The Malahat Pass?
*edit:
just read through some of the clues. As I recall the Malahat on Vancouver Island has a highway pulloff where you can take pictures. I don't recall the totem pole, but the curb looks awfully familiar (as does the altitude of the terrain in the background). I'll look see if I can find my tourist shot of my visit to the Malahat...
*edit:
here is me at the Malahat back in '89. See the parking area curb? looks the same:
