Seattle to Victoria, BC Summer Getaway Flights from $218 pp/ow Book Flights
Zingaro Floral Perfumery could well be a time machine. The small boutique is tucked within a historic building on Johnson Street, less than half a mile from the Victoria Harbour Airport. The space is an Instagramer’s daydream, filled with the kind of treasures that evoke a mix of old-world elegance and whimsical fun.
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Picture breathtaking mountains, moss-laden forests, and fresh salty air paired with mild weather and amazing year-round outdoor activities. Where is such a place, you might ask? For those of us lucky enough to live in Seattle, it is called home.
Often upon returning back from a trip, I am reminded I already live in one of the most spectacular places in the country. Although my family and I normally don’t take the time to vacation where we live, it only took a pandemic to realize how much there is to learn and explore in our city. And most importantly, we were reminded how rejuvenating a vacation can be without a long plane or car ride.
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Bringing back craft since 2017, San Juan Island Brewing Company is an award-winning brewery set in the beautiful and awe-inspiring San Juan Islands. Based in Friday Harbor, the brewery is known for highly sessionable, true-to-style beers, specializing in old-world ales and lagers that are all unified in being flavor balanced and pairing well with food.
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Lisa Lamoreaux didn’t plan to become an artist. But in many ways, she just always was.
Her passion for mixing and matching designs began as just a little girl. Obsessed with buying greeting cards, Lisa Lamoreaux spent hours rearranging them on the wall of her bedroom. Tired of the pinholes, her mother turned the entire wall into cork, giving Lisa the freedom to easily create new designs as her collection grew and her vision expanded.
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Tucked within the Salish Sea, the 172 island archipelago known as the San Juan Islands is prized for its stunning views, rich farmland, and incredible seafood. San Juan Island, the second largest island, is the most populated. Spanning roughly 55 square miles, it’s home to several parks that run along the rocky shorelines, including San Juan Island National Historical Park, San Juan County Park, and Lime Kiln Point State Park.
While the San Juans are indeed known for their slow pace and laidback lifestyle, don’t assume the only activities are leisurely bike rides and watching the sea. There are a plethora of fun and exciting things to do on San Juan Island — with something for those of all ages.
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How did Seattle get established? What were the first neighborhoods like? What’s the deal with the big red R? And have seaplanes always landed on Lake Union?
The Museum of History and Industry, aka MOHAI, offers a deep dive into how Seattle evolved from its earliest days to now. A mix of pictures, artifacts and hands-on exhibits make this indoor museum fascinating for those of all ages. And, a fun thing to do in Seattle — no matter the weather.
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A place where the ocean meets the sand, the sand meets the forest, and the forest meets the end of the road. That’s Tofino.
It’s a place where the WiFi is newly updated, the cell reception spotty, and the days move slow. A place that feels as though it’s been plucked from time and preserved from the bustle.
The charm is undoubtedly due to its remote location. Prior to 1959, the only sustainable way to reach Tofino was a long, and slightly dreary, boat ride up the coast of Vancouver Island. But when HIghway 4 was expanded, the adamant traveler could tackle a 3-hour trek around hairpin curves and frequent rainstorms that visit the Pacific Rim National Park to the end of the road. (Quite literally, Highway 4 leads directly to Tofino’s First Street Dock.)
In those early days, these travelers were often outdoorsy hippies, looking to find a place beyond the crowds. Today, any number of visitors still take this long trip. But for those in the know, a charter flight can take them directly to Long Beach Airport — a small and friendly airport situated between Tofino and Ucluelet.
While the famed hot springs have been closed until further notice, the town of Tofino isn’t short on fun things to do year-round. Located on the west coast of Vancouver Island, you’ll find hiking in the Pacific National Park Reserve, a spa with ocean views at Ancient Cedars Spa, a food scene that’s bursting with seasonal flavor, and so much more.
Tofino rests just 1,200 miles from the Arctic Circle. Despite the low-temperature water streaming down from the north, it’s fondly been dubbed the Canadian capital of surfing. Tiny Tofino tots have been known to start honing their riding chops at just three- or four-years-old, boggie boarding above the sand.
But undoubtedly, it’s learning to stand atop a wave that brings the ultimate thrill. Thanks to the gentle swells during the summer months, the sandy-bottom beaches stretching up and down the coast are ideal. Chesterman Beach is particularly beloved by locals and visitors alike. It’s the closest beach to town (and right next to the Wickanninish Inn).
Stretching 1.7 miles, it receives year-round swells that range from mild to challenging. It is here, that many of Tofino’s surf schools hold classes — like Surf Sister, a woman-owned and operated surf shop and school.
Fun Fact: You’ll want to wear a wetsuit year-round while surfing in Tofino. The water temperature stays relatively consistent, ranging from a brisk 48°F degrees in winter and a ‘toasty’ 59°F degrees in summer.
Anchored in a remote section of Clayoquot Sound, the traditional territory of the Tal-o-qui-aht First Nation, bobs a floating wood-fired sauna. It’s outfitted with dock hammocks and equipped with paddleboards. A rope swing dangles overhead and an outdoor firepit is rimmed by Adirondack chairs.
