VANCOUVER, British Columbia — If you like unspoiled, uncrowded and spectacular natural beauty, you can't beat British Columbia.
The "B.C." of this Canadian territory could easily stand for "before congestion," as most of the land outside the big cities here is pristine, quiet, uncrowded and simply spectacular.
Indeed, "Splendor without diminishment" is the motto of British Columbia, and the official location signs here accurately highlight its "super, natural" aspect.
Vancouver, the largest city in British Columbia at about 600,000 residents, is a modern mecca surrounded by water on three sides. As host for the 2010 Winter Olympics, the city (two million residents in the metro area) is akin in some ways to Salt Lake City — it's at the edge of wilderness and unspoiled beauty.
Its location is convenient for day trips into the surrounding areas. For example, the greater Fraser River area is where you can enjoy solitude and unsurpassed natural beauty.
Just 15 minutes from downtown is the Capilano Suspension Bridge, a 450-foot span 230 feet above the ground. For $26.95 Canadian per adult, you can enjoy a swinging bridge that's been around since 1889.
Another five minutes up Capilano Road is Grouse Mountain, where "the ocean meets the mountains." A tramway will boost you 4,100 feet above the city (cost $32.95 Canadian per adult). Here you'll see Vancouver from a bird's-eye vantage, plus the Olympic and Cascade mountain ranges and Vancouver Island in a single glance.
The Cleveland Dam is also worth a quick visit and is a nice picnic stop. Located between Grouse Mountain and the Capilano Bridge, it's where the Capilano River narrows into a deep gorge.
There's also Lynn Canyon in North Vancouver, a free and uncrowded suspension bridge northeast of Vancouver. It is unspoiled, uncrowded and beautiful, though half the size of the Capilano Bridge. It can be a little difficult to find.
Wendy Underwood, manager of media relations for Tourism Vancouver, said Lynn Canyon is a great side trip in the Vancouver area, one that isn't highlighted on most maps, but is worth a visit.
Located in a rain forest, Lynn Canyon also has a superb ecology center.
Going east from Vancouver on Highway 1, you can explore some of southwestern British Columbia in day trips.
Hope (90 minutes east of Vancouver) is famous for being the location where "Rambo First Blood" was filmed back in 1981. A 25th anniversary celebration of the movie's arrival on the big screen in 1982 is planned for Oct. 5-7 this year.
The Hope area also has impressive looking mountain peaks.
North of Hope on Highway 1, the traffic thins out dramatically. This scenic mountain drive passes through numerous tunnels and by the historic Alexandra Suspension Bridge.
Sardined in a narrow, rocky gorge, the Hell's Gate tram ride (one hour north of Hope) is well worth the price ($15 Canadian per person) to descend to river level.
Here you can enjoy not just the tram ride but also walk on a sturdy metal bridge across the turbulent Fraser River. There are plenty of vantage points here as the bridge is a metal grate, with river views galore.
Various exhibits and a movie illustrate the first pioneer adventure in this cliffy area. There's also a gift shop and restaurant at the side of the river.
Another worthwhile side trip is Harrison Hot Springs, a cute little resort town east of Vancouver. Located near Sasquatch Provincial Park, this rural area is British Columbia at its finest. Little traffic and endless scenery.
Lots of farms and wineries are in the Fraser Valley region.
But if you want a big city experience, Vancouver has it.
"Vancouver is quite compact and very walkable," Underwood said.
She said the city has great neighborhoods, and that it doesn't take long to go from the city to the great outdoors in this region.
There are two "must-dos" for any Vancouver visitor, according to Underwood: Stanley Park, a 1,000-acre city park; and Granville Island, an arts and entertainment center.
"It's a spectacular way to feel you are really communing with nature," she said of Stanley Park. It also houses the aquarium, has some great beach areas and offer horse-drawn tours.
She said Granville Island is a great family experience, centered around public markets and a celebration of the arts. It even has a kids' market and a playground.
There's also Robson Street, Vancouver's own version of "Rodeo Drive" with many speciality stores. There's also Chinatown, as well as Gastown, which highlights Vancouver's early days.
The speed limits in kilometers per hour take a little getting used to, and the traffic around Vancouver can be heavy. So don't try a rush-rush drive around Vancouver.
"Avoid peak-hours driving," Underwood said, stressing that downtown Vancouver has great public transportation.
She said the Vancouver area has become a popular filming location for TV and movies in recent years. But, "Vancouver rarely stars as itself," Underwood noted.
Celebrity watching can be a popular activity downtown at various restaurants, too, she said.
Underwood said that Vancouver is not part of "the great frozen north" vision of Canada.
"We're in a temperate rain forest," she said. Snow falls in the nearby mountains, but rarely downtown. Summer months tend to have the least moisture of the entire year.
Passports for Americans traveling to and from Canada by land are still not required. Technically, they won't be needed when crossing from America into Canada, just when returning to the United States. All you need through the end of this year are birth certificates for every person, and photo IDs for anyone age 16 and over, when going by land.
When crossing into Canada, arriving at the border before 8 a.m. means you will miss the long lines.
Sources: tourist pamphlets, www.tourismvancouver.com, www.britishcolumbia.com and www.hellsgateairtram.com
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com