By Jen Dart

The Long Beach Golf Course has to be one of the most scenic courses in British Columbia. Surrounded by rainforest, mountains and a national park, this course is a golf experience unlike any other.

A nine-hole championship course located approximately midway between Tofino and Ucluelet, Long Beach was the vision of a group of locals who recognized the potential for a course to be carved out of the dense brush near the Tofino-Ucluelet airport, across the highway from Long Beach itself.

The course is technically part of the airport lands, and actually surrounds and runs parallel to two runways. Built during the Second World War, the Tofino-Ucluelet airport predates the formation of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, which was established in 1971. This explains why the course enjoys such close proximity to this jewel of a national park.

Considering the surroundings, it’s not surprising golfers frequently have wildlife sightings, including bears, wolves and deer.

The course is a par 36, and covers 3,330 yards from the back tees. It’s considered quite challenging, with narrow fairways surrounded by dense forests. Lost balls are not uncommon. The beauty of the course, however, eases the frustration of less than precise shots.

The course is run by a volunteer board of directors, made up of many avid, long-time local golfers. Keith “Gibby” Gibson is the current golf pro at Long Beach, and he has been instrumental in expanding the property to include a 76-site campground, an 18-hole mini golf course and even a paintball section. These new facilities added to the driving range, pro shop, and putting green already in place. Also at the location is the Back Nine Bar and Grill, featuring excellent breakfast, lunch and dinner options, as well as a full bar.

Numerous community events take place in the banquet facilities at the golf course, including weddings, meetings, and even art shows.

The community is also involved in many golf events at Long Beach.

Regular ladies night is Thursday during the more seasonal months, and men’s night is Wednesday. Monday is locals’ day, with half priced green fees throughout the day.

There are numerous yearly golf tournaments at Long Beach as well, starting with the Masters’ Tournament in April. A hospitality challenge and the West Coast Shoot-out are favourites for locals, as are the many tournaments sponsored by local businesses.

Private and junior lessons are available through the pro shop as well, for those who are just beginning in the sport.

It’s not just the locals who enjoy this course, when they were in town in 2010 filming the movie The Big Year, Hollywood actors Owen Wilson and Jack Black were spotted enjoying a game.

As Gibby says, the Long Beach Golf Course is a wonderful addition to the many activities that make the west coast a renowned destination. It’s unique location and surroundings make it an unforgettable experience.

For more information about the course, events and facilities, and to book your tee time online, please visit the Long Beach Golf Course website.

Image Credit: Long BeachGolfCourse.com

Tags: golf courses, The Shore, Tofino, tofino golf
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Some of the best food in Tofino is what would be considered street food elsewhere. Here it’s more like parking lot food – although it’s not your average parking lot.

The Live to Surf and Beaches Grocery parking lot (between Lynn Rd and Hellesen Rd at 1184 Pacific Rim Hwy) is home to a very eclectic group of businesses.

The Wildside Grill, which has already been covered in this blog is located here, as well as the surf shop and grocery store mentioned above. But there’s much more. A wellness centre, carving shack and glass blowing studio, movie store, chocolate shop, hair studio, and scooter rental are also in this hub.

Still another business has called the back of this parking lot home for the past 18 months or so. TacoFino Cantina, in the bright orange truck, is a Baja-style taco stand.

TacoFino occupies an auspicious space; it was the same location where SoBo first started in the purple catering truck (see blog posting about SoBo). And it seems to be working. The taco stand has been called, “possibly the best Mexican, or at least the best fish tacos in B.C.”

Kaeli Robinsong and Jason Sussman are the owners and operators of this catering truck, the menu for which was inspired by their travels.

TacoFino’s menu features fish, chicken and bean tacos and burritos, as well as tuna ta-takos, gringas (a cross between a taco and a grilled cheese sandwich), and freshies and liquados (iced drinks). Frequent specials include tortilla soup, spot prawn tacos, mushroom quesadillas, and the very popular Diablo chocolate cookie ice cream sandwich – two fresh chocolate cookies with vanilla ice cream.

