There is so much to see en route from Vancouver to Tofino that it can be hard to know where to plan your stops. Here are a few suggestions.
Parksville, on Vancouver Island‘s east coast, is a quiet community with spectacular beaches, including kid-friendly Parksville Beach. Along with tons of sand, this beach is home to a huge adventure playground with a water spray park to keep little ones cool. Also visit Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, with its vast beaches, exposed by a tide that recedes almost 1 km (0.6 mi) into the Strait of Georgia.
Visit ParksvilleThe iconic Old Country Market in Coombs is a must as you cross Vancouver Island. This eclectic market carries a wide range of imported gifts, as well as an assortment of foodstuffs. There is a bakery, a deli counter, an ice cream parlour, and Italian and Mexican restaurants on-site. But the market’s most notable feature is the sod-covered roof that is home to resident pygmy goats. Be sure to stop by and say hello!
Visit CoombsEnglishman River Falls Provincial Park, located just off Highway 4, is home to two powerful waterfalls. Whether you visit for a few hours or camp here overnight, take time to hike through the lush old-growth trees to unforgettable views of the falls. Below the lower waterfall is a deep, clear pool–a popular swimming hole in the summer and salmon spawning viewing spot in the fall.
Visit the FallsMacMillan Provincial Park‘s Cathedral Grove is one of the most accessible places in BC to view ancient stands of Douglas fir trees, some as many as 800 years old. Don’t forget the obligatory photo of someone in your group trying to wrap their arms around a massive tree trunk.
Visit Cathedral GroveNumber three goes to the central Vancouver Island community of Port Alberni, located along Highway 4. While you’re here, our fans’ don’t miss suggestions include the McLean Mill National Historic Site, which you can visit via steamtrain; and Stamp Falls, where, in the fall, you can see thousands of salmon making their way toward their spawning grounds, as well as black bears who come for an easy meal.
Visit Port AlberniOriginally published in June, 2016.
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