https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:52:04 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2364849 Thu, 11 Jul 2024 14:00:19 +0000 Anonymous 2364849@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The ferry ride from the island to Vancouver had lots of dolphins following. &nbsp;Fun. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2362543 Wed, 12 Jun 2024 04:43:31 +0000 nuancedream 2362543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like a fabulous trip, Janet! Gaylene already mentioned Salt Spring Island and it's definitely worth a visit. Mr. ND lived there for 2 years from 1998 to 2000. He lived near Mt. Tuam. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361949 Sat, 01 Jun 2024 23:18:27 +0000 Gaylene 2361949@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Janet, you might want to investigate booking something once you know your dates and more or less where you might want a base. Accommodations can fill up pretty quickly in June, July, and August—and prices do get higher as options dwindle.&nbsp;</p> <div><br /></div><div>Some suggestions?<br />Since you will be driving, you might want to consider staying outside of the centre core. It’s generally quite easy to get into the downtown which is tourist-central. What many people don’t realize is that Victoria proper is actually quite small—the south part of the Island is actually multiple small communities (each with their own mayor/council/police/etc.!) In most cases you won’t know when you’ve exited one community and are now driving in Sannich, Oak Bay, View Royal, Colwood, Langford, Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sydney, etc. until you realize the name of the road has changed (perhaps more than once!) without any warning. Staying in Brentwood Bay or Metchosin or Sooke or Sydney can be less expensive, especially if you are looking for a B&amp;B type of accommodation. You might have to drive 20 minutes to get into downtown, but you’ll be in an urban/suburban environment all the time. </p> <p>And, if you have any questions, just contact Suz or me—and we can give you a heads up as to what might be the pros and cons of that particular location, with maybe some suggestions about eating and other activities. Some locations might be better than others depending on what you are planning. For example, if you are planning to spend some time at Port Renfrew/Botanical Beach, you might like a home base in Sooke. Or, if you want to travel up Island and over to Tofino/Ucluelet you might find it easier to stay around Chemanius or Ladysmith. &nbsp;Or, Sydney might be an option—a pretty little seaside community near the ferries, Butchart Gardens, and some great walking/hiking trails.&nbsp;</p> </div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361941 Sat, 01 Jun 2024 19:28:51 +0000 Suz 2361941@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Gaylene,</b> I was thinking Haida Gwaii, too. Not that I have yet been there myself. But I hear it is amazing.&nbsp;</p> <p>You gave <b>Janet </b>some great options and some good advice about the more remote locations. It's common to lose cell service on the mountains around here, so you do want to let people know where you are. There are always stories of hikers going off trail and getting stuck or lost. Even very experienced hikers.&nbsp;</p> <p>Royal Roads is beautiful and accessible. Lots of different kinds of trails.&nbsp;</p> <p>PKOLS (Mount Doug) is also a gorgeous park, and Gowland Todd (some of my photos are taken from those trails), and the back trails at Thetis (which are fine if you go with a friend). Also, Francis King, which is a small park near my place, with a really nice stand of old growth. I'm familiar with all of these and hike them regularly.&nbsp;</p> <p>I echo <b>Gaylene's</b> comments about wildlife, <b>Janet</b>. There was a bear in our suburban neighbourhood last fall, a cougar on my block in the spring, and I've been divebombed by young owls on the Galloping Goose trail. I don't want to make it all sound too threatening, and you know, I bike and hike many of these areas on my own quite regularly -- but it's important to take precautions and be aware.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361935 Sat, 01 Jun 2024 12:47:27 +0000 Janet 2361935@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, Gaylene, thank you!!! Fabulous input, and now I’m thoroughly overwhelmed with great options! </p> <p>I have had a busy week and not much time to check back in, nor to look into hotel reservations on VI, so I’m a little nervous about availability. I may need to find places to stay as a few bases of operation and then day trip from each, and simply see what I reasonably can from those locations. I’m comfortable doing that — on my road trips I usually wing it a bit — but it may limit some of the more remote options. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361898 Fri, 31 May 2024 12:22:55 +0000 RobinF 2361898@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What a fabulous trip it will be! Suz, your pictures are gorgeous! And so many wonderful ideas here! I have never been but now it is on my list!