Crazy M Ranch: Prince George

Overview:
Come and enjoy a horse drawn sleigh ride through beautiful woodland trails and open fields where deer and many other kinds of wildlife can be seen. The hour long ride will bring you back to a building “The Sleigh Shed” which is heated by an old fashioned wood cook stove where complimentary hot chocolate, coffee, tea and cookies are served.

Thoughts:

This is a great winter season activity for a fairly large group. The family run ranch offers hour long sleigh rides followed by another hour of drinks bon fire and sledding.

The property is about 20 min out of the city and is pretty easy to find. The ameneties are in great condition and they are constantly adding new things to make your experience more enjoyable.

Coffee and tea are provided and outside food is allowed as well. We brought hot dogs and marshmallows to roast on the fire and they had sticks there for you.

The sledding hill was a bit of a walk from the hut and would be a bit difficult to use within your time frame. It probably gets most use during larger groups where multiple sleigh rides are required.

Pros:
Good for large groups and a lot to do in the couple of hours you get. Very friendly family that runs the sleigh rides.

Cons:
Sledding hill a bit far and it is an open sleigh ride so weather may or may not be on your side.

Contact Info:

Crazy M Ranch - Sleigh Rides

Prince George, BC

For bookings ask for Gaylene

Phone: 250-560-5505

Website: http://crazymranch.weebly.com/

Sloquet Hot Springs: Fraser Valley

Overview:
Sloquet Hot Springs is a wonderfully wild set of shallow, man-made pools fed by a small, all natural, and very hot, waterfall.  The pools stretch from the waterfall to the large and crashing Sloquet River. The large, spread out campsite for the hot springs lies a short 5 minute walk from the springs.

Thoughts:

A great spot for relaxing and very scenic. It was very busy on the summer weekend and the campground was quite full.

A bit of a drive in as it is about 3hrs from Pemberton on gravel roads or 3hrs from Harrison on a gravel road that requires 4 wheel drive in sections.

The springs are in a natural setting broken up into multiple pools each getting gradually cooler towards the Sloquet river.

About 20 sites for camping and most can hold multiple tents and even a small trailer if you want to tow one in on the gravel roads. There is a $15 fee to camp and a $5 day use fee if the attendant is there to collect (apparently mainly on weekends and during the summer months).

Aside from the long drive in it is a great spot to go and I would definitely head back that way. I probably would not come up from Harrison though but rather just spend the extra time to drive down from Pemberton.

Pros:
Very nice setting and very clean.

Cons:
A pretty long drive down a bumpy gravel road, day use and overnight fees

Contact Information:
Cultus Lake Park
4165 Columbia Valley Highway
Cultus Lake Park, BC V2R 5B5

Website: http://whistlerhiatus.com/driving/sloquet-hot-springs-126k.html

Skaha Lake Park: Penticton

Overview:
This beautiful park offers outdoor fun for everyone! Located at the south end of Penticton, this 21 acre park offers a variety of year round recreational opportunities. Skaha Lake Park includes one of BC's most beautiful sandy beaches; the red sand beach is great for sunbathing & wading in the warm waters of Skaha Lake.

Thoughts:
A nice lake in the summer with plenty to do. A spray park for the kids, small concession and of course a sandy beach. Boat rentals and a slide offer some water fun as well. The lake is nice and warm in the summer because of the size and can get quite busy.

There is a very large parking lot and plenty of space on the beach or grass for everyone.

Pros:
Warm waters and plenty of things to do to keep you busy for the day.

Cons:
Swimming area can be quite crowded as it can be a bit short in areas because of a drop off.

Contact Information:
Phone: 250-490-2426

Website: http://www.penticton.ca/EN/main/community/parks-trails-beaches/parks/skaha-lake-park.html

Marina Park: West Kelowna

Overview:
This park has a pebble beach, a grass area, a covered picnic facility and a playground. It is perfect for those with small children as both the park and beach areas are fenced in.

Thoughts:
A great little park in West Kelowna that has everything. The beach is there for hot summer days, a new playground structure for the kids to play on grassy areas, and a covered picnic area makes this the perfect destination.

Due to the limited beach options in West Kelowna though I can see this place becoming very busy during the summer season.

Pros:
Beach, grass, picnic and playground all in a fenced park area.