The Mexican influence is evident from the Virgin de Guadelupe adorning the truck itself, as well as the menu chalkboard (she’s holding a taco).

“Tacofino was born out of a desire to create a unique dining experience by offering quality, freshness and affordability with an environmental and nutritional conscience,” says Kaeli. “Our menu is inspired by our world travels, taking the Baja-style taco to another level.”

It hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing for the husband and wife team, however, despite getting rave reviews and attention from cooking shows and other media.

The District of Tofino granted a temporary permit in 2009 for TacoFino to operate in its current location. This permit expired earlier this year, and for a while it was unclear whether they would be allowed to continue operating. During this time of uncertainty, Kaeli and Jason applied to be part of Vancouver’s food stall lottery. They were successful in getting two spaces before getting their permit renewal in Tofino. It’s going to be a busy summer for them as they operate TacoFino in Tofino and Vancouver, as well as a Vietnamese sandwich stall called Kiss Kiss Banh Banh.

For more information, and for current TacoFino locations in Vancouver (usually Robson and Howe, but they also roam around), visit their website or follow them on Twitter.

Image: Tacofino.com

Tags: Tacifino, The Shore, Tofino, Tofino food, Tofino Restaurants
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By Jen Dart

There are many stories that are part of the common vernacular of Tofino residents that are slowly discovered by new residents and visitors.

There is the story of the sinking of the American fur-trading vessel Tonquin following a battle with the local Tla-o-qui-aht in the early 1800s. Or the tales of preparing for more recent wars in the 20th century by driving wooden poles into local beaches to prevent enemies from landing here.

Few stories have the romanticism of that of Frederick Tibbs, however. An Englishman described as a short man with a round face and curly hair (some accounts say he had a facial disfigurement), Tibbs was an early arrival to the growing community of Tofino on Esowista Peninsula in the early 1900s (John Grice was one of the first to establish himself at Grice Point in 1890). As previously described in the History of Tofino post (LINK), the original town was located on Clayoquot Island in Tofino harbour before it was moved to its current location.

Fred Tibbs arrived in Tofino in 1908 and preempted land at Long Beach. He soon purchased his Dream Isle in Tofino harbour, visible from the Shore building.

Tibbs proceeded to clearcut the entire island, except for one 100 ft. spruce tree in which he built a platform. From this perch, he could often be heard playing his cornet, perhaps serenading the maidens of Tofino.

For a house, Tibbs built a four-storey wooden castle with large shutters. It is said that it looked just like an English castle if you looked at from the west.

When Tibbs went off to fight in World War 1, he left a detailed will that revealed his love for two local ladies. The will, which created much gossip in town, lefts his Dream Isle castle to Miss Olive Garrard and the island itself to Miss Alma Arnet.

“I give devise and bequeath unto Miss Alma Arnet (because she is the nicest girl I ever met and another reason she knows), Lot 1460 Tibbs Island and everything thereon, excepting the house and ten feet of land on either side including the house site. The house and contents thereof, except the gamophone, go to Miss Olive Garrard of Tofino (because it was built for her) so long as she remains single. In case of her marrying, the house goes to Alma Arnet if she is still single.” F. G. Tibbs.

Tibbs returned safely from the war, but never married. Upon his return to Tofino, he was appointed keeper of the lights on the harbour buoys. On July 5th, 1921, the skiff Tibbs was using while attended to a lamp near Mission Point slipped off the float. Being a good swimmer, Tibbs swam after the boat but wind and tides carried it out of his reach. He swam to a beach on Clayoquot Island, but succumbed to exhaustion and hypothermia, died.

Fred Tibbs is buried in the cemetery on Morpheus Island in Tofino harbour, which was in use until the current one outside of town was built in 1950.

The legend of Fred Tibbs and the two women he loved is part of the story of the area that lies just outside your door at the Shore in Tofino harbour.

Photo Credit: Tofino Photography

Tags: Fred Tibbs, Morpheus Island, The Shore, Tofino, Tofino history
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By Jen Dart

The real estate market in Tofino has been on a major upswing since the early 2000s. Many locals like to point out that when first subdivided a half century ago, lots at Chesterman Beach were moving slowly and priced at around $10,000. Today they sell in the $2 to $3 million range.

