The Par-fect Province: Best Golf Courses in British Columbia

golfer on golf course sunny day

on Golf in British Columbia – The Par-Fect Province

Set against stunning landscapes and with the longest season than any other province in Canada, the golf courses inBritish Columbia, Canada really make it the par-fect place for visiting golfers! One of the most unique things about BC is that our climate is, by far, the most temperate in the entire country. Nowhere else in Canada can you find Mediterranean-like climates like you can along the coast or the incredible summer heat and stunning snowy landscapes in the interior. Southern BC is also home to Canada’s only desert making this province truly unique and completely varied as you travel through it! No matter what time of year you’re travelling you can find something you’re looking for whether it’s a mountain getaway, lakeside retreat or oceanfront adventure, British Columbia has it all! We have some of the most breathtaking natural spaces, abundant wildlife and incredible cities and towns to explore and if you’re an avid golfer, there might not be a better province to come visit!

Vancouver Island Golf

Bear Mountain Golf & Country Club

1999 Country Club Way, Victoria

Just north of Victoria in south Vancouver Island’s new, award winning resort community of Bear Mountain are the two, awe-inspiring, Nicklaus North designed courses. Whether you want to challenge yourself with the rugged Mountain Course, or stay on the fairways on the more serene Valley Course, Bear Mountain has both! For the brave of heart, you can book a full day of golfing and tackle both the Mountain and Valley course – all 36 holes – for one epic day on the green! The club at Bear Mountain offers all their guests world-class service whether you’re taking a break from the links or heading out for an amazing dinner, there’s no doubt that this is truly a golf destination.

Book an accommodation close by and never miss a great day on the green! Book one of our incredible EMR properties in Langford: Nature’s Gate, Bear Mountain and Station Villa! 

Victoria Golf Club

1110 Beach Dr, Victoria

Founded in 1893, the Victoria Golf Club is the oldest 18-hole golf course in Canada in its original location and the second oldest in all of North America. Set against the ocean in south Victoria, this course is a breathtakingly beautiful one. With ocean breezes and stunning vistas you’ll want to take the time and walk through this course, enjoy the ocean breeze and watch the sailboats glide across the ocean. When you think it can’t get more beautiful, you hit the five holes that are perched on a small, natural jetty that provides golfers with a stunning but challenging section.

There’s no doubt that you’ll want to visit this course again, so book a beautiful EMR Victoria property and spend your days on the green!  

Olympic View Golf Club

643 Latoria Rd, Victoria

Ranked in the top 50 golf courses in Canada by the Golf Course Ranking, Olympic View Golf Club is the perfect BC golf course to spend a sunny day. With sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and over 12 acres of pristine grounds stretching an impressive 330 yards, there’s little wonder why this is a popular course! Plus you’ll find extensive grass tee decks, five target greens and three versatile short game areas, it’s the perfect course no matter what your skill level is. If you’re looking for a great way to unwind after a round or if you want a  great dining experience, the newly restored Table Nineteen is a spectacular location to sip a cocktail and enjoy some fresh, local dishes. 

Want accommodation close by? EMR will have the perfect rental for you! Have a look at our stunning properties in Sooke and Metchosin for a place no more than a 30 minute drive away! 

Arbutus Ridge Golf Club

3515 Telegraph Rd, Cobble Hill

Nestled in the picturesque Cowichan Valley is the Bill Robinson designed, 18-hole Arbutus Ridge course. Over the years, Arbutus Ridge has hosted numerous provincial and national championships, collected many accolades like the coveted Sustainability Award from Tourism Vancouver Island and remains one of the best golf courses for locals and visitors to the Cowichan Valley. With a course and clubhouse designed to offer some of the most stunning views on Vancouver Island and set in amongst the gorgeous and unique Arbutus tree, this club will provide you with an incredible golf experience. 

Stay nearby in one of the tranquil EMR properties in the Cowichan Valley and be able to be on the fairways everyday! 

Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Club

469 Memorial Ave, Qualicum Beach 

The Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Club has been operating for over 100 years making it one of the oldest golf courses in Canada! In 1913, when the course opened, it was both a hotel and golf course and quickly became a hotspot for the rich and famous to visit, thanks to owner Noel Money’s gregarious nature. In the 1980s, the town of Qualicum purchased the course and renamed it, creating a historical site that is loved and visited by locals and visitors alike. Qualicum Beach is a fun and challenging course with incredible views of the Salish Sea, Mt. Arrowsmith and the Coast Mountains on the mainland. As one of the driest courses in Canada, you can play here almost year ‘round! 