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361882 Fri, 31 May 2024 07:17:08 +0000 Gaylene 2361882@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ah, if you are looking for amazing photo opportunities, you’ll have plenty of options on the Island, &nbsp;I still get stunned by the sheer beauty of this place even after living here for over a decade.&nbsp;<div><br /></div><div>Just a couple of cautions, though, if you are planning solo excursions. As Suz mentioned there is a very real threat of wildfires on the Island although this May has been much cooler and damper than usual. Casual visitors are often surprised by how dry our summers are—think golden instead of green—because large areas of the southern part are considered to be in a Mediterranean climate. The other surprise is how much of the island is rugged wilderness where it’s possible to get into serious trouble if you are not adequately prepared—even though you left “civilization” just a few minutes ago. Cougars, wolves, and bears are regular visitors in our suburbs and even in the midst of downtown. If you set out alone on a trail, it’s a good idea to let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return. And check frequently as you hike for cellphone coverage because those mountains can play havoc with reception.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>One of the best parts of living in Victoria is that you can get to amazing photo spots without leaving the city. Some of my photographer friends hang out in Chinatown, OakBay Marina, Cattle Point, Dallas Road, Fisherman’s Wharf, James Bay, and Beacon Hill Park. They also like Government House Gardens and&nbsp;Abkhazi Gardens for those floral shots. Butchart Gardens is lovely, but expensive and crowded once the cruise ships and tour buses start coming into town. If you want a quieter alternative, head over to the West Shore to Royal Roads/Hatley Castle. Gorgeous grounds with a Japanese garden, an Italian garden and formal rose garden; an old growth forest trail (Charlie’s Trail), sea views, a bird estuary lagoon, and several kilometers of trails winding through huge primordial trees—plus a castle—and it’s free.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want beaches, tidal pools, and seriously huge trees head west to Sooke and Port Renfrew—Botanical Beach, Avatar Grove and some of the oldest trees in existence. Stop for coffee and treats at Shirley Delicious and plan to get back to Sooke by 5pm to have dinner at Wild Mountain—a slow food, locavore restaurant that is one of the best on the Island. Take in the views from Sooke Spit before heading home.&nbsp;</div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.ancientforestalliance.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/8.5x11-Avatar-Grove-Map-Port-Renfrew-Front-Back.pdf">https://www.ancientforestallia.....Grove-Map-</a></p> <p>Rent a e-bike on the and head out towards Metchosin on the Galloping Goose Trail. If you start by the Inner Harbour, grab a coffee and sandwich at Foi Epi. Ride for 40 minutes or so, then stop at the Nest to rest and restore with a coffee. Ride for another 90 minutes, then stop at the Broken Paddle in Metchosin for another bite. If you are really ambitious, you can ride to Roche Cove which is close to Sooke. Lots of photo opportunities along the trail.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>Other ideas:<br />A trip over the Malahat for jaw-dropping vistas, then over to Cowichan Lake for lunch and wineries around Duncan and Cowichan Valley. Or head down to the ferry at Croften to get over to SaltSpring Island (counterculture heaven) and then down to Fulford Harbour to catch another ferry back to Schwartz Bay and back to Victoria.</p> <p>Or head towards Tofino and Ucluelet, but stop for a couple of nights in Port Alberni to take the Frances Barkley mail ship for a day trip to Bamfield. Maybe spend a night in Bamfield so you can set foot at the end of the West Coast Trail which starts back in Port Renfew.&nbsp;</div><div><a rel="nofollow" href="https://ladyrosemarine.com">https://ladyrosemarine.com</a><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Or walk through the trails on Tod Inlet (next to Butchart Gardens) ,or Gowlland Tod Provincial Park near Brentwood Bay. Or head over towards Sydney By The Sea and capture photos of Mount Baker rising out of the ocean towards the east.&nbsp;</div><div><br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://admin.tourismvictoria.com/content/uploads/2024/03/2024_DGV_Vacation_Guide_WEB-02.pdf?_ga=2.107399042.1624096695.1717091647-894745507.1717091647&amp;_gl=1*3xprjt*_ga*ODk0NzQ1NTA3LjE3MTcwOTE2NDc.*_ga_ND247S3GYZ*MTcxNzA5MTY0Ni4xLjEuMTcxNzA5MzA0Ny42MC4wLjA">https://admin.tourismvictoria......df?_ga=2.1</a>.</p> <p><a rel="nofollow" href="https://admin.tourismvictoria.com/content/uploads/2024/03/2024_DGV_Vacation_Guide_maps.pdf?_ga=2.105776003.1624096695.1717091647-894745507.1717091647&amp;_gl=1*ptt93z*_ga*ODk0NzQ1NTA3LjE3MTcwOTE2NDc.*_ga_ND247S3GYZ*MTcxNzA5MTY0Ni4xLjEuMTcxNzA5MzA3NC4zMy4wLjA">https://admin.tourismvictoria......?_ga=2.105</a>. </p> <p>And, if you need more, there is still 2/3 of the Island to explore…plus a trip to Haida Gwaii—the most magical place I’ve ever visited.