10 Epic Stops Along the Sea-to-Sky Highway

Looking for a beautiful, exciting, and adventurous scenic drive to add to your bucket list? Then the Sea-to-Sky Highway is exactly what you are looking for! This is Highway 99 in British Columbia stretching a total of 101 miles (163 kilometers). The drive that connects Vancouver to Whistler taking you from the sea to the sky (hence the name). In this blog post, we will provide all the stops and everything to do on the Sea-to-Sky Highway!

However, it should be noted that we started in Whistler completing our Canadian road trip from Yoho National Park to Vancouver Island. So, we went backwards technically completing the Sky-to-Sea Highway!

You can complete this highway either way. But if you are wanting the most ultimate road trip, we would suggest this route Yoho National Park, Banff National Park, driving the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, Whistler, Sea-to-Sky Highway, and then ending in Vancouver! So this would mean going backwards like we did! 

But for the sake of this blog, we will be going in the correct order from sea to sky starting in Vancouver ending in Whistler. If you are looking for what to do in Vancouver and Whistler, click here to read this blog post!

What is the Sea-to-Sky Highway?

The Sea to Sky Highway is a scenic road in British Columbia, Canada, that runs from Vancouver to Whistler, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific coastline, coastal mountains, and picturesque towns. The highway was originally constructed in the 1950s to improve access to the communities along Howe Sound and to facilitate resource extraction, such as logging. It gained its iconic name due to the dramatic landscapes it traverses, where mountains meet the ocean.

The road underwent significant upgrades in preparation for the 2010 Winter Olympics, which were held in Vancouver and Whistler, improving safety and capacity while preserving its stunning natural vistas. Today, the Sea to Sky Highway is not only a key transportation route but also a world-renowned scenic drive, attracting outdoor enthusiasts and travelers from around the globe.

How Long does it take to do the Sea-to-Sky Highway?

The Sea-to-Sky Highway is definitely something you can complete in a day. We suggest to start early to make sure you can complete all the stops and the fun things to do there! 

If you drive straight through with no stops, the Sea-to-Sky Highway would take you two hours. 

With stopping at all the suggested stops, it would take you 6-8 hours. 

How to Get to the Sea-to-Sky Highway?

There are many ways to get to the highway but all are depending on where you are starting the journey. Here are some options: 

1. Vancouver
   1. You will fly in to Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Rent a car and drive ~30-45 minutes to the start of the highway. 
2. Whistler
   1. YVR is the closest airport but if you are following the same road trip route we did, you will be coming from Jasper. In that case you will fly in to Calgary International Airport (YYC). Rent a car and drive to Yoho NP, Banff, Icefields Parkway, Jasper NP. Jasper to Whistler ~8.5 hours. It is a long drive but so beautiful!

When to Drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway?

Truly, anytime you would choose to drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway is the right time to drive! We chose to drive the highway in the fall. We were rewarded with beautiful fall colors of vibrant yellow, red, and orange leaves against the Rocky Mountains and cliffs. I would highly suggest this time. 

Winter would also be an exciting time to visit if you enjoy winter sport activities like snowboarding, skiing, and snowmobiling. Whistler is known for the winter sports!

But I would say the best time to drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway would be in the summer to take advantage of the ocean waters, warm air, and beautiful scenery! If you enjoy mountain biking, Whistler is also popular for this sport as well.

Where to Stay to Drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway?

With Vancouver your starting point, and Whistler being your final destination, you will have plenty of options for lodging based on your needs!

Camping on the Sea- to- Sky Highway: 

We love to car camp so anytime we can find a campground, we are taking advantage of it. We stayed in a campground in Whistler and Vancouver. We were very happy with both of our stays!

1. Vancouver
   1. Porteau Cove Park
      • This campground is hard to beat since it is right on the ocean! You will wake up to views of the ocean and sounds of seals. This campground also provides hot showers. 
2. Whistler:
   1. Whistler RV and Campgrounds
      • This was easily one of the nicest campgrounds we have ever stayed at! The price was so cheap for all that is included! The bathrooms are so clean and the showers are nice and hot. They even provide a hairdryer and makeup counters with makeup mirrors. The campground also provides laundry services, dish washing station, and a cute cafe! 

Hotels on the Sea- to- Sky Highway: 

1. Vancouver
   1. Fairmont Waterfront
      • This hotel is in downtown giving you easy access to nearby attractions like Stanley Park, Gastown, and the Sea-to-Sky Highway!
2. Whistler
   1. Fairmont Chateau Whistler
      • This chateau is at the base of Blackcomb Mountain offering ski-in/out access. The location is convenient to the villages and other attractions nearby. 

AIRBNB/ VRBO on the Sea- to- Sky Highway: 

1. Vancouver
   • Check out these Airbnb homes in Vancouver!
   • Check out these VRBO homes in Vancouver!
2. Whistler
   • Check out these Airbnb homes in Whistler!
   • Check out these VRBO homes in Whistler!

Where to Stop on the Sea-to-Sky Highway?

Now to the fun part! There are many amazing stops to see along the way and lots of fun adventures to experience too! Let’s start at the sea in Vancouver and make our way to the sky in Whistler. 

1. Vancouver
   • This coastal city offers many exciting things to do. Although these suggested activities are not technically on the Sea-to-Sky Highway, you will more than likely already be starting in this town via flying/ driving in. You may also be lodging here. 
   • Click here to read what to do while in Vancouver

2. Porteau Cove Park
   • Stop by this pier and rocky beach to see a beautiful view of the ocean! This spot is also popular for scuba diving. There are statues and other treasures on the ocean floor of this cove for a fun scuba diving experience. Walk out on the pier for some pictures and keep your eyes open for sea animals including seals. You might be able to hear some if you are here in the morning. 

3. Murrin Provincial Park
   • This is another quick stop to stretch your legs. From the parking lot, you can take a quick walk to the lake to find local kayakers and canoes exploring the waters. There are more hikes to complete here as well. These include:
     1. Murrin Park Loop Trail
        • 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) roundtrip
        • Mostly flat
        • 1 hour duration
     2. The Lookout Trail
        • 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) roundtrip
        • 656 feet elevation
        • 1-1.5 hours duration 

4. Shannon Falls Park
   • Stop number three takes you to the third highest waterfall in British Columbia. This is a quick and easy walk from the parking lot to these towering falls. There are many different view points that you can walk to. 

5. Stawamus Chief
   • This is home to a trailhead of many different trails. We unfortunately did not have time to do any of these so we just hiked up to an overview of the coast across the blue walking bridge. 
   • Here are the options for hiking:
     1. Stawamus Chief Summit Trail
        • ~6.5 kilometers (4 miles) roundtrip
        • 2,133 feet elevation
        • 3-5 hours duration
     2. Second Peak Trail
        • 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) roundtrip
        • 1,476 feet elevation 
        • 3-4 hours duration
     3. Third Peak Trail
        • ~8 kilometers (5 miles) roundtrip
        • 1,968 feet elevation
        • 4-6 hours duration

6. Town of Squamish
   • The Town of Squamish is an adorable coastal town with lots of stores, restaurants, and coffee  shops to explore while here! There is a walking trail and park along the coast that you can take advantage of to stretch your legs. 

7. Garibaldi Park
   • If you have the time, Garibaldi Park is where you can stop for some longer hikes. We did not have the time so we unfortunately were unable to complete any of these hikes.
   • The most popular hike is Garibaldi Lake Trail.
     • 18 kilometers (11 miles) roundtrip 
     • 2,625 elevation gain
     • 5-7 hours duration 
   • Even though we did not have time to complete this hike, we still decided to stop here to check it out. There is a small but beautiful rushing river that runs right along the parking lot. 

8. Brandywine Falls Park
   • Another quick and easy hike will take you to one of the most picturesque waterfalls ever! This waterfall is huge and full. There are also other trails to explore here if you have the extra time.  

9. Olympic Park
   • Part of the 2010 Winter Olympics was held in Whistler. You can visit the Olympic park to learn about the history of the games and participate in the many fun excursions while there! Unfortunately this was closed for the season when we visited. 
10. Whistler
    • Congrats! You have made it to the end of the Sea-to-Sky Highway!! Whistler was our favorite stop on the highway. It is such a cute ski town offering three villages to explore. The villages have many shops, restaurants, and a gondola to the top if you are feeling extra adventurous. Definitely take time to explore all three villages! 
    • Since some of the 2010 Winter Olympics was held here, you will find the Olympic plaza with the famous Olympic rings! Make sure to stop here for a picture. 

Woo! You did it! You covered 101 miles with 10 stops going from the sea to the sky in one day! You deserve a nice relaxing rest of your day. So grab a bite to eat and enjoy the mountains of Whistler. 

Leave a comment below if you are planning on completing the Sea-to-Sky Highway!