15 minutes from Port Alberni. Relax by the waterfall at this peaceful riverside park or explore the area by foot. Hiking trails weave their way through the lush forest and river rapids. Named for the pioneer who built Port Alberni’s earliest sawmill, Stamp River Park is an amalgamation of Stamp Falls and Money’s Pool.

One of the park’s main attractions is the annual run of thousands of Pacific salmon circling in the pool below Stamp Falls before ascending the fish ladders on their way to spawning beds.

Lookout points along the river offer excellent views of the salmon fighting their way up the falls and fish ladders. This natural phenomenon occurs every year, starting in late August with sockeye and continuing with coho and chinook right into December.

The salmon are a draw for black bear as well, who head to the river for an easy meal. As always when in wilderness areas, safety precautions should be taken. While fishing within the park boundaries is not permitted, this park is a popular base camp for anglers fishing other parts of the Stamp River, as well as visitors traveling to and from the Pacific Rim.

The Hole in the Wall in Port Alberni is a unique man-made phenomenon on Vancouver Island. Years ago a large hole was drilled through the solid rock to make way for an old pipeline. The pipeline has since been removed and what is left behind is a beautiful oasis in the forest where the creek flows through the hole and down into the crystal clear pool below.

Located near Cameron Lake on the way to Port Alberni, Cathedral Grove is one of the most accessible stands of giant Douglas fir trees on Vancouver Island. The park protects and preserves an internationally significant representative example of Douglas fir old-growth forest within the Coastal Western Hemlock Biogeoclimatic Zone.

Here visitors can stroll through a network of trails under the shadow of towering ancient Douglas fir trees, majestic pillars untouched by the modern world, some more than 800 years old.

Trails on either side of the highway lead visitors through the mighty stands of this coastal forest. On the south side you will find the largest Douglas firs, one measuring more than 9 metres in circumference. On the northern side of the road you’ll find groves of ancient western red cedar standing sentry over nearby Cameron Lake.

A severe windstorm on New Year’s Day in 1997 changed the look of the park forever. The storm toppled hundreds of huge trees and obliterated sections of the trail system. Some sections of the trail system were so badly hit that they have never been reopened.

Restoration and clean-up began almost as soon as the winds stopped, and although visitors will now find many of these huge trees lying on the ground, their value has not diminished. These fallen trees open the canopy to provide light, space, shelter, and nutrients for the next generations of plants. Natural regeneration is beginning to restore the grove’s pristine beauty and the park’s diversity, making a visit to Cathedral Grove all the more intriguing.

Fossli Park is situated on the south side of Stirling Arm on Sproat Lake, west of Port Alberni on Vancouver Island. This undeveloped park has limited facilities but does contain a beautiful walking trail. This 55 minute loop leads over a suspension bridge through second-growth forest to an old homestead site on Sproat Lake. At the lake, visitors can relax on the level grassy area or pebble beach and enjoy the lovely views of Sproat Lake. There is a waterfall/swimming hole located on the trail.

The Alberni Valley Lookout Trail is a great family-friendly adventure on Vancouver Island that will see you make your way up the hillside for views of the Alberni Valley. While it isn’t the most challenging route, this charming forest hike makes for a pleasant afternoon on the trails with the family. Although steep in some areas, this trail follows a logging road, making it easy to navigate all of the way until the end.

Steph and Chase's Fave's

Sit-down restaurants:

Brie & Barrel (Wine Bar)

Little Bavaria (Homestyle German)

Clam Bucket (Seafood)

Starboard Grill (North American Comfort/Waterfront)

Cypress Restaurant (North American Comfort/in the Casino)

Orestes (Greek)

Casual dining:

Porto Taco (Mexican/Takeaway)

Boomerangs Café (Australian/Brunch)

J&L Drive-In (50's style drive-in)

Bare Bones Fish & Chips

Pescadores (Mexican/Greek)

Pete's Mountain Meats (BEST Sandwiches on the island)

Sehmi Japanese Restaurant (Good Sushi)

Micro-Breweries:

Dog Mountain Brewing (Rooftop Patio/Good Views)

Alberni Brewing (Spacious)

Twin City Brewing (Cozy Atmosphere)

Victoria is British Columbia’s capital and one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. A British settlement since 1843 and named after Queen Victoria, the city is home to a variety of historic buildings, including the beautiful parliament buildings and the world-famous Empress Hotel. The city is also home to the oldest Chinatown in Canada, vibrant First Nations communities who have called this place home long before European settlement, and is widely known as “The Garden City” thanks to its mild weather and almost year-round gardens.

Some things to do in Victoria, BC:

- Whale Watching

- Tour Parliament Building

- Royal BC Museum

- Fisherman's Wharf

- Butchart Gardens

Tofino is a 1.5 hour drive from Port Alberni and is one of the most magical little towns in Western Canada. It’s the ultimate outdoor adventure playground with some of the most stunning scenery in the world. Discover endless tree-lined beaches, thousands of islands and an incredible array of wildlife including bears, whales and wolves, and other impressive Tofino attractions.

Things to do in Tofino

- Whale Watching

- Bear Watching

- Hot Springs Cove Tour (Full Day Tour)

- Surfing

- So many beaches!

- Take a boat to Meare's Island and walk through HUGE trees

- Lighthouse trail in Ucluelet

- WW2 Plane Crash Hike

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Coast Mountain Range, Vancouver is a vibrant metropolis of unrivalled beauty. It is a cosmopolitan city perched on the edge of nature, with unlimited opportunities for outdoor recreation and a great cultural diversity with its European, Asian and First Nations heritages. Vancouver has it all, for seasoned travellers and the less adventurous seeking a peaceful, reassuring destination. There is no need for a car in Vancouver. This is a city that is best explored on foot or by bike, at your own pace.

Things to do in Vancouver:

- Walk/Bike the Seawall around Stanley Park to Kitsilano Beach

- Gondola ride to Grouse Mountain, see the Grizzly Bear enclosure

- Granville Island Public Market

- Gastown; trendy cafes, bars, steam clock

- BC Lions Football game at BC Place Stadium

- Vancouver Whitecaps soccer at BC Place Stadium

- Capilano Suspension Bridge

Whistler is a two hour drive from Vancouver. While it might be best known as Canada’s most popular ski resort and as the host of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, it is also a fantastic year-round tourist destination.

Whether you’re a foodie, an adventure seeker, or just looking for a relaxing vacation surrounded by nature, you’ve got a wide-range of fun activities to choose from in this mountain town.