British Columbia

Quick Escape: Soak at Harrison Hot Springs

The thermally-active Pacific Northwest is home to many natural hot springs rumored to hold therapeutic powers to cure what ails you–or at least warm up your achy muscles after a winter hike. Yes, winter hike… or summer, or fall, or whenever a dip strikes your fancy. That’s the wonderful thing about natural hot springs–you can soak year-round, but in […]

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Weekend Escape: Sechelt on the Sunshine Coast 

One of the most stunningly scenic coastlines in the Northwest draws travelers to the Sunshine Coast’s sheltered bays fringed with fir-scented forests. Plus, the 100-mile coastline enjoys more sunny days than anywhere else in western British Columbia. The Sunshine Coast is the stretch of British Columbia’s mainland coast to the northwest of Vancouver. Sheltered from the Pacific […]

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Quick Escape: Salt Spring Island

Between Vancouver Island and the mainland lies the Strait of Georgia, where a string of islands are strewn like emeralds. One of these gems is Salt Spring Island. Part of the beautiful and idyllic southern Gulf Islands, Salt Spring Island is placed perfectly within a sun-dappled rain shadow. British Columbia’s Gulf Islands are, geologically speaking, […]

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Trip Guide: Tofino on Vancouver Island

Catch a winter storm or get a head start on summer crowds – both are great reasons for an off-season escape to Tofino on the dramatically wild western edge of Vancouver Island. Well off the beaten path, Tofino sits on a narrow spit that juts into Clayoquot Sound, surrounded on three sides by saltwater and […]

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Walk Among Giants at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park

Towering old-growth Douglas Firs pierced the sky above. We felt as if we’d stepped into an ancient grove of trees. In fact, we had, but we could still see our car parked just off the highway a short distance away. You might call it “nature express.” Tourists wizz right past this spot every year on […]

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Q: Where to Stay in Vancouver with Kids?

Dear TripFinder, We have a 8 year old DD and a 4 year old DS. Where are good places to stay in Vancouver BC? We would like to not have to drive much–if not at all.  Thanks! Kris Dear Kris, My favorite spot to stay with kids in Vancouver is on the vibrant and lively West End […]

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Coombs Country Market: Everything but the Goats, Under One Roof

“You gotta make a stop at the Old Country Market in Coombs. They have goats up on the roof!” People kept telling me this, totally unsolicited. I suppose I looked the part of a lost tourist, driving in circles around central Vancouver Island in my beater Volvo with Washington plates. And of course there was that ever-present […]

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GO: Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park

A detour for a short hike at Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park is a must regardless if you plan to camp here or not. The upper and lower falls are reached via short hikes on well-maintained trails through old-growth Douglas fir and stunning arbutus trees. The falls cascade through a narrow gorge and are absolutely breathtaking. […]

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CAMP: Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

There’s definitely something special about Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, but be warned– it’s special to a whole lot of people, so don’t expect solitude in the summer months! Come winter, though, you may have the place to yourselves, save for some hardy campers, dog walkers and a plethora of shorebirds. The park is just off […]

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Remembrance Day in Chemainus, BC

Lest We Forget. To find the Remembrance Day ceremony in Chemainus,  BC, we just followed the sound of bagpipes. At 10:45 am, warplanes roared overhead in formation. Soldiers began to take their places. People gathered for the ceremony (most of the town’s population, from the looks of it) mingled with veterans, some laden with medals, […]

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