&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>If you want more information, just PM me.&nbsp;</div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361826 Thu, 30 May 2024 11:47:45 +0000 Janet 2361826@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>MsMary — do it! </p> <p>These are all fab suggestions. I think I need a whole month there and not just 9-10 days. LOL </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361785 Wed, 29 May 2024 19:34:23 +0000 Helena 2361785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Such a beautiful place Janet - enjoy it and I can wait to see what your artist's eye spots to photograph!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361777 Wed, 29 May 2024 17:15:09 +0000 MsMary 2361777@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>OMG I am tempted to fly up there myself to elbow my way in to the Suz/Janet meetup!! SO FUN!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361775 Wed, 29 May 2024 15:27:50 +0000 Suz 2361775@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Sarah</b>, yes! Mystic Beach is great. Also, French Beach, which is a bit closer to Victoria, if memory serves.&nbsp;</p> <p>Those are cool photos of Fort Rod Hill!&nbsp;</p> <p>Another fun thing to do might be to go on a little ferry to Sidney Island:&nbsp;<a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.sidneyspitferry.com/">https://www.sidneyspitferry.com/</a></p> <p>There would be lots of boats/ marine stuff/ potential rust in the marina and then the island itself is kind of cool. It's more beach than tide-pool kind of place, but beautiful and some interesting driftwood formations.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361751 Wed, 29 May 2024 11:54:27 +0000 April 2361751@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>No words of advice but lots of envy! Looking forward to hearing about your trip. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361733 Wed, 29 May 2024 05:06:50 +0000 SarahD8 2361733@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Exciting!!!</p> <p>For rusty goodness, I suggest Fort Rod Hill, just outside of Victoria (1-6).</p> <p>Mystic Beach (7-10) is great — not quite as far up the coast as ucluelet. I do remember there being signs about watch out for bears, but when we were there in august there were plenty of other humans around.</p> <p>You didn’t ask for city destinations, but in downtown Victoria allow me to mention the coffee shop Hey Happy and the boutique Smoking Lily.</p> <p>I also have a real soft spot for the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria— small but wonderful museum, really high quality exhibits, great museum shop. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361729 Wed, 29 May 2024 04:04:37 +0000 Sal 2361729@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's been 16 years since I went to Vancouver Island.&nbsp; We stayed with family with a 3 year old and a 6 year old.</p> <p>My main memories<br />- a deer walking through the suburban garden<br />- lovely hummingbirds<br />- a swim in Bear Lake<br />- Yachting from Sidney<br />- the lovely ferry ride from Vancouver to the island, we left via Hydrofoil to Seattle and the views were lovely but it was hard to see them due to the seating arrangement on the boat... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361724 Wed, 29 May 2024 02:12:18 +0000 cat2 2361724@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We did a boat tour in Tofino on the calm waters, and it was an amazing way to see bears dining on crab on the beach. We were at the luxury end of the spectrum, so stayed at the Wick and ate at Wolf in the Fog. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361679 Tue, 28 May 2024 20:55:09 +0000 Suz 2361679@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Janet</b>! So exciting! You are coming at a wonderful time of year, and I hope to see you (and maybe hike some with you?)&nbsp;</p> <p>At the moment, the Island is very green, but there's a high risk of forest fires this year. I hope they won't get serious before you come.&nbsp;</p> <p>All the places you mention are wonderful to see. Tofino/ Ucluelet&nbsp; area is gorgeous but tends to be very booked up and extremely pricey this time of year. Still, I highly recommend it -- the walks I took along that coastline were breathtaking.</p> <p>Closer to Victoria, you might find Sooke potholes fun to photograph. There are also beautiful lakes and views very near to the city -- daytrip-able. I regulary hike on the south island and know of some gorgeous and easily accesible spots. DM me!&nbsp;</p> <p>A few of my very amateur photos -- some taken almost literally in my backyard, and some a bit further afield.&nbsp; 16-25 Ucluelet area. The others closer to my place -- my local conservation area and Gowland Todd or other parks I often go for day hikes.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361674 Tue, 28 May 2024 20:30:52 +0000 Jenni NZ 2361674@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You could possibly message Gaylene. She doesn’t seem to be active on the forum lately but gave me lots of advice, some of which is also in my old thread “Trip to Canada May 2023”. Sorry on my phone can’t link. