Vancouver, Victoria and Tofino
 

Hello,
I will be travelling this summer to Seattle for a few nights and from there I will be travelling to Vancouver Island for a night or two and then Victoria for 2 nights. My question is this. I only have 4 days and nights to spend and then I have to return to Seattle. Where would you suggest I go during this time. I read about Tofino and it sounds great but I probably do not have enough time. I will be travelling with 2 girlfriends.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Lauren

Vancouver of course unless you're not into cosmopolitan cities. Two nights is really not enough and if you could cut a night from Seattle and add it to Vancouver you won't regret it.

Thanks Gary.

Hi Lauren: Victoria is located on Vancouver Island.

What do you and your friends want to do? City stuff (shopping, restaurants, bars, clubs, galleries, spas, etc.) or the big outdoor activities (kayaking, hiking, sailing, beach walking) or a combination of both?

For the big(ger) city or combination approaches, I'd suggest 2 days in Victoria and 2 days in Vancouver, or, being me, 4 days Vancouver. But that's me.

Have a great time,
Linda

Hi Linda,
I like a little of both. I love to shop and go to nice reataurants but I love the beach and kayaking/rafting. After reading about Tofino, I felt like I had to go there and just booked a cabin at Middle Beach Lodge for my last 2 nights. Therefore, I will be spending 2 nights in Saettle, 2 nights in Vancouver and my last 2 nights and then back to Seattle. Do you think Im crazy? I love to travel and do not have much time as I own a resort in the Florida Keys I can never take time off. Are you familiar with the trip from Vancouver to Tofino? Have you taken the ferry? Any advise you can offer would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Lauren

I dont think you are crazy. If you've got limited time, see as much as you can, I always say.
The ferry from Vancouver to Nanimo takes about an hour and a half. The drive to Tofino is about 3 more hours. The ferries sail, I believe, every 90 minutes, but can get crowded in peak season, sometimes causing a delay of one sailing.
The drive to Tofino is very scenic, and is on a twisty, slow-going road, so dont try to rush it.
Try to stop at Cathedral Grove Provincial park on the way and take the trail throught the giant Douglas Firs.
You will LOVE Tofino and Pacific Rim National Park.When captain Cook sailed there in the 1700's, he wrote in his log that it was the most beautiful place he'd seen on all his journeys. I have to agree.

No, I don't think you are crazy to attempt that schedule, Lauren. It'll be busy but you can relax when you're home.

Jimmoi gave you great info re ferrying from Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay Terminal in West Vancouver) to Nanaimo, and then completing the drive to the Pacific Rim Park.

Check out the B.C. Ferries website at
http://www.bcferries.bc.ca/ for schedules. If you are planning on travelling between now and, say, the Canadian Thanksgiving, I'd strong suggest making a reservation with B.C. Ferries. That does mean you have to stick with a timetable but it is cheap and could save you from many, many hours waiting for a ferry.

How are you planning on returning to Seattle from Tofino? Tofino to Nanaimo, then south to Victoria, ferry back to Seattle or Tofino to Nanaimo, ferry back to Vancouver, then drive south to Seattle? I'd give it some thought, check out travel times and distances using a generic map site, because you'll want to reserve return ferries from either Victoria or Horseshoe Bay.

I love the Pacific Rim area - try to get in some kayaking, it's fabulous.

If you need help with Vancouver hotels, etc., repost and you'll receive lots of responses.

Cheers,
Linda