If you’re looking for incredible accommodations near this course, have a look at our EMR Parksville/Qualicum Beach properties! 

Crown Isle Resort & Golf Community

399 Clubhouse Dr, Courtenay

The award-winning, Platinum-rated golf course at Crown Isle is pristinely manicured and maintained with over ten thousand annuals planted every year and a state-of-the-art water system that reduces water use by ⅓ per year! Perfect for golfers of all levels, this golf resort par 72, 18-hole course is dynamically designed with 12 lakes, smooth fairways and stunning views of the Comox glacier and Beaufort mountain range. If you’re looking for a day on the range or want to work on your game, Crown Isle has a superb driving range, chipping and putting greens, and practice bunkers.

Stay right nearby at an EMR Comox Valley property and be a stone’s throw away from this course! 

Storey Creek Golf Club

300 McGimpsey Rd, Campbell River

Just 40 minutes north of Courtenay is Storey Creek Golf Club, a challenging Les Furber designed golf course known for its stunning natural setting. Set amidst old and second growth forest that surrounds this course, you can often sight wildlife making your tee time a uniquely British Columbian experience. With an incredible roster of accolades over the years, Storey Creek is no doubt, one of the top golf courses on Vancouver Island and a must when you’re visiting!

Looking for an incredible home to enjoy in between rounds? Have a look at the options EMR has in the beautiful Comox Valley and be no more than a 40 minute drive away! 

Mainland Golf

Coastal

Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club

4599 Château Blvd, Whistler

Carved on the side of the mountain, the Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Course is designed to be in perfect harmony with the nature that surrounds it. With over 400 feet of elevation changes, this par 72, 18-hole, Audubon certified course is a fun and challenging course perfect for golfers of all levels to enjoy! With incredible menus and beautiful 18th hole views from The Clubhouse and on-course refreshments from The Bearhouse, this full-service course is a wonderful place to spend a day in Whistler. 

Book one of many incredible EMR Whistler properties and be on the course as much as you’d like! Or if you’re looking for architectural beauty and tranquillity the EMR property on Bowen Island is ideal! You can easily experience everything Whistler and Vancouver has to offer from beautiful Bowen Island! 

Big Sky Golf Club

1690 Airport Rd, Pemberton

With incredible service and a stunning course set on the backdrop of the Coast Mountains, it’s no wonder that Big Sky snagged a spot on the Top100 Golf Courses in Canada in 2022 by SCOREGolf! Over the years, this peaceful course has won many accolades and is a perfect golf course for every skill level and if you’re looking for an incredible meal after your round, Fescues Restaurant offers menus that will make hungry golfers happy!  

If you’re looking for a great golf trip, this is it! Stay nearby in an EMR Whistler property and come try Big Sky only 30 minutes away! 

Interior

Tobiano Golf Course

38 Holloway Dr, Kamloops

Since its opening in 2008, Tobiano has won annual awards including Canada’s Best Golf Course in 2020 and 2021 and snagged spots in coveted Canadian and world-wide rankings making it one of the most acclaimed public golf courses in Canada. With views of Kamloops lake from every hole, the varied terrain typical of Interior British Columbia, creates a course with naturally rolling fairways, elevation changes, ravines, grasses making it a remarkably beautiful course. Check out their golf packages and make your experience even more memorable! 

Talking Rock Golf Course

1663 Little Shuswap Lake Rd, Chase

Proudly located within the Skwlax territory and owned by the Little Shuswap Band, this incredible golf resort utilizes First Nations culture, history and art in much of its design. The course, designed by Canadian architects Graham Cooke and Wayne Carlton, has been created around the diverse landscape of Little Shuswap Lake, weaving through forests and along the shore of the lake resulting in a fun and challenging course for all skill levels! Enjoy the views of the lake and be sure to note the pictographs, unique on every hole and the special bear shape in the grass on hole #7!

Okanagan

Golden Golf Club

576 Golf Course Dr, Golden

With natural running water features and breathtaking views, Golden Golf Club is a fabulous and challenging, 18 hole course right on the banks of the Columbia River in the Okanagen. Recipient of the prestigious PGA of BC Golf Facility of the Year in 2020 and ranked in the top ten Golfers’ Favourite BC Courses by The Scorecard Magazine in 2019, this laid back club is perfect for first time players and golf experts alike!  

Tower Ranch Golf Course

1855 Tower Ranch Blvd, Kelowna

Designed by renowned golf course architect, Thomas McBroom, Tower Ranch is Kelowna’s premier golfing experience. Ideally located right near downtown Kelowna, this 18-hole course provides players with a challenging course with various incredible shotmaking opportunities. With a gorgeous elevated rustic clubhouse, a day at Tower Ranch is sure to be a memorable one!