While on a smaller scale, the same growth is reflected in the market for the rest of this town of roughly 1,800 people.

Tofino’s real estate market can be compared to high-end ones such West Vancouver and Oak Bay, due to the volume of higher prices properties. This is evidently due to high-priced sales in neighbourhoods such as Chesterman Beach, Jensen’s Bay and Rosie Bay.

Adding to the desirability of this market is the finite number of properties available. Much of the land on the Esowista Peninsula remains undeveloped.

Buyers in this area are often looking for a second home or vacation property. This is the vision the project developers had for the Shore building, and it holds true for many other properties in town.

There are a number of different options available for such a small market. Condominums, homes, commercial properties – and even entire islands – are currently on offer.

The average price of a single-family home in Tofino is around the $600,000 mark, above the British Columbia average of $505,178. Condominiums start at around $300,000. These prices represent a significant increase over prices even 10 years ago, when single-family homes were in the $250,000-300,000 range.

In comparison, the average price in Vancouver for a two—storey single family home in 2010 was 1,007,500. A standard condominium in Vancouver was priced at $484,500 in 2010. Compare those numbers to Victoria, where the single-family dwellings average was $480,000 and condominiums were $285,000.

The Tofino market saw much activity – and spikes in prices – from 2000 until a couple of years ago. While things may have slowed down everywhere, this is one market where sellers have not opted to lower prices to make sales.

The desirability of living in Tofino means that buyers will always pay top dollar for all kinds of properties here.

The proximity to local beaches, the rainforest of Clayoquot Sound, and Pacific Rim National Park all make this a market that has much going for it, whether you are planning to vacation or make your home here.

And although prices have dropped across the country during the global recession over the last two to three years, this is one market that has held steady.

Tags: The Shore, Tofino, tofino condo, tofino property, tofino real estate
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By Jen Dart

The artwork of First Nations is abundant in the Tofino area.

The distinctive artwork of both the Nuu-chah-nulth people and many others has become increasingly popularity over the past few decades. Along with the potlatch ceremony, First Nations art went underground for many years following settling by the Canadian government.

The art world – and the general public – slowly began to take notice and recognize the traditional artwork of First Nations over the past few decades.

Today, First Nations art takes many forms: masks, totems, carvings, canoes, talking sticks, jewellery, bentwood boxes, paintings, clothing and traditional hats, and basket weaving.

Red and black were the main colours used. Before the days of paint, the black was achieved using charcoal, graphite or lignite coal, and the red from ochre or other minerals.

There are many traditional and distinctive shapes used in the First Nations art of the Pacific Northwest, including the ovoid, the U-form and the S-form. Animals are featured in all types of art, from carving to painting to totems. All animals pictured have different significances. The eagle, for instance, can be a symbol of power, leadership and prestige, as the bird is thought to be a messenger to the spirit world.

In Tofino, two canoe carvers, Joe and Carl Martin, who learned the art from their father, continue to carve cedar dugout canoes regularly. Some of the canoes are used in Joe’s daughter Gisele’s canoe tour company, Tla-ook Cultural Adventures (www.tlaook.com). Local videographer Jackie Windh captured the Martins steaming a canoe on Chesterman Beach a few years ago:

There are several local galleries featuring First Nations art in Tofino. The House of Himwitsa, owned by an Ahousaht family, features jewellery, masks, and carvings. Himwitsa, in the Nuu-chah-nulth language, describes the tradition of elders sharing wisdom with the young through storytelling. The House of Himwitsa is located just down the street from the Shore, at the corner of Main and First Sts.

The Eagle Aerie Gallery, located on Campbell St. opposite the Village Green, is built in the form of a traditional longhouse. Featuring the artwork of Roy Henry Vickers, who is of coastal First Nations descent, the gallery also has carvings and jewellery from other artists. Visit the Roy Henry Vickers website for more information and to view these unique prints online.

