With the rainy season upon us West Coasters, it’s easy to find excuses to hibernate indoors on the weekend. We recently escaped Vancouver for a coastal getaway that got us off the couch and into the wilderness of Tofino. There’s nothing like a seasonal retreat to our favourite oceanfront beach town to get our hearts pumping with surf and storm-watching action.
The first matter of business is figuring out how to get to Tofino. If time is on your side, book a spot on BC Ferries and enjoy the meandering trek by car once on Vancouver Island. If you’re like us and would rather hustle your way to relaxation, nab a ticket aboard one of Orca Airways daily flights. It takes all of 45 minutes.
Upon arrival, our choice pick for accommodations has got to be the Pacific Sands Beach Resort, located about 20 minutes from Long Beach Airport and 10 minutes from Tofino’s downtown. Perfect, right?
Why Pacific Sands? Well, let’s start with the fact that they’re located right on Cox Bay Beach a.k.a. front-and-centre to the area’s best surfing and storm-watching. Having recently undergone renovations, Pacific Sands features deluxe amenities and refurbished interiors. We loved catching the waves rolling in from our soaker tub’s ocean views. Further highlights on the resort include free bikes that are perfect for exploring trails and a covered communal BBQ, among others.
Head to town when cocktail hour arrives and you’ll be spoiled with options. An Old Tofino favourite, Shelter is always a must-do on our list (and now features a cozy, heated patio year-round). Newcomer Wolf In The Fog (named 2014 Best New Restaurant by enRoute Magazine) is the best way to taste local culinary finds. Also, Tofino’s new oyster bar, Ice House, is the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring.
Don’t let the rain dampen your sense of adventure! Grab some gumboots at local shopping hot spot HABIT and get geared up for everything from beach-combing to mushroom foraging.
If you’ve ever been curious about surfing, this is the perfect time of year to hit the waves as the Pacific Northwest coast sees some solid swell. Grab a board and score a lesson with Surf Sister. They’ll have you hanging ten in no time.
Use the rest of your time in Tofino to get out and explore the local artisan community — it’s definitely a healthy one. As you stop off and partake in a glassblowing session with Sol Maya, be sure to check out how local resident Pete Clarkson has turned debris from the Japanese Tsunami into incredible works of art.
For more info on Tofino — and to start planning your own seasonal getaway — visit Tourism Tofino’s website here.
Let us know what you love most about Tofino in the comments below or tweet us @ViewTheVibe.
