Relocate to Nanaimo

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Toni & Gary tell you how fabulous Nanaimo is so you will want to move here too...

West Vancouver Island, Pacific Rim

Just Beyond

You can't actually drive far west of Nanaimo, at least on a highway (it's that mountains trump highways thing), but if you detour a bit north, you can catch Highway 4A or 4, and be on your way to west Vancouver Island. If you're not in a hurry, stop in at the Old Country Market, also known as Goats on the Roof, in Coombs, to browse artisans' galleries, antiques, collectibles and a mouth-watering deli. (Betcha you can't buy a loaf of bread there and actually get it to your destination uneaten!) While you're in the neighbourhood, check out the brilliant inhabitants of the World Parrot Refuge.

The Land of Huge Trees

Not much further along the road, you come to the sudden realization that you're "not in Kansas anymore". The road narrows and twists and towering trees edge their way closer to the pavement. Amazing old growth forest surrounds you at Cathedral Grove. Continuing on your drive through the mountain pass, you arrive at Port Alberni, nestled in the Alberni Valley (yet curiously on the Pacific Ocean although it's in the centre of the Island). If valleys aren't your thing, check out Mount Arrowsmith with its challenging hiking or rock climbing.

Pacific Rim

 
 
You've probably realized by now that you are driving one of Canada's top scenic highway routes. From Port Alberni, another hour plus drive takes you through a second mountain pass and along the stunningly beautiful Kennedy River. Finally you come to the end of the road at a nondescript T-intersection. It might look like you are in the middle of nowhere, but you are actually in the middle of a magical world of pristine beaches, temperate rainforest, rocky headlands, sandy coves and amazing hiking trails. The coastal highway ends at the quaint, picturesque villages of Tofino in the north and Ucluelet in the south, with the Long Beach section of Pacific Rim National Park in between. Beyond Tofino is Clayoquot Sound, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and home to the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation. Beyond Ucluelet is Barkley Sound with the Broken Group Islands, the marine park section of Pacific Rim. Long Beach Maps is an excellent resource to find endless things to do and places to stay in the region. Just for fun and to get a good idea of the sawesome beauty of this area, check out the sites for the world class resorts of the Wickaninnish Inn near Tofino and the Black Rock Resort in Ucluelet. If you are lucky enough to visit the Pacific Rim region in person, be sure to walk the Wild Pacific Trail, one of our personal favourites!
 
 

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