The Reflecting Spirit Gallery at Main and 3rd Sts features a wide variety of artwork, including paintings, carvings, pottery, and glass.

There are also several galleries in Ucluelet, including the Du-Quah Gallery on Peninsula Rd. Featuring glasswork, carvings, baskets and more; the Toquaht First Nation operates the Du-Quah Gallery. The Huu-mees Ma-as or Cedar House Gallery is located in the Whiskey Landing Building at the base of Main St., and features a variety of local and other artists in both the contemporary and traditional styles.

There are also more informal opportunities to see native artists at work in the area. There are carving sheds on North Chesterman beach (near the Wickaninnish Inn), and also in the Live to Surf parking lot complex (tucked in beside Westside Surf School). These artists are open to talking to the public about their craft.

There is much to discover in the world of Pacific Northwest Coast art, and Tofino is the place to do it.

Photo Credits: Ecotrust Canada

Tags: canoe carving, Cedar House Gallery, Eagle Aerie Gallery, First Nations art, House of Himwitsa, native art, Roy Henry Vickers, The Shore, Tofino
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By Kathy McCormick – Calgary Herald

Penthouse bought as an investment takes couple’s “breath away”

After visiting Vancouver Island and falling in love with the area, Jo Brar and Harpreet Virdee of Calgary decided to buy a penthouse in The Shore in Tofino, B.C., as an investment.

View the article: Calgary Herald

Tags: The Shore, Tofino, tofino commercial real estate, tofino condo, tofino real estate, tofino waterfront
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By Jennifer Dart

As we head into summer, there are several activities and special events happening to keep in mind. Most of these take place within steps of your condo at the Shore.

We’ve discussed the Tofino Food and Wine Festival in a previous post , but that is essentially the kick-off to summer around these parts. This three-day festival focuses on the abundance of wonderful local products and cuisine in this area, as well as Vancouver Island and British Columbia’s wineries, cideries and breweries. It starts this weekend, running from June 3 to 5.

All summer long you can also enjoy the Tofino Public Market just one block from your door, every Saturday on the Village Green from 10am-2pm. To take part in this market, producers must make it, bake it, gather or grow it. Local artisans have jewellery, artwork and photography, food stuffs and fresh produce, snacks, and much more available. There are also often special displays by local non-profit societies. The public market runs from May until September.

The Pacific Rim Summer Festival is a two-week festival that celebrates local arts and culture. This year it it scheduled to take place from July 1 through 15.

This year will be the Pacific Rim Art Society’s 21st summer festival, and will feature performances and showings in Tofino, Ucluelet and Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. PRAS is also planning a West Coast Carving Festival for September, highlighting the many carvers in this area. Details have yet to be announced, but for more information visit the Pacific Art Society website.

Canada Day celebrations take place in Tofino on the Village Green starting at noon on July 1st. A skateboard competition and barbecue, as well as a beverage garden and more, are all part of the festivities.

Ucluelet’s annual town celebration, Ukee Days, happens over three days from July 22-24. A fairground is set up at the Seaplane Base Recreation Hall, with many fun activities for families, as well as logger sports and a beverage garden. A market is ongoing throughout the festival, with local artisans and vendors. For more on this fun event, visit the District of Ucluelet website.

The Tofino Lantern Festival is a wonderful event that normally closes out the summer on the west coast. This year it is scheduled August 28. A fundraiser for the local non-profit Raincoast Education society, the Lantern Festival takes places at the Tofino Botanical Gardens. The gardens are filled with homemade lanterns, some of which are incredibly inventive and intricate. The festival starts at dusk, as these lighted lanterns are best enjoyed by dark. For more information about the Lantern Festival and the RES, please visit the Raincoast Education Society website.

There is much to enjoy in Tofino in the summer, not the least of which are the many local festivals and events.

Image Credit: TofinoTime.com

Tags: Pacific Rim Summer Festival, The Shore, Tofino, Tofino Lantern Festival, Tofino Public Market, Ukee Days
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By Jen Dart

The original concept for the Shore building came out of one of the developer’s master’s thesis.

