Linda's Guidebook for the Cowichan Valley

Linda
Linda's Guidebook for the Cowichan Valley

Parks & Nature

A pretty easy circle trail that takes about an hour. The trail winds through oak and arbutus trees and boasts breathtaking views high above the ocean. It takes a good 20-25 minutes to drive to the trailhead, but if you are into hiking/nature walks, it is a must-see.
37 locals raden deze aan
Stoney Hill Regional Park
37 locals raden deze aan
A pretty easy circle trail that takes about an hour. The trail winds through oak and arbutus trees and boasts breathtaking views high above the ocean. It takes a good 20-25 minutes to drive to the trailhead, but if you are into hiking/nature walks, it is a must-see.
Beautiful. Esspecially in the late spring when the wildflowers come out. Great views of the whole Valley.
11 locals raden deze aan
Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve
11 locals raden deze aan
Beautiful. Esspecially in the late spring when the wildflowers come out. Great views of the whole Valley.
Very easy to get to from my house and just a lovely, easy walking footpath through the trees and along a stream. PLEASE NOTE: THE TRAIL GOT WASHED OUT AT MY END. ACCESS IS STILL AVAILABLE FROM BEHIND 49TH PARALLEL GROCERY STORE AREA.
Cowichan Valley Trail
Cowichan Valley Trail
Very easy to get to from my house and just a lovely, easy walking footpath through the trees and along a stream. PLEASE NOTE: THE TRAIL GOT WASHED OUT AT MY END. ACCESS IS STILL AVAILABLE FROM BEHIND 49TH PARALLEL GROCERY STORE AREA.
168 locals raden deze aan
Kinsol Trestle
2869 Glen Eagles Rd
168 locals raden deze aan
I could tell you where to go swimming on this river, but then I would have to kill you... Just kidding. It's down the end of Mayo Rd.
16 locals raden deze aan
Cowichan River Provincial Park
16 locals raden deze aan
I could tell you where to go swimming on this river, but then I would have to kill you... Just kidding. It's down the end of Mayo Rd.

Sightseeing

Impressive views of the trestle and the surrounding forests. Great walking trail. Accessible.
Kinsol Trestle Access
Impressive views of the trestle and the surrounding forests. Great walking trail. Accessible.
Sweet seaside village. Take in a whalewatching tour from here, have a delicious meal, or have a pint at the pub.
109 locals raden deze aan
Cowichan Bay
109 locals raden deze aan
Sweet seaside village. Take in a whalewatching tour from here, have a delicious meal, or have a pint at the pub.
Beautiful trails and views to be had. Wildflower reserve.
11 locals raden deze aan
Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve
11 locals raden deze aan
Beautiful trails and views to be had. Wildflower reserve.
Incredible views. Pretty easy and well marked walk.
37 locals raden deze aan
Stoney Hill Regional Park
37 locals raden deze aan
Incredible views. Pretty easy and well marked walk.

Food Scene

Yummy, home cooked meals. great for breakfast. A popular spot for the locals.
7 locals raden deze aan
Arbutus Cafe
195 Kenneth St
7 locals raden deze aan
Yummy, home cooked meals. great for breakfast. A popular spot for the locals.
Baan Do's Stir Fry
2680 James St
Great view. Pretty good food. Live music on Friday evenings.
26 locals raden deze aan
The Lion Rampant Scottish Pub
6777 Beaumont Ave
26 locals raden deze aan
Great view. Pretty good food. Live music on Friday evenings.
Such a treat to go here. It's that fire oven type with yummy toppings. This is a special place to eat. Worth the 20 drive south.
40 locals raden deze aan
Pizzeria Prima Strada
14-1400 Cowichan Bay Rd
40 locals raden deze aan
Such a treat to go here. It's that fire oven type with yummy toppings. This is a special place to eat. Worth the 20 drive south.
Quaint little place with pretty great Thai food.
Sap Siam Bistro
161 Station Street
Quaint little place with pretty great Thai food.

