Hello, we have planned a trip for 7 days over to the island from the north shore to Tofino, Victoria on Sept. 14 and possibly Salt Spring island if we have time. We will be starting in Victoria. Do you have any suggestions on an itinerary, places to see, things to do, places to eat, etc. Any and all information would be valuable to us. We have never been to Tofino and we haven’t been to Victoria in over 25 years. Really looking forward to it!

Sooke potholes

That looks interesting! Thank you so much!

Jam Cafe for brunch in Victoria

http://www.thebluefoxcafe.com/

Tacofino in tofino

Pia with 2hr wait

Sabhai Thai in Sidney, Red Fish Blue Fish in the inner harbour, Crow and Gate in Cedar (Nanaimo) Gabriels for breakfast in Nanaimo, Melange was amazing for dinner in Nanaimo, Little Qullicum Falls, Ammonite Falls, Parksville, drive the Oeanside route from Nanaimo to Coutenay/Comox. Goats on a roof, The cathedral forest (if it's open - was closed last weekend) Sobo Cafe in Tofino, The Shady Rest Pub/Hotel in Quallicum has the best patio and views. I know this is mainly food stuff, but that is what I do best

Food in Tofino: Wolf in the Fog, Kuma, Pluvio in Ucluelet, Wickanninish for brunch or happy hour
To do in Tofino: beaches!!
Food in Victoria: Agrius, Olo, Tapa Bar, Red Fish Blue Fish, Canoe (great patio), Little Jumbo (cocktails)
To do in Victoria: Walk along Dallas Road/Clover Point, Royal BC museum, day trip to Sooke, hike/drive to top of Mount Doug, Butchart Gardens, beaches: Willows, Cordova Bay, Island View

Also day trip to Cowichan Valley for wineries and cideries, if that’s your thing

Tofino Sea Monster noodle bar for sure.

The Wild Pacific trail in Ucluelet is a must.

Constanc agreed. It's a "do not miss".

Also, goats on a roof on your way there

https://oldcountrymarket.com

... following

Tofino....Cox Bay beach and adjoining Chesterman beach are the best I've seen there so far. Plus Wild Pacific Trail (lighthouse loop) in Ucluelet, as said above. Have a great trip!

If you’re going to Coombs have lunch or dinner at Cuckoo!! It’s fabulous!

In Victoria stop for ice cream at Fisherman's Wharf and stroll to check out the cute houseboats. It's going to hopefully still be nice so an ice cream at the Beacon Hill Drive-In is a must... And take some time to wonder around beacon hill park and youll likely encounter some wild peacocks!
Craigdereck castle is cool to see, as is the royal museum. When heading north from Victoria, be sure to stop for breakfast or lunch at the restaurant right on the wharf in downtown Sydney. Then definitely take the afternoon to explore butchard gardens...
If you want a relatively easy hike for some great views, look to walk up mt tolmie. Take a drive through Uplands and take in the jaw dropping mansions there... And in sooke too. Check out the whale watching options too as thats a fun thing to do... But sometimes you get lucky and see whales while on the ferry...
Best italian restaurant in Victoria is easily the one near the Laurel Point hotel. And while you're in the area splurge on a horse drawn carriage ride. If you like seafod there are lots of great restaurants around the inner harbour and along wharf st.
If you like thai food, best place is down in caddy bay at the end of Mackenzie. Endless pubs downtown for good old pub grub if that's your thing...
If you have any questions about Victoria let me know. I lived there for a couple of years and still have friends there.

https://vancouverisland.travel/.../pacific-marine-circle.../

Lucky you !

Tofino- Tacofino taco truck, along with the ice cream in that same parking lot...soooo yummy! All the beaches are beautiful but Chesterman is my favourite.
Coombs- goats on the roof plus lunch at the a Italian place (outside is so pretty!)
Victoria- Butchart Gardens, Royal BC museum
Salt Spring- Ruckle Park is stunning
Have fun!

Just let the Island take you. Slow down (Island time is real), take the time to go down roads that you think you shouldn’t. Spinnakers pub is nice. A walk along Dallas road and the break water is awesome.