Moving from the steamy heat to an icy plunge, and back to the warmth again is an exhilarating mix of relaxation and timeless fun. But there’s also a stillness amongst the forest-lined waters, even as laughter ripples through the air. Perhaps it’s that you’re completely unplugged. Because while you can now find WiF in Tofino, it’s nowhere to be found in the sauna. It’s just you and those you travel with, savoring the shocking disparity between fire and ice.
Looking to fill your soul and your belly? Round out the excursion by foraging for crab and prawns. For the ultimate treat, bring your catch back to the tainted chefs at 1909 Kitchen where they’ll give it the love it deserves.
It’s said that Tofino’s ‘storm season’ falls during late autumn and winter. And while that may be the best time to witness the gale force winds, towering waves, and moody skies—Mother Nature has a way of rearing her head when least expected.
The storms that shaped Tofino’s coastline (and shape it still), pound the rocks mercilessly. A spray-filled fireworks display of salty water, the storms often ebb and flow, raging full force with interluding moments of calm.
Watching a winter storm from the comfort of a warm room, perhaps with a steaming cup clutched in your hand, is to be mesmerized. Listen closely as the ocean surges into the forest and you’ll hear the trees moan. And as the waters reside, slip on a pair of boots to explore how the shoreline has been given new form before your next round of storm watching begins.
There’s something about a building that was literally built among the trees, the ground hand-cleared to prevent unnecessary damage. It offers a sense of refugee, like a childhood tree fort. And yet, there’s nothing rough around the edges about the Wickaninnish Inn.
While the lively wonderscape of its setting perched atop a rocky cliff immerses you in the untamed wilderness, the Relais & Châteaux accommodations of this luxury destination are pure serenity. It has all the trappings you’d expect to find in a place of its stature. It also has something a little more. It has spirit.
Take a look at the wood fireplace mantles that adorn each room. They are carved from logs where the resort once stood and shaped in the Inn’s Carving Shed. Touches such as these can be found throughout the Inn, like echos from the forest beyond. You’ll also find such echos in the Ancient Cedars Spa, The Inn’s exquisite sea-side spa that incorporates local ingredients into the healing and restorative treatments.
At the heart of the Inn, The Point Restaurant sets the stage for fine dining with panoramic views. The exquisite seasonal menus are loaded with freshly caught seafood and island-grown goods, creating a meal that’s only rivaled by the restaurant’s impressive wine list.
Make no mistake about it, the seafood in Tofino is fresh. The tiny surf town is tucked beside the Pacific Ocean. And the chefs are well-versed in sea-to-table cuisine that’s amped further amped up with foraged goodies.
In addition to The Point Restaurant at the Wickaninnish Inn and 1909 Kitchen, local favorites include Wolf in the Fog, which Bon Appétit heralded for its menu that “highlights the best that the area’s foragers and fishermen have to offer, with an emphasis on hands-in, family-style feasts.”
Wildside Grill is beloved for its reasonably priced, seafood-forward menu. A take-out eatery, the Fried Oyster Burger is a consistent crowd-pleaser. Big Daddy’s Fish Fry tempura-battered selection of local halibut, lingcod, and wild Chinook salmon is hard to beat. And for those who are all about the oysters, look no further than The Fish Store and Oyster Bar — which is indeed a store and a bar.
It’s indeed possible to make the Seattle to Tofino drive. The classic route begins with a nearly 2-hour jaunt on the highway to the Peach Arch border crossing just outside of Vancouver, BC.
Travelers then catch the Tsawwassen ferry to Duke Point in Nanaimo, a 2-hour sail to the eastern edge of Vancouver Island. The remainder of the nearly 8-hour Seattle to Tofino drive follows BC-4 West testing along a two-lane highway of switchbacks and hairpin turns.
Alternatively, you could reach Tofino in roughly an hour. Kenmore Air’s Seattle to Tofino charter flights are a direct and beautiful trip offering stunning views of the coastline and mountains to Tofino’s Long Beach Airport. Yep. It’s that simple.
Pebble Cover Farm on Orcas Island by Satya Curcio Photography
Sweeping grasslands. Old-growth forests. Rocky shorelines. The San Juan Islands are enchanting. Like a moment out of time, they seem to be almost untouched. The clean air. The 220 days with sunshine. The enchanting views.
It’s what makes the San Juans the ideal wedding destination for couples with adventurous souls. The following outlines some of the best wedding venues, florists, and photographers — all home based in the San Juan Islands. Whether you’re eloping, want an intimate gathering or are planning a soiree for the whole crew, there’s magic to be found in the San Juans.
The annual Orcas Island Lit Festival is returning June 3-4.
This three-day festival features panels, readings, and events highlighting the vibrant literary culture of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Authors range from Pulitzer Prize winners to gifted new voices. They herald from throughout the country, in a rich mix of local and national voices. Take full advantage of this uniquely intimate setting to engage with world-class writers, ask questions and explore their work.
Originally Published September 9, 2014 | Updated March 13, 2022
Some places are just places. They’re dots on a map to which you can drive, fly or walk. Other places are experiences. Rich and vibrant, they are filled with the essence of souls who came before you. The old souls whose wisdom and skill – whose life – was responsible for the very walls which mark the spot.
