Stunning British Columbia Towns and Cities

Canada is a country with gorgeous natural scenery and incredible cities that provide a high-quality lifestyle. While each province and territory in Canada has its unique appeal, there may not be one that can match British Columbia, or B.C, in terms of beauty. With rolling mountain ranges, deep blue Pacific Ocean scenery, and redwood forests that touch the clouds, it is a West Coast location that is one of Canada’s crown jewels.

While the natural beauty may be what B.C is known best for, the great cities and towns are also a key part of its appeal. Let’s look at some stunning British Columbia towns and cities that offer a great base to explore this stunning province.

Vancouver is British Columbia’s biggest and best-known city, but to the north of it, you’ll find the quieter suburb of West Vancouver. West Vancouver is a district home to just over 43,000 residents that has been rated as B.C’s top city. It is home to many of the Metro area’s wealthiest residents; with stunning homes and public greenery, it has an extremely pleasant look. It also has easy public transit options that allow for simple commutes to the city.

Oak Bay is a picturesque suburban community on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, just a short drive away from Victoria. It is a small district home to just under 20,000 residents with a waterfront setting that gives it an incredibly beautiful and quaint look. It is an affluent area with golf and country clubs best-known for Oak Bay Avenue, the town’s central avenue with great eats, and a thriving art community.

Roughly 25 kilometers north of Victoria, you’ll find the thriving district of North Saanich, located on the Saanich Peninsula. A quiet municipality home to less than 15,000 residents, North Saanich has a reputation as a top-notch place to reside. It has been ranked by Maclean’s Magazine as the safest community in B.C, and Money Sense rated it as the 4th best place to live in the entire country. It has a rural feel with incredible marine views and stunning parks.

One of the things that B.C is known best for is great outdoor activities. No place embodies that more than Whistler. Whistler is a town that is home to roughly 13,000 full-time residents, but the winter causes its population to swell. That is because Whistler is one of the best places in North America for skiing, with a resort that was the site of the 2010 Winter Olympics. It is a beautiful mountain town perfect for summer hikes and winter thrills.

British Columbia has one of the most significant Asian populations outside of Asia, and its Asian influences define Richmond. This city just south of Vancouver has top-notch Asian eateries and shops in its Golden Village, and the International Buddhist Temple is a stunning complex designed to imitate Beijing’s Forbidden City. Richmond is a major metro area home to over 200,000 residents with affluent residents, a safe community, and an easy commute to Vancouver.

Just to the south of Richmond, in the Greater Vancouver Metro Area, you’ll find Delta. Delta is another major city in the Lower Mainland region, home to over 110,000 residents. While Delta is a short drive away from bigger cities, it is best known for the agricultural offerings it provides. It has some of the most fertile farmland in the area, and a huge farming output, which means the city’s farm-to-table food scene is nearly unmatched. With coastal areas like Crescent Beach, you can also spend your days in Delta enjoying the great waterfront scenery.

Coldstream is a small municipality near Vernon, home to just under 11,000 residents. While it may not be a big metropolis like Vancouver, it is one of the most naturally beautiful communities in the state due to its proximity to Kalamalka Lake and Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park. These sparklingly blue waters are reminiscent of Lake Louise in Alberta, with postcard-like scenery. With deep forests perfect for hiking and Kal Beach, a popular water sports and summer swimming destination, Coldstream has great access to some of that world-renowned B.C scenery.