8 Most Welcoming Towns in British Columbia
On the far western reaches of the world's second biggest country, you can find British Columbia. The Canadian province joined the country's Confederation in 1871, only four years after the birth of the nation.
Ever since then, people have journeyed west to explore the sprawling nature inside the province. British Columbia has dramatic, rugged coastlines along the Pacific Ocean. The Rocky Mountains cut through the eastern side of the province.
The province has a population of over 5 million people, the majority of which are hospitable and friendly. For a warm welcome, consider visiting these 8 towns in British Columbia.
Tofino
Since Tofino is over on the far west edges of Vancouver Island, the journey to the town is long. Once you get there, you won't care.
As you start to get closer to Tofino, the smell of the ocean hits your nose. Massive temperate rain forests rise up, while the seemingly never-ending misty shores of the Pacific Coast spread out.
When you get to town, the views of the inlet provide the backdrop with Lone Cone Mountain towering from the opposite side.
Whenever you are visiting here, you will always get hellos and smiles as you walk down the streets.
Tofino is also known worldwide for its surfing. Cox Bay and North Chesterman are two beaches where you will see scores of surfers. You can rent a board yourself or try one of the many surf schools in the area.
Stop at the now legendary Tacofino food truck. As a fair warning, if you are here in the summer, it can be a bit of a wait.
Ucluelet
Ucluelet is a bit of a smaller sister town to Tofino. The two towns are only 30 minutes apart.
It is a bit less busy, and there are a bit less people, but just like Tofino, the people of ‘Ukee’ are kind, helpful, and always willing to help out.
Ucluelet is right next to the endless beaches of the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
Every single part of the connected beachline is a dreamy, misty adventure, with the wind-hardened rainforest contrasting against the endless Pacific Ocean. Wickaninnish Beach, only 15 minutes from town, is an excellent spot for exploring the shoreline rocks and tide pooling.
Abundant wildlife can also be found in the area. The waters around Ucluelet and Tofino have orcas, humpbacks, and grey whales while black bears and cougars prowl in the forests and hills.
Ucluelet has a collection of trails along dramatic rocky cliffsides, with the thunderous ocean slapping against the shoreline.
The Lighthouse Loop is a popular choice, and you will get dynamic views of the splashing waves. If you visit from November to March, during the area's storm season, you can see the full power of the ocean's waves
Revelstoke
Back in the 19th century, Revelstoke was one of the biggest towns in southeastern British Columbia due to the railroad.
Nowadays, Revelstoke is recognized as a gold mine for outdoor enthusiasts.
Revelstoke is very well-known for its world-class skiing and snowboarding, especially with its location near the Selkirk and Monashee mountain ranges. For the daring riders out there, Revelstoke Mountain Resort boasts one of the largest vertical drops in North America.
All these options attract outdoor enthusiasts sharing common interests, creating a real kindred community in Revelstoke.
Mount Revelstoke National Park, established in 1914, is close to town and is the only place in the world where you can find inland temperate rainforests.
The town also has lots of hiking, with trails that cater to different skill levels, offering everything from casual walks to challenging hikes. One of the more famous hikes nearby is the ‘Meadows in the Sky Parkway,’ a trail leading to the summit of Mount Revelstoke.
The parkway is a 26-kilometer road that winds up the mountain, offering lots of viewpoints and picnic areas along the way.
Hope
Located around 2 hours east of Vancouver, Hope sits right in the middle of the heavily forested mountains of the Rockies rising all around.
The area around Hope is the traditional territory of the Stó:lō (pronounced STOH-lo) First Nations people. Their history and culture are deeply woven into the region. Places like the Stó:lō Resource and Cultural Centre lend important insights into their culture and history.
When you walk through the downtown of Hope, you will feel the warmth and friendliness of the locals, always willing to give you ideas on what to do in town.
Also, for any Rambo fans, Hope was the filming location for the movie ‘First Blood,’ starring Sylvester Stallone. Fans of the movie often visit the town to see the various locations.