Moss Development’s Thomas Olsen was a student of business administration writing his thesis on the best redevelopment fit for the old BC Packer’s plant on Tofino’s waterfront.

During his study, Olsen discovered that a somewhat surprising concept most complimented the unique site.

“My definition was not recreational real estate,” he said, “it was a second home. I went through all the different research and that was the best segment for the project.”

With this in mind, Olsen wanted to incorporate two-bedroom units into the four-story building. Working with the architects, Eleven Eleven Architecture, the team decided early on the building should be constructed of concrete and steel.

The architects considered another waterfront site in Tofino before settling on the current location. The dramatic views of Meares Island across Tofino harbour from the Shore had them hooked, however.

This view of the ever-changing landscape of Tofino harbour, as well as the dramatic backdrop of the rainforest of Clayoquot Sound, is framed in the floor-to-ceiling windows of each of the 24 condominium units in the Shore building. This transition from urban to the natural world, from the terrestrial to the water, happens as soon as you step into the unit. It’s also a backdrop that can be appreciated from the outdoor decks of each condo.

“When we were doing the launch, we talked about the ‘centre of town, edge of the world,’” Olsen said. “A lot of people couldn’t get in touch with that when it was under construction. But from the street, there is quite a dramatic effect when you walk in the doorway and it’s just framed nature.”

There are two floors of two-story units, and two floors with single-story units in the Shore. Seven commercial units front Main St., and there will be a restaurant and commercial space on the currently under construction dock.

Once finished, the dock and marina will feature boat slips (residents have first right of refusal for moorage), a public pick up and drop off area, a storage area for and exercise studio for residents, as well as a waterfront promenade. The promenade is part of a dedication to the District of Tofino, as is an area for a commissioned art piece. It’s the district’s plan to eventually have a walkway all along the harbour.

“We’re the first developers to have provided “a section of that,” Olsen said of the promenade.

The building also has underground secured parking for residents, though you won’t need your car much to get to any of the restaurant or shops in Tofino – they’re all within walking distance of the property.

Currently, only three penthouses and three harbour-view units remain unsold. For more information on the floor plans and the design features of the units themselves, please visit the residential section of the Shore Tofino website.

Tags: The Shore, Tofino, tofino condo, tofino real estate
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By Jennifer Dart

They can be difficult to spot, but starting in the spring you can see small groups of kayakers paddling around Tofino harbour from your condo window at the Shore.

These groups of intrepid souls weave their way through the harbour traffic of boats and float planes, usually with the help of a guide from one of the local kayak tour companies.

You can spot them by their paddles – yellow, white, and blue beacons that circle continuously in and out of the water.

There is perhaps no better way to experience the shoreline where the rainforest meets the sea than from the peaceful vantage point of a kayak.

The tours that are offered by Tofino companies vary from two-hour excursions around the harbour to week-long trips into the fjords of Clayoquot Sound.

The beginner tours are normally either harbour tours or trips to and from the Big Tree Trail located on Meares Island. Here you will see some of the largest and oldest cedar and spruce trees still standing in Canada. These tours involve about two hours of moderate paddling, and no experience is necessary.

Intermediate tours normally tour inlets or open ocean sections, and involve over two hours of paddling. Some experience is normally necessary for this type of tour, designed for those who are looking for a bit of adventure.

Other companies offer longer, multi-day trips that normally involve several hours of paddling per day, along with camping at night.

However you may choose to explore the coastal area of Tofino by kayak, you will undoubtedly come up close with both sea life and a variety of birds. Paddle past tide pools teeming with anemones, starfish and mussels. Visit rocky islands home to eagles nests in the tall trees. Your kayak guide will have vast knowledge about the natural world, as well as the cultural history of this amazing area.

Another local paddling experience involves Nuu-chah-nulth dugout canoes constructed by Tla-o-qui-aht canoe makers Joe and Carl Martin. Tla-ook Cultural Adventures, owned by Joe’s daughter Gisele, offers day trips in Clayoquot Sound, an island paddle as well as a trip to Meares Island. Native guides discuss what life was like for the local Nuu-chah-nulth tribes, who have inhabited this area for millennia. Like a kayaking trip, everyone is expected to paddle on a Tla-ook adventure.

