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British Columbia
THE BEST PLACE ON EARTH
Splendour without Diminishment
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces
and is famed for its natural beauty and mountains ranges. British Columbia's
rugged coastline stretches for more than 27,000 kilometres and includes deep,
mountainous fjords and about six thousand islands, most of which are
uninhabited.
British Columbia is bordered by the Pacific Ocean on the west, by the U.S.
state of Alaska on the northwest, and to the north by the Yukon and the
Northwest Territories, on the east by the province of Alberta, and on the
south by the U.S. states of Washington, Idaho, and Montana.
British Columbia has a population of 4,419,974 (around 2.1 million of which
are in Metro Vancouver region).
The capital of British Columbia is Victoria, the 15th largest
metropolitan region in Canada. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver
Island, Victoria is a is a cruise ship port and major tourism destination
seeing more than 3.65 million visitors a year.
Vancouver (578,041) is the largest metropolitan area in Western Canada
exceeding 2.1 million people. Logging sawmills established in 1867 in the area
known as Gastown became the nucleus around which the town grew, Gastown is now
a tourist district in downtown of Vancouver.
The 2010 Winter Olympics and 2010 Winter Paralympics were held in Vancouver
and nearby Whistler, a resort community 125 km (78 miles) north of the
city.
Victoria's Legislative Buildings.
Victoria
The Capital of British Columbia
Victoria is located on the southern tip of Vancouver
Island and was originally a Hudson's Bay Company trading post (1843).
The originally trading post was called Camosun then briefly known as Forts
Albert, the settlement was later christened Fort Victoria, in honour of Queen
Victoria.
With the discovery of gold on the British Columbia mainland in 1858, Victoria
became the port of call for supplying miners on their way to the Fraser Canyon
gold fields.
In 1866 the island was politically united with the mainland, Victoria remained
the capital of the new united colony and became the provincial capital when
British Columbia joined the Canadian Confederation in 1871.
Live Statue, Victoria Harbour.
The current Legislative Buildings were constructed between 1893 and 1897 on the city's Inner Harbour. Cresting the harbour, the Canadian Pacific Railway's grand Empress Hotel (now the Fairmont Empress Hotel) was constructed in 1908. With construction of the renowned Royal British Columbia Museum nearby, the scenic Inner Harbour has become the city's symbolic centre.
Attractions
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria:
has an extensive permanent collection of more than 17,000 works that reflects
three main areas: our extensive Asian art holdings include the most
comprehensive collection of Japanese art in Canada.
Butchart Gardens: the Butcharts original
estate, now a National Historic Site of Canada, and still privately owned by
family descendants. The Butchart Gardens offers 55 acres of wonderful floral
display located in Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island.
Craigdarroch Castle: historic house museum
is a "must see" on your visit to Victoria. The wealthy Dunsmuir family saga
and the mansion they built is a key piece of British Columbia's history.
Designated as one of Canada's National Historic Sites.
Pacific Undersea Gardens: amazing Pacific
undersea gardens in Victoria's Inner Harbour. Home of the largest collection
of local marine life to be found anywhere.
Royal London Wax Museum: has an inventory
of some 300 wax figures that have been sculpted in England, the most recent of
which is "The woman of the Century". Decades of enhancements have gone well
beyond the simple accumulation of wax figures.
Vancouver at night.
Vancouver
Vancouver Green Capital
Vancouver is one of the few places in the world where it's possible to ski in the morning and sail in the afternoon.
Vancouver is one of the most scenic cities in the world. Vancouver's mild temperatures and bounty of rain are also owed to its location, making even the most urban of areas lush year round.
Just north of the downtown is a flourishing example of how Vancouver balances nature with its urban identity with Stanley Park that occupying 1000 acres.
A quintessential west coast city, Vancouver appeals to millions of denizens and visitors who bask in all it offers, from its soothing beaches to its bustling streets.
Granville Island, Vancouver
Districts
Davie Street: The
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender scene can be found throughout the
city. However, the main concentration of same-sex cafes, bars, clubs and gay
residences is on Davie Street between Jervis and Burrard.
