Road Trip to Vancouver Island for boomer travelers
Our road trip to Vancouver Island combined Nanaimo’s lively food scene, luxuriously unique lodging and the island’s rugged, wild West Coast. Read our articles to create your own road trip itinerary. Be sure to let us know how much fun you had!
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Vancouver Island Road Trip Itinerary
As usual, rather than taking the speedy route, Alan and I chose a slow scenic journey from Missoula, Montana to Vancouver Island. We made our way through Montana and Idaho before crossing the Canadian border into British Columbia. Our itinerary took us on Canada Highway 3, which hugs the U.S./Canadian border, on an inspired ride filled with mountain views all the way to Vancouver where we boarded a ferry at Horseshoe Bay for Vancouver Island.
Maybe that’s why the Canadian border crossing guard at Porthill, Idaho, said to us, “You’re traveling to Vancouver Island the really slow way.”
Stops on our Vancouver Island road trip include:
Castlegar, B.C.: Overnight at Windborne Bed and Breakfast.
Princeton, B.C.: Overnight at Sandman Hotel.
But the real purpose of our trip was to experience Vancouver Island:
- 3 nights in Nanaimo hosted by Tourism Nanaimo and Inn the Estuary.
- 3 nightsat Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet for a Vancouver Island Porsche Club weekend.
- 2 nights on Vancouver Island’s West Coast in Tofino courtesy of the Relais and Chateaux property, Wickaninnish Inn.
- Then, it was back to Nanaimo for one night at the Buccaneer Inn before the ferry ride back to Vancouver and the drive back to Montana.
Disclosure: A portion of this trip was been provided by Tourism Nanaimo, Inn the Estuary and Wickaninnish Inn.
Hitting the Trail in Nanaimo
Do you have a sweet tooth? Then you’ll definitely want to experience the Nanaimo Trail to taste every variety of Nanaimo bars that you can imagine. Click on Hitting the Trail in Nanaimo to read more.
Drive Yellowpoint Road in Nanaimo
After exploring the city of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, foodies will enjoy a scenic drive to area farms as well as walking on the beach at Blue Heron Park. To read about our experience, click on Drive Yellowpoint Road in Nanaimo.
Luxury and Wildlife at Inn the Estuary
Our road trip through Vancouver was an incredible experience, but when we arrived at the incredible Inn the Estuary, we fell in love with it immediately. No longer an inn, you can still stay here on vacation rental basis. Read more about our stay by clicking on Luxury and Wildlife at Inn the Estuary.
Bonding at Black Rock 2013
Attending a Porsche event at Ucluelet was our main reason for visiting Vancouver Island. Read how strangers bond over cars by clicking on Bonding at Black Rock 2013.
Walking the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet, B.C.
The Wild Pacific Trail offers visitors to Ucluelet, the opportunity for a moderately easy hike surrounded by amazing scenery. Read out tips for Walking the Wild Pacific Trail.
Luxury in a Natural Setting at The Wickaninnish Inn
For luxury accommodations in a romantic, yet wild setting, there’s nothing else like the Wickaninnish Inn in Tofino. Click on Luxury in a Natural Setting at The Wickaninnish Inn to read more about our experience.
Meeting Up with a Black Bear
On Highway 3 in British Columbia, we met up with a black bear. Read about our experience and tips for safe bear watching by clicking on Meeting Up With a Black Bear.
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