On my last full day on Vancouver Island, the three of us (Mizz J, K and I) got up early and hit the road to Tofino!
We stopped along the way at a picturesque mountain lake.
I think this is called Kennedy Lake.
Tofino straddles the tip of a peninsula on the west coast of the Island. One side is quiet inlet.
Calm waters of the inletTofino Totem Pole
And the other side is a paradise for surfers.
The surf at Chesterman Beach. Yes, there were many surfers in the water (2 in this photo) on Groundhog Day, February 2.Admiring the view and soaking up the sun.One of the many pretty shells to be found on the beach.
Both sides of Tofino are beautiful and cool.
We drove downtown and parked near this place as we just had to see what it was all about.
A large gallery featuring the works of native artist Roy Henry Vickers. Loved his stuff. Someday I will be back and buy a print or twelve… 🙂Inside the gallery.
We also visited a series of stores, surf-related shops, and restaurants inside and just outside of the downtown. And there were flowers blooming outside! On Groundhog Day!!!
Crocuses blooming already!
I loved the signage of this coffee shop:
I had a London Fog here and it was so. damn. good.The wildlife at the Wildfire Grill were very assertive. The restaurant had signs up, warning people of crow thievery. They just came for us. With their buddies. (OK, so we encouraged them. Because of the novelty. We’re just the kind of people that like birds landing on our picnic table and staring at us.) Like a scene from The Birds. 🙂
We also did a short walk on the Tonquin Trail, that led to another beach.
Sign at entrance to trail.As the day drew to a close we visited another beach – Long Beach.Beautiful Long Beach scenery.
And so ended our last day together (for a while). It was a glorious one, filled with sun, surf, art and togetherness.
19 thoughts on “Exploring Vancouver Island – Part 2: Tofino”
It was a very, very long time ago when I visited Tofino, and the only thing I really remember is walking on the long beach. It was late August and quite cool – but no complaints 🙂
Thanks for giving me a chance to revisit it. Love your pictures – especially the one of the totem pole. Look at that amazing cloud formation on the mountain in the background!
I liked that they were going for a pirate vibe, but with a surf board and a fishing rod instead of crossbones. I thought the whole place was quite cool! Thanks Ally!
Tofino looks like a great place to visit… when it’s a bit warmer. I can’t imagine actually being out in the water surfing… yikes! I will definitely put Tofino on my to-see list.
Tofino sounds kind of like hippie food. Looks like one of the many beautiful places in British Columbia to visit. One day we may fly into Vancouver, rent a car, and just drive all over that province.
Tofino definitely has a hippie vibe, TG. I think you and your wife would love it, along with the rest of Vancouver Island and the rest of BC. It certainly is a beautiful part of Canada.
Thanks AJ, I did! The crows didn’t steal so much as we deliberately left food on the table for them to grab. I enjoyed watching these beautiful black birds. So yeah, we encouraged their bad behaviour 😉
Hi, Deb – I am so glad that you made it to Tofino on this trip to the Island. I love that area and adore the work of st Roy Henry Vickers. When Liesbet and Mark (Roaming About) visited this past September, they gave Richard and me a Vickers print. It completely mesmerizes me every single time I walk past it!
Come back soon 😉
It was a very, very long time ago when I visited Tofino, and the only thing I really remember is walking on the long beach. It was late August and quite cool – but no complaints 🙂
Thanks for giving me a chance to revisit it. Love your pictures – especially the one of the totem pole. Look at that amazing cloud formation on the mountain in the background!
Thanks Joanne. It was easy to see why it’s such a magical, beloved place!
Great photos…I am hoping to visit Vancouver Island, and now Tofino is on the list!
Thank you Nancy! Yes, it should be on everyone’s list, IMHO 😁
I am intrigued by a bakery & cafe that has such a sinister looking sign on it. Tofino looks like a cool place to visit… especially that restaurant.
I liked that they were going for a pirate vibe, but with a surf board and a fishing rod instead of crossbones. I thought the whole place was quite cool! Thanks Ally!
Tofino looks like a great place to visit… when it’s a bit warmer. I can’t imagine actually being out in the water surfing… yikes! I will definitely put Tofino on my to-see list.
The surfers were wearing wetsuits Janis, which I think are required year-round because the water is so cold. I couldn’t imagine it either!!!!
Tofino sounds kind of like hippie food. Looks like one of the many beautiful places in British Columbia to visit. One day we may fly into Vancouver, rent a car, and just drive all over that province.
Tofino definitely has a hippie vibe, TG. I think you and your wife would love it, along with the rest of Vancouver Island and the rest of BC. It certainly is a beautiful part of Canada.
How beautiful! Thanks for sharing your trip.
Thanks Janet!
Sounds (and looks) like you had a lovely trip. Crows (and Ravens) can be very sneaky. Did they manage to steal any of your food?
Thanks AJ, I did! The crows didn’t steal so much as we deliberately left food on the table for them to grab. I enjoyed watching these beautiful black birds. So yeah, we encouraged their bad behaviour 😉
What a beautiful place. It fits the image of have of your personality. I’m glad you’re having a good time and good visit.
Hehe! Thanks Jean. I was slightly too young to be a hippy in the 60/70s, but love the vibe very much. Hope you have the heat and power back on!
Hi, Deb – I am so glad that you made it to Tofino on this trip to the Island. I love that area and adore the work of st Roy Henry Vickers. When Liesbet and Mark (Roaming About) visited this past September, they gave Richard and me a Vickers print. It completely mesmerizes me every single time I walk past it!
Come back soon 😉
That is so cool, Donna! I bought the eagle/moon one for K and Mizz J. I hope to back again later in 2019, and after that, who knows? 😉
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