Downtown: At its western reach is Canada
Place, its roof of stylized sails jutting into the harbour. In the courtyard
of Cathedral Place, on Georgia Street's north side, is the Canadian Craft
Museum, almost opposite the stately Vancouver Art Gallery and Robson Square.
Howe Street north of Georgia is the city's financial heart, home to the
Vancouver Stock Exchange and gleaming office towers. Granville south of Robson
is a pedestrian mall inhabited by a strip of movie theatres, clubs and concert
halls.
False Creek: is not a creek but refers to
both an inlet and the land surrounding it in downtown Vancouver. Rejuvenated
in the last couple of decades, it accommodates mixed-income housing and
sporting venues. It is also popular with roller-bladers and kayakers.
Gastown: is the oldest part of the city,
this quaint area stretches east from Canada Place to Maple Tree Square along
Vancouver's harbour. The area is notable for its distinctive late-Victorian architecture. The Gastown Steam Clock sounds the Westminster chimes at the corner of Water and
Cambie streets.
Granville Island: This visitor-friendly
oasis in the middle of the city is a lively collection of renovated warehouses
that have been transformed into theatres, artists' studios, craft shops, and a
thriving public market known for its fresh seafood and produce.
Robson Street: Reaching west from Hornby
into the densely-populated West End is a fashionable collection of stores and
restaurants that make Robson Street one of Vancouver's premier shopping areas.
While the street runs from Stanley Park to B.C. Place Stadium, it's this
cluster of designer boutiques, coffee shops and international eateries that
gives Robson its vibrant personality day and night.
West End: High-rise apartment buildings
flank English Bay, home to thousands of Vancouverites who love the
neighbourhood amenities, all within walking distance; the sunny summer sands
of English Bay beaches, the thousand acres of Stanley Park.
West Side / Kitsilano: This is the large
area that takes in Point Grey and the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Between Kitsilano and UBC are several beaches; Jericho, Locarno, Spanish
Banks, and Wreck Beach which is a nudist beach located near the front of UBC
and requires steady nerves to walk down the steep cliff path to
the beach below where you can let it all hang out.
Attractions
Big Bus: What better
way to see the sights of Vancouver than from a seat on one of our unique
sightseeing buses. Tickets valid for 2 full days
Capilano Suspension Bridge: is one of
Vancouver's most popular tourist attractions. Originally built in 1889,
today's bridge is the fourth bridge at this location, 450 feet across and 230
feet above Capilano River and is, without a doubt, the world's greatest
suspension footbridge! (North Vancouver)
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Gardens: is a Classical
Chinese Garden tucked away behind protective walls in the middle of bustling
Chinatown in Downtown Vancouver. It is a harmony of contrasts, of dark and
light, solid and empty, hard and soft, straight and undulating, yin and yang.
Gastown: its name from its most famous
resident, 'Gassy Jack' Deighton. A competing, although weaker, claim is that a
small pocket of natural gas in the area resulted in the name.
Granville Island: Public Market, theatres
and galleries, this is a popular spot for all sorts of artists and is a place
where you can enjoy many kinds of different food and fresh produce.
Grouse Mountain: the North Shore's Grouse
Mountain provides a stunning view for skiers and tourists. Visitors are able
to take the Skyride to the Peak Chalet and enjoy casual or fine dining
cuisine.
Stanley Park: 1,000 acres close to the
heart of Vancouver's downtown core. It offers numerous of activities and
attractions from the children's farmyard, to a miniature railway.Vancouver
Book.
Vancouver Lookout: Located at the corner
of West Hastings & Seymour Streets, space needle design provides a 360 degree
view of Vancouver, the mountains and the harbour. Visitors take a glass
elevator up 50 storeys to enjoy the scenic views. At the top there is a lounge
area and interpretive displays.
Vancouver Seawall: Originally built to
protect Stanley Park's shore's from erosion, the stone wall and subsequent
pathway has been extended to 22 km and includes many of Vancouver's
attractions. Featuring pedestrian and wheel-dedicated lanes for joggers,
strollers, cyclists and in-line skaters, the popular pathway includes Coal
Harbour, Stanley Park, Sunset Beach, False Creek, the Burrard Street Bridge
and Kitsilano Beach.
