further afield
Vancouver Island is a good spot to move on to from Vancouver. Victoria, British Columbia's capital, is a relaxing place. Tofino is a pretty spot on the island's west coast, good for whale and storm watching and has some of Canada's best surf if you can brave the cold water. The island is reached by ferry, seaplane and bus.
The Southern Gulf Islands are also a short ferry ride or float plane flight away. The Southern Gulf Islands are known for their artist communities, wineries, fromageries and farms. These islands also boast incredible opportunities for boating, kayaking, hiking, camping and wildlife viewing (http://www.parkscanada.gc...).
The Okanagan is a four to five hour drive east, with a large number of wineries, water activities in the summer and skiing in the winter.
The scenery of Banff, Banff National Park and the Rocky Mountains is a long day's drive 8-9 hours east.
To the south, in the United States, Seattle, is a two and a half hour drive and Portland is a five hour drive excluding any border line-up.
tours
There are a couple of hop-on, hop-off bus tours based in Vancouver that allow you to explore Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest on your own schedule.
The Moose Travel Network
(http://www.moosenetwork.com) runs various adventure tourism tours covering Western Canada, including Vancouver Island, Whistler and the Rocky Mountains. Accommodation is at hostels and optional adventure activities include whitewater rafting, skydiving, horseback riding, bungee and more. Ski tours are also offered in the Winter.West Trek
(http://www.westtrek.com) provides budget and deluxe tours to 7 destinations: The Rocky Moutains, Whistler, Victoria, Tofino, Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland.
day trips
Bowen Island is a popular day trip or weekend excursion offering kayaking, hiking, shops, restaurants, and more. This authentic community is located in Howe Sound just off Vancouver, and is easily accessed via scheduled water taxis departing Granville Island in downtown Vancouver or by ferry from Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver.
For those who enjoy outdoor activities, a trek up the Sea to Sky corridor is essential. Squamish has branded itself the "Outdoor Recreation Capital of Canada" and with an incredible amount of quality rock climbing, mountain biking, white water rafting, hiking, kayaking, horseback riding, fishing, golf, walking trails and more, it certainly deserves the title. Squamish is about half way between Vancouver and Whistler. Whistler 1.5 hour drive from Vancouver is mandatory. In the winter, enjoy some of the best Skiing in North America, and in the summer try some authentic mountain biking.
Another good spot for outdoor activities is Mount Baker across the border in Washington. Driving time is about three hours, but border line-ups can add anywhere from a few minutes to several hours onto your trip.
The nearby Fraser Valley has a number of parks and lakes that are nice for fishing, hiking or relaxing.
A geopolitical oddity Point Roberts, which is a part of the United States can be reached from Delta.
nearby municipalities
There are a number of things to see and do just outside of Vancouver's borders. Some of the most popular are listed below. All of these places are accessible by public transit, or if you have a car, within an hour's drive.
North Shore - Take in the views from Grouse Mountain The Peak of Vancouver, go for a walk on a suspension bridge or enjoy one of the many outdoor recreation opportunities -- hiking, mountain biking, skiing/snowboarding, kayaking -- on offer. The most popular summer activity in the area is hiking the 'Grouse Grind', a 2.9 km, 853 m elevation gain hike up the side of Grouse mountain.
West Vancouver - A municipality north of the Lion's gate bridge, enroute to Whistler. Home to many beaches, coves, parks and expensive real estate, where breathtaking views of Vancouver can be scoped by driving its higher altitudes.
Burnaby - Shop till you drop at Metropolis at Metrotown, the largest shopping mall in British Columbia, or relax at one of the large regional parks.
Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and Port Moody the Tri City area - Half hour drive down Hastings street to the Barnet Highway will bring you to Port Moody, locally known as the City of the Arts.
Richmond - City with a large Asian influence with many options for Chinese, Japanese and Korean dining and shopping, the largest Buddhist temple in North America and the historic seaside Steveston towards the south offers a quieter, small-town type atmosphere.
Surrey/White Rock - A 45 minute drive away from Vancouver, famous for its moderate climate and sandy beaches.
Fort Langley - Village with unique shops, restaurants and the site of one of the first forts built in British Columbia.
New Westminster - Small city on the banks of the Fraser River that was once the capital of British Columbia.