Tofino’s Coastal Charms & BC Interior’s Culinary Treasures: A Post-Trip Recap

After a period of unexpected digital detox, we’re finally back and brimming with stories from our recent adventures. My trusty laptop decided to stage a wireless rebellion, leaving me happily unplugged since we departed the breathtaking Tofino last Friday. While it initially felt like a setback, this forced break allowed for deeper immersion in the stunning landscapes and incredible culinary experiences British Columbia had to offer. It’s wonderful to be home, but the memories of Tofino and the journey through the BC interior are still incredibly vivid, and there’s so much delicious ground to cover.

Tofino truly is a place of unparalleled natural beauty, a coastal haven that captivates the soul. Yet, as much as we cherish those wild, west coast vibes, there’s always a comforting feeling in returning to the familiar embrace of home. While I typically prefer to share our experiences in real-time, this particular trip demands a comprehensive recap, especially concerning the edible delights we savored during our final days on the coast and our meandering journey back to Calgary.

A Culinary Farewell to Tofino: From Foraged Flavors to Vintage Recipes

Looking back, it’s clear our trip was a veritable feast. One of the highlights was undoubtedly the abundance of red huckleberries, which, with a little kitchen magic, transformed into a simply magnificent jam. The process of making jam often seems daunting, yet it’s surprisingly straightforward. Forget the need for pectin, a chemistry degree, or even excessive sugar. My first batch, made with minimal fuss, was wonderfully runny – perfect for soaking up with crispy French toast. I remember making those little toasts with the last half of a grainy baguette, a final egg, and a cup of milk before our early-morning ferry dash. We used them like eager dip lovers with corn chip scoops, piling on as much sweet-tart, ruby-red huckleberry jam as they could structurally bear. It felt like a concentrated spoonful of summer, a final taste of the beachy paradise before heading home to the realities of tax audits, an overgrown garden, and a perpetually messy office.

You’d be immensely proud of my resourcefulness in using up nearly every perishable item before our departure. (Anyone who has shopped for groceries in Tofino knows that eating out can often be a more economical choice!) Tucked away at the very back of the fridge, a tub of cottage cheese posed a particular challenge. My mother, inspired by a friend who enjoys it daily with fruit, often attempts to embrace cottage cheese, but their relationship is, shall we say, complicated. A single bowl is usually consumed, and the rest invariably turns soupy before being discarded. Such was the fate awaiting this forlorn tub, until serendipity intervened.

The day after we arrived, our parents’ neighbors paid a visit, bringing with them a truly immense, maroon leather-bound copy of “The Gourmet Cookbook” from 1956 – a treasured gift from her mother. Talk about captivating summer reading! This culinary artifact became a fixture on the coffee table, a source of endless fascination throughout the week. We’d thumb through its pages, marveling at the gaudy-colored photos, the peculiar aspics, and recipes like Cold-Glazed Ox Tongue, Marinated Brains Paysanne, and Pigs’ Feet in White Wine Jelly. We couldn’t help but notice an entire section ominously titled Innards. It occurred to me that if any cookbook would offer a unique solution for my cottage cheese dilemma, this would be it. And I was right.

Within its vintage pages, I discovered a lovely recipe for Cottage Cheese Pancakes Brittany. The recipe yielded six dense, cheesy pancakes, which we generously topped with our runny huckleberry jam. The combination was surprisingly reminiscent of a light, savory-sweet cheesecake. For future iterations, and I’ve already noted it in the recipe below for your benefit (though I lacked it at the time), a teaspoon of baking powder would surely lighten their texture beautifully. The original recipe also suggested a few grains of white pepper and sieving the cottage cheese, which I skipped, finding the rustic charm of unsieved cottage cheese perfectly appealing.

