Best 10 Stops on the Sea to Sky Highway
The scenic drive from Vancouver to Whistler, BC, is one of the best road trips in the Pacific Northwest. The Sea to Sky Highway connects stunning parks and viewpoints in a temperate rainforest along the Howe Sound. My introduction to it was a rough one. After traffic turned the three-hour drive from Seattle into six hours, I barely had time to pull over at a viewpoint before sunset. Fortunately, I was able to stop as many times as I wanted over the next few days, about one gazillion statistically speaking. Whether you have several hours or several days to explore, here are the most interesting, beautiful, and memorable stops on the Sea to Sky Highway from south to north, plus tips to make your trip go smoothly.
Tantalus Mountains along the Sea to Sky Highway
Quick recommendations
Best picnic spot: Porteau Cove
Best restaurant stops: Horseshoe Bay, Britannia Beach, Sea to Sky Gondola, and Squamish
Best short stops: Porteau Cove and Tantalus Lookout
Best hiking trails: Shannon Falls, Sea to Sky Gondola, and Brandywine Falls Park
1. Horseshoe Bay
Public dock in Horseshoe Bay
Cost: Horseshoe Bay Park is free. Whytecliff Park has metered parking.
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, and restaurants.
Time estimate: 30-60 minutes
Season: Any
Horseshoe Bay sits at the entrance of Howe Sound. Although part of Greater Vancouver, it feels like a small harbor town where urban commuting ends and the Sea to Sky Highway begins. The village has two main draws as road trip stops. One is Horseshoe Bay Park by the marina and ferry terminal. Looking out onto the bay, lush forested slopes surround clear blue water. Walk out onto the public dock and look down to see purple sea stars clinging to the bases of the pilings. Harbor seals and herons are also frequent visitors. On the other side of the park are restaurants, shops, and the Spirit Gallery, featuring beautiful native art. The other highlight of Horseshoe Bay is five minutes down the road at Whytecliff Park, where the distinctive dome-shaped Whyte Islet stands just offshore. The beach is a great place to look for marine life, especially sea lions and harbor seals. Short hiking trails let you stretch your legs before getting back on the road.
2. Porteau Cove Provincial Park
Porteau Cove
Cost: Free for day use
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, and a campground (reserve in advance). No drinking water.
Time estimate: 20 minutes
Season: Any
Porteau Cove is my vote for the best quick stop on the Sea to Sky Highway. Coming from either direction, it’s an easy turn onto the road to the day-use parking lot. Once you park, you can walk out onto the concrete dock that extends out into Howe Sound, where views of mountains and islands surround the water in three directions. Picnic tables overlooking the sound are excellent places to stop for lunch or watch the sunset. The narrow, rocky shoreline around the parking lot has logs for scrambling and good wildlife-watching potential. Keep an eye on the water to look for birds, seals, river otters, and, from spring through fall, whales.
3. Britannia Beach
Britannia Mine Museum
Cost: Adult admission for the Britannia Mine Museum is $42 CAD. Free parking in town.
Amenities: Restaurants
Time estimate: 2 hours
Season: Any
Britannia Beach was once a booming mining town that supplied a large amount of the world’s copper in the early 20th century. The mines had an astounding 210 km (130 miles) of tunnels in their heyday, some as deep as 650 meters (2,100 feet). Today, you’ll see some not-so-subtle traces of the town’s history, like the 800,000-pound haul truck parked next to the Sea to Sky Highway as you enter Britannia Beach. When you first see the Britannia Mine Museum, the only possible reaction is“what the heck is that?!” The huge staircase-shaped building is part of a museum where you can pan for real gold and take an underground tour through abandoned mining tunnels on a cart, hard hats included. Unless you’re going to the museum, Britannia Beach isn’t the most interesting stop on the Sea to Sky Highway, but across the street are a group of tourist-friendly shops, like a gift shop with local art, a bakery, an ice cream parlor, an oyster bar, and a restaurant. Just don’t expect a beach, strangely.
4. Shannon Falls
Shannon Falls
Cost: Free
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, and a concession stand.
Time estimate: 20-30 minutes to see the waterfall, with longer hiking options available.
Season: Any. Snow can block access in winter.
Shannon Falls is an easy stop and a short walk to see the third-tallest waterfall in British Columbia. The biggest challenge is parking. In the days I spent exploring the Sea to Sky Highway, this stop was the only one where I had to circle and wait for a spot. Once you’re there, a flat and gentle trail leads through an old-growth forest to a viewpoint at the base of the stunning 335-meter (1,100-foot) waterfall as it makes a sidewinding plunge down a granite cliff. If you’re okay with stairs, you can reach a second viewpoint about 5 minutes past the first. The trek to the waterfall viewpoints is about 1 km. If you’re also planning on taking the Sea to Sky Gondola (see #5 below), you can walk from Shannon Falls instead of moving the car. It’s about 10 minutes on a pleasant forested trail. For an ambitious day, Shannon Falls connects to longer hikes, like the trail up Stawamus Chief, the world’s second-largest granite monolith.
