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Home > British Columbia

British Columbia

Hot Art: Historic Photographs by Leonard Frank at Vancouver’s Teck Gallery

“First Cars of Lumber Shipped from West Coast to Vancouver Island, Port Alberni, BC, June 22, 1912″ by Leonard Frank, courtesy The Leonard Frank Photos Studio Fonds and Jewish Museum & Archives of BC, LF.38813

See the BC of yesteryear through the eyes of a famed photographer in Leonard Frank: Beautiful British Columbia, at Teck Gallery (to Jan. 4). The German-born Frank travelled throughout the province in the early 20th century, snapping thousands of photographs that document workers developing our great land through logging, railways and milling operations (pictured).—Kristina Urquhart

Gulf Islands: A Photographic Tour of BC’s Maritime Jewels

Gabriola Island

The majestic Gulf Islands (Photo: Jo-in-BC)

The Gulf Islands have a lot going for them. They are rustic and tranquil, yet have fantastic opportunities for more refined tourism: spas, marinas, golf courses, vineyards, tours and resorts. Wedged between Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s mainland, the southern Gulf Islands have a climate that is almost Mediterranean, making the region one of the warmest places in Canada.

And, of course, the Gulf Islands are relentlessly beautiful. There are countless viewpoints that show how breathtaking it is when the mountains collide with the Georgia Straight, or when an orca whale breaks the surface of the water. The Gulf Islands National Park Reserve has territory throughout most of the region, providing ample opportunities to take in the vistas, go on a hike, or camp far out of reach of other humans.

Our photographic tour of the southern Gulf Islands gives a great survey of what to expect, and where to go whether you’re looking for a great photo, relaxing massage, comfortable beach or historical monuments.

Start the Gulf Islands slide show »

Grimface Mountain—Cathedral Provincial Park, British Columbia

Submit your photo to our Flickr Group to see your favourite travel shot as part of our Photo Friday feature on Where.ca! We’ll credit you and link to your photo.

Why We Chose It

Part of the Cascade mountain range, Grimface, in southern B.C., is an impressive sight no matter the time of day. But when the sun goes down, its grey facade is transformed to brilliant fiery orange and the result is magical. All it needs is a patient photographer to capture it at just the right moment.

Photo: Drew Brayshaw

British Columbia’s First Nations Totem Poles

By WAHEEDA HARRIS

Totem poles at UBC’s Museum of Anthropology (Photo: Adam Jones)

The iconic Coastal Mountains may dominate the west coast skyline, but the landscape includes another native attraction: indigenous totem poles, original to this part of North America. (more…)

The Best Beaches of the Canadian West

By SHANNON KELLY

Tribune Bay Beach, BC (Photo: Tourism British Columbia)

We’re well into summer, and it’s time to get yourself beachside if you haven’t already. The best ocean- and lake-front beaches in the West may come as a surprise. First, they’re not all in British Columbia. (Though most are, since that province monopolizes Canada’s Pacific coast. Vancouver alone has 10 beaches!) Secondly, they’re not all hugging the southern border—some excellent northern lakes and oceanfront strands have made the list, too. (more…)

Western Canada’s 12 Best Hot Springs

By WAHEEDA HARRIS

Lussier Hot Springs (Photo: Tourism BC/Dave Heath)

With cool nights year-round in the Canadian Rockies and on Canada’s the west coast, a soak in a warm pool is a welcome end to a hard day on the trail or a bonus for surviving another work week. The lack of options in eastern Canada isn’t an oversight: the subterranean thermal activity that feeds the springs only exists out west. (more…)

The 12 Best Seafood Towns in Canada from Atlantic to Pacific

By SHANNON KELLY

Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia (Photo: Chris Boris)

From Atlantic to Pacific, a dozen of the best places across Canada to tuck into local lobster, oysters, mussels and fresh fish. (more…)

A Food-Lover’s Guide to British Columbia’s Sea to Sky Highway

By WAHEEDA HARRIS

Christine's, on Blackcomb Mountain

Taking the Sea to Sky Highway, travellers are attracted to the vistas of Bowen Island, the Pacific Ocean and the Coastal Mountains, and for a food-obsessed tourist, there’s plenty of local tastes to be found along the way. (more…)

Hot Dates: BC Contestants on Top Chef Canada

Chef Mark McEwan with his newest crop of Top Chef Canada contestants

Through May

The knives? Sharpened. The pantry? Stocked. The competition? Fierce. Top Chef Canada is back in the kitchen for round two of the hit Food Network Canada show. Head judge Chef Mark McEwan has 16 new hopefuls all vying for the title of Top Chef, not to mention the $100,000 prize. Four contestants from BC are in the running, but—spoiler alert!—they don’t all make the final cut. Tune in Mondays, or watch online at www.foodnetwork.ca.—Jennifer Patterson

On Obscura Day, Celebrate Canada’s Weirdest Places

By WAHEEDA HARRIS

World's largest weathervane, Yukon (Photo: Arthur Chapman)

Finding the recently discovered or unknown can be tough for a traveller. But AtlasObscura.com, an online atlas devoted to the world’s wonders, curiosities and esoterica, is fixated on the strange. (more…)

Spring in the Fraser Valley, British Columbia

Every Friday we feature an inspirational travel photo of a Canadian destination taken by one of our readers.

Why we chose it: This week marked the first day of spring, and this photo embodies exactly how we feel about the upcoming season. The colours so are unbelievable and the scenery so perfect that it’s hard to believe such a place exists outside of a postcard. The iconic snow-capped mountain range in the background is so stereotypically “Canada” we should be ashamed, but we’re loving every pixel of it! (more…)

12 Quintessential Canadian Road Trips

By SHANNON KELLY

Trans Canada Highway, Alberta (Photo: Gord McKenna)

It’s time to think about planning your summer vacation, and if the open road is what you’re craving, Canada—with its stunning scenery and wide open natural beauty—has plenty of options. In fact, one of our best drives, the Banff-to-Jasper route (see Icefields Parkway) in the Rockies, was included in National Geographic’s Drives of a Lifetime book. (more…)

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