If you’re already a seasoned kayaker, you may have chosen your waterfront condo at the Shore for its easy water access. Once the marina is completed, there will also be a dockside area to store your kayak. And you’ll be well located to gauge the weather and wind conditions, simply by stepping out onto your patio.

Whatever your level of expertise, Clayoquot Sound offers an unequaled paddling experience.

For a listing of all the local companies offering tours in Clayoquot Sound, visit the directory at Tofino Time Magazine.

Tags: Clayoquot Sound, kayaking, Meares Island, Nuu-chah-nulth dugout canoes, sea kayaking, The Shore, Tofino, Tofino kayak tours
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By Jennifer Dart

While there’s a lot going on in May in Tofino including Feast! Tofino-Ucluelet and the Shorebird Festival, there’s an annual event in early June that is always one to look forward to.

The Tofino Food and Wine Festival has been ongoing since 2003. Last year some 700 people wandered around the Tofino Botanical Gardens sampling British Columbia wine and food from local restaurants and Vancouver Island food purveyors during the festival’s main event, Grazing in the Gardens.

Festival coordinator Kira Rogers and her partner Eli Blake conceived of the festival while they both worked at the former Café Pamplona, which used to be housed in what is now Darwin’s Café in the gardens. This event has grown from a small, local festival to a weekend full of events and a reason to visit Tofino in June.

This year’s festival starts Thursday, June 2 and runs until Sunday, June 5.

The festival supports several local non-profit societies and initiatives, including the Tofino Botanical Garden Society, the Community Children’s Centre, the Lighthouse Trail, and the Multi-Use Path.

It’s all about showcasing the culinary talents of local chefs and the bounty of fresh ingredients from the Island, as well as the wines of British Columbia. Last year some 22 restaurants and specialty food suppliers offered samples at Grazing, as did 48 wineries four breweries, and one ciderhouse.

“It’s the best of Tofino,” said Tourism Tofino executive director Sharon Lingenfelter at last year’s main event. “Tofino comes out – the restaurants come out, the wineries come out, the breweries come out – in support of what Tofino is all about.”

This year the events surrounding the festival – including one hosted by the Shore – kick off Thursday, June 2.

The Epicurean Showcase at Long Beach Lodge Resort is an evening of canapés and wine. For more information, visit Long Beach Lodge.

On Friday, Black Rock Oceanfront Resort is hosting a Rainforest Harvest Luncheon at 1pm.

Also on Friday are two winemakers dinners. The Wickaninnish Inn’s Chef Nick Nutting is pairing up with Cedar Creek Winery, and Shelter Restaurant is hosting Alderlea Winery of Duncan.

Kira and Eli will be on hand at Darwin’s Café to welcome one and all to the 9th annual Food and Wine Festival with Bienvenue with BC Bubbles, an evening of the best BC has to offer in sparkling wine and cider.

The main event is Saturday from 1-4pm at the gardens. Then join us at the Shore for Sips and Seafood, starting at 6pm (watch the blog for more details about this event).

The Schooner Restaurant hosts an annual Sunset Barbecue after the festival, starting at 7pm.

Finally, on Sunday cookbook author and chef Caren McSherry will be hosting an event called “In a Pinch – effortless cooking with Caren McSherry.”

Details of all these events can be found on the Food and Wine Festival’s website. There is also a link to purchase online tickets to Grazing in the Gardens.

In advance of the festival, Shelter Restaurant is hosting a grape stomping event on Saturday, May 14. The best stomper will receive two tickets to Grazing in the Gardens.

Follow all the festival news on Twitter and Facebook , or visit the Tofino Food and Wine Festival blog.

Photo Credits: Tofino Food and Wine Festival

Tags: BC wineries, Sips and Seafood, The Shore, Tofino, Tofino cuisine, Tofino Food and Wine Festival, Tofino Restaurants, Tourism Tofino
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