bananahammock

That's the one
Cheers me dear

bananahammock

[QUOTE=MrsDV;7789586] Well Happy Birthday in advance ... If you're missing the ocean you are gonna love Tofino
youth!
As for the wineries http://www.winesofcanada.com/bc_island.html you can even get Scrumpy at some of these ~ that takes me back to my youth!

TomHoney

Is it recommended to pre book camping places then?

My Oh and I are driving from Montreal to kelowna in a couple of weeks but havnt booked anything. Planning to find places along the way?

Stop in lake louise for a day and do one of the hikes around the back of the lake and look at the chateau. you could also go up to the ski hill and ride on the chair lifts to try and spot bears.

JonboyE

There are touristy things for the kids to do around Cultus Lake (waterslides and so on). Plus there are some lakeside beaches and hikes into the surrounding hills.

More spectacular is Chilliwack Lake. There is a park at the head of the lake and a forest service road along most of its length. You have to walk the last mile or two. You are getting into real wilderness here. Don't forget the Deep Woods Off.

A few miles up the valley from Chilliwack is Bridal Falls. Again there are some touristy things for the kids to do and a pleasant stroll up to the falls. Across the freeway is Minter Gardens. Worth a visit if you are into walking around formal gardens.

Also, if you have time, Harrison Hot Springs is not too far away. It is a pleasant little town though the hot spring itself is nothing special, but there are wonderful mountain and lake views, and some spectacular sand castles.

Aviator

Sorry to contradict anyones comments, but this is merely my own view and experiences.

Chilliwack - Avoid places like Cultus Lake in the summer on weekends, way too many people. Lindell Beach, further round is a nicer part of the park, there is also Tea Pot hill, a walk that offers spectacular views of the lake.

Harrison Hot Springs is OK, again crowds and not a lot to see other then a very big lake. What does make it worthwhile is staying at the Harrison Resort, they have a wonderful buffet dinner in the Lakeside restaurant, $22 all you can eat. The hotel also hot spring pools. The East Wing is the best bit to stay in, with lake view.

Chilliwack Lake - It is OK, but a 48km drive up a gravel road

Chilliwack Airport - Sightseeing flights over the valley

Minter Gardens, if you like gardens, not like the garden in the UK though, but still a pleasant stroll.

Blue Heron nature reserve

If I had to choose, I would do the following:
a sightseeing flight in the morning, and lunch at the airport cafe (great pie) and a trip to Lindell beach and hike Tea Pot hill in the afternoon (20 mins out of Chilliwack, South).

Then go up to Harrison Hot Springs Resort for the evening and dinner at the Lakeside restaurant (20 mins out of Chilliwack, North).

On your way out of Chilliwack on the #1 you might consider Bridal Veil falls, it is all but a 30-40 minute stop to see the falls. More of a rest area than a destination.

MrsDV

Thanks for all your suggestions guys, it's all starting to come together now.

TomHoney, regarding booking campsites; I think it might be worth looking at booking in the more popular touristy areas. I did my booking back in late May, at that point all the BC Parks campsites in the Okanagan that were bookable were fully booked for the dates I was looking for, ditto for the area around Pemberton. There are camp sites which are let on a first come first serve basis but in some popular areas these fill up very quickly (particularly at weekends) e.g two weekends ago we wanted to camp in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park (Kananaskis), we needed 3 sites so I went up there at 11:30 am - the first three campgrounds I went to were already full, there was only one ground which had three sites available (a walk in, not drive in) and by 2pm that was also full. (We did have a lovely time though!)

MrsDV

MrsDV

Just so that you know I don't totally ignore any advice given (tempting though it is sometimes!):

I have just cancelled the camp site in Lillooet having booked one near Whistler instead. Now I'm excited about my trip again.

Thanks again

MrsDV