the building is made from local Pine Beetle-killed timber from Manning Park. Owl Street Cafe is an authentic Canadian experience, inside and out.

A few blocks away is Silver Skagit Road, another worthy stop with a beautiful small stream outlet from the Fraser River.  You can park your car along the side of the road, climb on the rocks by the stream, and savor the peace and solitude of the water.

Needle Peak

Not many people like to visit the popular tourist destinations while traveling. Instead, they want an inside look at the area they visit. If you skip Needle Peak because it’s popularity among tourists, you’re missing out. The hiking trails offer some stunning views of the Coquihalla area.

Traveling Mom Insider Tip: If you take the lesser used trail to the right, you will find yourself at a small lake that is amazing.

Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area

Once you’ve hiked the trails of Needle Peak, take a break at the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area. The recreation area was built to help preserve the nature along the Coast-Cascade dry belt, and it does that with style. You may even stumble upon some beautiful wildlife in a natural habitat.

Mission Hill Winery

Living out your dream is a beautiful thing, especially when your dream is to bring people together over a glass of wine. Anthony von Mandl, the proprietor at the Mission Hill Family Estate, dreamed of creating fine wines and sharing it with people in a beautiful setting. When you visit Mission Hill Winery, you become part of that dream, and you can feel it in every encounter.

Okanagan Lake

Imagine going to the beach and having a deep, rich pine and sagebrush forest as your backdrop. Now head to Okanagan Lake to see what it looks like in person. The lake is perfect for swimming and other water sports, and the beach is ideal for relaxation. Two campgrounds allow you to enjoy the views and escape from civilization for as long as you’d like. During the summer, the area fills fast, though, concessions are offered; events occur, and the weather is perfect.

Sparkling Hill Resort

We ended our road trip at the stunning, and yes, sparkly Sparkling Hill Resort.  A renowned wellness spa, Sparkling Hill Resort is set on the edge of Ellison Provincial Park and offers what I would call a down to earth luxury experience that is a rare gem. The view from our room was one of the most beautiful we had ever experienced.

When we opened our wall of windows and opened a bottle of wine overlooking the lake and mountains, we knew we had found the perfect end to our British Columbia road trip. Leaving the room only for a massage and a small bite to eat, Sparkling Hill Resort recharged our soul and left us planning our return trip with our children.