Drinks & Nightlife

This is probably the best place to go if you feel like being around people, in a cozy seeing. Good beer, good food.
46 locals raden deze aan
Craig Street Brew Pub
25 Craig St
46 locals raden deze aan
This is probably the best place to go if you feel like being around people, in a cozy seeing. Good beer, good food.
Walking distance! Newly renovated. It's basically a sports bar, but with a bit of character and 3 outside decks.
The Oak Taphouse
3287 Cowichan Lake Road
Walking distance! Newly renovated. It's basically a sports bar, but with a bit of character and 3 outside decks.
Kinda classy. Great wines and cocktails, and lovely setting. However, the last couple of times I ate there it was not super and the service was disappointing.
38 locals raden deze aan
The Old Firehouse Wine & Cocktail Bar
40 Ingram St
38 locals raden deze aan
Kinda classy. Great wines and cocktails, and lovely setting. However, the last couple of times I ate there it was not super and the service was disappointing.
One of the few places to see a live band and go dancing. FRIDAY NIGHTS.
31 locals raden deze aan
Shipyard Restaurant & Pub
6145 Genoa Bay Rd
31 locals raden deze aan
One of the few places to see a live band and go dancing. FRIDAY NIGHTS.
They are a good source of live music. Jazz/Blues every Sunday.
8 locals raden deze aan
Osborne Bay Pub
1534 Joan Ave
8 locals raden deze aan
They are a good source of live music. Jazz/Blues every Sunday.
These guys make GREAT beer! You can get growlers to take away as well.
12 locals raden deze aan
Small Block Brewing Co
203-5301 Chaster Rd
12 locals raden deze aan
These guys make GREAT beer! You can get growlers to take away as well.
I really like this building. The beer is pretty good and they have an assortment. There is often a taco food truck nearby. Nice patio area.
28 locals raden deze aan
Red Arrow Brewing Company
5255 Chaster Rd
28 locals raden deze aan
I really like this building. The beer is pretty good and they have an assortment. There is often a taco food truck nearby. Nice patio area.

Arts & Culture

Tells the history of the Forest Industry of the Valley. You can ride a steam train and walk through the museum and forest.
50 locals raden deze aan
B.C. Forest Discovery Centre
2892 Drinkwater Rd
50 locals raden deze aan
Tells the history of the Forest Industry of the Valley. You can ride a steam train and walk through the museum and forest.
Saturdays 10-2, year round. Artisans and local farm products. It is a nice way to get a feel for all the Cowichan Valley has to offer.
77 locals raden deze aan
Duncan Boerenmarkt
200 Craig St
77 locals raden deze aan
Saturdays 10-2, year round. Artisans and local farm products. It is a nice way to get a feel for all the Cowichan Valley has to offer.

Shopping

Open year-round. A nice variety of foods and handmade gifts.
77 locals raden deze aan
Duncan Boerenmarkt
200 Craig St
77 locals raden deze aan
Open year-round. A nice variety of foods and handmade gifts.
Imagine That! Artisans' Designs Cooperative
251 Craig St
Local artist cooperative.
23 locals raden deze aan
The Community Farm Store
5380 Trans-Canada Hwy
23 locals raden deze aan
Wow. Nice shoes. Quality stuff. Bring your wallet.
7 locals raden deze aan
Cardino's Shoes
165 Craig St
7 locals raden deze aan
Wow. Nice shoes. Quality stuff. Bring your wallet.
Lovely old building with an amazing assortment of stuff for your kitchen and bedrooms. This is a classy joint!
Pots & Paraphernalia
863 Canada Ave
Lovely old building with an amazing assortment of stuff for your kitchen and bedrooms. This is a classy joint!

Everything Else

Fantastic view of the valley. A place to take a picnic lunch and buy/drink a great bottle of wine! They sometimes have food truck up there, which is handy! 10 minutes away from my home.
45 locals raden deze aan
Averill Creek Vineyard
6552 N Rd
45 locals raden deze aan
Fantastic view of the valley. A place to take a picnic lunch and buy/drink a great bottle of wine! They sometimes have food truck up there, which is handy! 10 minutes away from my home.
This is quite a fun place to go. Lovely grounds. The cider is popular.
105 locals raden deze aan
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
1230 Merridale Rd
105 locals raden deze aan
This is quite a fun place to go. Lovely grounds. The cider is popular.
Beautiful winery. They have a nice restaurant and a brick pizza oven. Leafy outside terrace overlooking the grapes.
111 locals raden deze aan
Unsworth Vineyards
2915 Cameron Taggart Rd
111 locals raden deze aan
Beautiful winery. They have a nice restaurant and a brick pizza oven. Leafy outside terrace overlooking the grapes.
I have actually yet to visit this winery, but I heard they have a good Ortega.
54 locals raden deze aan
Enrico Winery
3280 Telegraph Rd
54 locals raden deze aan
I have actually yet to visit this winery, but I heard they have a good Ortega.