The site was founded in 2006 by journalist Linda Solomon as an online platform for Vancouver bloggers, writers, reporters, photographers and filmmakers.

The Vancouver Observer covers local politics, arts, the environment, technology, health, nutrition, and other topics.

Vancouver Observer reporter Matthew Millar broke the story about Canada's Security Intelligence Review Committee chair Chuck Strahl working as a registered lobbyist for Enbridge, resulting in his resignation.

The Vancouver Observer also broke a story about Canada's National Energy Board, a federal energy regulator, coordinating with police for monitoring of environmental advocates involved in the joint review panel hearings on the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline proposal.

The Vancouver Observer won first place in Masthead's 2010 Canadian Online Publishing Awards green division for best online-only articles for its "Lost Canadians" series, by Darren Fleet and Megan Stewart, who were both completing their master's degrees at University of British Columbia Journalism School at the time.