Chocolate Tofino: A Sweet Obsession

Flipping through my photos, I just realized – how could I possibly have almost forgotten to tell you about the magical world of Chocolate Tofino? This tiny, unassuming offshoot of a building, tucked away discreetly beside or behind Groovy Movie, is the quintessential embodiment of a Mom n’ Pop shop. And what a shop it is! Here, Mom and Pop are literally in the back, meticulously crafting waffle cones by hand. They wrap each warm waffle around a small cone mold, carefully twisting the tip to prevent any drips – one at a time. I have never encountered waffle cones so perfectly executed: light, incredibly thin, and delightfully crispy, yet remarkably resilient against breaking. But the ice cream, oh, the ice cream! I had heard whispers of its legendary status, and I can confirm, friends, there are truly no words that do it justice. They make every single batch themselves; when I inquired about their secret, Mom simply replied with a knowing smile, “I crack the eggs and simmer the cream!” Their maple pecan praline is, without exaggeration, among the best things I have ever tasted in my life. And then there are their pecan turtles – far superior to any other version I’ve ever encountered. I’m still trying to decipher their secret (beyond the obvious perfection of crisply toasted pecan halves and some mysterious buttercrunch beneath the soft caramel), but I’m dedicated to continuing my research.

Discovering the Edible Landscape of the BC Interior

Our journey back east involved a delightful overnight stay in Kamloops, allowing us the rare luxury of dawdling through the Shuswap region on Saturday. This is an experience that never happens for us. Usually, we’re rushing to catch a ferry, or Mike is determined to make good time, or our little one, W, is peacefully sleeping, and we dare not stop the car at the myriad of enticing fruit stands and U-Pick farms that dot the landscape. Plus, I admit, I’ve been a little “gun-shy” after a few disappointing encounters with overpriced tourist traps in the past. But yesterday, we hit the absolute jackpot.

Shortly after leaving Kamloops, heading east on Highway 1, I was completely captivated by a series of hand-painted signs on weathered wood scraps, nailed to poles appearing a couple of kilometers apart. They proclaimed simple, alluring messages like “Eat Well” and “Coffee and Pie $4,” whizzing by too quickly for my camera to capture. But the promise was enough; I made Mike pull over, and what we found was pure delight. Piles of freshly baked and frozen pies (a steal at $10 each) boasted fillings like classic blueberry, sweet apple-raspberry, juicy peach, and the delightful tang of strawberry-rhubarb.

Beyond the pies, there were still-warm, rustic loaves of bread, lovingly crafted by their new baker using organic, locally milled flour – a truly authentic taste of the region. And of course, the obvious seasonal produce: gleaming cherries, sweet corn, and ripe apricots. But the treasures didn’t stop there. Coolers were stocked with local cheeses, fresh beef, and bison, while paper bags held wholesome flax and hemp granola. Jars of local honey and artisan preserves completed the picture of a true farm-to-table experience. Our limited car space, thankfully, prevented us from buying out the entire shop!

Sorrento Farmers’ Market and Roadside Delights

Further down the road, as if guided by fate, we stumbled upon Sorrento and its vibrant Saturday morning farmers’ market. The timing was impeccable, almost as if we had planned it that way! I left the market with an armload of treasures: vibrant golden beets, exquisite lettuces, a roasted garlic and cherry tomato focaccia from a company delightfully named The Little Red Hen, and a bag of the sweetest peas I have ever tasted. One pea, I swear, reminded me of vanilla ice cream – a perfect, natural snack to munch straight from the cup holder in the car. Our loot also included jars of rich blackcurrant jam, organic hazelnut honey, and delicate black raspberry honey, which happily rattled around by my feet for the remainder of our drive home.

Continuing our journey, we finally found glorious peaches – unmistakably from British Columbia! We regretfully missed the U-pick cherry farm we had spotted on our way out, but the peaches were a sweet consolation. Our final stop before reaching home was by a serene lake in Field, where the boys happily swam, and we savored our roadside feast of focaccia, fresh peaches, and the incredibly sweet peas. It was the perfect culmination to a journey rich in both natural beauty and culinary discovery.

Planning Your Tofino Getaway: Essential Tips & Recommendations

For those of you contemplating a trip to Tofino – and I highly recommend it, truly any time of year – here’s a comprehensive recap of where to go and what to eat, compiled in no particular order, in response to the many requests I’ve received. Tofino offers an incredible blend of rugged coastline, lush rainforests, and a vibrant local culture that promises an unforgettable experience.

