Vancouver, Whistler & Vancouver Island - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 788

( www.townsitebrewing.com ; 5824 Ash Ave; 11am-7pm daily, tours 3pm Thu & Sat) , where you
can sample top tipples including Zunga Golden Blonde Ale.
It's a short stroll from the character-packed Old Courthouse Inn ( 604-483-4000,
877-483-4777; www.oldcourthouseinn.ca ; 6243 Walnut St; d from $89; ) , occupying the town's
former court chambers. Rooms are handsomely decorated with antiques.
And, at the end of the day, drop in for tacos (the 'meaty maverick' is recommended) at
the tiny, bright-painted Costa del Sol ( www.costadelsolcuisine.com ; 4578 Marine Ave; mains
$9.50-14; 11:30am-9pm Sun, Mon, Wed & Thu, to 10pm Fri & Sat) - aim for a sunset-viewing
spot on the patio.
BRITISH COLUMBIA'S OTHER WEST COAST TRAIL
Vancouver Island's West Coast Trail is so popular it's hard not to run into other
hikers en route - that's if you can get one of the coveted daily access spots in the
first place. But the Sunshine Coast offers its own under-the-radar version that
many locals have only just started discovering. Running from Sarah Point to Sal-
tery Bay, the 180km-long Sunshine Coast Trail is a wilderness paradise of ancient
forests, stirring waterfronts and snow-capped vistas. Unlike the West Coast Trail,
this one is free and reservations are not required - there are also free-use sleeping
huts dotted along the route. See www.sunshinecoast-trail.com for information.
VANCOUVER ISLAND
The largest populated landmass between here and New Zealand, Vancouver Island is
laced with colorful, often quirky communities, many founded on logging or fishing and
featuring the word 'Port' in their name.
Despite the general distaste among residents for the 'too busy' mainland, the locals are
friendly and welcoming. But if you want to stay in their good books, don't refer to the
place as 'Victoria Island,' a frequent mistake that can provoke an almost perceptible
downgrading of your welcome.
While Victoria itself - the history-wrapped BC capital - is the first port of call for
many, it should not be the only place you visit here. Food and wine fans will enjoy weav-
ing through the Cowichan Valley; those craving a family-friendly enclave should hit sea-
side Parksville and Qualicum; outdoor-activity enthusiasts shouldn't miss surf-loving
Tofino; and those who fancy an escape from the madding crowds should head for the
North Island, one of BC's most rewarding wilderness areas.