Predator Ridge

301 Village Centre Pl, Vernon

With two incredible courses, Predator Ridge is an ideal golf destination for anyone looking for a getaway in the Okanagan. Since its opening in 2010, the Ridge Course designed by Doug Carrick quickly became known as one of the best courses in Canada. With stunning fairways, and rocky outcroppings, this challenging and playable course is a great way to spend a day in Vernon! Predator Ridge’s other course, the Predator Course, designed by Les Furber is a stunning grasslands-style terrain, punctuated by undulating greens and rolling hills. Predator Ridge is truly a perfect golf getaway!   

Kootenays

Greywolf Golf Course

1860 Greywolf Dr, Panorama

With the backdrop of the Purcell Mountains this world-renowned golf course is an incredible place to play while you’re in the Kootenays. Located not far from the Alberta border, the landscape provides this course with stunning natural elements like bentgrass fairways, thrilling elevation changes and the incredible Cliffhanger hole, it’s no wonder Greywolf regularly ranks the top for Canada’s best golf courses. A round at Greywolf is sure to be a memorable one! 

Mountainside Golf Course

5083 Hot Springs Rd, Fairmont Hot Springs

With three sets of tees per hole and a separate playing field for the whole family, this stunning, family-friendly course caters to a variety of skill levels, perfect for family golf trips, groups and couples with differing abilities. Come and enjoy a relaxing day of golf beside the Columbia River and enjoy the beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains and Columbia Lake.

Have a Par-fect Golf Vacation with EMR! Book Today!

Grab a Bite! Best Places to Dine Out in Victoria

Best Places to Dine Out in Victoria

Victoria, British Columbia has more restaurants per-capita than any other Canadian city and it’s no wonder why – we have access to some of the best ingredients in the world! Whether you’re staying in an EMR property downtown Victoria or if you’re enjoying Sidney and North Saanich in a stunning EMR Saanich location, you’ll want to spend some of your stay exploring the incredible cuisine on South Vancouver Island! From French fine dining and casual Italian bistros to Japanese tapas and cool West Coast eateries, Victoria restaurants have it all and more! It’s often said that one of the best ways to learn about a new city is through the food and visiting restaurants that locals love. So come and learn about this beautiful capital city in Canada’s Pacific Northwest the best way possible – through our food! 

Red Fish Blue Fish

1006 Wharf St, Victoria

When it comes to fun, flavourful dishes and fresh Ocean wise seafood, you’ll be hard pressed to find anything better than the menu at Red Fish Blue Fish! This long-time local favourite food stand, tucked away in the Inner Harbour is one of the best places to find a huge variety of casual classic and Mexican-inspired seafood dishes from fish and chip combos like fresh halibut and wild salmon to comforting chowder and deliciously messy fish tacos, tostadas and sandwiches. It’s really the perfect place to grab a bite while you’re exploring Victoria! 

Brasserie L’ecole 

1715 Government St, Victoria

If you’re looking for the perfect place for French fine dining in the heart of Victoria, you can’t go wrong booking a table at Brasserie L’ecole, located on Government St right near Victoria’s Chinatown. With decadent French-country inspired dishes made from locally sourced, seasonal, local ingredients the menu at Brasserie is both elevated and approachable. From menu items like pâté and salmon rillettes to decadently juicy steak frites, burgers and ratatouille, the Brasserie takes French comfort food flavours to a whole new level.

Pagliacci’s

1011 Broad St, Victoria

If you love Italian food as much as we do, you’ll want to make sure that you make sure to visit one of Victoria’s favourite restaurants: Pagliacci’s. Set in one of Victoria’s many heritage buildings, this lovely bistro offers guests a dinner menu filled with flavourful handmade meat and veggie pasta dishes, perfectly prepared steaks, surf and turf with jumbo prawns and crispy salads. Here, you can also find one of the best brunch spots and if you’re looking for a great happy hour, Pag’s has it! Plus, Pagliacci’s also offers easy takeout options with individual sized cocktails, wine and beer options as well as their full menu! Buon appetito!

Il Terrazzo

555 Johnson St, Victoria

Right in the heart of Old Town, tucked away down a little alley is one of the loveliest, fine-dining, Italian restaurants in downtown Victoria. For nearly 30 years, this restaurant has been known for its incredible ambience, service and menus. If you’re looking for the best restaurant for an intimate dining experience that will make you feel like you’re in the heart of the Mediterranean, this is it!

