Canada As You Like It Blog
Top 8 Reasons to Visit British Columbia in 2022
- by Canada As You Like It
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- 20 Jun, 2022
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BC has everything for the perfect holiday. Here's some of our suggestions for the top things to do during your next visit.
Bear viewing
Reconnect with nature in BC and experience spectacular wildlife viewing in stunning landscapes.
Search for grizzly bears, black bears and the rare spirit bear in pristine river valleys in the Great Bear Rainforest. Spot whales, porpoise, sea lions and much more while exploring the Great Bear Sea.
Cubs emerge from their dens in early spring and by August they will be sniffing the beginnings of the great salmon run. Autumn is a feeding frenzy for wildlife. Eagles, seals, sea lions, wolves, whales and bears fill up on salmon for the long winter ahead.
Situated 70 kilometres north of Campbell River, and accessible by floatplane, Glendale Cove is home to one of the largest concentrations of grizzly (brown) bears in BC. In the peak autumn season when the salmon are returning to the river, it’s not uncommon for guests to see up to 40 bears from the viewing platforms. In spring and summer bear viewing is done from the water for a good view of the bears feeding and this is often the best time to see small cubs.
Whales
There are few sights more thrilling than whales in their natural environment, and the waters off the coast of British Columbia are rich with marine life. British Columbia’s whale-watching vessels take people onto the ocean to spot orcas, humpback whales, grey whales, and minkes, and along the way often come across seals, sea lions, porpoises, and bald eagles.
The Johnstone Strait, between the mainland and Vancouver Island, is one of the best places in the world to see orcas at close range. They congregate here to feed on salmon, rest and socialise between June and October. The strait is also home to porpoises, sea lions and many species of sea birds. Paddle out on a sea kayaking adventure in the remote northeast coast of Vancouver Island.
Exciting Cities
Vancouver one of the world's most beautiful cities, rich with culture, nature and world-class shopping, dining and hotels. Take some time to explore this vibrant city, offering many attractions such as Canada Place, the dynamic Robson Street, Chinatown and historic Gastown. Visit Stanley Park en route to Cleveland Dam and the Capilano Suspension Bridge in the North Shore rainforest. Here you can cross the 137m-long bridge over a spectacular canyon to the Treetops Adventure observation structure for even more incredible views of this old growth forest.
The capital city of British Columbia, Victoria boasts many historic buildings and some of the best museums in Western Canadaincluding the Royal BC Museum https://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/ . The area is also home to some of the country's most exhilarating scenery: there's an ocean or mountain (or both!) vista around every corner. Butchart Gardens https://www.butchartgardens.com/ are famous worldwide for this magnificent flower displays.Established in 1843 as a fort for the Hudson's Bay Company, Victoria's British ancestry is apparent in the double-decker buses, horse-drawn carriages, formal gardens and tearooms. The city is now a cosmopolitan centre with a lively entertainment scene and a wonderful array of attractions.
Beautiful scenery – everywhere!
Immerse yourself in true wilderness on a grand scale in British Columbia. From the heart of the Great Bear Rainforest to ancient coastal villages. The Vancouver Island, Victoria and the Gulf Islands region is a large, sparsely populated area and is home to one of the world’s most diverse ecosystems including rainforests, marshes, beaches, mountains, oceans, rivers and lakes, ideal for bear viewing, whale watching and fishing.
Canadian Rockies are home to alpine meadows, emerald lakes, wild waterways, backcountry wilderness, and some of the best hiking and skiing in the world. You’ll find plenty of accommodation from campsites to boutique hotels and five star resorts. There are many National Parks including Mount Robson National Park (the highest peak of the Rockies), as well as numerous provincial parks and recreation areas which provide year round adventures and activities.
Food – fresh seafood, fusion cuisine
British Columbia is a hotspot for culinary connoisseurs in search of decadent, fresh, and local cuisine. The province’s multicultural influences inspire chefs and artisan food producers to blend local ingredients with global flavours, making for an incredible dining scene—from wild salmon sushi in Tofino to down-home guest ranch cooking in the Cariboo Chilcotin to delicate dim sum in Richmond. The farmland provides an abundance of seasonal produce and livestock. Culinary tours are the perfect way to sample a variety of creations, crafted by award-winning chefs. Learn about regional ingredients and unique recipes by taking a cooking class or food tour. Taste the flavours of BC during an alfresco dining experience in an orchard, a lakeside vineyard, or a family-owned farm.
In BC, farms provide nourishing ingredients and a wealth of produce and livestock that compels chefs to create innovative, globally recognised dishes.
Visit the Fraser Valley, Thompson Okanagan, and Vancouver Island for farm tours and food demonstrations. Explore community farmers markets during spring and summer months to meet the growers and sample artisan foods crafted from home-grown flavours.
Drink
BC’s brewery scene is booming with over 22 ale trails on offer through beer-loving neighbouring communities. Whether you’re looking for an urban experience where you can walk from brewery to brewery, or a destination experience where you can spend an afternoon on the farm; whether you enjoy a dark, creamy porter or a hoppy IPA, new experiences are brewing nearby. https://bcaletrail.ca/
Immerse yourself in the traditions of small batch cider making at a farm based cidery. Savour the refreshing cider served in an orchard setting or local tasting room.
