The sun is shining and British Columbians are eager to dive into on summer adventures.

Here are some tips to enjoy the sunshine without breaking the bank, whether it’s a week-long vacation, a weekend road trip, multi-day hikes, or a fun day out.

Make the most of your BCAA Member discount

With a BCAA Membership, you can find savings everywhere you go. Here’s a few great ways of getting a discount while you’re exploring our beautiful province and beyond.

Hit the road: Fuel up at Shell and save 3¢/L and 10% in-store for on-the-road snacks and more. 

Fly away: If you’re considering leaving your wheels behind, one easy way to travel is with Pacific Coastal Airlines. Your BCAA Membership card can get 10% off base airfare on flights to 18 destinations around the province.

Walk to Nanaimo: Take a relaxing visit to the Harbour City by walking onto a Hullo ferry. BCAA Members save $10 on round-trip tickets, and $5 off a one-way ticket. See a full list of Nanaimo events and experiences here.

A place to stay: Get savings at hotels right across BC including Hilton, Choice Hotels and Marriot. Check out all of our hotel partners and save up to 15% on your stay .

Grab a bite: There’s no better way to enjoy a day out than by stopping for a snack! With your BCAA Membership, you can get two slices and a can of pop for $6 from Freshslice Pizza or put a pep in your step by heading to Blenz Coffee, where you can upsize your drink for free and get 10% off food.

Catch a movie: If the rain starts to fall or you need to seek some shade for a few hours, a Shareable Movie Bundle at Landmark Cinemas could be for you! $34 plus tax gets you two tickets to see the latest big screen pictures, along with one large soft drink and one large popcorn.

Watch a Whitecaps game (or two or three): BCAA Members save up to 20% on single match Whitecaps tickets. Plus, you can save another 10% on all Whitecaps FC merchandise in-store and online.

Get fresh gear: Heading for a hike? Get set for your trek and earn CAA Dollars® at these partners:

• Altitude Sports – 4% back
• Columbia Sportswear – 8% back
• Decathalon – 10% back

Stuck for trip ideas? Let your BCAA Membership card guide the way

Now you know how to save some dollars, next it's time to figure out where to go. Your BCAA Membership offers great savings at some of the most entertaining locations province-wide.

All the fun of the fair: Want thrilling rides, live music and side-splitting entertainment? Look no further than the PNE Fair, from August 16 to September 1. BCAA Members save 30% on gate and ride passes online for what is guaranteed to be a wild time. Be sure to check out BCAA ToonCity for musical fun with BCAA's Blue the Bear and friends.

Unwind and relax: If escaping the chaos is more your jam, the Scandinave Spa could be your calling. Find your Zen state of mind in an outdoor spa surrounded by Whistler’s majestic scenery and save 15% on bath access, and 10% on massage service with bath access. .

A different kind of driving: Put down the car keys and pick up the golf clubs! For fresh air, fun and exercise, tee off at one of Golf BC’s five premier golf courses, such as the Okanagan Golf Club in Kelowna, and save 10% on adult green fees, clothing and accessories. .

Flutter by a world of wonder: Did you know that minutes from Victoria’s world-famous Butchart Gardens is a jungle where tropical creatures like flamingos, parrots, and tortoises roam? There’s way more to Victoria Butterfly Gardens than meets the eye and BCAA Members can save 10% on admission to the rainforest wonderland.

Suspend your belief: Walking through a thriving coastal forest is enchanting enough, but add a 140-metre long suspension bridge, 70 metres above a flowing river and the views are awe-inspiring.  BCAA Members save 10% on adult and senior tickets to Capilano Suspension Bridge Park.

Take time to reflect at BC’s most beautiful lakes

Searching to be at one with nature? We have plenty more suggestions. Home to over 20,000 lakes, BC is the perfect province to go swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, or even bird watching. Here are five standout lakes that won’t leave you disappointed:

Buttle Lake: Turquoise water perfect for swimming and kayaking–Buttle Lake is a stunner. Located within Strathcona Provincial Park (the oldest provincial park in BC) it has an abundance of wilderness and the highest waterfall in Canada, Della Falls.

