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Directions to Whistler, BC

From Vancouver Airport

Scenic drive to Whistler – alternative I, part I

Here you find a super winter or summer scenic route through Vancouver to the Whistler ski area from Vancouver International Airport.

This allows you to enjoy the best Vancouver sightseeing without taking much extra time on your way to Whistler. This also provides a great drive if you just want to reach downtown Vancouver from the airport.

Of course, you’ll receive easy-to-follow driving directions.

Highlights

• Incredible views from Vancouver’s beautiful waterfront and beaches,
• Famed Stanley Park and other parks,
• Opportunities to swim and hike (winter or summer),
• Optional spring or summer visit to the Asian Garden at the University of British Columbia,
• Optional stop at UBC’s famed Museum of Anthropology featuring northwest coast of British Columbia and other native peoples,
• Views of Vancouver Island,
• Scenic Howe Sound.
• and others.

If rushed, you can just do the drive without the stops, and still have a very enjoyable time. Without the optional stops, the drive takes not a lot longer than the fastest route to Whistler.

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Save up to 75% on 4-star Whistler hotels!

Starting your scenic drive to Whistler

At Vancouver International Airport, most rental car companies are in the parking structure directly across from both the domestic and international terminals.

From the rental car location, follow the signs toward Vancouver and Highway 99 North—NOT toward Richmond and the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. Because you are on Canadian government property, airport signs are in both English and French.

As you exit the airport, you’ll cross over the north arm of the Fraser River and enter Vancouver. Note the lumber barges below. Harvesting trees, minerals, fish, and tourists (in a nice way) are the main industries in British Columbia.

As you're on the bridge over the Fraser River, the Arthur Laing Bridge, watch for the signs pointing you toward Granville Street.

However, at the end of the bridge, stay in the left lane for South West Marine Drive.

After you pass several commercial buildings on your left, most traffic will veer right onto Granville Street North. Do not do this.

INSTEAD, make a left onto South West Marine Drive.

In a moment, veer right to stay on South West Marine Drive.

Four blocks later, turn left at the stop to stay on South West Marine Drive.

Marine Drive and Pacific Spirit Park

You’re driving toward the northwest on Marine Drive.

For the next four kilometers (because your rental car shows “kilometres,” we’ll talk in kilometers), you’ll pass through one of Vancouver’s most exclusive neighborhoods. The mansions and country clubs, though, are almost completely hidden by vegetation and fences.

Very soon you’ll reach a large forested area. This is Pacific Spirit Park, which has an extensive trail system.

Sixteenth Avenue is the next major intersection.

UBC Botanical Garden

One block beyond 16th, turn right if you would like to visit the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden.

The Asian garden at the UBC Botanical Garden is absolutely fantastic during the spring and summer, and can be enjoyed in as little as 30 – 60 minutes.

A great many subtropical plants thrive in Vancouver's mild climate. Amazingly, there are even outdoor palm trees in an especially sheltered areas of the city. That's nothing, however. Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, has rows of palms.

Parking for the garden is on the right, just after you turn right off of Marine Drive. Be sure to explore along some of the narrower grass and bark covered paths in the Asian section. These are really special for all ages.

Otherwise or afterwards, continue on Marine Drive.

Pacific Spirit Park continues on your left, but a rather unattractive portion of the UBC campus pops up on your right. With few exceptions, architecture is not UBC’s forte, even though Canada’s most famous architect, Arthur Erickson, graduated from this university and designed its famous Museum of Anthropology.

Directions to Wreck Beach

Wreck Beach, the most popular clothing optional beach in North America, lies at the base of this portion of Pacific Spirit Park. Up to 12,000 people enjoy the natural setting of this beach, backed by tree covered cliffs, on a warm weekend day or holiday.

If you wish to visit Wreak Beach, watch for a University of British Columbia sign and turnoff for University Boulevard on your right. This is UBC gate 6.

Just beyond this—on your left—a very steep but well maintained trail with steps—many, many steps, some 500 steps—takes you down from Marine Drive to the beach.

On warm weekends, you’ll be among many people, but the beach is quite long. For hygienic and other reasons, avoid the unlicensed food vendors along the beach.

Street parking can be a problem. For easier parking, turn right onto University Avenue. Go one block to Lower Mall. Turn right, and you'll see a parkade, a UBC public parking structure, on your left a moment later. Fees are nominal on weekends.

UBC Museum of Anthropology

After UBC Gate 6, Marine Drive veers toward the right and becomes North West Marine Drive.

To your left at UBC Gate 4, the UBC Museum of Anthropology offers another chance to stop. This is one of the most famous museums of its type in the world, and is a joy to explore.

Known originally for its extensive collection from the peoples of the northwest coast of British Columbia, the museum’s scope now spans the world.

There’s limited parking on your left near Gate 4, and various other parking structures on the UBC campus, including our favorite, the Rose Garden Parkade, just down Marine Drive on your right.

During the summer, enjoy the rose garden on top of the parkade and fine views of the bay and mountains beyond.

Also, in this area, you’ll find the Nitobe Memorial Garden. (See the UBC map on the museum website). While not our favorite Japanese garden, Nitobe makes a pleasant stop especially during the spring. Ask for one of its interpretive maps, which give an excellent basic understanding of the principles of Japanese garden design.

Now, it’s time to continue on Marine Drive to your first “must” stop, the incredible views from Spanish Banks.

Click here to continue your scenic drive to Spanish Banks.

Or, go to:

• The fastest driving directions to Whistler
• Directions to Whistler - introduction

1. The fastest driving directions to Whistler from Vancouver International Airport.
2. Timing your trip to Whistler, in order to avoid traffic jams.
3. Scenic drive to Whistler - alternative I.
4. Scenic drive to Whistler - alternative II. (under construction)
5. Transportation to Whistler from Vancouver and Vancouver Airport.
6. What U.S. travelers need to know about returning to Vancouver Airport.