Chilcotin Bridge over the Fraser River.
Cariboo / Chilcotin
150 Mile House, 100 Mile House, 70 Mile House, Ocean Falls and Williams Lake
BC's vast Cariboo Chilcotin Coast stretches from the Cariboo and Columbia Mountains in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, with a vast plateau area in between. This is a region of striking contrasts and startling beauty.
Sweeping across the great wilderness, you'll encounter
rolling grasslands and dense forests; snow-capped mountain peaks and lush
valleys; glacier-fed lakes and secluded saltwater inlets.
Thousands of lakes and rivers wind through the region. There are numerous
islands and deep fjords cutting inland from the Pacific Ocean.
Hunlen Falls, Tweedsmuir.
Attractions
Buffalo Adventures:
800 acre buffalo ranch on beautiful Green Lake. Ride a hay wagon into the
buffalo pasture and learn about these magnificent animals. (70 Mile House)
Canim / Mahood Falls: leisurely 1
kilometre hike along a very well maintained wheelchair access hiking trail
leading to two spectacular waterfalls. The easy grade hiking trail begins near
Canim Lake just down from Wells Gray Provincial Park. (100 Mile House)
Cariboo Wilderness Adventures: explore the
Quesnel highlands in beautiful British Columbia. Offering guided soft
adventures for all ages and abilities. Adventure Packages include guided
Angling, Hiking, Backpacking, Kayaking, Canoeing, Wildlife Viewing,
Sightseeing and Historical Tours. (150 Mile House)
Chilko River Rafting: Nestled deep in the
untouched valleys of BC's Chilcotin region is a glacially-fed river system of
unmatched beauty and excitement. Anticipation builds as you near the point of
no return, the 45 minute drive from Williams Lake to the launching zone, has
been accompanied by some of the most amazing scenery you've ever experienced.
(Williams Lake)
Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park: one of the largest of B.C.'s several hundred parks. Located in the west-central region of the province, 480 km northwest of Vancouver as the crow flies.
Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism
Downtown Fernie, British Columbia.
Kootenay Rockies
Cranbrook, Nelson, New Denver, Fernie, Golden, Kimberley, Radium Hot Springs, Revelstoke, Trail
The Kootenay Rockies is a pristine region of rivers, lakes, waterfalls, beaches, mineral hot springs, alpine meadows and snow-capped mountains. Four of British Columbia's seven national parks are located here.
Outdoor water pursuits include canoeing, boating, cycling,
windsurfing, water-skiing and whitewater rafting. The area is also
internationally renowned for its abundant fishing locales.
On land, the region is one of Canada's pre-eminent destinations for golfing
and mountain biking, while the many backcountry lodges, inns and guest ranches
offer luxury accommodations and getaways in natural settings. .
Kootenay Lake.
Attractions
Canadian Museum of Rail Travel:
the facilities can now accomodate several hundred visitors at a time. The
Museum's collection of deluxe railway passenger cars, with many belonging to
sets of famous name-trains ("deluxe hotels-on-wheels"), is recognized as one
of the great railway heritage collections in North America. In their niche,
the collections are considered without equal in the world.
Kicking Horse Resort: is known for
spectacular summer adventure and kids under 12 are free. Visit our Grizzly
Bear Refuge, home to Boo, our resident grizzly - a conservation, education and
research centre, and Canada's largest enclosed and protected grizzly habitat.
Kimberley's Underground Mining Railway:
winds through the Mark Creek Valley. The railway links the downtown with the
site of the old Sullivan Mine surface facilities & recent mine reclamation
activities. It continues its route through a 750 m (2,475 ft) tunnel to the
Underground Interpretive Centre.
