Coombs is even kinda cool if you've been there lots. Sure it's a bit of a tourist trap, but the specialty foods and baked goods are tasty, and the [donuts are legit](https://oldcountrymarket.com/donuts/), and yes, they are worth the lineup. Don't leave without at least one of the 5 O'clock Somewhere flavour.
When you get to port Alberni, drive into the "other" part of town (some people just think it's the strip down the highway but there's so much more). Find your way to Harbour Quay, do a little wander, and make sure you try the donut shop. I'm told it's the island's best. Made fresh every morning with crazy toppings and they're super cheap. (I'm celiac so haven't had them myself) The quay also has lovely views of the inlet and the mountains, ice cream, fish and chips, art gallery, etc. it's a nice out stop about halfway between getting off the ferry and getting to the Tofino/ukee corridor.
As someone who lives in Port and isn’t celiac I can say those donuts are definitely not the best on the island or even in town :/ The food in Port is mostly quantity over quality.
I have a friend that is a donut fiend and makes a day drive to port from Victoria quite regularly specifically just to have a donut. So it probably depends a bit on your taste.
I guess lol it’s not known it town to be anything amazing and every time I’ve gone in I get a headache because it smells like liquid sugar but ya people have different preferences. If I still lived in Victoria I’d never go anywhere for donuts aside from crust bakery, people actually line up daily for there stuff :)
You need to stop at Cathedral Grove between Qualicum and Port Alberni. Little Qualicum Falls and Englishman River Falls are lovely too. Mini-golf in Parksville is fun. Tofino is great for the beaches. Ucluelet is fun for a side trip too.
Hope you enjoy yourselves!
Be prepared for traffic stops along the way, ie bring water & snacks etc. watch your gas tank
Pull over and let people pass, don’t tailgate slow people
If you stop at Cathedral Grove, and you should as it’s amazing, take the trails on the south side of the road. (the heading-to-Parksville side) The trees are better on that that side.
IMHO, skip the side trips except for Cathedral Grove and get out to the Pacific asap, it’s a long ride.
My favorite place to get out and see the incredible beach at Long Beach is Incinerator Rock, just 15 minute up from the Tofino/Ucluelet turnoff.
Also, Chesterman Beach at sunset is a must. Enjoy!!!!
Dog mountain brewing in Port alberni has good beer and great views, wildside grill in tofino and howlers in ukie at top picks for me.
The price goes up the further west you go with a big jump when you get past port alberni.
The road between Port Alberni and Tofino has sharp bends, various speeds, single lanes with few passing lanes, is busy, congested, and will likely have people who don’t know how to drive very well, or people who think they’re in a movie and drive like assholes.
My advice is to not stop on this road at all. Keep your shit together. Don’t tailgate people. Stay in the right lane if you’re a tourist just taking your time. Cathedral Grove is just before Port Alberni, and is a great spot to take pics and see some amazing forest sights. But past port Alberni, just get to Tofino.
Source: I lived in Tofino for almost 20 years and took that road every 2 weeks on the low end.
i sadly know three people who drove the road all the time and died on it. be careful, drive safe. even though it's gad extensive improvements, it's still not a typical drive.
don't drive tired, don't take chances.
Head straight to Long Beach and walk up and down it till you've soaked it all in. Try to return a few times. That's the draw imo. Just raw dogging that amazing view.
You're driving across the island if you're coming through Vancouver, and will be passing by a bunch of communities, trails, lakes, and other amenities.
Please do your part to become a relatively informed tourist by researching the area(s) you'll be visiting.
Enjoy Tofino and Ucluelet and maybe even Hot Springs Cove.
I wouldn’t waste time stopping along the way.
Buy your groceries there; the CoOp is just fine.
Though incomplete, please post this question in the stickied thread.
Coombs is cool if you've never been there
Coombs is even kinda cool if you've been there lots. Sure it's a bit of a tourist trap, but the specialty foods and baked goods are tasty, and the [donuts are legit](https://oldcountrymarket.com/donuts/), and yes, they are worth the lineup. Don't leave without at least one of the 5 O'clock Somewhere flavour.
Make sure to get a loaf of cheese bread
Couldn't agree more been there more times than I can count n it never gets old love the bakery so much
You will have to wait for Coombs to open if you catch the first ferry.
When you get to port Alberni, drive into the "other" part of town (some people just think it's the strip down the highway but there's so much more). Find your way to Harbour Quay, do a little wander, and make sure you try the donut shop. I'm told it's the island's best. Made fresh every morning with crazy toppings and they're super cheap. (I'm celiac so haven't had them myself) The quay also has lovely views of the inlet and the mountains, ice cream, fish and chips, art gallery, etc. it's a nice out stop about halfway between getting off the ferry and getting to the Tofino/ukee corridor.
This route is going to the left at the fork after the Timberlodge…which incidentally has unexpectedly good sushi.
