Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Vancouver Canada’s third-largest city and a major port, is situated in the southwest corner of British Columbia (also called ‘BC’), overlooking the Burrard Inlet on the Pacific Ocean and backed by the Coastal Mountain Range. Downtown Vancouver has one of the largest Chinese quarters in North America (celebrated by the new Chinese Cultural Center), and large German and Ukrainian populations. Gastown, the reconstructed old center of Vancouver, is a pleasant array of cobblestone streets, cafes and shops. Of the several museums
and galleries, most notable are the Centennial Museum, H R MacMillan Space Center, University of British Columbia’s Museum of Anthropology (housing excellent examples of northwest First Nations art and artifacts), Vancouver Art Gallery, Science World (including four galleries of hands-on exhibits) and the Maritime Museum. More points of interest are Stanley Park, one of North America’s largest civic parks, Vancouver Aquarium, and the Grouse Mountain Skyride on the North Shore. The latter offers views of the city and the fjords of the Pacific coast. Adjoining Vancouver’s east side is the city of Burnaby, and Simon Fraser University, atop Burnaby Mountain. Burnaby Mountain Park, on the west side of the mountain, affords a spectacular view of the city and Gulf Islands on Vancouver’s west coast.
Beyond Vancouver During the summer, Whistler and the adjoining Garibaldi Provincial Park, just north of Vancouver, are a delight for naturalists. The year-round resort offers over 200 varied ski runs covering two enormous mountains, as well as facilities for golf, windsurfing, tennis, mountain biking, and river rafting. Skiing and snowboarding are available 9 months of the year. Northwest of Vancouver, accessed by ferry, are the coastal towns of Sechelt, Powell River and Lund, popular for their sunny beaches and surrounding fjords and recreational areas. 150km (93 miles) east of Vancouver is the town of Hope and BC’s Fraser Canyon. The Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) links the Greater Vancouver Area with the dramatic river country of British Columbia’s western interior and the historic Cariboo Gold Rush route. In the Fraser Canyon, the Hell's Gate Airtram takes visitors down to the edge of the spectacular Fraser River, where visitors can learn about the lifecycle of the spawning salmon. River rafting tours can be arranged at numerous points along the river as well as on the more remote shores of the Nahatlatch River, 30 minutes' drive northwest of Boston Bar. The towns of Lytton and Lillooet are regaled as having some of BC’s warmest summertime weather, averaging around 40°C (104°F). Both towns are rich in First Nations' history and culture.
Vancouver Island, Victoria & the Gulf Islands Vancouver Island British Columbia’s provincial capital, Victoria, lies at the southern tip of the heavily forested and mountainous Vancouver Island. This most English of Canadian towns is distinguished by Victorian and neo-classical architecture and well-appointed residential areas. In the harbor area are the impressive Legislative Buildings and the Royal British Columbia Museum. Also worth visiting are Maltwood Art Gallery, Thunderbird Park and Craigdarroch Castle (an impressive 19th-century landmark mansion home). City life is enhanced by more than 60 recreational parks, which are spread throughout the islands. Some 21km (13 miles) to the north, the Butchart Gardens have delightful English, Italian and Japanese gardens set in a former limestone quarry. Nanaimo, north of Victoria, is home to one of the province’s largest collection of heritage buildings. Near Vancouver Island’s northern tip is the rural town of Port Hardy and the connecting ferry service to British Columbia’s northernmost destinations. Just south of Port Hardy is the town of Port McNeill, a popular ecotourism destination that is known for its caving and hiking activities. Pacific Rim National Park, 306km (192 miles) north of Victoria on the west coast, is a popular ecological attraction, with sandy beaches offering good swimming and wilderness trails through deep, hilly forests. Two of the hiking trails in Pacific Rim are wheelchair-accessible. The remote towns of Tofino and Ucluelet offer first-rate whale-watching opportunities. In March, the Pacific Rim Whale Festival celebrates the yearly migration of Pacific grey whales from Baja California, Mexico to Vancouver Island.
The Gulf Islands Known for their breathtaking beauty and quaint seaside villages, the Gulf Islands include Saltspring Island, home to a flourishing art colony; the Pender Islands which are linked together by a bridge and have several good sandy beaches; and Mayne Island, whose history dates back to the Cariboo Gold Rush, when prospectors gathered at Miners Bay and rowed across the formidable waters of the Georgia Strait. Galiano Island’s Bellhouse Park is home to more than 130 different species of birds and is a naturalist’s paradise with numerous rare and protected plants. At the northeastern edge of Vancouver Island is a lesser known collection of Gulf Islands. Cormorant Island’s Alert Bay is comprised of a large First Nations and Finnish population. Influenced by the migration of Finnish settlers at the beginning of the 20th century, the town is a delight for photographers.
