As mentioned in Friday's post, this weekend is a long one here in Canada, thanks to Victoria Day tomorrow. For many the nation over, that means the first road trip of the year (or at least the summertime season) and while we're staying put this time around, my mind is definitely on the open road and the many exciting places in this province, both big and small alike, that one could easily reach in less than one day's time (for those inquiring minds, BC is 944,735 km² in total size).
Growing up, with just one exception, my family never went on a vacation outside of Canada, and almost all that were embarked upon took place within the boundaries of our own province.
Far from being ho-hum, the prospect of a seeing a good deal of this large, diverse, absolutely gorgeous province was thrilling and entertaining at the same time, and it instilled a love of trips involving lengthy drives in me at a very early age.
Such jaunts included all corners of the Okanagan Valley and most spots on the Lower Mainland (including Vancouver Island), as well as various locations in the Kootaneys, Shuswap, Thompson Okanagan, Central/Interior, and Cariboo regions.
These days, road trips make a lot of sense for Tony and I as well, especially because they allow me to take certain comforts of home, as well as my own food (an absolute necessity given my extremely strict medical diet), with me when we travel, which isn't always as possible when air, boat, or train trips are in the equation.
We also both really enjoy the act of hanging out in the car when we drive and completely agree that the journey can be every inch as much fun as the destination itself (a point that I touched on in last year's post, 7 Important Things That Travel Teaches Us).
So on this lusciously pretty, wonderfully warm Sunday morning in late May, in the spirit of the season, Victoria Day, and fellow wanderlust filled souls everywhere, I thought it would be a blast to take all of you on a virtual road trip through various parts of British Columbia.
{Summer's (almost) here and the living is easy - so too should your holidays, be - road trips very much included. Now is the ideal time for such, so why not try to squeeze at least one into your plans this season. Extra bonus points if you blouse matches your car and picnic dishware in the process. :)}
Hundreds of towns, cities, municipalities, and small communities call this province home and it would take an encyclopedic sized post, or more realistically a very hefty sized book, to cover them all (if such were even possible). Thus - much like with a real road trip - we aren't going to see every last corner, but I will strive to provide you with a lovely assortment of diverse spots from north to south and east to west.
I've tried to keep these destinations arranged in loose geographical orders, starting with those at the most southerly tip of the province (Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley), but simply due to how BC is laid out and the need to jump, in the course of this make-believe road trip, from one part to the next, do bear in mind that this isn't a precise representation of how British Columbia would actually appear on a map.
Pack a weekend bag or two, my dears, toss an extra bottle of sunscreen in your purse, slip on some comfy walking (or driving!) shoes, pack a hearty lunch, and get your camera ready, because this promises to be on thoroughly enjoyable virtual vacay! :)
Objectively, there's really no where on Vancouver Island that isn't a.) breath-taking, b.) either in or surrounded by gorgeous natural settings, and c.) worth seeing, but if you can only visit one or two spots, beeline it to the stunning little community of Tofino. Famous the world over for having some of the best surfing waters anywhere, as well as plenty of amazing thunder storms, fantastic bird watching, awesome whale spotting (including an annual grey whale migration), and endlessly lovely views of the Pacific Ocean, Torfino is a must-see for anyone hightailing to the Island.
While on the Island, a stop in the provincial capital of Victoria is well worth devoting at least a couple of days to. Victoria is a lively, beautiful city that's rich in old world charm, scores of historic homes and buildings, a terrific cultural scene, world class dining, wonderful museums and galleries, tons of outdoor fun, numerous vintage and antique shops, and even the ability to feed super cute harbour seals. Not to mention the fact that it's my favourite city in the whole province.
And before you jump on a ferry or plane and touch down on mainland, BC, while not put some more miles on the odometer and venture up island to the lovely little town of Campbell River. Also known as the Salmon Capital of the World, here you can fish, hike, explore the rich First Nations history of the area, see where (at least some parts of) a number of Hollywood blockbusters including Seven Years in Tibet and The Scarlet Letter where filmed, and say you've been to one of the spots that famed explorer Captain George Vancouver landed at way back in 1792.
