dina4

We're taking the ferry from Tsawwassen to Nanaimo, then driving to Tofino.

Later, we are driving from Tofino to Victoria.

i would appreciate any tips for good places to stop along the way for lunch or scenic beauty, etc...

thank you!
dina

April

On the way to or from Tofino, the market (I might say kitschy if I knew how to spell it) at Coombs and Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Park are popular stops. Down island watch for lookouts on the Malahat between Duncan and Victoria. It may sound silly to say to turn only if there's a left turn lane and/or it's safe to do so but too many accidents happen on that stretch. I've actually seen tourists stop their cars dead in the middle of the highway.

I'm not sure where is good for lunch these days. Someone told me the Malahat Mountain Inn has good food but I haven't tried it. For views from higher up, drive up to the Airie, which will be a right turn heading south.

dina4

hi April,
thanks for your response.

so is the market by cathedral grove a good place to get groceries for our stay in Tofino?
And what about Cathedral Grove? Is that worth a stop on our way out of Tofino?

is the "Malahat" highway 1? thanks for the warning. sounds like those lookouts must be pretty beautiful to cause accidents!

thanks again,
dina

Dayle

Thanks dina and April,

I'll take your suggestions for my drive between Victoria and Tofino too!

NWWanderer

The Crow & Gate Pub just south of Nanaimo would be a fun place to stop for lunch on the way to Victoria (it'll be about 3 hours into your trip). They are off the highway but not far, and their website has a map that makes it easy to find.

We found that the Co-op in Tofino was fine for groceries when we were there in December so I wouldn't bother to stock up on the way (not that you shouldn't stop at the "goats on the roof" market in Coombs, it's fun--I'm just saying you don't need to stock up on groceries there).

And yes, Cathdral Grove is worth a stop, either on your way to or from Tofino--or both, if you need a leg stretch. There are trails on both sides of the highway.

April

I second what NWWanderer said.

Yes, the Malahat is hwy #1. You'll know you're on it when you start heading uphill at Goldstream Park heading north. Heading south, it will be south of Duncan around Bamberton I think. I wouldn't say it's the lookouts that cause all those accidents - more likely just people driving too fast trying to get from A to B.

http://www.explorevancouverisland.co..._Island_BC.htm

dina4

oh my god, april. those pictures on that website are GORGEOUS!

thanks for the informative answers. took lots of notes.

you guys got me really curious about that market with goats on the roof...
these kinds of things don't seen to be in my guidebook!!

thanks again,
dina

April

Don't go just to see the goats. Sometimes they are not on the roof. But the store does have an interesting assortment of products from around the world, at least last time I was there.

dina4

is it on the highway or off? what exactly is special about this market? i'm so curious...

guardina

Hi Dina: Depending what ferry you are on from Tsawwassen there are several alternatives: who are you - how many are you and what do you enjoy? what is your age group? What time do you arrive in Nanaimo?
Although noone mentioned it before, Cathedral Grove is actually on the road to Tofino. You go through it regardless. All it takes is to park for 15 minutes and hike into the path. There was alot of damage in the Dec 26 2006 storm. I wouldn't venture in too far and there is no need. The overall attraction is the huge douglas firs and they are visible from a 15 minute walk. Qualicum Beach - 25 minutes or so north of Nanaimo is very scenic if you go right to the water side. In the downtown area, Lefty's is a great place for lunch or even coffee. I always stop for coffee on my way down-island. Also, Qualicum has some great stores. Smithford's is fun. Yes, Coombs is always fun. LIke the person before - lots of world products, good groceries and fresh veggies and fruit. Fun to see - if you are going April onward the goats should be on the roof. Where are you staying in Tofino? My favourite is Middle Beach Lodge. Best restaurants are: The Schooner - my alltime favourite. The old crab house - new name now - is good as well. Don't miss Sobo for lunch or afternoon snack at the Botanical Gardens. You can go just for lunch but the Gardens is fun and not too expensive. Sobo has wonderful crab cakes and fish tacos. Also Rain Forest Cafe - good if you like sushi. I love hotels, restaurants and sightseeing - any other questions I can answer. I live locally on an island off Vancouver Island so frequent Tofino, Qualicum, Parksville, Coombs, and Nanaimo. Give me times and I'll set up your trip! Are you travelling with kids?

Dayle

Thanks for the post Dina, and all the suggestions others!

Our trip is mid-July and the Vancouver Island portion includes Victoria and Tofino. We don't really have any plans for Tofino at this point, other than stopping at the Natl Park.

Kind of wondered about kyaking around Tofino. No experience except for a short trip around a southern CA back bay. Is it difficult? I assume you would want to go with an outfitter.

Any other suggestions?

jannieween

marking

April

dina4, the market in Coombs is something I would probably only include if I had a lot of time to roam around. Ditto the murals in Chemainus. If pressed for time, I wouldn't bother.

dina4

guardina:
wow, thanks for all the tips. sounds like there are lots of good places to eat. i will cut and paste your suggestions into my notes.
We are doing a killer drive from Seattle to Tofino, so i don't think we'll want to stop that much unless it's really worthwhile. We need to stop for lunch, of course, and maybe a not-to-miss place or two to stretch our legs... (of course, we could see these places on the way out of Tofino)

what exactly are the botanical gardens in Tofino?

We're staying at the Chesterman Beach B&B.

Dayle:
i think i remember you helping me with tuscany on the europe board last year. was that you?

We have 2 teenagers, and so far our plans include a kayak trip to Meares Island and maybe a bear watching trip. (We will do whale watching in the San Juans). Dayle, we have kayaked in Whistler (lake) and Oahu (open ocean) and a few other places. We always get double kayaks and seem to manage fine. not too difficult. i think the waters in cloquot sound (sorry sp?) are fairly calm.

also, dayle, if you go to frommers.com under destinations "tofino", they go into great detail about walks/trails in the national park.
we'll be in Tofino and Victoria mid-july, too!

thanks,
dina

Dayle

How fun Dina! Yes, I answer questions (and give lots of opinions) on the Italy board. It's really the only European destination where I have experience. I also do Utah, since I live there! How was your trip?

We will be in Tofino 7/15, 16 & 17 at the Tis Wis. Then Victoria at the Rosewood Inn 7/18 & 19. What are your dates?

I'm going to look into the Mears Island trip. Sounds really fun!

Carmanah

That market at Coombs(http://www.oldcountrymarket.com) has always been a place to stop and stretch your legs kind of attraction for my family on our way to Tofino. We'd stop there, pick up some ice cream, stroll around and look at the odds and ends, and would continue back on the highway to Tofino. I don't really think of it as an actual destination, but an interesting pit stop along the highway.

TOtraveller

Do NOT miss SOBO's at the Botanical Gardens. The food was so good that my husband insisted on returning for lunch each day that we were in Tofino. Yes, it was a chip truck at one time, but now it is a chip truck serving some of the best food that you will eat on your trip. As a bonus, you can sit and have your meal overlooking the gardens, which is a real treat on a nice day.

We stayed at Middle Beach Lodge, which was really lovely. Great ocean view, beautiful main lodge, and not quite as expensive as the Wick.

guardina

TOtraveller: sounds like your tastes run to ours. Middle Beach is great (the new Long Beach Lodge is pretty lovely too but again more expensive). Middle Beach Lodge is lovely, west coastish and the people are relaxed travellers enjoying themselves (not doing a "see but better to be seen" thing as some of the folks at the Wick).
SoBo at the Botanical Gardens in Tofino like I said before has great fish tacos and crab cakes (and polenta fries). The Botanical Gardens is really just another walk. With your busy schedule dina4 just pop in for lunch or a midafternoon snack. Your teenagers will love it - more than just fish items. And you can have a respite from the large sums you'll be paying for the kayak trips and Meares island trip. It all gets terribly expensive.

dina4

dayle:
Yes, we had a great trip and loved Montalcino and Grappolo Blu. Oh how i wish we could afford to go back this year!
We'll be in Tofino right before you (7/11-15) and Victoria right after that.

Carmanah: thanks for explaining Coombs market. It definitely seems worth a stop for us!

Gardina: we will definitely try SoBos. We all love fish tacos, although i don't know what a "chip truck" is.
---Yes, these little excursions really add up, especially when you're paying for four people.

thanks again, everyone,

dina

Sam_Salmon

&quot;<i>i don't know what a &quot;chip truck&quot; is</i>&quot;

It's truck-generally a panel van-that has been converted into travelling kitchen.

Always offering '<i>Chips</i>&quot; aka &quot;<i>French Fries</i>&quot;, sometimes fried Fish, maybe Burgers.

Also '<i>Beaver Tails</i>' aka '<i>Whales Tails</i>' are a possibility.

Never ever 'lo cal' 8-)