British Columbia Travel Guide - Canada Travel Notes

Travel Notes: North America: Canada: British Columbia

British Columbia tourist information with details about travel to and around British Columbia.

Where to stay and what to see is made easier with insider tips and hand-selected British Columbia links, by dedicated editors and visitors to TravelNotes.org - The Online Guide to Travel.

About British Columbia

The capital of British Columbia is Victoria.

British Columbia Background Information

British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and enjoys a Pacific Ocean coastline.

British Columbia is bordered by the U.S. state of Alaska to the north-west; Yukon and the Northwest Territories to the north; Alberta to the east; and by the U.S. states of Washington, Idaho, and Montana to the south.

Famed for its natural beauty, British Columbia was the sixth province to join the Canadian Confederation, in 1871.

British Columbia City Guides

Kamloops, Kelowna, Richmond, Vancouver, Victoria, Whistler.

Official British Columbia Websites

BC Archives:
British Columbia's history and government records are digitised.

Government of British Columbia:
This is your starting point for accessing over 50 government websites.

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British Columbia Accommodation

Where to Stay in British Columbia

Book British Columbia hotels online to save yourself time and money.

Accommodation in British Columbia

Hotels in British Columbia

Hotels in Vancouver - Hotels in Victoria.

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British Columbia Attractions

What to See in British Columbia

There's plenty for the active visitor to see and do around British Columbia.

British Columbia Parks:
British Columbia has the second largest parks system in Canada, after Canada's National Parks. There are more than 340 campgrounds, 11,000 campsites, 118 boat launches and 263 day-use areas in B.C.'s provincial park system.

Campbell River:
Nestled on the east coast of central Vancouver Island, and long known as the Salmon Capital of the World, Campbell River is a natural destination, in more ways than one.

Chilliwack:
Some of the attractions in the Chilliwack area include Cultus Lake, Minter Gardens, Dusty's Dino Town and the Water Slides at Bridal Falls and Cultus Lake.

City of Victoria:
Victoria is located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, which is the largest of British Columbia's 6,500 islands. It is a community of choice for its temperate climate, natural beauty, recreational sites and superior economic opportunities.

Discovery Islands:
The Discovery Islands are a rugged group of islands located at the north end of the Strait of Georgia, jammed between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia; on the west coast of Canada. They are easily reached from the town of Campbell River on Vancouver Island by a regular 10 minute ferry crossing to Quadra Island. From Heriot Bay a second, 40 minute, ferry service makes the connection to Cortes Island.

Harrison Hot Springs:
Harrison Hot Springs is located at the south end of Harrison Lake, which at 60 kilometres long, is the largest body of fresh water in south-western BC.

Oceanside Tourism:
The official visitor website for Parksville, Qualicum Beach, and the charming collection of beachfront communities that make up Vancouver Island's Oceanside region.

Quadra Island:
Quadra Island is the heart and hub of the Discovery Islands a quick ten minute ferry ride across from Campbell River, North Central Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Vancouver Recommendations:
Paul Beddows, an ex-pat Brit, has spent most of his life in Vancouver and brings his knowledge and love of the city to the Internet community.

Vancouver Island:
Close to Vancouver and Seattle, the Gulf islands are a great escape from urban life.

Victoria:
Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, sits on the south tip of Vancouver lsland off the west coast of British Columbia, Canada.

Whistler Blackcomb:
Whistler and Blackcomb mountains have over 7,000 acres of ski and snowboard terrain, with 12 alpine bowls, 3 glaciers, over 200 marked trails and 33 lifts.

Whistler Activities:
Ideas to help you get the most out of Whistler's.

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British Columbia Tourism

Official British Columbia Tourist Information

The largest metropolitan areas in British Columbia are Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, Abbotsford, Kamloops, Nanaimo, Prince George, Chilliwack, Vernon and Courtenay.

Destination British Columbia:
Works collaboratively with tourism stakeholders across the province to co-ordinate marketing at the international, provincial, regional and local levels.

British Columbia Travel Tips

When travelling in BC be prepared for any kind of weather; sometimes it can even snow in August, in northern regions!

If you're travelling on Vancouver Island, one of the best kept secrets is beautiful Quadra Island. It is far less crowded than the southern Gulf Islands yet far more beautiful.

I would highly recommend the shoulder season, when the island is living 'Island Life', and the accommodations are far cheaper to boot. September is usually quiet and often has the best weather of the year.

Quadra Island, is a short 12 minute ferry ride from Campbell River; a 3 hour drive North of Victoria.
Sent in by: Kayak Adventures.

British Columbia Directories

BC Travel:
Directory of travel and related business services in and around British Columbia.

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British Columbia Tours

What to Do in British Columbia

One of the best ways to get the most out of your visit to British Columbia is to book a tour before you travel to Vancouver, Victoria or Whistler.

Aboriginal Journeys:
First Nations tours featuring whale watching, grizzly bear viewing, native history and culture, fishing excursions, and Eco adventure boat tours in Campbell River, British Columbia. April to October.

Coastline Motorcycle Adventure Tours:
Dedicated to the discovery of new and exciting outdoor adventures on motorcycles.

Great Pacific Adventures:
Offers whale watching tours from the spectacular Inner Harbour of Victoria.

Kayak Adventures:
Spirit of The West offer sea kayaking tours around Vancouver Island, British Columbia. You can also sea kayak with the killer whales in Johnstone Strait.

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British Columbia Transportation

Getting To and Around British Columbia

British Columbia by Air

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) is the major gateway to British Columbia, served by most major international airlines.

Victoria, Cranbrook (Canadian Rockies International Airport), and Kelowna (YLW) also have services to a number of locations within Canada and the United States.

North Cariboo Air:
Charter airline headquartered in Fort St. John, with bases in Calgary and Edmonton (Alberta), and Fort Liard (Northwest Territories).

British Columbia by Boat

Ferrys sail regularly from Washington State into Victoria and Sidney, and from Alaska into Prince Rupert.

BC Ferries:
There are 40 vessels in the fleet of BC Ferries, including the Spirit of British Columbia and Spirit of Vancouver Island, the two newest, largest, and most advanced ships in the family. Check out all the routes and schedules.

British Columbia by Road

To get the most out of a visit to British Columbia it helps if you hire a car to get around; or maybe even rent a bicycle, if you're staying in Victoria.

BC Transit:
Public transit information for Vancouver, Victoria, and other British Columbia Communities.

As well as Greyhound Canada, other bus services in British Columbia include Pacific Coach Lines (from the Lower Mainland to Whistler and Victoria) and Moose (a jump on, jump off operation).

British Columbia by Rail

Coming south of the border, Amtrak runs a train service (Amtrak Cascades) from Eugene, Oregon to Vancouver; via Portland and Seattle, past Mount St. Helens and across the Columbia River Gorge.

Across Canada, ViaRail operates the Canadian, which travels to Vancouver from Toronto; while the Skeena departs from Jasper (Alberta) for Prince Rupert, on the north coast.

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British Columbia Weather