Vancouver, sweet Vancouver, oh I adore you! Born a stone's throw away from your bustling urban streets and jaw droppingly incredible natural settings, you will always have a special place in my heart and are truly a world class tourist destination if ever there was one! You name it, chances are - from whale watching to amazing sushi, huge malls to tiny indie boutiques, opera to ocean side walking paths, Vancouver has it all!
Most of my memories of our next stop took place when I was a small girl (I haven't had a chance to get back very often since then), and you know, just about all of them are lovely. From sun drenched days to awesome frozen yogurt to watching seals frolicking in the waters of the Pacific, New Westminster was lively, urban, fun and beautiful - plus, it was also where, at age four or five, I witnesses a smartly dressed woman walking a mink on a thin little leash and saw with my own eyes for the first time that there more types of pets in this world than just cats, dogs, hamsters and goldfish (and thus a perpetual love of unique critters was born).
If you can make it New West, as this historically rich city (it was the first capital of the newely formed Colony of British Columbia back in the mid-1800s) is affectionately called, be sure to try and visit The Royal City Musical Theatre, the New Westminster Museum and Archives, and the marvelous New Westminster Quay down at the waterfront.
If you love historic towns (and chances are, if you're reading this blog, you do! :)), then the immensely quaint little vcommunity of Fort Langley in BC's Lower Mainland area is for you! It's home to the Fort Langley National Historic Site, as well as many wonderful old homes and buildings, including a great, tree lined blast-from-the-past looking downtown core.
Rather surprisingly, given what a well known tourist destination it is, I've never been to our utterly gorgeous next stop: Whistler, BC. One of the country's - if not the world's - premier ski and snowboarding destinations, Whistler is also a thriving upscale vacation spot that has earned itself the unofficial nickname "Aspen of Canada".
A part of the province that I know quite well from having lived there for about seven years when I was a very young child, the lively city of Abbotsford on the Lower Mainland is actually the third largest (by population) in the province. It blends modern city living with a classic farming community, all set against the backdrop of a stunning mountain range, and boosting a fab annual berry festival each summer that pays homage to the the abundance of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries that are grown in the area.
There is absolutely no shortage of lakes - big, small, in between, and downright massive - in BC, but by far one of my favourite is Cultus Lake near the city of Chilliwack. Clear blue waters, stunning evergreen tree lined hills, a really cool water slide park, and ample spots in which to camp are just the few of the reasons why many road trippers include this beautiful lake on their journeys through British Columbia.
Not epicly far from Cultus Lake, one is apt to run into the lovely community of Harrison Hot Springs, which as the name implies, is home to a fantastic natural hot springs that has been drawing in tourists for many decades now. I've not yet been myself, but I wholeheartedly want to, particularly during the winter months so that I can experience that unmistakable feeling of icy air on my face and warm water everywhere else! :)
With one of the loveliest and most inviting names on today's imaginary road trip, The Sunshine Coast region - on the southern mainland coast of the province - is a beautiful area that certainly earns its moniker. Numerous towns and small communities call this region home, including (but not limited to) Powell River, Lund, Gibsons, and Sechelt.
Throughout the Sunshine Coast, one finds gorgeous, dense Pacific woodland, many exciting outdoor hiking and walking trails, assorted rives and lakes, amazing flora and fauna, and plenty of great places in which to go kayaking and/or whale watching. A popular spot with tourists and retirees alike, the Sunshine Coast is a great destination all year round, even if the sun isn't actually out when you get there. :)
I debated whether or not to include this next town in our journey, as Tony and I like to jokingly refer to it as our road trip "nemesis" (due to the fact that for reasons unknown our GPS unit always seems to be thrown for a loop here and we end up on a back roads journey, often under the cover of darkness, having no idea if we're getting terribly lost or just taking a very scenic route!).
That said though, I have happy memories of Hope from when I was little and in general, it is too key a stop on the Trans-Canada Highway to overlook, especially since its the last place to fuel up, get some grub, and/or spend the night, for many a mile, no matter if one is taking the Coquihalla or the Trans-Canada Highway (the two key overland routes to and from the Coast to many places elsewhere in the province).