Cons:
Not very big and not a lot of other options around so it could become quite busy.

Gold Creek Falls: Maple Ridge

Overview:
The Gold Creek Falls is a short hike that is perfect for the beginning of the season or in combination with a camping trip to the Golden Ears Provincial Park.

Thoughts:
This is a recently re-done trail making it nice and easy to walk through the forest up to the falls location.  Along the way there are plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the creek, either for the view or in the hotter months you can take a dip in the water.

The trail is compact gravel and very wide so it good for walking with a stroller, no bikes or horses are allowed on the trail either. The distance ends up being 5.4 km return (2.7km to the falls) and takes about 40 min to walk one way with minimal stopping.

A little ways to drive as it takes about 30 min from downtown Maple Ridge to get tot the trail head but if spending the day out there or just going for a walk up to the falls it is worth it.

There is also plenty of parking at the trail head but does get busy during the summer months and you may need to park further back up the road.

Pros:
Nice trail and easy to walk along wit strollers and not too physically challenging. Good swimming all along the creek

Cons:
A little ways out of tow to get to.

Cultus Lake Adventure Park: Cultus Lake

Overview:
Kids big and small, young and old, will love to get away from it all and play in the imaginary and wonderful world of Giggle Ridge Adventure Golf at Cultus Lake Adventure Park. It's Adventure Golf unlike any you've seen before! Make your way through the abandoned but recently rediscovered mountain lumber camp known as Giggle Ridge. Discover it for yourself at Cultus Lake and have an Adventure like none other!

Thoughts:
A great place to spend a couple of hours while out at the lake.  If you come for a picnic at the main beach or visited the waterslides for the day it is a nice way to finish off your visit. Although not a lot of rides there is a couple for kids of all ages including bumper boats and the Giggle Ridge Adventure Golf.  Prices are quite low for the rids and the golf is not too bad either.

As a fairly new place it is very clean and has a cartoon-ish theme to it. Not too big but great for little kids and good for older ones as well.

Price:
Admission is free
Tickets are $1.50/ea and most rides are 1 or 2 tickets
Mini Golf is $9
Combo and Discount packs are available

*waterslide tickets have a coupon for mini golf on the backs (buy 1 get one free I believe)

Pros:
Good for all kids and not so big you need to spend the day there to see and do everything.  Nice and clean, fun theme for the kids. Rides for kids and adults.  Quite cheap if you do not have a big family.

Cons:
Not very many rides.

Contact Information:
3993 Sunnyside Blvd
Cultus Lake, BC
V2R 5B5

Phone:  604-858-8777

Website: http://www.giggleridge.com/
Email: info@cultusadventure.com

Cultus Lake Park: Cultus Lake

Overview:
Many recreational activities can be enjoyed in the area, from boating, fishing and swimming, to picnicking, playground and walking.

Thoughts:
Although a long ways out this is a great way to spend the day at the lake.  The park is large and offers a good variety of things to do.  The swimming area is very large with a big dock and shallow waters. Unfortunately the "beach" is a bit rocky and gets worse in the water.  Because of the shallow waters though it is quite warm at this end of the lake.  Plenty of parking in the 2 main lots, unfortunately it is pay parking ($6/day). Lots of picnic tables around both on the beach area and the grass and a large playground for children of all ages.

Boat rentals are close by (http://www.mainbeachboats.com) as are large bathrooms, a concession stand and even a market on Saturdays.  Parking lot B is shared with the Cultus Lake Adventure Park giving you a change of scenery if needed and the Cultus Lake Waterslides are just across the street.

Pros:
Warm waters and plenty of things to do to keep you busy for the day.

Cons:
A far drive for anyone not in Abbotsford and Chilliwack areas.  The beaches are a bit rocky.

Contact Information:
Cultus Lake Park
4165 Columbia Valley Highway
Cultus Lake Park, BC V2R 5B5

Website: http://www.cultuslake.com/

Hot Summer Nights: Maple Ridge

Overview:
On Thursday evenings in July and August, the Maple Ridge Fire Department visits various community neighbourhoods, both pre-announced and random locations, after 6:30 pm.

Thoughts:
This is great fun for kids of all ages.  The fire department sets up a couple of hoses and sprays water out at the kids.  They also let the kids control the hoses (supervised), open up the fire trucks for tours and hand out informational kids packages.  They usually set up at a park giving the kids a playground to play at when they are tired of the water.