Kalamalka Lake: One of Canada’s most beautiful lakes is located just south of Vernon. Kalamalka is famous for warm, gorgeous, tropical green waters, 10 pristine beaches, and water temperatures that average 22°C - 27°C in summer, even though it’s a glacial lake.

Lindeman Lake: Located in the Fraser Valley, this scenic, small lake requires a short but moderately arduous hike to beautiful turquoise-green waters and picturesque campsites.

Okanagan Lake: One of BC’s classic water-fun lakes. Come for warm summer water, stunning views wherever you look, including 290 kilometres of shoreline / beaches. This is The Lake to enjoy all the water sports, or just kick back and relax.

Shuswap Lake: A tributary of the Fraser River that is known for spectacular swimming water and clean, sandy beaches. This family-friendly destination is also frequented by adventure seekers for rafting, scuba diving and SUP’ing.

Pull on your boots and take a hike

Few things are more quintessential BC than a summer hike. Luckily, within the province there are an abundance of hikes with varying degrees of difficulty. Here are six you’ll love:

Rugged remote adventure: Blue Lake Trail, Hazelton. All this mountainous beauty with zero crowds. Stunning views await you on this 6 km trail (there and back). You’ll pass through mature Hemlock forest, then sub-alpine and avalanche paths, and incredible views of a deep blue lake below, ending at a mountainous basin with a second smaller lake. You’ll hike up 400 metres in elevation, muddy sections, and a slippery creek crossing. Bring rugged hiking boots and poles and get more info and maps here.

Multiday hike: The Juan de Fuca Trail, Vancouver Island. A 47-kilometre trail that treks through rainforest and beaches. It is considered a difficult hike. It takes three to five days depending on fitness level. However, it’s known for breathtaking west coast scenery, sandy beaches and old-growth trees.

Mountain-lovers: Kaslo Lake, West Kootenays Located in Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, your Kaslo Lake hike offers you a 15 km return hike, excellent backcountry camping (and a great mosquito-proof cooking shelter), and is truly a paradise for alpine hikers.

Family-friendly hike: Lighthouse Park, West Vancouver. This is a choose your own adventure hike, so you can adjust according to your family’s needs. You’ll encounter large Douglas Fir trees and stunning ocean views. The full loop is 6 kilometres, but it’s just as easy to do 500 metres and ensure a lovely family hike.

Daylong hike: Mount Gardner, Bowen Island. Take the 20-minute ferry from Horseshoe Bay to Snug Cove on Bowen. From there, the trail head is 2.9 kilometres away (a 40-minute walk or a 6-minute drive). This 10-kilometre out-and-back loop trail delivers a moderate climb to Bowen’s highest peak, Mount Gardner. There, up above it all, you’ll marvel at views of Howe Sound, the Sunshine Coast, West Vancouver, and Burrard Inlet.

Big reward backcountry: Trophy Meadows Trail, Wells Gray Provincial Park This BC backpacking trip gives you a huge reward for minimal effort. This is a 2-3 day backpacking trip 10 kilometres out and back. No fee, no reservation needed, and you’ll soak up sub-alpine meadows, and nice day hikes from the lovely Sheila Lake backcountry campground.

What’s Next?

Take BCAA with you on your summer adventure! A BCAA Membership comes with access to 24/7 Roadside Assistance, so we’re always here to help in case of the unexpected.

Pro Tip: your BCAA App is the ultimate travel companion. In addition to helping you get faster Roadside Assistance, you can get real-time travel conditions and savings from BCAA Rewards Partners along the way. Download the App.

Not a BCAA Member? Join today and have fun out there! What are your summer plans? Share your summer experiences and savings with other BCAA Members in our new online community, BCAA Connect.