susanwein

Does anyone have a suggestion for a good way to spend an extra day and night near Victoria, in the end of August? Tofino is tempting, but the (admittedly beautiful) drive would fill most of our time. We need to be in Victoria until about noon on a Thursday morning and again on Saturday morning. Thanks!

April

Without knowing your interests, you could drive up to Parksville and stay at one of the beach-side resorts, although they may be booked up in August. You could visit Coombs and Englishman River Falls from there.
http://www.vancouverisland.com/parks/?id=405

Not as far from Victoria would be the Airie on the Malahat. Nice view, no beach. Close to Goldstream Park.
http://www.aerie.bc.ca/

Or head out past Sooke to Point-No-Point. Some of the drive to get there is not so picturesque though.
http://www.pointnopoint.com/

Or stay close in at Sidney and take the ferry to Sidney Spit.
http://www.britishcolumbia.com/Parks...etails/?ID=453

marshybird

You usually need to book months for anything at al in Tofino. You could make a reservation near Parksville for Thursday night and then do a daytrip to Tofino from there, getting back to Parksville Friday night and then drive back to Victoria on Saturday.
The beaches out past Sooke -- China Beach, Mystic Beach, French Beach and Botanical Beach (my favourite) will give you a westcoast feeling something like Tofino.
Englishman River Falls is a great idea too.
Have fun!

Meesthare

I live in Sooke, so I'm a bit biased - I think we live in and near one of the most beautiful places in the world. I think if I were you, I would make Point-no-Point my base, stay there overnight, and explore Botanical Beach, Sombrio Beach (I think parts of that are clothing-optional, better check that out first if that's a problem), French Beach, Jordan River, and Port Renfrew. There isn't much in Port Renfrew itself except that I read they've opened up a nice new restaurant there. You could pick wild blackberries almost anywhere along that road. Point-no-Point has lovely cabins to stay in and their restaurant is excellent. If they're full, there are lots of b&b's along the way.

April

The cabins and suites at the waterfront Port Renfrew Hotel are fairly new and look quite nice. Not cheap though and it's a bit of a drive.

FauxSteMarie

You could go sea kayaking. Check at the harbor when you get there. If you are not that adventurous, you could also do a whale watch (or one for other wildlife if whales or not in season).

Victoria also has some theaters. I would check that.

Also, in Duncan north of Victoria there is a logging museum that is very interesting--as is the drive to get there. At one point, if the weather cooperates, you can stop and get a wonderful view of the Sooke Peninsula.

Enjoy your trip!

April

Sooke has a peninsula? ;-)

littlemountain

She means the Saanich Peninsula.

April

I thought so. I was just being cheeky.

FauxSteMarie

Sue me.

Yes, I meant the Saanich Peninsula. I should have looked at the map before posting.