Pros:
Different locations throughout the city allowing for people in different areas to enjoy this event.

Cons:
A lot of people showed up and sometimes the park is not set up to handle that amount of vehicle traffic.

Contact Info:
Website: http://bc-mapleridge.civicplus.com/434/Hot-Summer-Nights

Robin's Den Park: Nanaimo

Overview:
This park was installed in 2008 at the end of Prince John Way.  The park was upgraded with new equipment and is maintained by the City of Nanaimo.

Thoughts:
This is a nice little park for the kids with equipment mainly for smaller children.  There is a picnic table for use as well.  The park though is nestled in between the trees and a rock cliff so sun is not something that is plentiful. It seemed as well that people walking their dogs along the trail beside the park didn't care that their dogs used the park as bathroom either.  Because of the lack of sun, there was an abundance of mushrooms growing in the mulch.

Pros:
Newer equipment and good place to go to kill an hour or so.  Not too small and not overly big making it easy to keep an eye on running kids.

Cons:
Uncaring dog owners not cleaning up and lack of sunlight.

Contact Information:
Top of Prince John Way
Nanaimo, BC

Kinsman Park: Oliver

Overview:
Welcome to Kinsmen Playground. This family park is, without question, one of the highest use parks in Oliver. A fully equipped playground for young children is just one of the main attractions. It is also home to Oliver’s waterpark which is one of the busiest fun spots in the area.

Kids of all ages can and do play for hours on end under the various water features. Public washrooms are available. It is a very popular location for birthday parties. Kinsmen Playground is located along the west side of the Okanagan River on 350th Avenue and is a short walk from downtown.

Thoughts:
This is a great place for the kids to play either on a quick stop while driving through or if you are in the area and need somewhere for them to run around for a while.  The equipment is pretty new and the park is surrounded by a fence so that kids can't just wander off.

The park has swings, slides, climbing equipment and one of the best features is the spray park.  It is big enough that it could accommodate quite a few people, especially in the small town, and has a public washroom as well.

We stopped for a quick bite to eat before heading out on the road and let the kids wear themselves out before getting back into the car.

Pros:
Plenty of equipment and a good variety too.

Cons:
Not a lot of picnic tables which could be a problem if it was busy.

Contact Info:
255 Park Drive
Oliver, B.C.

Water Park open May-September

Departure Bay Beach: Nanaimo

Located right in the middle of Nanaimo is Departure Bay.  The constant ferry and float plane traffic gives visitors something to watch for while visiting this beautiful spot. Great views of the west side of Piper's Lagoon and the north end of Newcastle Island.  A couple of restaurants and a kids park are here as well.

Departure Bay Beach in Nanaimo

View:
Newcastle Island, ferries, birds and float planes are just some of many sights that can be found down on the beach at Departure Bay.

Wildlife:
Birds and if you are lucky some deer of even marine life that may have happened in to the bay.

Visit-ability:
Nice spot for a picnic or a quick swim during the warm summer days especially if you are staying in the area and only have a couple of hours.

Thoughts:
The beach itself is quite rocky, but during the summers there is an area that is bouyed off for swimming and the logs are moved around for "privacy" areas along the beach.  Across the street area  ocuple of restaurants and a gas station  with a convenience store so that you can get some snacks or food if you did not bring  lunch or dinner along with you.  At the end of the beach there is a kids play park run by the Kinsmen.  If in the area it is a good spot for an afternoon but if you are driving the beaches a few kilometres up the road in Parksville are much better.

Rating:
4/10

Othello Tunnels

A line of tunnels were built through the Coquihalla Gorge which are known now as the Othello Tunnels. There are spectacular viewing opportunities available on the trail, through the tunnels and on the bridges. The Coquihalla Canyon park highlights the Kettle Valley Railway that passes through the canyon and 5 tunnels which were built in 1914.

View:
Great views of the Coquihalla River and some fantastic spots for photos in and around the tunnels.

Wildlife:
Not much along the trail althouggh you may get lucky and see a black bear.

Time:
About 40 min to the end of the tunnels and back.

Visit-ability:
Good spot to  stop and stretch your legs or if you are in the Hope area to stop in for part of the day.

