Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
morefacilities,includingtwoadventureplaygrounds,mountainbikerentals,alargeswim-
ming pool, two restaurants, and a large spa facility.
At
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park,
south of downtown off Highway 19A (take
Exit 46 from the south), campers choose the natural setting over modern facilities (no
hookups). Walk-in tent sites are $18, pull-throughs $28.
Food
Step away from the beach scene at
Pacific Brimm
(123 Craig St., 250/248-3336,
7am-5pm Mon.-Sat., 8am-4pm Sun., lunches $8-10), an inviting café that's halfway
between relaxed and refined. In addition to all the usual coffee choices, you'll find a good
selection of loose-leaf teas, delicious oversized cinnamon buns, full breakfasts, and hot
lunches.
After soaking up the elegance of the Grotto Spa at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort,
plan on moving upstairs to the resort's
Treetop Tapas & Grill
(1155 Resort Dr., 250/
248-2072,noon-8pmdaily,tapas$9),whereyouareencouragedtorelaxinyourrobeover
a lunch of bite-size tapas. The resort's other restaurant, the
Cedar Room
(7am-9:30pm
daily, $23-29) offers classic Pacific Northwest cooking at reasonable prices, including a
delicious cedar plank salmon.
Information
Traveling north from Nanaimo, take Exit 46 from Highway 19 and follow Highway 19A
for just under 1 kilometer (0.6 mile) to reach
Parksville Visitor Centre
(Hwy. 19A, 250/
248-3613,
www.visitparksvillequalicumbeach.com
,
8am-8pm daily July-Aug., 9am-5pm
Mon.-Sat. the rest of the year). Adjacent to the information center is the outdoor
Craig
Heritage Park
(250/248-6966, 10am-5pm daily May-Sept., adult $5, senior $4, child $2),
comprising historical buildings such as a post office and church.