We just floated the Cowichan River in Lake Cowichan area and had an awesome time! So relaxing and beautiful. Check out the Tube Shack for rentals and info.

Stay home

Stacey pffft

? ? Now is not the time to travel outside your community - stay home be safe.
Reply to Stacey
Michelle Cruickshank
Tofino - on the drive over there’s Wally Creek which is beautiful. Also Cox Bay hike, it’s a bit muddy so definitely wear proper shoes).
https://www.alltrails.com/.../cox-bay-trail-via-sakurai-lane
Also highly recommend checking out tacofino, though there will probably be a wait!

Call in your order! That goes for most places around here (ukee and Tofino)
Call ahead and pick up with out long waits

When in Victoria, go to Chocolatis Favoris for the best icecream of All Time

Go to Ouestartisan patisserie in tofino...local kelowna couple moved to tofino to start this awesome pastry shop

In Nanaimo, eat at Gabriel's Cafe. Excellent locally produced food, casual atmosphere, outside seating, take out & small beer & wine choice.

Any chance you could wait til next year? Tofino is overrun with visitors and I heard the town is struggling and some would prefer no more visitors. We are trying to flatten the curve in the island.

Ingrid there are no cases on the island...

Jill Magee-Fosdick
8 active cases ... My mistake. We'd better panic and be dicks.

How about you just stay home - and not be a dick there?

Ingrid exactly!

We just got back from a camping trip there where we took many precautions to limit our interactions with Tofitians. Bring a mask
! Most stores (every single one we encountered) required it for entry. Be patient and empathetic to the locals who are depend on tourism but warry of a second wave devestating small communities. Bring a first aid kit so if something happens you can manage the little cuts/bruises/scrapes yourselves
Hikes:
- Lighthouse loop in Uculet
- Rainforest trail, loop A & B
Beaches:
- Long beach is amazing
Food:
- Ravenlady food truck (Uculet), fish and chips are amazing
- Rhinos (
&
)
- Tacofino
Fav shops:
- Merge
- Salt
- Surf shops

Please stay at home. Islands are swamped.

Please wait till next year.. We really don’t want visitors right now. We want our Covid numbers low like they have been. That’s why Most of us didn’t go anywhere this summer..

If you make it to SaltSpring, you must go to the cheese place! To die for!!!

Chocolate Tofino is amazing. If you want a truly fantastic adventure, book a trip over to Hotsprings Cove from Tofino with Ocean Outfitters. It’s amazing and worth every penny.

Wolf in the Fog, 1909 kitchen Tofino

From Tofino water taxi to Meres Island. Breathtaking

Spend time in Ucluelet, Wild Pacific Trail is a beautiful.walk,..start at Amphirrite Lighthouse, go to the Crows Nest store. Ukee is Tofino's beautiful cousin:)

*

I recommend the road between Port Renfrew and Gordon Bay on Cowichan lake. It use to be a logging road and is deff the road less traveled. That is if ya want the real island experience. (Ya could take logging roads right up to tofino if ya have a good 4x4 with good tires.)
There are lots of beaches between sooke and Port Renfrew. French beach has camping and a park Sombrero has a parking lot. sandcut, mystic Beach and a few others. Also fairy lake just past Port Renfrew. You'll get the true island experience if you drive this route. Its been paved about 10 years now.

Morning side farm - great stop off in Parksville. Bring a milk jug for fresh milk from the cow to take for the trip. Buy cheese and get the cafe au lait

https://www.airbnb.com/h/deepcovehideaway

If Deep Cove on the North Shore is of interest, please check out the Airbnb link attached.

I had two different trips to the island this summer to explore Tofino and other little towns but had to cancel due to the border closure. Maybe next year!

Sheldon Hunter

Wow, thank you everyone for your amazing tips. Hopefully the smoke dissipates so that we can truly enjoy our trip to this beautiful part of the world. So grateful for all these suggestions!

Don’t miss some pot holes

Victoria the Royal BC Museum is a must. Haven't been for years but could spend days in there.

Tree house restaurant on Salt Spring Island...and the artists trail if it is still open.