Website: 
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/coquihalla_cyn/

Open:
Spring to Fall, closed for Winter

Thoughts:
I like this quick little stop to see a part of Canadian history and nice quick walk through nature.  Just outside of Hope makes it easy and fast to get to and the trail is easy to walk on.  The tunnels took about 10 minutes  to get to the first one and the whole trip is about 40 minutes with stops for pictures and to enjoy some of the scenery.

Rating:
7/10

Christmas Light Parade: Maple Ridge

Where: Downtown Maple Ridge
When: December 1st, 6:00pm

Overview:
This light parade was filled with dancers and support from local businesses.  No a lot of "eye-catching" floats or displays.  A lot of mini candy cans and chocolate bars though and it was great for the kids.  Most businesses just put some lights on a vehicle with a sign to showcase their support, but it would have been nice to see a bit more in the way of displays.

Thoughts:
It was good for the kids to go out and see Santa and all the dancers, but I would not drive from out of town for this one.

Links of Maggie-May: Prince George

For your golfing pleasure, the Links of Maggie May offers a no pressure 9 hole golf course in a relaxing country atmosphere with large greens and open fairways. The Links of Maggie May started as a family project over thirteen years ago, opening in 1999 and is located in the Shellglen Subdivision area just 15 minutes from downtown Prince George.

Thoughts:
This 9 hole course is located just to the east of Prince George. The grounds are a converted farm and nicely maintained by the family.

A par 37 this course overs some open and challenging holes. Although there was no sand traps there is a few water hazards placed throughout the holes. The grounds were well taken care of seeming to be mowed often but there are some spots where it was difficult to distinguish fairest from rough. As well as it was late August the forward could have used a bit more water because they were starting to be mote brown and less green. This is a good fast round and very well priced.

Website: http://www.linksofmaggiemay.com
Phone: 1.800.491.0991

Address:
4650 Shelley Road
Prince George
BC V2K 5G1

Harris Park: Pitt Meadows

Harris Park features an outdoor swimming pool, fully accessible water playground, a beautifully treed picnic area and a Recreation Hall dating from the 1930's.

Thoughts:
A large park with lots of things to do. There are a couple of baseball diamonds, a skateboard park, outdoor pool, water park and fairly large playground area. On a nice summer day there is definitely enough to keep a family or large group with children busy for the day, especially if a picnic is packed for lunch and/or dinner.

Pros:
A lot of things to do that a family with kids would be okay to spend the day here. Plenty of trees for shade.

Cons:
Outdoor pool is a little small and could get very busy. Limited number of picnic tables so get there early if you want one.

Website: http://www.pittmeadows.bc.ca/EN/main/residents/742/5335/H/8199.html

Eighteen Pastures: Mission

So you think you can golf? Eighteen Pastures is the perfect place to prove you right or wrong. The fairways are tight with trees lining both sides. Any mis-hit shots easily find the bush.

Thoughts:
This is a fun tough course. The narrow fairways are made even more so by the line of tall trees down both sides.  Anything off the fairways is most likely lost.  Found some good on-line deals that made the course a bit cheaper to play and was not very busy even for a weekend afternoon.

There was not much to the pro shop except for the cool barn building.  There was food and snacks but the soda that we got had expired almost 1 year prior! The course was pretty much empty except for a nice couple that let us play through and a larger group a couple holes ahead.  On one of the holes though a pick-up had been driven out onto the course? And was parked up by the green.

I would recommend this course to people who do not want to play on the "popular" courses with all the people that think they are "better" golfers.  Definitely a good time.

Website: http://www.eighteenpastures.com
Phone: 604-462-8622

Address:
29110 Matheson Ave
Mission
V2V 6H3

Maple Ridge Golf Course: Maple Ridge

Established in 1926, the Maple Ridge Golf Course was one of the first courses built in the Fraser Valley and sits high above the mighty Fraser River. Once home to the McIvor Family, the land has rolling hills surrounded by beautiful majestic maple and cedar trees making it a truly peaceful setting. With the elevation changes and numerous sand bunkers, the Maple Ridge Golf Course will test every club in your bag.

Thoughts:
This nine hole course is located in the middle of Maple Ridge and offers some decent views of the river and mountains.  Although a little expensive for the course compared to others in the area this is a nearby and quick course for people in the area. There are a lot of hills to walk up and down so a cart would definitely be suggested. There is no water hazards but a few trees, bush and sand traps. It is a shorter par 33 course that offers up three par 3's and no par 5's. All of the holes are pretty much a straight shot to the green and you could almost drive most of the greens with a good shot.

Unless you get a good deal or are staying nearby and have to walk I would suggest a different course in the area.

Website: http://www.mapleridgegolfcourse.org
Phone: 604.465.9221

Address:
20818 Golf Lane
Maple Ridge, BC

Maple Ridge Park: Maple Ridge

Located along the sparkling South Alouette River at the corner of 232nd Street and Fern Crescent, this park offers picnic areas, washrooms, a baseball diamond, a horseshoe pitch area, a playing field, and a wooded trail. An expanse of mature forest nurses a wide array of native plants and wildlife and each autumn the South Alouette River welcomes large populations of spawning Pink and Chum salmon. The Kinsmen spray park is open to the public on a weather permitting, seasonal basis.

Thoughts:
This is a nice large park with plenty of updated equipment for children of all ages. Climbing rocks, playground equipment, slides, swings, fields, water park and sheltered area, this park has it all.

Pros:
Plenty to do for all kids with different size playground equipment and even the water park has 2 areas, one for smaller children and one for bigger kids.

Cons:
Limited number of swings, so on a busy day there would be a wait but there is lots of other stuff to do. There is limited parking for the size of the park so on a busy day it might be difficult to find a spot.

Website: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/residents/935/2190/parks/4323/m/maple_ridge.html

Whonnock Lake: Maple Ridge

To properly enjoy Whonnock Lake, plan on taking the entire family and spend the day there. Depending on the time of year, you should bring lawn chairs, beach blankets, towels, Frisbees, a volleyball, other leisure time toys, a good book, a swim suit, a good quality sunscreen. There is a concession stand just in case you forget to pack a picnic lunch.


Thoughts:
This small lake is a great place to spend the day with the kids.  There is plenty of parking but limited beach space. Sand was brought in at some point to create the swimming area so it is weed free and nice and sandy.


Pros:
Smaller lake and is warmer than the others in the area. quite a bit of activities are provided by the parks board like a playground, paddle boat rental and a volleyball net.


Cons:
Small lake with limited area and could get crowded easily. As well it is a place you have to drive to as there is no public transit to this area.


Website: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/residents/935/2190/parks/4323/w/whonnock_lake.html

Steveston Village: Richmond

Steveston a quaint historic fishing village in the southwest corner of Richmond, BC, just minutes from the YVR airport and Vancouver, BC. Once home to 15 canneries, Steveston has long been known for its commercial fishery. Although, home to Canada's largest fishing fleet of more than 600 vessels, it no longer plays host to a single cannery.


Activities:
Not a lot to do outside of some walking and shopping. There is a large park with an open field that is always good for some kite flying and as well there are whale watching tours that leave from the docks in town. There is the local museum and a tour through Gulf of Georgia Cannery National Historic Site built in 1894.
2.5/5

Events:
There is the odd festival throughout the year that takes place here, other than the notable Salmon Festival though you are pretty much looking at the regular holiday festivities.
1/5

View:
Lots of nature walks and great views of the Coastal Mountains in the distance, as well as mouth of the Fraser river leading out into the ocean.  You get a good view of Vancouver Island and can see the planes taking off or landing from Vancouver Airport. A nice little village stroll offers quaint shops and an historic cannery.
3.5/5

Accommodations:
Not anything noticeable when you are in town but their website has a hotel and B&B, not really a big selection.
0.5/5

Dinning & Shopping:
A few local shops offer great souvenirs, as well there is the fish market down on the docks where you can pick up your seafood right off the back of the boats. A few restaurants here mainly serving seafood as it is a fishing port. A couple of unique dining experiences include Pajo's and the Crab King, that both offer a dining experience right out on the wharf at water level.
4.5/5

Visit-ability:
Definitely worth a day trip here especially if you are fan of west-coast seafood and history. Bring the camera for some great scenery shots.
4/5

Total Rating: 16/30

Thoughts: Not too far out of the way it is definitely worth the drive to spend a few hours here.

Website: http://www.stevestonivillage.com