Ferris’

536 Yates St, Victoria

Once upon a time, there was a funky little restaurant named Ferris’ that opened right near the water in heritage downtown Victoria. It quickly became a popular restaurant for local foodies and its popularity has never wavered. Now Ferris’ is so much more – there’s Ferris’ Grill & Garden Patio when you’re in the mood for casual dining or a fun happy hour spot,  Ferris’ Upstairs Seafood & Oyster Bar where diners can come for something more upscale and intimate and Perro Negro for absurdly delightful cocktails and Spanish tapas and other small plates.

Little Jumbo

Down the Hall, 506 Fort St #102, Victoria

Looking for a funky speakeasy vibe with incredible craft cocktails and a delicious menu? Little Jumbo has you covered! For nearly a decade now, this incredibly cool spot located in heritage downtown Victoria has been drawing crowds with imaginative craft cocktails and delicious, fresh, ever-changing dishes. With edgy decor like the bare Edison bulbs hanging from the ceiling, never-ending great music, knowledgeable service this permanently busy restaurant is a must when you’re dining in Victoria!  

The Fairmont Empress

721 Government St, Victoria

Standing pride of place in the beautiful Inner Harbour stands The Empress Hotel. As a well-known heritage site, this hotel is not just a place where visitors book their stay in Victoria, it also has a world-class spa, beautiful gardens, small shopping area and some of the best restaurants in the city. Since 1908, The Empress has been offering a formal, British high tea service complete with classic tea blends, tiered trays laden with finger sandwiches, fresh scones, cream and preserves. Today you can still experience one of the most cherished Victorian traditions in the sophisticated Lobby Lounge. If you’re looking for a pre-dinner cocktail, Q Bar is one of the top places in the city to go for exceptional hand-crafted cocktails, local beer on tap and an impressive wine selection. Q at the Empress is one of the best places to find Pacific Northwest Coast inspired cuisine in an elegantly modern dining room. For one of the best patios in the city, you’ll want to make a reservation on the Verandah where you can find comfortable fireside seating, warm drinks, festive treats and watch the world go by.   

Café Brio

944 Fort St, Victoria

With an unassuming facade, this lovely restaurant on Fort St. in Victoria has long been serving Italian-inspired, rustic, West Coast cuisine to the discerning foodie crowd in Victoria. With a focus on sourcing the highest quality, local ingredients, impeccable service and gorgeous wine bar, Café Brio is sure to impress! 

Saveur

658 Herald St, Victoria

For contemporary fine dining, there’s no better place to make a reservation than Saveur. Using almost exclusively local ingredients and making their menu reflect the seasonality of the region, the beautifully plated, contemporary French inspired dishes make an evening at Saveur a memorable and delicious experience. 

AURA Waterfront Restaurant

680 Montreal St, Victoria

AURA Waterfront Restaurant, on the edge of James Bay is by far one of the best restaurants to find incredible food and waterfront views. Best known for their brunches and fun happy hour offerings, AURA focuses on sourcing fresh, local ingredients for their global-inspired dishes. For larger parties, you can book a table and have access to the Chef’s Group tasting menu – a set menu featuring all the very best AURA has to offer! 

The Pink Bicycle

1008 Blanshard St, Victoria

When it comes time to find a great burger in Victoria, you won’t want to go anywhere but the Pink Bicycle! Their menu is jam packed with inventive and mouth-watering meat and veggie burgers, unique poutine options, and more! All made with high quality, fresh ingredients everything from the bun to the mayo is handmade with care and for the gluten free crowd, there are delicious gluten free buns and burgers for you to enjoy! 

Nubo Japanese Tapas & Nubo Kitchen + Bar

739 Pandora Ave, Victoria & 490 Pandora Ave, Victoria

When it comes to Japanese food, Nubo has taken Victoria by storm, opening two very different but equally delicious Japanese restaurants in downtown Victoria. Nubo Japanese Tapas is a small, modern restaurant perfect for grabbing a casual bite and one of the best takeout sushi restaurants in the city. While Nubo Tapas is perfect for a casual bite, Nubo Kitchen and Grill is a high-end dining experience right in historic Victoria. Both locations are inspired by the casual Japanese tapas style dining called Izakaya, at both locations, you’ll find carefully created dishes like crispy tempura, silky ramen and cool maki, perfect for sharing. Using both traditional Japanese flavours as well as globally inspired flavour combinations, the food at Nubo is sure to impress! 

Book a Delicious EMR Rental Today!