Family Fun in Tofino

Text and photos by Mary L. Peachin

January, 2014 Vol. 18, No. 4

We were looking for a great family vacation. Activities for everyone,  space, the freedom to each do our own thing, and a Northwest destination that was puppy friendly.  One idea that surfaced was a cruise. Without disparaging cruise lines, we weren’t keen to go on the most appropriate: a Disney

 cruise with our daughter, son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. Yes, a five and eight year old on a cruise ship would give us more freedom and “space”, but, to put it simply,  we are not a cruising family.

After giving it some thought, we suggested an alternative. “Why don’t we go to Long Beach Lodge in Tofino, British Columbia? You can have a cottage and dad and I will stay in a lodge room with Scooter, our four year old dog. At this charming lodge on the western coastline of Vancouver Island, Scooter, a real beach lover, gives two paws up to this dog-friendly place.

Instead of the cruise line planning the activities, I made arrangements for daily adventures. It took some time and a lot of coordination and confirmation, but it was all worth while.

We live in Vancouver during the summer. Our daughter Suzie drove up from Portland, and Jeffrey and Kristin and our grandchildren flew in from San Francisco. After seeing Vancouver’s sights and enjoying its cuisine for several days, we drove in two cars to B.C. Ferries boat to travel between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo’s Departure Bay.

Our trail took us across scenic Vancouver Island. We motored past Cathedral Grove’s Old Growth trail and picnic area. West of Coombs Junction, Highway 4 hugs the shoreline of Cameron Lake before winding through MacMillan Provincial Park. After reaching the city of Port Alberni’s Summit “Hump”, the road exits over the Somass River Bridge.

Soon we followed fifteen miles of Sproat Lake shoreline until we reached Sutton Pass, which converges with KennedyRiver. This section of the Highway has very steep grades (fourteen degrees) until it reaches the southeast shore of Kennedy Lake.

After twelve miles, Highway 4 converges into Ucluelet junction, the turn off to Tofino. In less than a mile we entered Long Beach arm of Pacific Rim National Park which ends just short of the village of Tofino.

After settling in and enjoying a delicious dinner in Long Beach Lodge’s ocean view dinner room, our first day’s schedule included surfing lessons. Even Scooter wanted to participate in the beach briefing. Dressed in 5-mil wetsuits with hoods and booties, the family was prepared for the fifty plus degree water. Wave action was pretty blown out at the time, but the Peachin family was not intimidated. Even grandpa David joined the fun. Zachary was the star managing to stay upright longer than the others.

Bear watching came next and our expectations were not great. It was July. During spring, the bears come out of hibernation eager to fill their empty stomachs, in the fall they line the shoreline bulking up on spawning salmon. Captain Mike from Browning Pass didn’t fail us. He showed us several bears eating berries and barnacles on the beach, numerous eagles, and a boulder covered with harbour seals as well as the beautiful scenery of Clayoquot Sound.

Between adventures we didn’t miss the delicious fish chowder at Sobo’s restaurant or fish tacos at Tacofino’s food truck. We ate and we played.

Family fishing sounded too good to be true. Captain Dennis’ boat had seen better days but was “seaworthy.” We got off to a rocky start by heading an hour into the Pacific. Dennis seemed to forget that the goal was to teach Zachary (8) and Ben (5) how to fish. All that was forgotten when we headed back to the calm waters of the Sound and everyone caught rock fish, sea stars, and even a sea squirt. It’s amazing that children are thrilled to see any fish come up and be happy for it to be released.

There was more. Jeffrey and Kristin went kayaking, there were several trips to tidal pools during low tide, and Scooter met every dog on the beach. The time flew by and before we knew it we were back on the ferry with the children returning to Vancouver.

I don’t question that we miss some opportunities taking the red stacked Disney cruise ship, but our alternative at Long Beach Lodge in Tofino, was well worth it. When we hear the Disney Cruise ship pipe “When you wish upon a star,” we have fond memories of our family fun in Tofino.