As we stepped off the boat on our way to the Big Cedar Hike, our guide warned us, “If we encounter a grizzly bear, don’t run. Just stand still and talk to it in a calm, soothing voice.” I found myself wondering how calmly our group would act if confronted by an enraged grizzly bear. […]
Vancouver Island is often dubbed one of the best islands in the world, though it isn’t studded with towering palm trees or soft white sand beaches. It is a land of steep mountains, cobalt lakes, and dense forests growing right up to the island’s 2,136 miles of shoreline. On Vancouver Island—the largest off the west coast […]
Fully exploring British Columbia’s Vancouver Island takes longer than a weekend. But you can discover the adventurous spirit, rugged landscape, and natural beauty of this 12,000-square-mile island by visiting just a slice of it. Fly directly from San Francisco to Victoria (the capital) in just over two hours. From the Saanich Peninsula (north of Victoria […]