Tofino Part 1

Tofino is the #1 shining jewel destination of British Columbia! 

Hello again – hello!!!  Tofino is probably my fave destination now in British Columbia.  I’ve been dying to visit for a very very long time.  Famed for it’s storms + the best surfing in the Pacific Northwest – it truly was everything I expected plus more.  Being from Southern California I missed that beach vibe – people walking barefoot, boys in wetsuits on their bikes, surfboards under their arms – god I’ve missed it!  Well now I’ve found that vibe in Tofino!

We went in early July when Lang Lang was 15 months old – it’s like he’s a completely different human being from two months ago!

On the ferry.

It was hella windy on the top deck + Lang was NOT amused.

After our two hour ferry ride, we arrived in Nanaimo. Then, drove an hour to Port Alberni + stayed the night.  But I don’t have pictures because I’ll tell you why later.

The next day after a two hour drive we arrived in Tofino + headed straight to Chesterman Beach!

Lang vs seaweed.

For dinner we walked in search of famed Tacofino Tofino food truck.  It’s so darn tasty (Good Mexican food is like trying to find a unicorn) that they’ve opened up two restaurants in Vancouver.

There was a big ass line + it was hot as Hades.

The menu.

No pictures of the food because by the time our order was called we were ravenous, hot + cranky.  But wait, because in the next post there will be pictures of fatty tacos galore!

Tofino day 2 we headed to the Farmer’s Market.  Custom wood skateboards – how apropos.

Shirtless hot guy with a chainsaw.  You’re welcome.

Sweet Nelly + Jens of Ahoy Bags!  Lovely, durable bags, totes + accessories handmade by them out of upcycled sails.  They can tell you story + history about the sail from each bag!  Of course I snatched one up!!!  Nelly + Jens were so amazing, fun to chat with + are based locally in Ucuelet!

Tofino’s Tuff City Radio!  Check it out it is da kine tunes brah!

Keep in mind the Farmer’s Market is mostly arts + crafts – there was maybe one produce stand!

Sweet little free public library next to the church.

Day 3 was spent on Mackenzie beach for Fourth of July.  It’s very family friendly + great for stand up paddle boarding.

Sadly for us, Langdon is terrified of swimming + pools, large bodies of water, rivers, whatever.  Look at the anxiety on his face!

Plus since he barely gets to see his father, on this trip it was a real problem because anytime Jeff stepped away, Lang would FREAK.  So it was a lot of crying.

After the beach I wanted to go back into town to check out Kuma – which means bear in Japanese.  Their sister restaurant Shika Provisions on Bowen Island rocks the casbah – click here to read more about Shika!

Here’s Jeff’s beard + the miso braised beef which was yummers.

Day 4 early set off to Chesterman beach at low tide to check out the critters!  We walked around + ducked into narrow caverns.

Then scrambled up from the cavern to the top.  “Ooh!” says Langdon.

I was most excited about wandering around so Jeff took Lang so I can galivant around the tide pools.

Take note: if you plan on scurrying around the rocks, BRING WATER SHOES.  I was barefoot + have feet like a dinosaur’s but the mollusks + barnacles were killing, y’all.  Gorgeous view from above!

Ok after this I dropped my phone in the rushing tide because I was running around in the ocean trying to get Langdon to laugh.  So I lost lots of pictures, including tide pool gems.  Yeah, awesome.  But in the next post there will be starfish galore!

Crazy about his dad!!!!

The great thing about the beach is: kids poop out fast + deep!  Jeff + I (mostly me – Jeff calls me the nap nazi) were really respectful of Langdon’s nap times + scheduled our outings in chunks of time so we could be back at the vacation rental for knock out time.

After nap time we headed back to the beach.

Chinese tourists know how to straight up chill right!!!  Just throw down a tarp + lay back hard!

Dad did a little snorkel while Langdon wanted to show me his butt:

And practiced his javelin throwing skills.

“THE SEA BRINGS FORTH MY POWER!!!!!” says Lang.

I love the beach, the sound of the waves, the breeze, the smell.  Langdon loves it too + could quietly play for hours in the sand.

Making art with a seashell.

Oh my lord I love Tofino.  What a magical magical place.  Stay tuned for technicolor starfish, surfers, Tacofino + goats!  What?!  Stay tuned!!!!!!