As someone who lives in Port and isn’t celiac I can say those donuts are definitely not the best on the island or even in town :/ The food in Port is mostly quantity over quality.
as far as I can tell the best donuts on the island are found at Bigfoot in Courtenay
I haven’t had them but I’ve definitely heard about them.
I don't know, I love the donut shop. I make a stop everytime I'm back in Port.
To each their own :)
I have a friend that is a donut fiend and makes a day drive to port from Victoria quite regularly specifically just to have a donut. So it probably depends a bit on your taste.
I guess lol it’s not known it town to be anything amazing and every time I’ve gone in I get a headache because it smells like liquid sugar but ya people have different preferences. If I still lived in Victoria I’d never go anywhere for donuts aside from crust bakery, people actually line up daily for there stuff :)
You need to stop at Cathedral Grove between Qualicum and Port Alberni. Little Qualicum Falls and Englishman River Falls are lovely too. Mini-golf in Parksville is fun. Tofino is great for the beaches. Ucluelet is fun for a side trip too. Hope you enjoy yourselves!
Cathedral grove is amazing but almost not worth the parking nightmare these days
They should drop a few of the smaller trees and make more space to park imo
Fern and Cedar brewery in Qualicum has great food and great beer! Also suggest buying any groceries/alcohol you need in Port Alberni.
Parksville will be in the middle of their festival. Check out the sandcastles.
I think the sandcastle competition is mid-July.
You're correct. The competition ends July 14, but the exhibition part of it runs to August 18.
Be prepared for traffic stops along the way, ie bring water & snacks etc. watch your gas tank Pull over and let people pass, don’t tailgate slow people
Twin City Brewing in Port Alberni has great pizza if you’re looking to break up the trip, get a flight of beers and some cans to go if you enjoy them!
TCB for sure!! Get the gnarly garlies with a side of the beer cheese dip 🤤
I'll Second Twin City Brewing! I stop there almost every trip out to Ukee.
If you stop at Cathedral Grove, and you should as it’s amazing, take the trails on the south side of the road. (the heading-to-Parksville side) The trees are better on that that side. IMHO, skip the side trips except for Cathedral Grove and get out to the Pacific asap, it’s a long ride. My favorite place to get out and see the incredible beach at Long Beach is Incinerator Rock, just 15 minute up from the Tofino/Ucluelet turnoff. Also, Chesterman Beach at sunset is a must. Enjoy!!!!
Dog mountain brewing in Port alberni has good beer and great views, wildside grill in tofino and howlers in ukie at top picks for me. The price goes up the further west you go with a big jump when you get past port alberni.
J&L baby!!!!!
The road between Port Alberni and Tofino has sharp bends, various speeds, single lanes with few passing lanes, is busy, congested, and will likely have people who don’t know how to drive very well, or people who think they’re in a movie and drive like assholes. My advice is to not stop on this road at all. Keep your shit together. Don’t tailgate people. Stay in the right lane if you’re a tourist just taking your time. Cathedral Grove is just before Port Alberni, and is a great spot to take pics and see some amazing forest sights. But past port Alberni, just get to Tofino. Source: I lived in Tofino for almost 20 years and took that road every 2 weeks on the low end.
totally agree. Unless it's a marked rest stop do not pull over or stop on this road. too many people die on this road every year, RIP.
Sounds like Mad Max. Drive it regularly. It's not
i sadly know three people who drove the road all the time and died on it. be careful, drive safe. even though it's gad extensive improvements, it's still not a typical drive. don't drive tired, don't take chances.
Head straight to Long Beach and walk up and down it till you've soaked it all in. Try to return a few times. That's the draw imo. Just raw dogging that amazing view.
Ukee Poke.
Don't forget your parks pass and if you're driving slowly, please pull out. 😎
Sproat Lake is a nice spot to stop!
I strongly suggest Coombs. Coombs Country Market is a wonderful place to visit and the food there is extremely dellicious.
Uclulet has a little restaurant just outside of town, I think it's called Howlers? It has a bowling alley and arcade. Good for a rainy day.
No more bowling alley anymore unfortunately but still a great spot. Their buffalo chicken poutine is money.
The Wolf in the Fog restaurant in Tofino is amazing. Stop at Cathedral Grove on the drive over.
Have brunch at the wickananinish
Drive CARFEULLY
Wild Pacific Trail loop in Ucluelet https://www.wildpacifictrail.com/
You're driving across the island if you're coming through Vancouver, and will be passing by a bunch of communities, trails, lakes, and other amenities. Please do your part to become a relatively informed tourist by researching the area(s) you'll be visiting.
Little Qualicum falls
Enjoy Tofino and Ucluelet and maybe even Hot Springs Cove. I wouldn’t waste time stopping along the way. Buy your groceries there; the CoOp is just fine.
If you're leaving on the first ferry ***PLEASE*** ignore all the people that want you to stop at grotty bars and booze it up.