Van Island Honeymoon
 

Planning a 6 day romantic foodie retreat on the island for August 2008. We love eating great food, want to take advantage of West Coast seafood cuisine. Fiance really wants to eat fresh straight out of the ocean crab/oysters/seafood.

Tofino is priority, looking at staying at the private and romantic Cable Cove Inn. We will do the Hot Springs, kayaking, beginner surfing, hiking. But worried we will be restless to spend the whole 6 days in Tofino? We will rent a car, and might feel we're not using it if we stay in Tofino the whole time.

Considering 1 or 2 nights stay elsewhere - where would you recommend?
I was considering Sooke Harbour (for the Sooke Harbour House dinner) but it seems so far from Tofino.

Strangely, I have an unfair impression of Victoria as retirement city full of tourists. Is the city worth 1 night stay for romantic foodies?

I've been to Tofino quite a few times, the last time for 5 nights and it still wasn't enough time there. I don't think you'll be restless staying there for 6 nights, although personally I prefer the places on the ocean south of town (such as the Middle Beach or the Wick).

You will need your car to get to Pacific Rim National Park from any place you're staying as well as to get to Tofino.

Are you planning to go to Vancouver at all? I'd choose that over Victoria or even Sooke as a foodie destination.

Thanks for the response NWW!

Having lived in Vancouver for first 17 years - never ventured to the island past Victoria, so now bringing my ontario fiancee over. He has actually done the West Coast trail a few years ago. But we want to relax on beach, and I miss the west coast air!

We'll be in Vancouver for a week prior. Having our wedding reception at Fairmont Waterfront. We will try to do all the foodie places in Vancouver too: bins, chambar, west, izakayas, etc etc.

Now that you mention it, we may consider switching accommodations, Cable Cove Inn a couple nights (just liked the idea of walking to town for dinner and walk home without driving), and move down to a B&B or short term vacation rental by Chesterman Beach .
Wick is too expensive - Middle Beach
is it more family oriented ? Want to keep it the 'honeymoon' sort of feel.

Yes, that's probably a consideration about Middle Beach in August, although they do have some very romantic suites and cabins at the Headlands Lodge (Headlands suite and the single cabins with the private jacuzzi on the deck).

I did a rental on Chesterman Beach with Tofino Vacation Rentals last time I was there and that was great. I just really like having the crashing surf which you wouldn't really have closer to town.

Don't know if you're a fan of Indian food but if so I'd add Vij's to your list for Vancouver.

Thanks for the insight about further south on the beaches.

Yea love Vij's lamb lollipops!

Does anyone know if its possible to get to Clayoquot Wilderness Retreat JUST for dinner only?

I don't think Clayoquot does that any more now that they only have the Bedwell Outpost and not the floating lodge part, but you should call or email them to be sure. That was a fun thing to do.

While in Vancouver try Sanafir on Granville. Awesome food great decor great value. I also liked rare better West last time we were there.

We stayed 6 nights at Long Beach Lodge in Tofino (in a Rainforest Cottage). I thought the lodge was fantastic, great beach (loved watching the early morning surfers), DH enjoyed the private hottub off our room, and we had several standout meals at the Lodge and in town. Still thinking of those incredible meals from the Sobo truck (though I understand its moved into a building now).