I'm thinking about driving into Canada and spending a week with my family in Vancouver. Any suggestions?

To get to Victoria, take the 1.5 hr ferry from Tsawassen. Book ahead, ($17.00 reservation fee)-you have to show up at least 30 min. before sailing time. (bcferries.com) On a long weekend the ferries are really packed. Otherwise, you can drive up to the terminal and get a ticket. The horseshoe bay crossing, lands in Nanaimo, a 90 minute drive north of Victoria.
In the summer, the ferries often run every hour and we have BIG ferries. On a clear day, the trip over is beautiful: Islands everywhere, little lighthouses, sailboats. Living here, I've only see a killer whale once but my friend have see them more often AND bald eagles and dolphins are abundant in the summer.
July 1st is our Fourth of July. Some of us do actually appreciate our nation's birthday beyond total indulgence. In Victoria, kids paint lots of maple leaves, There are often events downtown, and fireworks over the harbour at night. The same in most Canadian cities except Ottawa where they have more money :) NOT as big a deal as the US but fun. There can be a lot of drinking and yelling at night, but those uninterested should be fine (and if you are, you'll find it!).

Watch out for July 1st-Canada Day-people having a good time by indulging in spirits- transportation options are jammed that weekend. Similar situation the first Monday in August.

Victoria is a ferry ride away from Vancouver. The ride crosses the straits with a view of rocky coastline, many little flourishing islands, inlets and the ocassional performance of marine dwellers. Victoria's arrival points include the Inner Harbour, the Town of Sidney and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (1/2 hr from downtown Victoria). Beautiful and fun- if you are going in the summer you want to make reservations first.