5. Sea to Sky Gondola
Sea to Sky Gondola
Cost: $72-76 CAD. You can save a little if you book online. Discounts after 4 PM on summer weekends. Parking is metered unless you walk from Shannon Falls.
Amenities: Restrooms, restaurant, and gift shop at the top of the gondola.
Time estimate: 1-2 hours
Season: Any. Longer hours in the summer.
The Sea to Sky Gondola is one of the pricier attractions on the Sea to Sky Highway. Speaking as a traveler on a budget, it was a splurge, but I thought it was worth it. A 10-minute gondola ride climbs to 885 meters (2,900 ft) above sea level, where incredible vistas await. Viewing platforms overlook Howe Sound and its backdrop of green hills. The lodge at the top of the gondola has a restaurant with a fantastic patio. The mimosas are satisfying and reasonably priced. The food is forgettable. The views you’ll remember forever. From the lodge, you can hike as much or as little as you want. Here’s the trail map. My friends and I were nursing sore muscles from the previous day’s hiking, but couldn’t resist the super-short loop starting from the Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge next to the lodge. Another easy option is the 10-minute walk out to a viewing platform overlooking the Stawamus Chief granite monolith. Gondola rides and the lodge are stroller and wheelchair friendly.
6. Brackendale Eagle Viewing
Squamish River
Cost: Free
Amenities: Benches, a viewing shelter, and a restaurant by the river.
Time estimate: It’s a quick stop if the eagles aren’t around. I’d stay all day if they are.
Season: Any, but best from November to February.
Summer is the peak season for most stops on the Sea to Sky Highway. Brackendale is an exception. During the winter, around 1,300 bald eagles come to hunt for salmon in the Squamish River, one of the largest eagle gatherings in North America. Brackendale Eagles Provincial Park closes in winter to protect the birds. Instead, head to the viewing shelter on 41015 Government Road in Brackendale to watch them. Prime times are mornings from late October to early January. The stroller and wheelchair-friendly walking path along the river is still a pretty place to visit in the summer, but it’s hard not to feel disappointed knowing you missed 1,300 eagles. You might spot one anytime. In theory. I saw exactly zero during my August visit despite much optimistic looking. If you visit on a beautiful day, the Watershed Grill has a lovely patio overlooking the river.
7. Alice Lake, etc
Alice Lake
Cost: Free
Amenities: Restrooms, picnic tables, boat rentals, and a campground (reserve in advance).
Time estimate: Could be a quick stop or an all-day hangout on a nice day.
Season: Any. Snow can block access in winter.
Alice Lake is the largest and most developed of the four lakes in Alice Lake Provincial Park. The atmosphere is not so much lakeside solitude as carnival. On warm summer days, the beach is full of families with canopies, lawn chairs, and inflatable everything. The water is just as packed. If you let go of the idea of a tranquil lake retreat, it’s festive and fun. Alice Lake is too far from the Sea to Sky Highway to hear road noise. The dozens of paddleboards don’t erase the beauty of the blue water ringed with conifers. On a clear day, you’ll see a glimpse of the Tantalus Mountains above the trees. It helps that the park is designed to keep up with demand. The parking lot is huge, so you’re likely to find a spot even on busy days. Hiking trails circle Alice Lake and connect to the three other lakes, Stump Lake, Edith Lake, and Fawn Lake. Other activities include mountain biking, kayaking, canoeing, and paddleboarding.
Brohm Lake
For a more secluded lake experience, head a few minutes down the Sea to Sky Highway to Brohm Lake. A small parking lot keeps the crowds to a minimum, and you may have to wait for a spot during busy times. The marshy lake loses something for being right next to the highway, but if you follow the trail around it, you can reach the quieter west side. The Brohm Lake Trail also connects to longer hikes, like the 10-km (6-mile) Brohm Lake Interpretive Forest Loop.
8. Tantalus Lookout
Mt Alpha from the Tantalus Lookout
Cost: Free
Amenities: None
Time estimate: 10 minutes
Season: Any
The Tantalus Lookout is the best roadside pull-off on the Sea to Sky Highway. You can only reach the main viewpoint when driving south, but another version with similar views is on the northbound side of the highway (called “Tantalus Lookout roadside viewpoint” on Google Maps). In other words, don’t turn around and backtrack for 20 minutes like my GPS suggested. Both viewpoints overlook the soaring Tantalus Mountain Range, named for Tantalus of Greek mythology by a climber who found it tantalizing. This viewpoint is a great quick stop where you can take in some incredible scenery before getting back on the road. Even on my hurried first trip on the Sea to Sky Highway, I made time for this one.