Situated along the Fraser River, Hope is a small, quaint town on the outer edge of the Lower Mainland, right before it turns into the Interior of BC. With European history stretching back to at least 1808 and First Nations history for centuries before that point, Hope has old roots and a lively soul that is used to seeing folks come and go as they venture on to elsewhere. Its air is clean, its trees tall and abundant, its people friendly, and its restaurants and fishing spots alike both plentiful.
My whole life (I like to chalk it up to the fact that some of my ancestors took part in the Klondike gold rush) I've been drawn to mining towns and of those of I've visited so far, the wee community of Hedley in Similkameen Valley is definitely one of my favourites. A mere blip on the highway to most coming and going elsewhere in BC, Hedley is definitely worth pulling into and checking out, especially when the Mascot Mine Museum and Hedley Heritage Museum are each open.
Well, you guys had to know that there was no way I was going to leave Penticton off of this list! :) Aside from the fact that this is where Tony and I live, Penticton (and the neighbouring community of Naramata) more than merits inclusion for many reasons.
From both of its fantastic lakes (with ample sized beaches, as well as marinas, at each) to its world renowned wine industry to the fact that it's home to the legendary Ogopogo lake monster, multiple gold courses, incredible summer produce (cherries, peaches, apricots, nectarines, apples, plums, and pears, to name but some of the fruit grown here) and a terrific ski hill called Apex Mountain, Penticton makes for a great road trip destination the whole year 'round.
Naturally, I'd be just as remiss if I were to leave Kelowna off of this list. The largest city in the Okanagan, Kelowna is home to about 180,000 people and the hub of the Okanagan Valley in many respects. A vacationer's dream, it has many of the same highlights as Penticton, plus ample shopping, a busier night life, wonderful golf courses, great cultural events, a rich history, and plenty of excellent places to eat while you're in town.
Fast becoming one of my favourite towns in this province, Vernon is located a little over 1.5 hours north of Penticton and seems to be thriving and expanding at a pace far exceeding that seen lower in the Valley these days. Shopping, outdoor activities aplenty, lovely lakes, numerous antique shops, a really lovely historical building filled downtown core, Polson Park, and an annual winter carnival are just some of the perks of this terrific slice of the Okanagan.
Before hopping out of this neck of the sage brush filled woods entirely, let's stop in and visit the second largest city in the area: Kamloops (which is technically part of the Thompson Okanagan). An old (by BC standards) town situated on the mighty North Thompson River, Kamloops now houses a wonderful university, a number of wood industry related companies, a beautiful downtown core, plenty of fun outdoor activities, a symphony, a really nice central library, and lots of other engaging things to see and do.
A bit to the northwest of Kamloops, one encounters that charming town of Lillooet, located on the powerful Fraser River. Once an important center during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush of the late 1850s, the area had already been inhabited by First Nations peoples for centuries, who today comprise just over half of the town's modern population.
Lillooet is a sweet, fun town that charmingly bills itself as BC's Little Nugget, in a direct nod to its gold rush past. Visitors to Lillooet will delight in learning about the local mining history, exploring its marvelous natural settings, and visiting the Lillooet Museum.
Three Valley Gap, situated on Three Valley Lake, is a small unincorporated village on the Trans-Canada Highway just a stone's throw away from Eagle Pass. Rich in the natural beauty of the stunning Shuswap area that surrounds it, this enchanting corner of the province is famous for its stunning and very grand Three Valley Chateau (pictured above) as well as for being quite the heritage ghost town area. If you're ever in the vacinity (or want to take a trip just to visit that area), I can't recommend stopping by Three Valley Gap highly enough.
One of the most beloved tourist destinations in all of BC, generously sized Shuswap Lake and the lovely assortment of towns and small communities that surround it make for an awesome getaway, especially in the summertime, with the area being well known for the large number of houseboats that take to its waters. Perfect for swimming, boating, water sports, fishing, bird watching, and simply catching some rays, Shuswap Lake is a must-visit if you're in this interior corner of the province.
The rather uniquely named city of Salmon Arm is a gem in the heart of the Shuswap area that lies at the midway point between Vancouver and Calgary, two of the biggest cities in Western Canada. Founded largely as a bustling orchard town around the turn of the last century, Salmon Arm has continued to thrive over the years and as is still experiencing growth and a healthy business sector to this day.
