British Columbia, Canada
Vancouver, Coast and Mountains Travel Region

The Vancouver Coast and Mountains region, like the rest of British Columbia, comprises a vast and varied topography. Fertile farms, succulent river deltas, arid, rugged canyons, and of course, a teeming metropolis of some of the largest cities in Western Canada make up this expansive region.

More than two million people live in the Greater Vancouver Region, which includes farming and metropolitan areas like Richmond and Abbotsford, as well as the port cities of North Vancouver and Port Moody. But it also includes the stunning Sunshine Coast, which is known for its laid-back charm and relaxing summer getaways.

It is not until one has traveled B.C.'s circuitous Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) all the way to the Interior, that one gets a bird's eye view this region's diverse geography. Sandwiched between densely populated West Vancouver and the fishing town of Gibsons, Highway 99 winds along the West Coast and then turns abruptly east at Lions Bay. There it proceeds past Whistler Mountain, over Pemberton Pass to the arid outskirts of Lillooet. Elevation is precipitous and so are the overlooks, as the road winds its way down into this historic gold rush town. Here the traveler has the choice of taking the exhilarating "short cut" over the well-traveled Highway 12 (noted for its rock-studded dirt section called the "Big Slide") to Lytton, or diverting through the pasturelands and desert of Mount Currie and Cache Creek, then south again to Lytton and the Fraser Canyon.

It is this canyon that gives the region its sense of diversity with its cavernous overlooks, 19th-century gold rush landmarks and seemingly untouched pockets of pristine beauty. Well known for river-rafting opportunities and gondola rides across Hells Canyon, the Fraser Canyon offers an alternative route for experiencing the eclectic beauty of the Coast and Mountains region.

Sunshine Coast

Garden Bay

Pender Harbour Resort & Marina. 4686 Sinclair Bay Road, Garden Bay, BC V0N 1S1. Toll-free: 1-877-883-2424. E-mail

Sunshine Coast Tours. Mail: 4289 Orca Road, Garden Bay, BC V0N 1S1. Phone: 604-883-2280; Toll-free: 1-800-870-9055. E-mail

Madeira Park

Name: Joseph Gonsalos was harking back to his place of birth, Arquipelago da Madeira, a Portuguese colony in the Atlantic Ocean, when he named Madeira.

Ruby Lake Resort. 15426 Sunshine Coast Highway, Madeira Park, BC, V0N 2H1. Phone 604-883-1112.

Ruby Lake Resort is located near the northern end of the Sunshine Coast about two hours by ferry from Vancouver. The resort features an Italian restaurant and accommodations that include lagoon side rooms suited for individuals to families, safari tents and a bed and breakfast suite. Some units are complete with full kitchenettes (stove, fridge, sink, table, chairs, utensils). Resort has earned a 3 Diamond Accommodation classification.

Powell River

Name: Named in 1881 after Dr Israel Wood Powell, then superintendent of education and Indian affairs.

Roberts Creek

Up the Creek Backpacker's B&B. 1261 Roberts Creek Road, Roberts Creek, Sunshine Coast, BC V0N 2W2. Toll-free: 1-877-885-8100; Cell/Text: 604-837-5943. E-mail

Squamish

Name: After the Squamish River, itself named for the "Squohomish" tribe, which may translate as "strong wind".

Whistler

Vancouver Area

Cordero Lodge. Phone: 250-278-0917. Marine Radio Channel 66. E-mail

Cordero Lodge is located in a quiet bay, approximately 120 air miles north of Vancouver and only accessible by floatplane or large boats. Direct flights by floatplane from Vancouver airport can be arranged. There is also daily scheduled flight service between Vancouver International Airport and the Campbell River Airport.

Paddlewheeler River Adventures
Scenic Vancouver cruises and charters on British Columbia's famous Fraser River and surrounding west coast waters aboard the M.V. Native, an authentic paddlewheeler built in 1985 and modeled from the ships that used to travel British Columbia some one hundred years before her.

Transportation

West Coast Express
A commuter rail service linking Mission, Port Haney, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam and Port Moody with downtown Vancouver. (Map)

Chilliwack

Harrison Hot Springs

Name::: After Benjamin Harrison, then a Hudson's Bay Company director.

Harrison Heritage House & Cottages
Bed & Breakfast offering a tranquil setting along the peaceful banks of the Miami River just steps away from Harrison Lake with it's natural beauty and fabulous beaches.

Harrison Hot Springs Resort & Spa
The Harrison Hot Springs Hotel is located in Southwestern British Columbia's Coastal Mountains on the shore of Harrison Lake. The hotel offers all the amenities of a full service luxury resort plus full conference facilities and meeting rooms in a BC wilderness setting.

Hope

HopeBC.ca
This website is loaded with information for the traveler including a calendar of events, activities and lodging choices.

Ladner

Ladner's Landing of Yesteryear
Web site offering books of self-guided tours of Ladner, BC by author, researcher and historian Gwen Szychter.

Langley

Name:: After Fort Langley, named for Hudson Bay Company director, Thomas Langley.

North Vancouver (Click link for North Vancouver.)

Vancouver (Click link for Vancouver.)

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