Dwight: This summer we plan to stay in sunny Vancouver! Last year we took a fabulous trip to the British Isles in August. However, we missed summer, as we experienced 17 days of continuous rain. There are few places nicer than the Pacific Northwest in summer, so we are going to take advantage of the great city of Vancouver. That said, we hope to visit our son in Los Angeles at the end of August for a few days.

Tyler: My grandparents bought a lot in Crystal Water Beach in Point Roberts Washington in 1946 for $500. They built a cottage and our family has gone virtually every summer since then. Now we have 4 cottages in the family in Crystal Water and we rent a fifth as they are always full of family. The reasons I like Point Roberts include: it is very safe for the kids to play, we are on a great beach, and we are close enough to Vancouver for me to commute. I am lucky enough to have grown up having summer friends for life and seeing my children play with their cousins, second cousins and the children of friends that I have known for decades. It is a very special place for me. It doesn’t hurt that the wine is a little less expensive than in BC!

Paul: For a family with 3 small kids, the beach is where we go... and we’re not too picky about where. Swimming, sand castles and friends, as long as there is water we’re in!

Neil: I think we are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world and I typically spend the summer locally, enjoying my downtime with friends and family. I try to balance my spare time between activities that include golf, riding my motorbike, and hiking local trails. And on those particularly hot, lazy summer days, you will probably find me strolling along the Stanley Park seawall or on a patio enjoying great food and a cold beverage with friends.

Wendy: Summer is not really the time of year I like to go away. Vancouver weather is so pleasant I actually prefer to stay home! However, my husband has a 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air and we do spend a few week-ends at car shows, notably the Penticton Peach City Beach Cruise in late June and the Sleepy Hollow Rod Run and Show’N Shine in early August. We also like to spend a few days fly fishing at a fishing lodge near Kamloops. Best days are when we have our slip’n’slide out on our front lawn and our grandchildren, family and friends are enjoying the sun!

Brenda: My family’s favourite summer fun spot is Centennial Beach at Boundary Bay Regional Park in Tsawwassen. We all love to walk out for miles at low tide and search for crabs and creatures, and build complex sand castles and moats to ward off an incoming tide. If we go at high tide, we take our inflatable boat and swim gear and mess around in the warm shallow (maximum waist high) water that extends for miles. The playground there is large, new and varied for different ages, and the brand new café and washrooms provide all the comforts. The beach is so big that even on busy days in the parking lot, we never feel crowded whatsoever on the beach where it counts. We bring all visitors and many friends with kids here and it’s always a great day. It can be windy, so be forewarned if it’s less than ideal day, you may get a bit chilly sometimes. There are also great walking trails and biking trails, as well as extensive geocaches hidden all along the trails. Check the tide before you go so you know what to bring — shovels or floaties!

Jessica: In the summer I try to spend as much time as possible outside! Nothing beats the long days and sunny weather in Vancouver, perfect for hiking and trail running with friends. I usually try to fit in a destination race or 2 each summer. In June I ran the Tenderfoot Boogie trail race (along the Sea to Sky trail between Paradise Valley and Whistler) and I’ll be heading to Switzerland in September to run the Jungfrau Marathon in and around Interlaken. I’m also hoping to fit in some longer day hikes, including the Garibaldi Lake, the Howe Sound Crest, and the Singing Pass Trails. Of course every outdoor adventure is even better when paired with a sunny patio and beverage at the end!

Mack: When the summer hits, my family loves to go paddle boarding. It’s a great way to spend some time outdoors and to keep cool in the heat. Strap the boards to the car, drive to the beach, and spend a couple hours paddling in the ocean. The only danger of paddle boarding with family is that they often end up tipping you into the water — at least in my experience!