Between the fine weather, charms of the town itself, and various annual events (including the Salmon Arm Roots and Blues festival on the third weekend in August and the Salmon Arm Agricultural Fair in early September), Salmon Arm is well worth including on your "to stop" list, if you're venturing though this beautiful, sunshine filled part of the province.
Located in Southeastern British Columbia, the town of Revelstoke has long been a crossroads point of sorts for those coming north from Vancouver, as well as west from Alberta, in addition to south and east from locations throughout the province, too. Rich in history, very much including that of the Canadian Pacific Railway, today Revelstoke makes for a lovely little getaway or quick stop en route else where on your journey through BC (especially if you enjoy outdoor activities such as mountain climbing, skiing, and boating).
Next up in our travels (is everyone having fun?), we're going to veer significantly to the left (and further north than we've yet explored) again and pop on over to the utterly breathtaking little community of Bella Coola on the Pacific Coast. A lush, verdant area with a wonderful First Nations history and countless spots to explore and simply appreciate the great outdoors and the stunningly majestic ocean, Bella Coola is a great place to visit if you're in the mood to relax and soak up the beauty of Mother Nature.
Okay, guys, everyone back in the car because we're going to put add quite a few clicks to the count as we head way back down south in the province to visit the historically rich, wonderfully pretty region that is the Kootenays.
This mountainous slice of the province provides many towns and villages to explore, but first up, we'll pop into the rather prettily named Cranbrook. Situated on the west side of the Kootenay River, Cranbrook is one of the larger communities in the area and is home to Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, as well as a slew of historic homes and buildings, plus more breathtaking natural scenery than you shake a trekking pole at!
Perhaps the best known destination in the Kootenays, the picturesque town of Nelson is located in a valley alongside the lofty Selkirk Mountains, with a mighty lake at its heart. Famous for a myriad of things, including its rich abundance of old-fashioned homes and buildings, Nelson (which we visited just last month, as you may recall from this recent post) is especially renowned for having a rich cultural spirit, as well as for being an open-minded, tolerant community. (Plus, movie buffs might enjoy visiting the town where Steve Martin's classic 1980s film Roxanne was shot.)
Venturing north from the Kootenays and along the stunning Rocky Mountains, on the boarder with Alberta, one discovers the heart of the Columbia Valley in beautiful Invermere, BC (home to my talented friend, author Elinor Florence).
For those wishing to explore the area more thoroughly, Invermere makes a good home base or jumping off point if you're hankering to see other spots in this part of British Columbia, including Radium, Kootenay National Park (a mere 17.5 km away), Golden, the Fairmont Hot Springs, Fort Steele, and Kimberly.
Before we wave goodbye to this sublimely pretty part of BC, let's spend some time exploring Yoho National Park, whose name is a Cree word meaning "awe and wonder", which is exactly what this stunning 1,312 km² chunk of the province will inspire in all who see it. Together with a handful of other marvelous wilderness locations in the area (including the Banff National Parks), Yoho helps to comprise the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site and it is truly worth venturing off the beaten path to enjoy some of the finest outdoor views Canada has to offer.
Buckle in, gang, because we're leaving the splendor of the Rockies and heading to another section of the province that is every bit as beautiful in its own right: the incredibly tree dense region of the Cariboo (that's not a typo; it's spelled differently than the name of the animal). A rugged, exciting area with no shortage of colourful history and magnificent scenery, the Cariboo is home to numerous towns, cities, and teeny communities alike, many of which are rich with a wild west-esque spirit thanks to many decades of cattle ranching in the area.
For our first stop in the Cariboo (which, I should mention, is a part of the province I both have strong family ties to and that I love something fierce), we're going to wave hello to 100 Mile House (or as it was originally known, Bridge Creek House). With a history predating the famous Cariboo Gold Rush of the 1860s, 100 Mile House is a quaint, fun little town that now enjoys the title of "The Handcrafted Log Home Capital of North America", while also bustling with wonderful outdoor activities spanning bird watching to cross country skiing to rodeos.
If you're a longtime follower of this blog, you might recall me having mentioned the (off-the-charts awesome) historical living ghost town that is Barkerville, BC a time or two here before (it was, after all, where I had my first real job, as a waitress, when I was a teenager).