9. Brandywine Falls Park
Brandywine Falls
Cost: Free to visit the park and see Brandywine Falls. Bungee jumping is about $160 CAD.
Amenities: Restrooms and picnic tables
Time estimate: 20-30 minutes to see the waterfall, with options for longer hikes.
Season: May through October
Depending on how much time you have to explore the Sea to Sky Highway, Brandywine Falls Park can be a quick stop to see a spectacular waterfall or a half-day excursion exploring the hiking and biking trails. The main event is watching the 70-meter (200-foot) Brandywine Falls making its powerful single plunge into a deep mossy canyon. Just beyond it is another excellent viewpoint overlooking Daisy Lake. These viewpoints are a ten-minute walk from the parking lot on a flat and easy trail that’s suitable for hikers of all abilities. To see more, check out the Sea to Sky Trail for a 6-km hike out the Whistler Bungee Bridge. This bridge spans the cliffs around the roaring, pearly blue Cheakamus River. On the bridge, you can watch bungee jumpers make the plunge or sign up to try it out for yourself. If you want to bungee jump without the hike, you can also drive to the bridge, which has a separate parking lot. I have less than no desire to bungee jump, but if I did, I can’t imagine a prettier place to do it.
Learn more about Brandywine Falls Park.
10. Whistler Train Wreck
The Train Wreck
Cost: Free
Amenities: None
Time estimate: 1 hour
Season: May to November
The Whistler Train Wreck is one of the weirder attractions on the Sea to Sky Highway, but there’s something oddly satisfying about it. From the parking area on Jane Lakes Rd, a hike begins to a suspension bridge over the Cheakamus River and a cluster of abandoned railcars. The cars are a legacy of a 1956 train wreck. When a train carrying lumber traveled too fast, it got stuck in a constricted part of the track. The cars had to be moved off the track with heavy equipment, leaving the trees undamaged. Today, you can wander around the woods and find the seven abandoned cars that artists have covered with colorful paint over the years. The hike to the train wreck is 2.5 km (1.6 miles) round-trip. It’s beginner and family-friendly, but not flat enough for a stroller or wheelchair. The hike is only about 10 minutes south of Whistler. Besides being a fun road trip stop on the Sea to Sky Highway, it’s an easy excursion if you’re staying in the town.
Bonus stop: Alexander Falls
Alexander Falls
Cost: Free
Amenities: None
Time estimate: 30 minutes, including the driving detour.
Season: Any, but prepare for snow in winter.
I’m adding Alexander Falls as a bonus stop since it’s about a 10-minute drive from the Sea to Sky Highway. Also, it was very hard to keep the list to ten stops. Unlike the rest of the list, this one is obscure. On a summer day full of packed parking lots, mine was one of two cars here. I’m guessing the lack of signage from the highway keeps the crowds away. The waterfall is every bit as impressive as the other attractions between Vancouver and Whistler. You can see Alexander Falls from the parking lot, no hiking required. A fenced viewpoint overlooks the 43-meter (141-foot) waterfall as it cascades over three elegant tiers. In early summer, it surges with recent snowmelt. By the end of the season, it falls in dozens of streams and rivulets. To find the waterfall, look for the sign for Whistler Olympic Park from the Sea to Sky Highway about 15 minutes south of Whistler. Turn onto Callaghan Valley Road and continue for 10 km (6 miles). A sign will point to the parking lot when you arrive. The road is in good condition, and no problem with a low-clearance vehicle.
Tips for visiting the Sea to Sky Highway
Without stops, it takes about two hours to drive the Sea to Sky Highway. To see the highlights, I’d allow at least a day. Two or three days is ideal.
Gas stations are in North Vancouver, Squamish, and Whistler.
Winter tires are required by law from October through March. June to October is the best time to avoid the snow on the roads and hiking trails.
The attractions on the Sea to Sky Highway are popular, and the parking lots fill up. I found them just as crowded on a weekday as on the weekend. It’s usually possible to wait for a spot to open up. If there’s something you really want to see, I’d say your best bet is to go early. Afternoons were busier than mornings.
Best stops on the Sea to Sky Highway, the summary:
Horseshoe Bay
Porteau Cove Provincial Park
Britannia Beach
Shannon Falls
Sea to Sky Gondola
Brackendale Eagle Viewing
Alice Lake, etc
Tantalus Lookout
Brandywine Falls Park
Whistler Train Wreck
Alexander Falls
Enjoy your drive on the Sea to Sky Highway!
With love,
Emma
Explore nearby
Check out the hiking trails in Brandywine Falls Park.
Ride the Peak 2 Peak Gondola in Whistler.
Spend an incredible three days in Vancouver.
