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.
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Stoney Hill Regional Park
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.
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Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve
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 TrailVery 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.
Kinsol Trestle
2869 Glen Eagles RdI 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.
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Cowichan River Provincial Park
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.
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Cowichan Bay
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.
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Mount Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve
Beautiful trails and views to be had. Wildflower reserve.
Incredible views. Pretty easy and well marked walk.
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Stoney Hill Regional Park
Incredible views. Pretty easy and well marked walk.
Food Scene
Yummy, home cooked meals. great for breakfast. A popular spot for the locals.
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Arbutus Cafe
195 Kenneth StYummy, home cooked meals. great for breakfast. A popular spot for the locals.
Baan Do's Stir Fry
2680 James StGreat view. Pretty good food. Live music on Friday evenings.
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The Lion Rampant Scottish Pub
6777 Beaumont AveGreat 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.
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Pizzeria Prima Strada
14-1400 Cowichan Bay RdSuch 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.
Sap Siam Bistro
161 Station StreetQuaint 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.
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Craig Street Brew Pub
25 Craig StThis 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 RoadWalking 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.
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The Old Firehouse Wine & Cocktail Bar
40 Ingram StKinda 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.
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Shipyard Restaurant & Pub
6145 Genoa Bay RdOne 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.
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Osborne Bay Pub
1534 Joan AveThey 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.
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Small Block Brewing Co
203-5301 Chaster RdThese 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.
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Red Arrow Brewing Company
5255 Chaster RdI 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.
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B.C. Forest Discovery Centre
2892 Drinkwater RdTells 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.
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Isitolo sabaFundi baseDuncan
200 Craig StSaturdays 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.
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Isitolo sabaFundi baseDuncan
200 Craig StOpen year-round. A nice variety of foods and handmade gifts.
Imagine That! Artisans' Designs Cooperative
251 Craig StLocal artist cooperative.
The Community Farm Store
5380 Trans-Canada HwyCardino's Shoes
165 Craig StWow. 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 AveLovely 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.
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Averill Creek Vineyard
6552 N RdFantastic 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.
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Merridale Cidery & Distillery
1230 Merridale RdThis 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.
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Unsworth Vineyards
2915 Cameron Taggart RdBeautiful 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.
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Enrico Winery
3280 Telegraph RdI have actually yet to visit this winery, but I heard they have a good Ortega.