While, officially, virtually no one actually resides in Barkerville all year round (most who work there live in the tiny neighbouring community of Wells), it comes alive with actors, employees and throngs of tourists alike throughout the sunny months and at select times (such as Christmas) throughout the year. If, like me, you go wild for gold rush related tales and historical reenactments (not to mention the chance to pan for gold yourself), then this is a must-see on your BC road trip itinerary.
As you make your way back down the long road that leads from Barkerville and into the delightful little town of Quesnel (itself well worth spending some time in), you'll head back out onto the main highway and begin the trek up to the Cariboo's largest city, Prince George. In fact, Prince George is the largest city in all of northern British Columbia and as such is a major hub of industry, economy, tourism, culture, education (it boasts a terrific university), and recreation.
I love Prince George, flat out love it. If I was given the chance to move there, I'd do so in a heartbeat. There's just something about the incredible natural scenery - packed to the gills with evergreen trees and crystal clear waters - interspersed with a teeming city that appeals to me on so many levels.
Prince George is around nine hours away from both Vancouver and Calgary, so if you're planning to spend time in either and want to take a very worthwhile mini trip into the heart of BC, I truly suggest checking this beautiful city out.
Continuing our journey north(west) we come to the lovely little town of Houston, BC (named after a pioneer era newspaperman, John Houston), which is well known for its steelhead fishing and being home to the largest fly fishing rod in the world, as well as for its mining and logging industries, and for having an abundance of gorgeous natural settings.
As we venture ever further north, the air becomes all the more fresh and pure, with notes of the acrctic wind never far from sight, and your chance of spotting big game (very much including moose and bears) is upped substantially. As our car clocks the miles in these more remote parts of British Columbia, we find ourselves in the town of Terrace, on the Skeena River. One of the larger locations in the area, Terrace is home to about 12,000 people and countless times that many stately evergreen trees.
With a wonderful and very long stretching First Nations history, the area that is today Terrace has been inhabited for thousands of years (in fact, it has supported one of the longest standing Aboriginal Peoples communities in North America for many centuries now) and it is well worth taking the time to study and appreciate the richness that this past bestows on the town.
In addition, Terrace provides visitors with a slew of outdoor pastimes, from fishing to kiting, snowmobiling to mushroom and berry picking, plus plenty more - and no doubt wilderness photographers will instantly be taken in by its beauty and allure, too.
From Terrace, we are going to veer to the left and hop on a ferry boat (or airplane) and spend a spot of time on the Pacific Ocean before we reach our next travel point: the sublimely gorgeous Queen Charlotte Islands (today officially known as Haida Gwaii).
Rugged, wind swept, densely forested and not yet heavily populated by humans, this enchanting part of British Columbia is famous for its attractiveness, abundance of outdoor activities (including sailing and bird watching, where during either you may spot some of the area's adorable Tufted Puffins), rich First Nations heritage, and for first being explored by Europeans (including Captain James Cook) in the 1770s. If you feel drawn to off-the-beaten path locations with incredible natural views, you are bound to fall forever in love with Haida Gwaii.
Back on the mainland, we're going to going to head towards the (northern) center of the province and land in the lovely little community of Mackenzie, which lies at the shores of Williston Lake (the largest man-made lake in the province). Though Mackenzie might not be the biggest tourist draw in the world, those who do take the time to travel that far afield in the province will be richly rewarded, for the town is an outdoor sports and recreation enthusiast's paradise, where everything from dog sledding to cross country skiing to swimming and fishing are on offer, and it is sure to keep you busy any time of the year.
As we climb ever closer to the top of the province, we encounter a town that shares an almost identical name with a popular 1990s TV show, though (as local residents are no doubt quite tired of pointing out, the two are not related): Dawson Creek (which was named for a Mr. George Mercer Dawson who surveyed the area in the summer of 1879).
With roots in the farming industry, Dawson Creek later became an active railway line town in the 1930s and played an important part in transporting military shipments during WW2. Though population growth has slowed since the sixties, Dawson Creek, which is situated in the dry prairie lands of the Peace River Country, is still home to close to 12,000 people and offers an assortment of things to do for those visiting its northerly soil.
Some such highlights include a heritage interpretation village, a museum, an art gallery, an annual fall fair, and the chance to have your picture taken with the famous Mile "0" post that marks the beginning of the Alaska Highway.