BC’s largest wine region, the Okanagan has 186 wineries, offering a range of varietals from sun-ripened reds to lively fresh and often crips whites. The Okanagan Valley wineries are rich in tradition and character. Tour family-run boutique vineyards, world-class operations and everything in between. Learn about winemaking techniques and sample your favourite varietal at the vineyards' tasting rooms. Enjoy local, organic produce, Aboriginal-inspired cuisine as well as local art.
Indigenous Cultures
Vancouver is home to the Coast Salish Peoples including the Tsleil-Waututh, Musqueam and Squamish Nations. Explore Aboriginal culture at the Klahowya Village in Stanley Park and discover First Nations treasures at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art. Other activities include a canoe adventure with Takaya Tours, a round of golf at the Takaya Golf Centre, or a visit to the Khot-la-Cha Gallery and Gift Shop.
Find connections to the land, the people, and to something bigger than yourself. Learn about traditional plant medicines and healing techniques in nature with an indigenous guide. There’s no better way to truly understand this beautiful province than to immerse yourself in the rich living cultures and traditional knowledge of the land’s original inhabitants. Visit museums and cultural centres, enjoy authentic cuisine, book a guided tour, and spend the night in an Indigenous-owned accommodation.
Listen to the stories, close your eyes and feel the music, open your heart and mind to thousands of years of knowledge and wisdom—to all the good things—and you will see that everything truly is connected.
Adrenaline Adventures
There’s no shortage of excitement in British Columbia, whether you’re craving a new spot for your favourite sport, or a gentle introduction to a new experience.
Climb, descend, traverse, leap, and glide your way through endorphin-filled activities in every region. Got a need for speed? Go ziplining in the Kootenay Rockies, bungee jumping in Whistler, or kite surfing in Tofino. Up for a challenge? Go rock climbing in Tumbler Ridge, caving on Vancouver Island, or climb a via ferrata route in the Kootenay Rockies. Paragliding and skydiving offer sweeping views of BC’s spectacular landscapes.
In the northwest of Canada where eighty percent of the area
is wilderness, lies the Yukon. With friendly locals, wildlife to observe,
activities to immerse yourself in and fascinating history to explore, this destination makes
for the perfect fly-drive holiday.
Lace up your boots and hit the back country. With trails at your doorstep for exploring, hiking is the best way of seeing the province on a fly drive holiday. There are areas suitable for all levels of hiking, from the congenial leisure walk to the avid hiker. Head to Saskatoon at the Meewasin Valley, this area offers over 105 km of trails across 67 square km of land. It provides year-round adventure and sightseeing opportunities in the heart of beautiful Saskatoon. Benefit from the well-maintained, multi-use pathways to cycle, jog or walk the scenic riverbank trails. Sections of the Meewasin Trail are also part of the Trans Canada Trail which extends almost 24,000 km across Canada from coast to coast. Keen for a challenge? Look at some of the best back country hiking at places like Prince Albert National Park, Lac La Ronge, Meadow Lake- and Narrow Hills Provincial Park in the north or Grasslands National Park and Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park in the south.
With three different water ways and an UNESCO heritage site, Ottawa is the place to explore. Take a trip down the Rideau Canal or explore the ByWard market. Walk along Parliament Hill and through acres of woodland and royal trees planted by dignitaries.
Imagine swimming thousands of miles to find that special someone. Whales complete this every single year, known as a whale migration, to find suitable habitat for feeding and reproducing. In British Columbia, these stunning orcas, also known as killer whales, are a prominent site and seeing them is a once in a lifetime experience. As well as orcas, expect to find humpback whales, grey whales and minke whales. These amazing creatures call BC their home from April to October. When the sun is out the whales come to play. From tail flukes to pectoral slaps, go for a whale watching trip and you can bask in their playful nature and enjoy the sunset with a relaxing drink, perfect for families and solo travellers. You can also go paddleboarding with orcas for a unique perspective from the water to see these magnificent creatures. You must, of course, always keep four hundred metres away from them for their safety and yours.
Welcome to the province of Saskatchewan, Canada – a place of breath-taking landscapes, wide-open spaces and hospitality that is second-to-none. This province is big – 651,900 km2, in fact, and has nearly 100,000 lakes and waterways. Natural beauty is not the only thing this province is known for though. Join us on a culinary journey of Saskatchewan, where food and drink abound, and you will find something good to eat around every corner!
Welcome to the fourth largest province in Canada. With five National Parks and six UNESCO Heritage sites, Alberta is a wonderful and varied place to visit. This blog will explore this great province and expose you to the unique qualities that make this area a location sure to be your next travel destination. A playground for outdoor adventure, popular summer activities include hiking, biking, horse riding, rafting, and fishing. As the seasons change and snow begins to fall, head to Alberta for world-class winter activities including skiing, snowboarding, dogsledding, snowshoeing, heli-skiing, ice climbing and more. From wildlife in the Rockies to Waterton Lakes National Park, and art and culture to explore, Alberta is a wonderland packed with options for every traveller.
Atlantic Canada is famous for its fresh and abundant seafood, from succulent lobster, to scallops, mussels, oysters and cod – but it offers so much more. Dine at a seaside restaurant, take a stroll through a local farmers' market, or take in one of the many culinary festivals. It’s truly a foodie’s paradise.
Here's a round up of a few amazing foodie events and experiences that we thought you might want to try:
Head to Northern Manitoba for a wild and exciting trip. Waterways provide refuge to an abundance of wildlife and the land holds the stories of Indigenous peoples.