The Othello Tunnels will give the curious visitor a unique pedestrian experience. You can take a hiking and biking paths through a series of tunnels and bridges, cut through solid granite and crisscrossing over the Coquihalla River.
The tunnels were constructed between 1911 and 1916 as part of the Kettle Valley Railway, an ambitious project to connect the coastal and interior regions of British Columbia.
Penticton
Forty minutes south of the wineries of Kelowna, Penticton is surrounded by two beautiful lakes; Okanagan Lake to the north and Skaha Lake to the south.
Naturally, with lakes all around, boating, swimming, and all other sorts of water activities are on the menu.
The town is often called ‘Peach City’ because of the region's long association with peach farming. Every year they celebrate with Peach Festival, 5 days of family fun in August.
The Penticton Farmers' Market is perfect for both buying things and meeting the locals. Sometimes it is small venues like that that can really create a feeling of community.
If hiking is on your list of interests, Penticton is a gateway to the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, a historic and scenic trail system that stretches across British Columbia.
Just remember to bring some sunscreen and a hat. The region is blazing hot in the summer.
Whistler
As one of North America's premier alpine towns, Whistler lives and breathes skiing and snowboarding.
Whistler Blackcomb is the place to go for skiing in town. It also is one of the largest ski hills in North America, with over 8,000 acres of rideable terrain.
As you might gather from the name, the ski resort has two mountains to ski on, Whistler and Blackcomb, which are connected by a gondola.
The town has a friendly and somewhat rambunctious atmosphere. The welcoming vibe is hard to match.
Whistler played a big role in the 2010 Winter Olympics, and the town turned into a big party, with events mostly focused on alpine and Nordic winter sports.
It is good to remember, Whistler is also gorgeous in the summer. Check out the hike to Garibaldi Lake. It has sublime turquoise waters and mountainous views.
If you do not know which one that is, look for all the people posting photos about it on Instagram.
Masset
Hidden away on the Haida Gwaii islands, Masset is home to just under 1000 people. Getting here is an adventure.
The journey can be long, but when you arrive, you will be welcomed by a community that appreciates visitors coming to see their hard-to-reach home.
The environment around Masset has a wild and sacred quality and feels like a land untouched by man.
Masset has deep connections with the Haida people, an Indigenous group known for their long-standing cultural history and traditions in the region.
For many years the Haida people have sought to reclaim totems from around the world, taken from their lands without their consent.
Many totem poles still stand in Massett and on Haida Gwaii, rich in symbolism and artistry, and are central to experiencing the town's heritage.
The Delkatla Wildlife Sanctuary in Masset, an important migratory stop, is a haven for ornithologists and nature lovers.
The town is also acclaimed for its fishing, particularly salmon and halibut. The waters around Haida Gwaii attract anglers from all over.
Bella Coola
The town of Bella Coola is found in the deep valleys of the Central Coast region of British Columbia. It also happens to be another town on this list that is a bit remote.
Access to Bella Coola is tricky, which has helped preserve its unspoiled character. The region can be reached by a combination of ferry and road travel, or with a flight.
Bella Coola is known for its strong Nuxalk First Nations culture, and their identity and heritage can be felt all over town.
The harbor acts as the entrance to the Great Bear Rainforest, one of the world's largest temperate rainforests. As you can guess by the name, there are a few bears around here.
In the park, lives the Kermode bear, a white bear that is neither a polar bear nor an albino. If you see one of these spirit bears, consider it an honor. They are very elusive.
Near Bella Coola, there are numerous petroglyph rock carvings made by the Nuxalk ancestors. Found in locations such as Thorsen Creek, they are significant cultural artifacts and offer insights into their historical and spiritual life.
In Conclusion
British Columbia has both stunning natural landscapes and warm, affable people. From the surfers in Tofino to the ski community in Revelstoke, each town has a welcoming vibe.
If you combine British Columbia's fantastic outdoors and the gracious atmosphere of its people, you get a great destination to explore. Canadians generally have a reputation for being friendly, but don't just believe me. Go explore the best places in British Columbia and find out in person.