Heading on upwards from Dawson Creek, about an hour away, we'll encounter another of the north's larger cities, Fort St. John, which houses nearly 20,000 residents. A beautiful mix of urban living and pristine wilderness, Fort St. John is a land beneath a wide open sky, with vast expanses of Mother Nature's riches on every side and air so bracingly fresh, it must surely have secret healing properties. A transportation hub for the region, Fort St. John is a bustling town with an array of cultural events, annual festivities (including a Winter Carnival), lovely places to stay, and gorgeous wildflowers.
Our next destination has the word word "Fort" in its name, too, which is speaks volumes to the early fur trapping and trading posts that were set up by Europeans in the area in centuries past. With about 1/4th the population of Fort St. John, the smaller community of Fort Nelson, some four hours away, is still "big" by the population standards of the area and has traditionally drawn on the local natural resources, very much including timber and energy, for its economic backbone.
Named after the famous British naval hero, Horatio Nelson, this northern town is home to a wonderful abundance of wildlife, including (but certainly not limited to), moose, bison, wolves, elk, mountain goats, grizzly bears, deer, caribou, black bears, bald eagles, and great horned owls, making it an absolute dream destination for wildlife photographers and bird watches from around the world.
Our final destination takes us very nearly to the border with the Yukon and like many locations in the north, it is a small, close knit community of just a few hundred residents: Atlin, BC.
Located on the shores of Atlin Lake, this small town is home to less than 500 people, yet that hasn't stopped it from being a popular spot for those looking to fish, ski (including helliski), hunt, camp, hike, and otherwise explore this pristine, deeply lovely area at the very tippy-top of British Columbia (which is home to a popular annual music festival, as seen in the photo above).
I haven't made it anywhere near this far north yet myself, but I truly hope to one day - camera firmly in hand every step, or should I say, kilometer, of the way.
{To learn more about a specific image in today's post, please click on it to be taken to its respective source.}
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Have you ever been to any of these places? Which ones would you most like to see if you were taking a road trip through British Columbia?
This might go without saying, but please note that if a location didn't appear here, it most certainly doesn't mean that it isn't worth visiting (because I can all but guarantee you that it is!).
Again, it's simply that BC is so large, so diverse, and so teaming with stunning locations (including many in the Lower Mainland area), that it simply isn't possible to share more than a tiny fraction of all its various destinations with you in the scope of just one blog post.
I fully realize that a lot, if not most, of you will never get the chance to visit British Columbia (or at least not many places in it, especially outside of the Vancouver area), but I hope that such doesn't impede your ability to be an avid armchair traveller through this breathtaking westerly part of Canada.
The passion that lives in my heart for my home province is scarcely a secret (in fact, I delved right into it in last summer's look at 25 Reasons Why British Columbia is Awesome) and I love knowing that there will always be new places for us to visit, no matter how long we live here.
In addition, much as when I was a youngster, certain favourites (*Hi, Victoria!*) will be returned to time after glorious time, lapped up and explored, enjoyed and marveled at as the years roll on and such destinations continue to evolve into slightly different versions of themselves.
Summertime travel, be it a road trip or otherwise, is one of life's great pleasures. There's something, I find so incredibly fun about watching hundreds (or even thousands) of miles of pavement roll along under your wheels, gas station snack breaks, discovering tiny little spots you'd never heard of before, memories created by the suitcase full, and the unmistakable siren's song of one more destination before turning the car around and heading back home.
{Sadly that gorgeous row of trees - which provided so much needed shades during the dog days of summer - were removed in recent years, however the gorgeous beaches and stunning weather of Penticton, seen here in this c. 1960 postcard, remain and are well worth checking out if you happen to be visiting BC.}
And should you ever find yourself swinging through the Okanagan on a car trip of your own through the province, please don't hesitate to look me. Much like a great roadside attraction, I'm rather hard to miss as the only auburn haired, mid-century wearing vintage blogger in Penticton. :)
Thank you very much for coming along with me on this virtual vacation. I hope that you each had an excellent time and learned oodles more about BC in the process.
Happy Victoria Day wishes to my fellow canucks who are celebrating tomorrow and a fantastic week to one and all the world over!