Kootenay Rockies Ski Resorts: feature
uncrowded slopes, short lift lines, and a laid-back, friendly atmosphere. The
quantity and proximity of resorts along the Kootenay Rockies' "Powder Highway"
enables skiers to sample a variety of slopes during a single visit to the
region. (Fernie Alpine, Kicking Horse, Panorama Mountain, Red Mountain,
Revelstoke Mountain, Whitewater Winter)
Radium Hot Springs: Come relax in
soothing, mineral-rich waters while you marvel at the dramatic rock walls of
Sinclair Canyon. Enjoy the large hot pool or cooler swimming pool that is
great for families. A day spa featuring wellness therapies compliments a visit
anytime of year. (Kootenay National Park)
Revelstoke Railway Museum: Discover Canada's history and railway heritage in one of Canada's premiere railway museums. Learn about the building of the railway, the workers involved, the final days of construction and present day operation. (Revelstoke)
City of Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley.
Thompson / Okanagan
Kamloops, Kelowna, Merritt, Penticton, Summerland and Vernon
Famous for its orchards, vineyards, skiing, golf, deserts,
mountains, valleys and everything in between, the Thompson Okanagan beckons.
The region is full of museums and heritage sites that bring this colourful
past to life for visitors.
The Thompson Okanagan region is famous for its golf courses, orchards, ski
resorts and vineyards as well as the wildly varied landscape.
The highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies is here, as
is a waterfall twice the height of Niagara Falls and Canada's only true desert
environment. Each year, outdoor enthusiasts flock to the Thompson Okanagan to
hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe, fish, kayak, canoe, camp and view
wildlife..
Okanagan Valley, British Columbia.
Attractions
Big White Ski Resort:
is North America's largest ski-in/ski-out resort & BC's second largest ski
resort. Big White is all about the snow & is renowned for its abundance of
light, dry Okanagan champagne powder, mild temperatures & world-famous snow
ghosts.Activities include skiing, snowboarding, dog sledding, skating, snow
mobiling, snowshoeing, tubing/tobogganing & visiting the spa.
H2O Adventure: With over a million gallons
of water, the H2O Adventure and Fitness Centre is the largest municipal water
park in Canada! Enjoy an Olympic length pool, wave pool, river run, water
slides, a kid's spray park and a surf wave simulator or have fun on land in
12,000 sq ft of fitness and cardio space. (Kelowna)
Haynes Point Provincial Park: Surrounded by warm water and sandy beaches, Haynes Point sits on a pencil of land jutting into Osoyoos Lake. Situated in the rainshadow of the Cascade Mountains to the west and protected from the worst of winter storms by the Columbia Mountains to the east, this is Canada's only true desert area. The water is reported to be the warmest in Canada making it excellent for swimming.
Helmcken Falls: is a
463 ft. waterfall on the Murtle River within the Wells Gray Provincial Park,
North of Kamloops / east of Jasper National Park. (Wells Gray Provincial Park)
Kelowna: With 22 beachfront-access parks,
Kelowna is a summer destination hotspot. Grassy picnic areas, playgrounds,
washrooms and concession stands are within easy reach of most beaches. You can
also rent power boats, Jet Skis, windsurfers and even houseboats to step up
the fun factor.
Mount Robson Provincial Park:
The mountain for which the park is named guards the park's western entrance.
At 3,954 meters, Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies,
towers over the lesser surrounding peaks. Winter or summer, this is one of the
finest views in the Rocky Mountains. next door to Alberta's Jasper National
Park on the east.
Penticton: The city of Penticton is
located between two warm-water lakes on a 3.5km delta. These lakes, combined
with a semi-arid desert climate, make it a popular vacation spot.
At the city's north end are the soft, pale-brown sands of Okanagan Beach,
which is close to downtown and features a busy promenade. At the city's south
end are the firmer red sands of Skaha Beach featuring shade trees, a
concession stand, boat and Jet Ski rentals, a marina, an amusement centre, a
children's water park as well as waterskiing and parasailing lessons. (Penticton)
Ferry Service in Victoria Island, British Columbia.
The Islands
Comox Valley, Campbell River, Granite Bay, Kelsey Bay,
Nanaimo, Port
Alberni, Sidney, Tofino and Victoria
The Vancouver Island region is a large, sparsely populated
area, encompassing Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands, as well as a portion of
the mainland.
It has one of the world's most diverse ecosystems: Rainforests, marshes,
meadows, beaches, mountains, oceans, rivers and lakes create habitats for
multitudes of wildlife species. In fact, the region is one of the world's
premier locations for whale watching, birding, as well as salmon and trout
fishing.