Tofino’s Pristine Beaches: Where to Explore

• Long Beach (Chesterman, Cox Bay, McKenzie Beach): These iconic beaches seamlessly merge into one another, each offering unique beauty and character. They are all absolutely worth exploring. Be sure to consult the tide tables; low tide reveals spectacular tidepools teeming with marine life against the rocks, especially at the north end of Chesterman Beach, where we marvelled at barnacles and starfish. Further south, you’ll enter Pacific Rim National Park, with access points at Incinerator Rock or the Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre.
• Tonquin Park (pictured at the top): Accessible right through the town, this gem offers a limited number of parking spots and a lovely, short stroll through a beautiful forest. It’s wonderfully protected from the wind, making it perfect for relaxed beach play and exploring cool, small caves along the shore.
• Schooner Cove: A truly stunning walk through the dense rainforest (approximately 1 kilometer, with several stairs, but entirely manageable even with young children) leads you to an equally breathtaking beach. This is where we were fortunate enough to spot whales, a truly magical experience.

Tofino’s Culinary Delights: Where to Eat

• SoBo: A culinary institution in Tofino, known for its innovative, locally sourced dishes and vibrant atmosphere. A must-visit for any food enthusiast.
• Tacofino: Don’t miss the adorable orange bus tucked away at the very back of the cluster of shops around Beaches Grocery. Their tacos are legendary!
• Wildside Grill: Offering a true boat-to-plate experience, located just to the left of Beaches Grocery. The Crispy Cod Club is an absolute revelation!
• Jupiter: Keep an eye out for their signs, as it’s somewhat hidden between buildings and can be tricky to find. They boast the very best muffins in town – a perfect morning treat. (Haven’t tried their coffee yet, but the muffins alone are worth the hunt).
• Tuff Beans: Our go-to spot for coffee; we prefer it over the coffee at Tofitian (sorry, Tofitian!). While their muffins are huge and more on the cakey side, their breakfast offerings are genuinely excellent.
• Chocolate Tofino: As mentioned, this is a non-negotiable stop. They craft the best ice cream right on the premises, and if you choose, it’s scooped into a magnificent handmade waffle cone. (Sugar Shack in town is also great, but they use Foothills Creamery Ice Cream). Also, be sure to try their pecan turtles (they might have a different name on the menu, but they’re essentially the same irresistible treat).
• Schooner Restaurant and Shelter Restaurant: Both are beautiful restaurants offering exquisite dining experiences and are well worth a visit for a more upscale meal.

Tofino Miscellany: Activities & Local Gems

• Surf Lessons: Tofino is a surfer’s paradise with numerous surf shops and schools. We had an incredible experience with a fantastic instructor named Jessro, who patiently and wonderfully taught Ben (6) and Emily (11) to surf one afternoon. He was fun, affordable, and even gifted them a cool T-shirt and hat. You can find his little surf school with the yellow awning on the right-hand side as you drive into town.
• Saturday Market: Every Saturday morning, from 10 AM to 2 PM, there’s a vibrant market in the park. While I’m not certain if this is exclusively a summer event, it’s definitely worth checking out for local crafts, food, and produce.
• Ancient Western Red Cedar: As you approach town, keep an eye out on the right for an awe-inspiring 800-year-old Western Red Cedar tree. It’s truly a magnificent sight and hard to miss.
• Hiking Trails: Tofino offers a variety of beautiful trails:
  • The Wickaninnish Trail (6 miles/10 km return) connects the beaches on Wickaninnish and Florencia Bays.
  • The Shoreline Bog Trail (0.5-mile/0.8-km loop) offers a unique ecosystem experience.
  • The Rain Forest Trail (two 0.6-mile/1-km loops) immerses you in the lush coastal forest.
  • The Spruce Fringe Trail (1-mile/1.5-km loop) provides another beautiful forest walk.
• Explore Ucluelet: A visit to the nearby town of Ucluelet is highly recommended. Don’t miss its tiny, charming aquarium! The Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet is also spectacular, offering breathtaking ocean views and rugged coastal scenery.
• Further Information: Tofino Time is an excellent resource if you’re looking for more detailed information and local insights. (Or feel free to email me directly with your questions!)

Of course, if I’ve inadvertently missed any essential Tofino gems, please don’t hesitate to let us know! We’re always eager to discover new favorites. Now, with our Tofino and BC interior adventures thoroughly recounted, we return to our regularly scheduled program of delicious home cooking and daily life.

One Year Ago: Peach and Cornmeal Upside-Down Cake and Crepes with Nutella