Food Scene
The Bean Counter is a wonderful little coffee shop that features home baking daily. Lunch items as well.
7 locals recommend
Magnolia Court
Island Highway WestThe Bean Counter is a wonderful little coffee shop that features home baking daily. Lunch items as well.
Little stand alone stand that makes the best Tacos on the Island (well, there is another good Taco stand just outside Tofino as well). Be prepared to wait half an hour to 45 minutes but you are looking out to an unobstructed ocean view so it is not a tough place to wait. Written up in Hello B.C. as one of the "have to eat" places on the Island.
37 locals recommend
Tidal Taco Shack
8256 Island Hwy WLittle stand alone stand that makes the best Tacos on the Island (well, there is another good Taco stand just outside Tofino as well). Be prepared to wait half an hour to 45 minutes but you are looking out to an unobstructed ocean view so it is not a tough place to wait. Written up in Hello B.C. as one of the "have to eat" places on the Island.
Wonderful food and ambiance right in Qualicum Bay. Excellent food and quality. Enjoy your food and drink at the bar and chat to the locals.
15 locals recommend
WEST COAST FOOD HOUSE
6060 Island Hwy WWonderful food and ambiance right in Qualicum Bay. Excellent food and quality. Enjoy your food and drink at the bar and chat to the locals.
Awesome little bakery. Everything she makes is wonderful. It is a little "Mom and Pop" operation and you will hear the sea lions from their place as well as see them in the bay. Don't miss it. Up the hill to the left off the Hwy. Closed Mondays.
Just Like Mom's Bakery
265 Muschamp RdAwesome little bakery. Everything she makes is wonderful. It is a little "Mom and Pop" operation and you will hear the sea lions from their place as well as see them in the bay. Don't miss it. Up the hill to the left off the Hwy. Closed Mondays.
Parks & Nature
People come from around the world to experience the caves. They offer everything from all physical levels to try.
Horne Lake is a great spot for a swim or try Spider Lake for a warmer lake and no powerboats allowed in this smaller warmer lake. Nice spot to enjoy the day and lunch at one of their picnic tables overlooking the lake.
From the cottage one can walk through the forest and down a gravel road into the fish hatchery, or just walk through the mini subdivisions behind us with homes build on acreages in the forest.
102 locals recommend
Horne Lake Caves Provincial Park
3905 Horne Lake Caves RdPeople come from around the world to experience the caves. They offer everything from all physical levels to try.
Horne Lake is a great spot for a swim or try Spider Lake for a warmer lake and no powerboats allowed in this smaller warmer lake. Nice spot to enjoy the day and lunch at one of their picnic tables overlooking the lake.
From the cottage one can walk through the forest and down a gravel road into the fish hatchery, or just walk through the mini subdivisions behind us with homes build on acreages in the forest.
Wonderful easy walk through old growth cedar trees. There are a few paths you can take and it is easy to walk in from the parking lots.
163 locals recommend
Cathedral Grove
British Columbia 4Wonderful easy walk through old growth cedar trees. There are a few paths you can take and it is easy to walk in from the parking lots.
Lovely walk through the forest in town. Tall trees that let the sun shine through. Easy walking and you can park off the street at the entrances into the park.
17 locals recommend
Heritage Forest
Crescent Road EastLovely walk through the forest in town. Tall trees that let the sun shine through. Easy walking and you can park off the street at the entrances into the park.
Nice warm non - motorized lake just 10 minutes from our house . Sandy beach to swim , canoe, paddleboard or just sit on a picnic table in the shade and enjoy the views. Straight up Horne Lake road and cross over Hwy #19 then stay on Horne Lake Road and follow the signs. At one point you will think you are going in circles but continue on and you will find it. Mostly paved road with the last couple of minutes on a gravel road. Stop for an ice cream at Pineridge Market while checking out their jams and other goodies.
18 locals recommend
Spider Lake Provincial Park
Hwy 19Nice warm non - motorized lake just 10 minutes from our house . Sandy beach to swim , canoe, paddleboard or just sit on a picnic table in the shade and enjoy the views. Straight up Horne Lake road and cross over Hwy #19 then stay on Horne Lake Road and follow the signs. At one point you will think you are going in circles but continue on and you will find it. Mostly paved road with the last couple of minutes on a gravel road. Stop for an ice cream at Pineridge Market while checking out their jams and other goodies.
Shopping
Offers a variety of things. The famous Goats on a Roof are there. Our favorite Italian restaurant garden patio is behind the store called Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria. Army and Navy store. Wildlife Recovery Centre is in Errington which is beside Coombs. See the bald headed eagles, owls, turtles, turkeys and other wildlife with a secret garden.
112 locals recommend
Coombs
Offers a variety of things. The famous Goats on a Roof are there. Our favorite Italian restaurant garden patio is behind the store called Cuckoo Trattoria and Pizzeria. Army and Navy store. Wildlife Recovery Centre is in Errington which is beside Coombs. See the bald headed eagles, owls, turtles, turkeys and other wildlife with a secret garden.
This is a must if you are visiting on a Saturday. They are open from 8:30 to noon each Saturday. Wonderful grain and gluten free breads, fresh veggies in season, cheese, handmade crafts, locally made body care products. jams, jellies and other items we love to peruse. The Legion across in the parking lot offers a pancake breakfast as well.
27 locals recommend
Qualicum Beach Farmer's Market
644 Veterans WayThis is a must if you are visiting on a Saturday. They are open from 8:30 to noon each Saturday. Wonderful grain and gluten free breads, fresh veggies in season, cheese, handmade crafts, locally made body care products. jams, jellies and other items we love to peruse. The Legion across in the parking lot offers a pancake breakfast as well.
Wonderful store that features local artisans from the Islands. Hard to leave the store without something you have picked out either for yourself or a gift for someone special.
14 locals recommend
Salish Sea Market
Wonderful store that features local artisans from the Islands. Hard to leave the store without something you have picked out either for yourself or a gift for someone special.
Sightseeing
If you have a completely free day this is worth fitting into your schedule. Reserve ahead. You spend the day on the little old freighter watching mail, speakers, eaves troughs, kayaks and any thing else you can think of being dropped off at tiny sea hamlets while sailing through the sound. If you are not comfortable with open ocean then just take the trip to Bamfield where you get off the boat for an hour and have your lunch (we packed our own) and walk along the boardwalk. Otherwise you can take the Ucluelet trip. Check their website out at www.ladyrosemarine.com. Spectacular scenery throughout the trip.
14 locals recommend
Lady Rose Marine Services
5425 Argyle StIf you have a completely free day this is worth fitting into your schedule. Reserve ahead. You spend the day on the little old freighter watching mail, speakers, eaves troughs, kayaks and any thing else you can think of being dropped off at tiny sea hamlets while sailing through the sound. If you are not comfortable with open ocean then just take the trip to Bamfield where you get off the boat for an hour and have your lunch (we packed our own) and walk along the boardwalk. Otherwise you can take the Ucluelet trip. Check their website out at www.ladyrosemarine.com. Spectacular scenery throughout the trip.
Arts & Culture
Interesting spot to visit anytime . Closed in the winter months.
22 locals recommend
Qualicum Beach Museum
587 Beach RdInteresting spot to visit anytime . Closed in the winter months.
Qualicum Beach
Great thing to do on a cold or rainy day. A little local history.