Much of the island is protected parkland. It contains many pockets of
old-growth fir and cedar forests, as well as rare, naturally occurring groves
of Garry oak. Vancouver Island is bisected, north to south, by the Beaufort
Mountain Range, which is home to one of Canada's biggest all-natural ski
bases.
Port of Nanaimo Centre.
Attractions
Chemainus Murals: The
world-famous Chemainus murals form the largest display of public art on
Vancouver Island. Once a resource-reliant town, Chemainus has embraced the
arts. The downtown core has been turned into a giant public art display
featuring more than 40 building-sized murals depicting local history and
traditions. (between Nanaimo and Victoria)
Nanaimo: officially known as Harbour
City. Stretched like a long, lean finger along the east coast of
south-central Vancouver Island, British Columbia's sixth-largest city gets
its identity, history and a wealth of recreation from a lovely,
island-sheltered harbour right in the heart of town. Hiking, boating,
kayaking, biking and world-class scuba diving and snorkeling are everyday
activities at the bustling waterfront, as seaplanes take flight from
sparkling blue waters.
Telegraph Cove, Port McNeill and Alert Bay:
There's no better place to view Orcas than the waters around Telegraph Cove,
Port McNeill and Alert Bay. Two hundred Orcas reside here for part of the
year, while many of them frequent the waters of the Robson Bight (Michael
Bigg) Ecological Reserve in Johnstone Strait to take advantage of its many
salmon runs.
Tofino & Ucluelet: whale watching can be
done by land or sea and many places along the shoreline make good viewpoints.
While 22,000 grey whales pass through en route to their Arctic feeding
grounds in March and April, the May to October season is when many whales
take up residence in the Clayoquot Sound.
Victoria: See 'Victoria, The Capital of
British Columbia' top of page.
WildPlay: Experience fun & adventure at
WildPlay Nanaimo! This 17 acre park, set in a beautiful Douglas Fir forest &
adjacent to the Nanaimo River, offers 4 outdoor adventures: Bungy Jump, King
Swing, Monkido (tree-to-tree aerial adventure course) & Canyon Zip. (Nanaimo)
Northern British Columbia.
Northern BC
Dawson Creek, Fraser Lake, Kitimat, Prince George, Prince
Rupert, Queen
Charlotte Islands, Quesnel, Smithers
Northern BC's vast wilderness comprises more than half the
province - approximately 500,000 sq km. It is larger than California or Japan
and twice the size of the United Kingdom.
Northern BC is a land of unlimited adventure that extends 1,000km from east to
west, following the legendary Yellowhead Highway. It is filled with jagged
mountain peaks, roaring rivers, serene lakes, green valleys, rugged coastlines
and ancient island archipelagos.
Much of Northern BC is preserved and protected by a world-class system of
provincial parks and nature reserves. The region ranges from pristine
wilderness areas accessible only by horseback, charter plane or on foot, to
idyllic lakeside campgrounds with every modern amenity. The stunning landscape
features turquoise-coloured glacial lakes, alpine meadows, hot springs,
volcanic cinder cones and a miniature Grand Canyon.
The region is known for its magnificent freshwater and saltwater fishing,
canoeing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, hiking, and in the winter, powder
skiing and snowmobiling.
Prince George, Northern BC
Attractions
Lakes District:
Approximately 300 lakes make up this area, located around the communities of
Burns Lake, Houston and Smithers. The lakes in this area feature excellent
fishing for rainbow trout, char and kokanee and salmon.
Monkman Provincial Park: Nestled in the
Hart Ranges of the Central Rocky Mountains and foothills, Monkman Provincial
Park offers a diverse and inspiring landscape of jagged peaks, forested
valleys, unique geological formations, pristine lakes and alpine meadows.
Opportunities to explore encompass the gamut from easy, two-hour trails to
challenging, multi-day adventures. (NE of Prince George)
Northeastern BC / Alaska Highway: There is
excellent fishing in the lakes and rivers along the Alaska Highway and in
northeastern BC. The communities of Dease Lake, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John,
Fort Nelson , Mackenzie and Tumbler Ridge all offer excellent fishing
opportunities for lake trout, Arctic grayling, northern pike, walleye, and
bull trout. Muncho Lake is known for trout up to 23kg/50lbs, and is a
launching point for floatplane trips to remote lakes.
