Less than an hour east of Vancouver, Coquitlam is a lively metropolitan suburb surrounded by a whole lot of nature. Sitting at the base of the Coquitlam Mountain Range, where the Coquitlam River, Coquitlam Lake, and Pitt Lake converge, the town supports a handful of museums, breweries, and live music venues while still embracing its rugged West Coast surroundings. At the center of it all is Mundy Park, a 435-acre temperate rainforest in the heart of Coquitlam that’s home to deer and black bears. A mix of natural and artificial lakes, including Como Lake and Lafarge, are also within city limits, should you feel the urge for a morning paddle. As you progress further north toward the mountains, the city gives way to the unspoiled Pinecone Burke Provincial Park, home to 94,000 acres of British Columbia wilderness, and part of the original territory of the Katzie First Nation.

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is located 50 minutes southwest of Coquitlam, and has car rentals and taxis to get you into town. The West Coast Express commuter train is a viable option if you travel from Vancouver to Coquitlam in the late afternoon or evening; it is a one-directional train that operates during evening rush hour only. Coquitlam is fairly spread out, making having a car the most convenient way to get around. But depending on the location of your vacation rental in Coquitlam, it can also be fun to explore on a bike, particularly in the summer months. More than 60 miles of bike paths cut through the city. Keep in mind that this is a mountainous area, so some trails can be steep.

Coquitlam is at its best between April and October, with warm sunny weather in the spring and summer, and beautiful fall foliage beginning in late September. This coincides with the city’s dry season, which peaks in August. When spring begins, Coquitlam’s cherry blossom trees burst into life and line the streets with canopies of delicate pink and white blossoms. Summer is festival season, and families look forward to the annual Teddy Bear Picnic in June. And in August, Coquitlam showcases its creative scene with the Kaleidoscope Arts Festival featuring art, crafts, and light shows. Wintertime in Coquitlam is mild and rainy. In December, the Lafarge Winter Lights Display illuminates Lafarge Lake in a dazzling display for the two darkest months of the year.

Lafarge Lake

In the 1970s, the city of Coquitlam repurposed a former quarry in the town centre into a 12-acre lake. The result is a peaceful natural space surrounded by the city. The lake has attracted wildlife over the years, and as you make the short loop around it, you can spot resident ducks and otters, and maybe even some rainbow trout poking out of the water. The nearby Hoy Creek Trail is a 1.7-mile path that winds through blue heron habitat and a salmon hatchery.

Mundy Park

Located in the southwest corner of the city, the biggest park in town is full of winding dirt trails that pass through stands of Douglas firs and Western red cedars. Two lakes are home for geese, ducks, and swans, and resident black bears often roam the woods between March and November.

Mackin House

The Coquitlam Heritage Society runs Mackin House, just northeast of Mackin Park. Originally constructed in 1909, this heritage house museum has been restored to its original state, with its interior reflecting the Edwardian period. Public visits are available throughout the year, and special exhibits highlight key parts of Coquitlam’s past, including its role in the Klondike Gold Rush.