Canada’s best kept secret, Sunshine Coast

Photowalks TV series Collage of photos from British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast by Jefferson Graham

Even when you live in a coastal paradise, sometimes it’s nice to go to a land of green grass and trees, islands and inlets, fruit growing on roadside trees, big skies, and places where you can walk. The only way is by boat.

In the summer you can see some in Oregon and Washington, but go a little further down the road, and you get to visit a different country with a 25% discount on everything you buy (the difference between Canada and the US dollar) Incredibly friendly people, in English and French Stores selling products with labels and a waterfront that looks very different from ours. Two words: green and mountains.

Canadians know all about the beach, but back home in California, most people we meet have no idea what we’re talking about.

As I explain in the following video, we tell them we’re going to British Columbia, and they mention Vancouver or Victoria. or Wister in winter. You’d think the beach was on Vancouver Island, but you’d think beachgoers would proclaim “No Island” on t-shirts.

It is part of the Sunshine Coast coastline, with two entrances, south and north, accessible only by boat or (sea) plane.

LogisticsFly into Seattle (a short two hours from the Canadian border) or Vancouver, rent a car and drive to the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal (an hour’s drive from the border) which takes you on a short 40 minute ride to Langdale. The town of Gibson, the first major stop on your tour, is just a few miles down the road.

It is important to note: check Ferry crossing times They don’t leave often. If you miss the ferry, you’re sitting in the car waiting for the next one for a good one to two hours. Reservations are accepted, but will cost an additional $15.

Gibson There will be around 10,000 people, an amazing marina, a cute little town and lots of cool photo spots. As I mentioned in the video, they include Gospel Rock and Soames Hill For illustrative purposes, the marina itself and the many, many beaches that look across the water to Vancouver Island. where to stay We love the Caprice Bed and Breakfast, which overlooks the water and has an eagle’s nest in one of the trees. Book early as rooms go fast. Where to eat: The Black Bean Cafe is a great local hangout, and there are Chinese and Mexican restaurants in town with waterfront views. Gibsons was once the home of the popular Canadian TV show, The Beachcombers, where much of the action took place at Molly’s Reach Restaurant.

Roberts Creek: A fun little seaside town known for two things: the community mandala art project, and a fantastic pier with great BC views.

Davis Bay: A long wooden fishing pole, similar to the types found in Hawaii, juts out from the beach, a traditional beach that lines the main roads leading in and out of Sechelt. This is a popular destination for beachcombing, windsurfing, fishing or swimming.

Sechelt: Largest city south of Sunshine Coast with over 10,000 inhabitants. Here you will find great shops, a beautiful hometown, another great pier that gives you the feeling of being right on the water, and a wonderful ice factory called Ibis.

A view from the side of the road at Skookumchuck narrows in Egmont, British Columbia.

Skookumchuck narrow: Just a few kilometers down the road is Shokumchuk, one of the main attractions of a Sunshine Coast tour. Simply put, it’s where the tide changes and reverses twice a day. In addition to spectators and photographers like us, it attracts extreme kayakers who like to keep up with the weather. (By the way, Skookumchuck means fast water in the native language.) Be sure to check the tide charts before you come. They are posted all over town and at visitor centers. You’ll want to time your visit accordingly, but be aware that tide action starts 30 minutes before the advertised time and continues 30 minutes on the other side. To get to the rapids, you will take an hour’s walk to the water, and this is one of the highlights of the walk At the beginning of the walk, a large bakery in the forest Focused on cinnamon buns, coffee and other baked goods.

After Skookumchuck, as you continue north, it’s time to take another ferry across the water to Powell River, from Earl’s Cove, in Saltery Bay.

Powell River It is the largest “city” on the coast with over 15,000 people. The north side of the inlet has tons of hiking, biking and water opportunities and a great historic town that is very interesting. There are a few motels here and there, but the local tourism board recommends booking through Airbnb.

What to do in Powell? Visit Old Historic Downtown, home to the oldest continuously running movie theater, the Patrician, and the Old Courthouse Inn, a small hotel that was the former home of the courthouse, police station, and jail. Otherwise, the town center is full of galleries, craft shops and if you’re into sausages, a fantastic shop. Cutting blockWith many, many varieties.

Powell River is a transportation hub. This is where you can catch a seaplane to Vancouver or Victoria, or take the ferry directly to Vancouver Island and tiny Comox.

But in photography, the most striking thing about Powell for us was the sunset. The further north you get on the Sunshine Coast, the richer and more dramatic colors you will find. Which, of course, made the boat trip well worth the time and trouble.

Past Powell River, about 30 minutes down the road, the last stop is Lund. Route 101 ends or begins here, depending on how you look at it. If you want to continue from the BC coast to Alaska, you’ll need to get there by boat or plane.

Apart from a historic hotel in Lund that hasn’t reopened post-Covid and a parking lot for people taking water taxis, there’s not much to do further to Savary Island.

And speaking of Savary– This is another story, coming soon. Follow it.

Welcome to British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, by Jefferson Graham for the PhotowalksTV series.