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361658 Tue, 28 May 2024 17:53:09 +0000 MsMary 2361658@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I would definitely recommend a day trip to Victoria and tea at the Fairmont Empress Hotel! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361651 Tue, 28 May 2024 16:30:17 +0000 Star (Lise) 2361651@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Have a look at Sheila of Ephemera's blog.&nbsp; She has always lived in Victoria and although her blog is about 2nd hand outfits during lockdown she did show us a lot of the nature on the island.&nbsp; Since then every Thursday she has a Mom Day and posts about visits to various parks, nature reserves and coastal areas.&nbsp; Check out her archives they could be helpful.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361622 Tue, 28 May 2024 11:29:21 +0000 Janet 2361622@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks, Carla and Jenni! </p> <p>Jenni, I’ll definitely look into Abkhazi — I love gardens! </p> <p>Carla, I am looking forward to checking out some of those First Nation sites — I’ve not had as much opportunity to learn more about them as I have in the Native American cultures in the desert southwest. </p> <p>Camping on the beach sounds fun, but I think I’m going to stick with motels this trip and leave all that extra gear at home, since I’m flying. </p> <p>And yes, I was hoping Suz would chime in — I’m sure she’s quite swamped as she just returned home from her own travels but I’ll definitely drop her a note in case she doesn’t see this. </p> <p>I get the impression that VI may be a bit like the Olympic Peninsula, which I loved. I took a week to explore that, in 2016 — after a few days in Seattle, when I got to meet up with Angie and others, and Anna gave me an awesome tour of some great spots in Seattle. I’m not sure I’ll have time in Seattle this trip, but that is a great memory — I can’t believe it’s been 8 years since then! Time is passing at an alarming rate. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361611 Tue, 28 May 2024 09:05:31 +0000 Jenni NZ 2361611@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>We visited for 2 nights in early June almost one year ago, stayed in Victoria. Suz and Gaylene both gave me really good advice. The Magnolia hotel which Gaylene recommended was nice.<br /> We had been to the Butchart Gardens before (in 1989) and so caught a local bus to the much smaller Abkhazi garden in suburban Victoria which was lovely and had a cool story behind it. And the bus was free because it happened to be Earth Day! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361609 Tue, 28 May 2024 06:19:34 +0000 Carla 2361609@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You’ve identified the hot spots, <b>Janet. &nbsp;</b>It’s been a long time since I’ve been, but we used to visit DH’s parents who lived on the island, and I remember a few things. It was hard to get to some of the remote places, and we camped on beaches. &nbsp;I don’t know if that’s a thing anymore! &nbsp; I’ll ask DH (when he comes back from a golfing trip with his buddies later this week.). I love Butchart Gardens. &nbsp;The First Nations arts are alive and well with some great living museums.&nbsp;</p> <p> <div><br /></div><div>DM <b></b>&nbsp;<b>Suz. &nbsp;</b>She ives on the island!</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/vancouver-island#post-2361590 Tue, 28 May 2024 02:01:28 +0000 Janet 2361590@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hi lovely people! I know we have so many forum members here from BC and other parts of Canada who can probably help with this…</p> <p>I’m taking a solo photo trip to Vancouver Island in just a couple of weeks. Fairly short notice for planning but I’ve booked my flight, rental car, and ferry ticket from the Seattle area to Victoria. I’ve been researching locations on VI and it looks like I’ll have plenty of photo subjects — nature, landscapes, rustic picturesque towns and harbors, etc. </p> <p>I’m wondering if any of you with experience traveling (or living!) there have any do-not-miss recommendations, or any don’t-bother suggestions as well. Any cautions about booking lodging in advance? I don’t know how popular it is there in early to mid-June. I will be prepared for cool and rainy weather! </p> <p>I’ll be going solo, so short day hikes are good, nothing too long or remote in bear country is my rule. Mountains are awesome but I won’t be summitting anything of any height on this trip. Particularly interested in areas with great tide pools, unusual beaches, geological features and rock formations, lovely lakes, beautiful plant and tree life, rustic and rusty goodness, old boats… </p> <p>Already on my list:</p> <p>Butchart gardens<br /> Pacific Rim National Park<br /> Tofino area<br /> Botanical Beach<br /> Strathcona Provincial Park</p> <p>If I get far enough north, these are on my radar…</p> <p>Cape Scott Provincial Park and San Josef Bay<br /> Alert Bay - U’Mista Cultural Center<br /> Little Huson Caves Park</p> <p>I welcome any intel anyone has to share! Thanks! </p>