This summer my husband and I decided to surprise one another with secret weekend trips we’d planned. This meant that when it came time for my adventure, we hopped in the car and drove north and I had no idea where we were headed!
Tofino, British Columbia isn’t an easy place to reach. From Victoria one must drive along the north side of Vancouver Island before cutting through the interior and crossing over a mountain pass to reach the sea on the south side. Despite being lengthy, it’s a beautiful drive with an even more beautiful destination.
With surfers everywhere, a young and relaxed atmosphere and million-dollar views, Tofino feels like it should be somewhere in California. In the off-season, though, Tofino has made a name for itself as a storm-watching destination. At night tourists huddle around the fire and don yellow slickers to watch the huge clouds roll in off the wild Pacific.
For a long and firework-free Fourth of July weekend we walked along the beach, spotted a famous pod of orca whales from a distance of about 25 feet and filled our bellies with locally-caught fish & chips and gelato from Chocolate Tofino. At night we’d retire to our ultra-relaxing lodge room and prop the door open so we could listen to the waves crash against the rocks below. All in all Tofino was one of the most relaxing places we’ve ever visited and we can’t wait to find an excuse to visit again!
Stay
Middle Beach Lodge
400 MacKenzie Beach Road
Tofino, British Columbia
Canada V0R 2Z0
250.725.2900
Highlights
- Jamie’s Whaling Station provides amazing whale watching tours!
- A stop at Chocolate Tofino is a must for handmade local gelato.
- Hot Springs Cove was favorite of ours during our time in Tofino.
Sara Gray is a Portland realtor. Tweet with her @segray and follow her new blog, Sara Loves Portland.
Comments…
Great photos! But unfortunately you misnamed the ocean the lake haha. Just to inform you!
I love that first beach photo. The lodge is nice but I like the Tofino resort and marina much more. Lots of great food stops, its a secret foodie heaven, like tacofino, shed, wolf in the fog, 1909, ronnie’s, sobo, shelter, kuma, etc Glad you made it to Chocolate Tofino, that’s another must to visit. I’ll check your other blog because we’re heading your way in a few weeks!
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