Prince Rupert: One of BC's fishing
hotspots, Prince Rupert is the gateway to the north coast and has long been a
hub of commercial and sport fishing activity. For a look into the region's
commercial fishing history, visit the historic North Pacific Cannery, a
restored fishing village and cannery that was first established in 1889.
Queen Charlotte Islands: known as 'Canada's Galapagos for its unique wildlife, while inland, a vast wilderness
area has been called the "Serengeti of the North" for its large and diverse
animal population. Haida Heritage Centre at Kaay Llnagaay is an award-winning
Aboriginal cultural tourism attraction located in Haida Gwaii. It is a
magnificent 53,000 square foot cedar multi-complex consisting of five
contemporary monumental timber longhouses.
Vancouver_Harbour, British Columbia.
Whistler / Metro Vancouver
Chilliwack, Hope, Langley, New Westminster, Port
Coquitlam, Port
Moody, Powell River, Surrey, Vancouver, Whistler
Whistler: Situated in the middle of Sea to Sky
Country 176 km from Vancouver, Whistler is one of North America's premiere
resort destinations. During the winter months, Whistler becomes an alpine
paradise, with Whistler Blackcomb and its legendary ski resort being the
centre piece.
The resort's global significance is evident as Whistler Blackcomb has been
tabbed as the site for a majority of the alpine events at the 2010 Winter
Olympics. Whistler Village, home to a variety of fine restaurants, local
shops, decadent spas and specialty boutiques. Often thought of as a winter
playground, Whistler also flourishes during the warm summer months. Whistler
Blackcomb transforms into a world-renowned mountain bike park and the
surrounding area is littered with championship golf courses.
Metro Vancouver: Thirteen of the province's thirty most populous
municipalities are located in Metro Vancouver. The official land area of the
district is 2,877.36 sq km. It is the most densely populated regional district
in British Columbia.
Located between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountain range, Vancouver's
popularity and consequent growth has lead it to envelope several communities
that are now collectively known as Greater Vancouver. While all of the
municipalities are located within close proximity of each other, they each
offer a variety of distinct attractions.
The most populous cities out side Vancouver are Surrey (423,935), Burnaby
(216,336), Richmond (186,628), Coquitlam (120,512), Delta (101,668) and
Langley (100,049).
Whistler, British Columbia.
Attractions
Capilano Suspension Bridge: is one of
Vancouver's most popular tourist attractions. Originally built in 1889, today's bridge is the
fourth bridge at this location, 450 feet across and 230 feet above Capilano River and is, without
a doubt, the world's greatest suspension footbridge! (North Vancouver)
Gastown: its name from its most famous resident, 'Gassy Jack'
Deighton. A competing, although weaker, claim is that a small pocket of natural gas in the area
resulted in the name.
Granville Island: Public Market, theatres and galleries, this is a
popular spot for all sorts of artists and is a place where you can enjoy many kinds of different
food and fresh produce.
Grouse Mountain: the North Shore's Grouse Mountain provides a
stunning view for skiers and tourists. Visitors are able to take the Skyride to the Peak Chalet
and enjoy casual or fine dining cuisine.
Stanley Park: 1,000 acres close to the heart of Vancouver's
downtown core. It offers numerous of activities and attractions from the children's farmyard, to a
miniature railway.Vancouver Book.
Vancouver Skytrain:
Skytrain offers the most inexpensive option in seeing Greater Vancouver and
all it's major attractions. Ride the scenic Skytrain above the traffic, hop on
a Catamaran ferry across Burrard Inlet, catch a bus to Capilano then on to
Grouse Mountain.
Whistler: a 2-hour drive along the Sea to
Sky Highway (Highway 99) from Vancouver. Blending the charm of an alpine
village with the amenities of an urban centre, the pedestrianized Whistler
Village offers. fine dining, vibrant nightlife, eclectic boutiques,
revitalising spas, and luxurious hotels.