Roz1103

I have read so many postings about Tofino and about the beauty, but we only have 2 days after seeing Vancouver & Whistler (1 day each - I know, I know, but I am a USA travel agent so have to see it all!)
So, with only 2 days before heading to Port Angeles and on to Seattle (boy what a fast week) I really need advice as to where to spend the time.
My first thought was drive down from Whistler and jump on to the ferry at Horseshoe going to Departure Bay by Nanaimo and base somewhere near there (but not in the middle of a huge city) for 2 nights. From this base, I could drive over to Tofino and around... then hit Victoria before taking the ferry over to Port Angeles.
Or, should I just drive down from Nanaimo and stay at Saltspring or another Island?
Also, the US format raves about the San Juan Islands. It's so confusing when one has so little time, but I want to be able to recommend places to my clients while my husband & I have a somewhat relaxing vacation!
Of course this may all depend on what is available as I am talking about arriving on Labor Day weekend (for the USA). I should be able to get something in Vancouver since it is so large and already have a place booked for Sunday, Sept. 4th in Whistler, so I am talking about Monday and Tuesday, USA's Labor Day and the day after.
Other than telling me I am crazy, any advice?
Roz - travel agent in San Diego, CA

Meesthare

Well, considering that you're interested in exploring my favourite part of the world, I don't think I'd say that you're crazy! But you are a bit ambitious, especially if you want to provide knowledgeable advice to your clients.

First of all, for the record, Canada has the same Labour Day holiday as the US. Just so you know.

This is just my opinion, but I think you'd be better off exploring a smaller area rather than trying to get an impression of anything with not enough time to really look around. It's certainly easy to get to Tofino from Nanaimo, but to attempt to do Tofino and Victoria in one day each - I don't know. I'd stick to one or the other for 2 days and then come back another time for more exploration when you have more time.

dona

Hi -- you are correct in saying that you are trying to see alot in a very short time frame. We have just returned from most of the places you mention and were in Lopez and Orcas Islands in the San Juans last year. Tofino is magnificent. The drive from Nanaimo to Tofino is about 3 hours and is spectacular once you get out of the traffic mess leaving Nanaimo. Salt Spring is a charming Island and particularly nice if you're into the arts as there are many studios and galleries that you may visit. If you choose Salt Spring definitley go on a Saturday as they have a fabulous market on Saturdays. You could also go to Victoria from Salt Spring (Fulford Harbor) to take the ferry back to Port Angeles. I think that Salt Spring is quite similar to Orcas Island in the San Juans. Lopez Island in the San Juans is smaller and even more laid back than either Salt Spring and Orcas which are incredibly laid back. (I say this being from a big East Coast City.) From a travel agent persepctive if you go to Salt Spring you will have a sense of the San Juans so that could be helpful. However I enjoyed Tofino the best of all the places mentioned and it is in many ways the most different. You could certainly drive to Tofino and back in one day, but I think that would be foolish as you really would not have any chance to get a feel for the place. The downside of going to Tofino would be that it is quite a drive from Tofino to Victoria to catch the ferry. All that said, I think your best bet would be to go from Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassan to Salt Spring. Spend the night on Salt Spring and then take the ferry from Fulford Harbor to Victoria and spend the night in Victoria taking the ferry to Port Angeles. I suggest you make reservations on the ferries which accept them. The Coho ferry which goes from Victoria to Port Angeles has begun taking reservations recently.
Whatever u decide, I'd definitely make reservations as quickly as possible and enjoy yourself, its a beautiful area!

MIWinnie

Roz, I agree with Meesthare and dona. If you decided to go to Tofino and Uclulet you would only have a short time to look around, not enough to do justice to either location. It will take you a minimum of 3 hours to drive from Nanaimo to Tofino and probably longer on the holiday weekend. The road is not a superhighway. Parts of it were formerly an old logging road and those sections have lots of twists and turns. It is two lanes and you will undoubtedly encounter a fair number of slow-moving campers and trucks depending on the time of day when you travel. In some areas you may encounter fog - especially if you travel early or late in the day.

I can't help you with Saltspring; haven't been there, though dona's suggestions make good sense. Do make reservations for the ferry, especially the one to Port Angeles. It fills up quickly.

Cyberglen

Hi Roz,

Am up here in Oceanside and have similar ambitions so can't blame you. My itinerary is fly from SAN to YVR, arrive 9:35. Check in. Sleep. Drive to Whistler early. Take the "Zipline tour" (see www.tourismwhistler.com, under summer). Horsehoe bay (with car) to Nanaimo). Visit friends on Gabriola, drive to Campbell River, check out a property. Sleep near Nanaimo. (For some reason, instince tells me not to sleep IN Nananimo), Next day dash down to Victoria, go to Buchart Gardens with the crowds, see fireworks. Next day have fish and chips, then tea in the afternoon, go see whales (if there are any), then go to sleep. Catch early fairy to YVR. Fly home. I feel tired already. I think I should scale this back, some. You, too!

April

With only two days I sure wouldn't bother with Saltspring - it's not all that interesting. From Whistler I would probably ferry over to Nanaimo and either go straight to Tofino, or stay beachside in Parksville on the way to Victoria. Actually, I would cut the overnight in Whistler (the best part being the drive there and back, in my opinion) and spend it in Tofino.

I wouldn't count on everything being available on the Labour Day weekend.