The Thompson Okanagan Region Known as BC’s ‘playground’, the azure blue waters of Lake Okanagan and the stunning vistas of the surrounding vineyards are only two of the major draws to this area. The northern tip of Mexico’s Sonora Desert actually ends here – in the rich, lush countryside of British Columbia’s interior. The Okanagan’s fall wine tours attract visitors from across Europe and North America. Winter activities include the choice of more than four regional ski resorts. With over 60 courses in the region, the Thompson Okanagan is also a golfer's paradise, with panoramic views guaranteed to enrich the sporting experience. For those wishing to immerse themselves in other sports, the region also offers a host of outdoor activities, including mountain biking and canoeing, at the World Heritage site, Mount Robson Provincial Park. At the northern tip of the Okanagan Valley, Shuswap Lake offers resort-like summer weather and excellent boating opportunities. Those seeking close proximity to nature can observe black bears meander and munch on berries in their natural environment; prime viewing areas include Wells Gray Provincial Park, as well as rural roads nears Kamloops and Merrittt.
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Region North of the ranching town of Williams Lake (540km, 338 miles north of Vancouver) lie the vast tracts of untamed lakeland, forest and wilderness of the Cariboo. The arid, desert-like terrain is best known for its guest ranch accommodations and winter lodge facilities. Heli-skiing is a favorite activity in the Cariboo and Chilcotin Ranges. Backcountry excursions into BC’s mountains are best planned through trained and experienced outfitters. Near William’s Lake, 100 Mile House is an historic marker of the Cariboo Gold Rush days, when pioneers measured journeys by the distance of a day’s horse ride and the relative distance from the Gold Rush town of Lillooet, otherwise known as ‘Mile 0’.
Kootenay Rockies Region Nestled at the western base of Canada’s Rockies are the rich, fertile valleys and plains of the province’s easternmost border. The checkerboard landscape of Rossland and Castlegar are reminiscent of its European origins, as is this area’s mixture of cultures and heritage. The scenery is best enjoyed by car, as many of the local sites can be accessed by circle driving tours. Accessible from any number of points, the Silvery Slocan Circle Driving Tour takes visitors past numerous historic landmarks, such as the historic logging town of Kaslo, which populates the hills and shoreline of Kootenay Lake and the city of Nelson, which is home to 350 heritage buildings. The ghost town of Sandon is located at the heart of the circle tour, accessible by a small road that winds through farmlands and rainforest. The Nikkei Internment Center in New Denver, also on this route, acknowledges the history of the Japanese-Canadian internments during World War II. At the northern edge of the Kootenay Rockies region, Highway 1 links the city of Revelstoke with the eastern mountain resort of Banff, in the province of Alberta. The Revelstoke Railroad Museum includes interpretive displays of Canada’s dramatic efforts to establish a rail system across the Rocky Mountains. The town of Golden, 148km (93 miles) from Revelstoke, is the last major stopping point before ascending Roger’s Pass and the spectacular countryside of Glacier National Park.
The Northern British Columbia Region BC’s most northern region is a haven for recreational vehicle owners. Highway 16, better known as the Yellowhead Highway, links the west coast port of Prince Rupert with Terrace and Smithers. Located near Terrace is the Nisga’a Memorial Lava Bed, a sacred Aboriginal site. Further east is the delicate sub-alpine terrain of Bulkley valley, and the Babine Mountains Recreational Area, with 32,400ha (80,060 acres) of hiking, biking and horseback trails. The nearby Driftwood Canyon Provincial Park contains fossils dating back more than 10 million years. The northern route of Highway 97 intersects the Yellowhead Highway at Prince George, on the eastern side of the province. A ‘Mile 0’ Cairn marks the official beginning of the Alaska Highway at the Northern Alberta Railway Park in Dawson Creek, 406km (254 miles) north of Prince George. The Fort Nelson Heritage Museum in Fort Nelson offers a glimpse of what life was like 200 years ago on a northern fur-trading route.
The Queen Charlotte Islands Adjacent to the town of Prince Rupert, the Queen Charlotte Islands are inhabited by several Aboriginal communities. Many of the islands are only accessible by boat or floatplane. The coastal sanctuary of Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve is home to more than one million seabirds and animals and includes a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Art stores and galleries featuring the carvings and paintings of the Haida First Nations dot the towns of Masset, Old Masset, Queen Charlotte City and Sandspit. Northern BC’s spectacular west coast is best appreciated by ferry, which links Prince Rupert with Vancouver Island’s Port Hardy. BC’s information centers can provide Visitor Information Centers can provide information on journey times and destinations.
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