British Columbia
Discover British Columbia
British Columbia (BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. BC has great scenery along the coast and inland, and is a rewarding destination for outdoor life, especially downhill snowsports and wilderness backpacking. British Columbia is truly massive at nearly one million square kilometers (larger than every U.S. state except Alaska and four times the size of the island of Great Britain). Within this landmass, several north-south mountain ranges cross through the province, such as the Rockies, the Selkirks, the Purcells and the Coastal Range. Because of this rough terrain, however, B.C. has only five million inhabitants: less than a tenth of Britain's population or just two thirds as much as next-door Washington state. The majority of British Columbians live in just a few densely-populated valleys sandwiched between the mountain ranges or along the sea.
What to Experience in British Columbia
Taste of British Columbia...
Due to British Columbia's diverse population, the province has a large variety of food available. BC's extensive coastline is home to some of the freshest fish in the world and the province's main specialties are salmon and geoduck. Vancouver is home to diverse, cosmopolitan dining options and one can find Japanese and Chinese restaurants on practically every commercial block. Vancouver's southern suburb of Richmond has become a foodie hotspot with many travelling to one of its many East Asian malls which are home to some of the best affordable Chinese restaurants in Canada and the town's annual (Apr-Oct) Asian night market is the largest such market outside of Asia. Nanaimo on Vancouver Island is famous for its Nanaimo Bar, a dessert made of chocolate and coconut. Beer, wine and spirits are available from the government liquor stores (BCL). They are also available from private beer and wine stores which are usually associated with pubs or bars. Most BCL stores close at 8PM while most private liquor stores are open until 11PM. You cannot buy alcohol in grocery stores. BC is home to a number of breweries, including the Columbia Brewery in Creston which brews Kokanee, the Granville Island Brewery in Vancouver and Nelson Brewing Company in Nelson. Most breweries offer tours. BC is also well-renowned for its wine and the Okanagan Valley is the centre of the wine industry in the province. It's a perfect area to visit during the Autumn grape harvest.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsVancouver International Airport (YVR) is the province's major international airport and the second busiest airport in Canada, which is served by most major international airlines and has direct flights from much of North America, and larger airports in Asia and Europe. Victoria, Abbotsford, and Kelowna also have international airports that have service to some locations within Canada, and may offer some flights to the United States of America, Mexico, or the Caribbean, though mostly on a seasonal basis in winter months. Some flights from Alberta travel to Comox, Cranbrook, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, and Prince George. There are a number of land border crossings from the United States into BC from Washington (state) near BC's west coast. See the Lower Mainland (BC) and Northwest Washington (WA) articles for details in those areas. In addition, some car ferries cross from the United States into BC, see "By boat" below....
Regions
Explore AreasListed below are nine of the province's most notable urban destinations. Links to others will be found in the various regional articles. With its abundance of mountains, coastline and wilderness, Brit…...
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
BC is a large province. The most convenient way to get to much of the province is by plane. However, this can be quite expensive. It is often more expensive to fly to some point in BC than it is to fly to Europe. Vancouver International Airport is the regional hub for most air service within BC. Float planes can also be convenient for accessing many coastal locations. Getting around here is not always easy. Many worthwhile destinations are outside of the cities and not accessible by public transportation options. This makes renting a car quite a popular option for getting around, although there is some bus service to be found. Bear in mind when travelling by car that headlights should be used both day and night, regardless of conditions. If driving during the winter, plan your route carefully as British Columbia experiences some hazardous weather. If you drive or rent a vehicle, be aware that provincial law requires fuel to be prepaid before filling up.
Where to Stay
Accommodation throughout BC can always be arranged in the usual motels, hotels and B&Bs. BC Provincial Parks have had a good reputation over the years and most have very nice campgrounds. Camping in BC is an experience you shouldn't miss. Outside of the metropolitan areas, much of BC is pretty remote. The more remote the area, the better prepared you need to be. Expect any town with a population of at least 1000 residents to have cellular service, but cellular service on highways in rural areas may have dead zones or there may be no cellular coverage at all. Cellular coverage is less likely to be consistently available along roads in rural areas that are mountainous. If you are thinking of travelling off designated ski or snowmobile trails always take an avalanche safety course. Travel with experienced guides, talk to locals, look at the Canadian Avalanche Centre's forecast. Or best of all, just play it safe and ski at one of BC's great ski resorts.
Language & Talk
Although Canada is officially a bilingual French/English country, you would be hard pressed to find many French-speaking people in B.C.; they are in fact far outnumbered by speakers of Mandarin, Cantonese or Punjabi in the province. Services are available in English and French at offices of the federal government. Provincial and municipal governments operate in English only. Some businesses, especially in Vancouver and Victoria offer services in a number of languages (primarily Asian ones). Banks sometimes indicate by a sign in the window which languages are offered.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Outside of the metropolitan areas, much of BC is pretty remote. The more remote the area, the better prepared you need to be. Expect any town with a population of at least 1000 residents to have cellular service, but cellular service on highways in rural areas may have dead zones or there may be no cellular coverage at all. Cellular coverage is less likely to be consistently available along roads in rural areas that are mountainous. If you are thinking of travelling off designated ski or snowmobile trails always take an avalanche safety course. Travel with experienced guides, talk to locals, look at the Canadian Avalanche Centre's forecast. Or best of all, just play it safe and ski at one of BC's great ski resorts. Outside the winter months always inform yourself about local concerns with carnivorous wildlife, i.e., bears and cougars. If you're in the BC woods, you can assume that there are likely bears and other wildlife in the area.
Glimpses of British Columbia
A postcard Canadian picture Beautiful coloured Rivers and Mountains
mountains overlooking the ocean
River rapids
high rise buildings with view of mountain during daytime
aerial view of island with bridge
Exploring British Columbia with the Tesla Community in Vancouver
The Golden Ears ridge backed by the interior mountains of British Columbia just after sunrise.
alouette lake, british columbia
snow covered mountain near green trees during daytime
green trees on brown mountain beside body of water during daytime
A postcard Canadian picture Beautiful coloured Rivers and Mountains
mountains overlooking the ocean
River rapids