Located north of Nanaimo, BC, the beautiful town of Qualicum Beach is a fantastic place for a day trip if you are in the area. The small town of just over 7,000 features gorgeous beaches, immaculate English gardens and many lovely parks.

Getting There

Half the fun of getting there is the drive. Heading north from Nanaimo on Route 19A to Route 19 you drive along the edge of the beach for about forty minutes before you reach the community of Qualicum Beach. Once you reach the town consider picking up some tourist information, so you can plan out all the spots that you want to visit while you are there.

Activities

Paintings, pottery, woven baskets, glass and Native art all have their home in Qualicum Beach, so be prepared to spend some time viewing all the lovely pieces available for sale. At the centre of town you will find the Old School House Gallery which is a haven for artists in the area to show off their pieces. Learn how to blow glass or paint in one of the many workshops offered in the town, or head to the Vancouver Island Paleontology Museum and check out their extensive collection of fossils. If you are craving some outdoor activity consider horseback riding, kayaking or a nature walk through one of the many parks in the area. Take a breath of fresh air while sailing, or drop a line and see if you can catch yourself a nice salmon for dinner. There is no shortage of things to see or do while you are visiting the area, and it is a great place to pick up some mementos of your trip. Whether it is a wood carving, a glass vase or a Native painting you will certainly enjoy bringing a piece of Qualicum Beach home with you.