Wait, I want more details about the "sequin blazer-clad host's" wedding!!! Did you consider going? When/where was it? Was he going to wear a sequined suit?!
Oh, I am absolutely considering it...I think it's in August, which means there's still enough time to make a return trip and see about the SEQUINED SUIT!
We learned at trivia night that he's eloping to Vegas for v1 of the wedding (officiated by a member of his favorite band), and holding public wedding v2 in a park (I think officiated by the mayor of Gibsons, BC?) for everyone on the Coast to attend. He's probably the best person we met there!
I'm catching up on a backlog of Substack's this weekend, and I'm happy I waited to read this one... because it made me SO EXCITED to be flying back to BC this week! The Sunshine Coast IS the best-kept secret, and I LOVE that you love it so much, and even have plans for when you go back. Also love that you got a donut at Beachcomber's before leaving. Drooling just thinking about them!
I am living *so* vicariously through your BC trip, Cait! It's so amazing that you grew up with this magical place in your backyard. (And now I'm hungry for another Beachcomber apple fritter!)
That is beautiful. Being Canadian, I have never been to BC. It doesn't make sense because the tickets are way cheaper to fly to US/EU. Need to change that
Canada is a huge country, so this isn't surprising at all—but I agree that you need to change that, mostly because it's my own personal idea of paradise! 🥰
i am so glad you enjoyed the west coast! your photos are always a highlight. it reminded me a little bit of Vancouver Island (lush, good community, absurdly pretty ocean and hiking views, good eats). and i know your depth year is pizza, but i am here for the salads! yeesh, they look delicious! <3
YES, the salads are the sleeper hit of Pizza Year—you get it! I need to explore more of Vancouver Island, because the attributes you listed from your time there are exactly what I need out of a vacation.
Last but not least: thank you so much for the kind words about my photos, which made my day! 🥰
oh, it's my pleasure! i look forward to them with every letter. <3 oh, do go! Goldstream Provincial Park is an absolute must hike, if you can. and the Arbutus trees are magnificent. my sister did her sea kayak and adventure tourism licencing there, so if you like those things...there's LOTS to offer.
WOW! I want to do and eat allll the things after reading this! (Except for the downhill mountain biking…you brave woman!) Blueberry butter?! The pictures looked like literal heaven. Hello sparkly magical water! This was such an amazing read I physically felt like I was on vacation too 😍
Downhill mountain biking was SO terrifying, Jenovia—my palms are sweating again just thinking about it! 🙈 And it brings me *such* joy knowing that this transported you, rather than feeling like a rote list of recommendations or instructions. Yay for virtual vacations! 👏
Aw, thanks so much, Chris! I'm so happy that both the postcard *and* the pizza were enjoyable...and don't worry, more pizza updates are on their way. I'm making another new batch of recipes tonight! 🤞
Good description and I love the photos. I've never visited the Sunshine Coast but knew of it. I've many trips to Vancouver Island, both the ocean coast and the indoor; your photos reminded me of the latter in particular. It has many spots as remote as those you describe. The whole BC coastline is amazing. Thanks for the tour!
Do you have a favorite spot on Vancouver Island, Mark? Personally, I've wanted to visit Tofino for years...I think we might finally make it happen this winter for some storm-watching, but I'd definitely love to visit during the summer as well. (And add other BC spots to my must-visit list!)
You can't go wrong with a visit to Tofino. Kayaking, beach walks and hikes, fresh fish for dinner. And still a good choice in the winter, it will be less crowded (plenty of rain, though).
From about 2000-2015, I visited friends living in Port Alberni almost every year, so got to sample much of the southern half of Vancouver Island. That included a few kayak camping trips in the Broken Group Islands, part of Pacific Rim National Park. Tofino has been well discovered for a long time. Ucluelet was a pretty sleepy town decades ago, I'm guessing it's getting discovered as well. There used to be daily trips from Port Alberni to Bamfield, a good choice for the first time visitor. I see they are still operating -- look up Lady Rose Marine. There's the Gulf Islands, headlined by Saltspring Island. My information is 10 years old at this point, I expect there are many new options since I was last there.
Mark, I'm delighted to learn about all of these new-to-me travel ideas...you can be sure that I'm writing them all down! Thank you so much 🤩 It sounds like you've had some truly fabulous adventures.
I totally need to steal your vacation itinerary! This sounds delightful (and looks stunning) and it’s been far too long since I’ve been to the Sunshine Coast!
I have complete vacation envy for everything except the ferry ride.
I have ptsd of racing through Vancouver between the Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen docks trying to make the last boat out to the island, missing both and “sleeping” (ie not sleeping) my car overnight to wait in line for the first morning ferry. 🤪
Amy, even though this is technically a "Canadian Weekender" post, I was definitely inspired by American Weekender while writing it! I bet you'd adore the rest of BC...and write some mouthwatering newsletter editions about it, too.
Wait, I want more details about the "sequin blazer-clad host's" wedding!!! Did you consider going? When/where was it? Was he going to wear a sequined suit?!
Oh, I am absolutely considering it...I think it's in August, which means there's still enough time to make a return trip and see about the SEQUINED SUIT!
We learned at trivia night that he's eloping to Vegas for v1 of the wedding (officiated by a member of his favorite band), and holding public wedding v2 in a park (I think officiated by the mayor of Gibsons, BC?) for everyone on the Coast to attend. He's probably the best person we met there!
This adventure would require an entire newsletter devoted to it! 😉
Let the plotting begin! 😂
I'm catching up on a backlog of Substack's this weekend, and I'm happy I waited to read this one... because it made me SO EXCITED to be flying back to BC this week! The Sunshine Coast IS the best-kept secret, and I LOVE that you love it so much, and even have plans for when you go back. Also love that you got a donut at Beachcomber's before leaving. Drooling just thinking about them!
Oh man, I hear you on the Substack backlog... 😅
I am living *so* vicariously through your BC trip, Cait! It's so amazing that you grew up with this magical place in your backyard. (And now I'm hungry for another Beachcomber apple fritter!)
That is beautiful. Being Canadian, I have never been to BC. It doesn't make sense because the tickets are way cheaper to fly to US/EU. Need to change that
Canada is a huge country, so this isn't surprising at all—but I agree that you need to change that, mostly because it's my own personal idea of paradise! 🥰
i am so glad you enjoyed the west coast! your photos are always a highlight. it reminded me a little bit of Vancouver Island (lush, good community, absurdly pretty ocean and hiking views, good eats). and i know your depth year is pizza, but i am here for the salads! yeesh, they look delicious! <3
YES, the salads are the sleeper hit of Pizza Year—you get it! I need to explore more of Vancouver Island, because the attributes you listed from your time there are exactly what I need out of a vacation.
Last but not least: thank you so much for the kind words about my photos, which made my day! 🥰
oh, it's my pleasure! i look forward to them with every letter. <3 oh, do go! Goldstream Provincial Park is an absolute must hike, if you can. and the Arbutus trees are magnificent. my sister did her sea kayak and adventure tourism licencing there, so if you like those things...there's LOTS to offer.
I’m taking notes on ALL of this for my next visit! This all sounds dreamy. 😍 Thanks for the amazing recs!
WOW! I want to do and eat allll the things after reading this! (Except for the downhill mountain biking…you brave woman!) Blueberry butter?! The pictures looked like literal heaven. Hello sparkly magical water! This was such an amazing read I physically felt like I was on vacation too 😍
Downhill mountain biking was SO terrifying, Jenovia—my palms are sweating again just thinking about it! 🙈 And it brings me *such* joy knowing that this transported you, rather than feeling like a rote list of recommendations or instructions. Yay for virtual vacations! 👏
It was SPECTACULAR! 😍 Truly needed this read in my life.
🥹💕
Glad you had such an amazing time, Maddie! It's beautiful. I mean, it's not Palm Springs but... 😅❤️ xo
Don't remind me that I *still* haven't been to Palm Springs! 😫🌴
Palm Springs is so fun and so weird.
I want to go on a fun and weird vacation so badly!!
I didn't know Canada had sunshine, let alone a coastline full of it. 😐
It sounds wonderful! 🙏 Thank you for sharing.
Ha—this got a good laugh out of me, Jeffrey! We lucked out re: the weather during our trip, but apparently we just missed some torrential downpours 😅
What a great trip!
Thank you so much, Susan! Sending a big hug your way...wish you were here 🥰
This looks like someplace out of a dream!! So stunning!
Kristen, this means a lot coming from you—I've been adoring your travel recaps lately! They're so inspiring.
that is the nicest compliment!! made my day. thank you, Maddie!
I'm so glad—it's 100% true!
This was a delightful tour of an area I had never heard of before! (I have heard of Canada.) Glad you had such a restorative break.
And I hope the pizza video updates continue! They look INCREDIBLE
Aw, thanks so much, Chris! I'm so happy that both the postcard *and* the pizza were enjoyable...and don't worry, more pizza updates are on their way. I'm making another new batch of recipes tonight! 🤞
Good description and I love the photos. I've never visited the Sunshine Coast but knew of it. I've many trips to Vancouver Island, both the ocean coast and the indoor; your photos reminded me of the latter in particular. It has many spots as remote as those you describe. The whole BC coastline is amazing. Thanks for the tour!
Do you have a favorite spot on Vancouver Island, Mark? Personally, I've wanted to visit Tofino for years...I think we might finally make it happen this winter for some storm-watching, but I'd definitely love to visit during the summer as well. (And add other BC spots to my must-visit list!)
You can't go wrong with a visit to Tofino. Kayaking, beach walks and hikes, fresh fish for dinner. And still a good choice in the winter, it will be less crowded (plenty of rain, though).
From about 2000-2015, I visited friends living in Port Alberni almost every year, so got to sample much of the southern half of Vancouver Island. That included a few kayak camping trips in the Broken Group Islands, part of Pacific Rim National Park. Tofino has been well discovered for a long time. Ucluelet was a pretty sleepy town decades ago, I'm guessing it's getting discovered as well. There used to be daily trips from Port Alberni to Bamfield, a good choice for the first time visitor. I see they are still operating -- look up Lady Rose Marine. There's the Gulf Islands, headlined by Saltspring Island. My information is 10 years old at this point, I expect there are many new options since I was last there.
Mark, I'm delighted to learn about all of these new-to-me travel ideas...you can be sure that I'm writing them all down! Thank you so much 🤩 It sounds like you've had some truly fabulous adventures.
Thank you! Fun to write and think about my past adventures there.
I bet!
I totally need to steal your vacation itinerary! This sounds delightful (and looks stunning) and it’s been far too long since I’ve been to the Sunshine Coast!
Jamie, please steal away! When I see you in August, we'll definitely have to trade notes on your prior visits 😁
Glorious!
Thanks, my friend! 🥰
I have complete vacation envy for everything except the ferry ride.
I have ptsd of racing through Vancouver between the Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen docks trying to make the last boat out to the island, missing both and “sleeping” (ie not sleeping) my car overnight to wait in line for the first morning ferry. 🤪
I have too many memories of waiting all day for ferries as a kid before reservations existed!
I feel so spoiled now, having arrived to the PNW in a post-reservation era! 🥴
Erin, my palms were SWEATING reading this story. I have vicarious PTSD on your behalf! 😱
British Columbia is so beautiful but I've only been to Vancouver! Would love to go back - this feels like a worthy spot to add to the list.
Amy, even though this is technically a "Canadian Weekender" post, I was definitely inspired by American Weekender while writing it! I bet you'd adore the rest of BC...and write some mouthwatering newsletter editions about it, too.