Road Trip! Cool places to visit on Canada's western coast?

[Gold Metal Flake]

First time to Canada!

I'm planning an epic road trip up the coast all the way into Canada. I plan to stay as close to the coast as possible. Small windey roads? Perfect! Which ones? I love driving the canyons and twisties. The 1 and the 101 will be used but again I want to stay as close to the coast as possible and am looking for ways to make my way north coast rods when the 1 and 101 move inland. Natural beauty? Gimme! I want to be stunned. What antique shops are cool? What small towns are cool? What road is epic? Swap meets? Cool junk yards? (I need some parts) I am looking for the unusual, the unique, the inspiring, the joyful. Historic buildings? I want to see them!

I'll be traveling alone so I don't have to keep anyone else amused. I, however, am easily amused, easily enthralled so if you think a thing is cool but not sure if someone else might, don't hold back. Post about it. One of my best memories about Morro Bay was a lunch at a local-owned restaurant on the bay. There was a light rain. As I ate an otter was outside just below me having a meal of clams. It was magic.

I will stay in motels and maybe campgrounds like KOA or similar (I'll bring a tent). Suggestions?

So show me the magic. Let this thread be helpful to all who may make a similar trek. I should have done this years ago but now it's finally gonna happen!

[Spazito]

1. Are you wanting to travel the B.C. coast? Vancouver Island?

If you want to go to the Island, you will need to take a ferry. Victoria is beautiful and has heritage buildings, Tofino and the Pacific Rim National Park are a MUST SEE, imo, if you go to the Island.

Here is a link you might find of use re the Island, the Pacific Rim National Park, etc:

http://www.vancouverisland.com/parks/?id=404

How long is your trip going to be?

[Gold Metal Flake]

2. I am weighing all options.

The ferry would be cool. Been a while since I have been on one where I used to use ferrys often when I lived on the Gulf Coast.

I'll have two weeks to mess around.

[Spazito]

3. I would definitely recommend going to Vancouver Island then...

it is absolutely gorgeous there, especially, imo, on the west side with the Pacific Rim Park, etc.

Another area I think is very beautiful is the Kootenays, especially the West Kootenays, but that is inland, way inland, about an 8 hour drive from Vancouver. Nelson is famous for it's heritage buildings, nestled in the mountains, the drive to the Kootenays is very scenic as well.

I am sure there will be other Canadian DUers who will post other suggestions as well!

[JBoy]

4. I'd second the vote for Tofino as a "must see".

Here's what I'd suggest, and there's lots to see along the way:

Take 101 all the way up the Oregon coast and into Washington, heading for Port Angeles. Take the ferry over to Victoria.

The drive up the east side of Vancouver Island is nice. If you've got time, go all the way to Port Hardy - there's some funky little fishing villages along the way. Back down again toward Qualicum Beach, then over to the west side and Tofino & Ucluelet. Spend a couple days out there. If it's mid-summer, it can be a little busy.

Back to the east side, catch a ferry to the mainland from Nanaimo (to Horseshoe Bay), then up Hwy 99 to Squamish, then Whistler. Continue up to Pemberton, then Lillooet. Loop back down Hwy 1 and through the Fraser Canyon to Hope and Chilliwack. Cross the border again south of Abbotsford.

I love road trips. Have fun!

[daleo]

5. Google the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia

Drive it, take the ferry to the Island, drive it, take the ferry back to Vancouver. I did it about this time last year. Very scenic, plus you get to see where they filmed "The Beachcombers", which is as Canadian as maple syrup on a hocky puck.

"Molly's Reach" had really great pie.

[tuvor]

6. My suggestions for Vancouver Island

I live in the Comox Valley, right about the middle of the Island on the east coast. I do a lot of driving in the region between Campbell River to the north, Nanaimo to the south, and Port Alberni to the east. In no particular order, these are my highlights:

The Old Island Highway 19A, starts about 20 minutes north of Nanaimo, in Parksville and ends in Campbell River. Slower than Highway 19, but way more scenic. And twisty! Frequent ocean views. Avoid 19 altogether. It's nice enough if you don't already live here, I guess, but there's no variety to the scenery.

Coombs Country Market in Coombs: I think of it as a smaller, landlocked version of Granville Island in Vancouver. Except that goats graze on the roof. A great place to kill a few hours at quirky shops and to check out the huge Asian-inspired statues and sexually-themed wood carvings.
http://www.oldcountrymarket.com/

Cathedral Grove, en route to Port Alberni from Hwy 19. Beautiful old-growth forest just beyond Macmillan Lake. And the road to Port Alberni is especially twisty.

Qualicum Beach, especially if the weather is good. The beach itself is beautiful, and the town is spotless. Might have to do with the fact that there are no fast-food franchises allowed there.

Courtenay/Comox
Charming downtowns, hardly any "brand name" stores. Courtenay's Airpark and Riverway is a great walk that I take almost daily. http://www.comoxvalleyguide.com/recreation/hiking/airpark/
Island Musicfest July 9 - 11, considered one of the top ten in Canada according to a CBC online vote. http://www.islandmusicfest.com/
Comox Valley Classic Cruisers 24th annual car show, July 25. About 300 vintage automobiles from all over parked downtown last year.
Basic tourism stuff: http://www.discovercomoxvalley.com/

The village of Cumberland, just a few kilometres west of Courtenay. A lot of artists live there. The downtown is of course small, but real character. Seems like time stopped there a few decades ago, although developers are moving in.
Big Time Out music festival August 14 & 15. http://thebigtimeout.com/

That's all I can think of right now, GMF. Whatever you end up doing, you're doing your research, so I'm sure it'll be memorable!

[Gold Metal Flake]

7. This sounds like a plan.

I may not get to the mainland because I want to have time on the drive back south to go slower and stop at shops and places that tickled my fancy. I only have two weeks. Thanks for the tips everyone and for the 19A tip! :toast:

[tuvor]

8. Have a great time, and make sure to report back!

:toast: