General Overview

The Island's west coast has many faces. The sun setting over ocean beaches creates a scene of mystic tranquillity in contrast to the primeval beauty of nearby old-growth rainforests. Hwy 4 winds through the mountains to the West Coast of Vancouver Island. Drive through Cathedral Grove in MacMillan Provincial Park, where towering 800 year old Douglas fir trees stand, on your way to PORT ALBERNI. Port Alberni and the pastoral Alberni Valley have become gateways to the West Coast. Communities like BAMFIELD offers a world of fishing delights, a complete escape, and the perfect starting point for hiking and ocean canoeing or kayaking. In UCLUELET, everything focuses on the ocean. Fishing, whale watching, nature cruises and diving draw visitors from around the world. Surrounding Ucluelet is spectacular PACIFIC RIM NATIONAL PARK RESERVE. Made up of three main sections (Long Beach Unit, Broken Group Unit, and the West Coast Trail Unit), the park preserves and allows visitors to enjoy all the natural grandeur of the north Pacific Ocean. On the northern boundary of the park is the district of TOFINO, a relaxed, casual place, completely given to unwinding and getting back to nature. Take a whale watching, nature and scenic tour or fishing charter.

The City of Port Alberni and the Alberni Valley
are home to some 28,000 residents. The community sits on the west coast of Vancouver Island, approximately two and a half hours from Victoria, the capital of British Columbia. For over 80 years we have served as one of the principal forest centers in western Canada. Port Alberni has a very unique geographical position. The city is located on tidewater at the end of the Alberni Inlet. It has easy driving access to the larger centers of Nanaimo and Victoria, and also has direct ocean links to the Pacific Rim Countries.

Port Alberni and the pastoral Alberni Valley, have become gateways to the West Coast. With the increased popularity of Pacific Rim National Park, Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds, and the incredible sports fishing available, more and more visitors are using their vacations in Port Alberni take day trips to a variety of West Coast locations.

The ocean provides a great many recreational opportunities. Harbour cruises are one of the popular pastimes in the city as is sightseeing and browsing through gift shops and galleries. Known as the "Salmon Capital of the World". Port Alberni hosts the annual "Salmon Festival" which is extremely popular as is year round fishing - not only ocean fishing but fishing in one of the many fresh water lakes in the area. For the visitor interested in fish, a visit to the fish hatchery on the Stamp River or the fish ladders in the Stamp Falls Provincial Campsite would prove fascinating. Other water pursuits are swimming, boating and windsurfing. For those who like to stay dry, hiking, heli-tours, camping and eco-tours are available.

Access: Port Alberni is 50 km (31 mi.) west of Parksville or 121 km (121 mi.) northwest of Victoria on Highway 4. The area is also served by local airlines and a couple of bus lines

Real Estate

Affordable housing prices coupled with very attractive settings make the Alberni Valley a wonderful choice for 1st time home buyers and persons entering retirement. Attractively priced recreational property is only minutes away from downtown.

Local Attractions: Alberni Harbour Quay, Alberni Valley Historic Museum, Cathedral Grove Historic Forest, Bird Sanctuary, Boat Trips, water bombers, McLean's Mill Historic Site, mill or forest tours, Fish hatchery, Art Centre, Sproat Lake Petrogluphs, Stamp Falls Fish Ladders
June - Golden Oldies Car Show
July - golf tournament, Salmon derby for disabled
September - Salmon Festival
October - Oktoberfest
Accommodations: Alberni visitors can choose to stay at a hotel, motel, RV park or campsite.

For Information:
Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce 2533 Redford St. RR2, Site 215, Comp 10, Port Alberni, B.C. V9Y 6L6 Telephone (250) 724-6535 o Fax (250) 724-6560

The Village of Tofino
With a year-round population of 1,170 (according to the 1996 census) that swells, according to RCMP figures to 22,000 people on some days during the summer months of July and August, Tofino comprises a mere 11.05 square miles of land on what is called the Esowista Peninsula. Bordered on the South by its boundary with Pacific National Park Reserve and on its other three sides by the Pacific Ocean, Tofino is as far west as you can drive by car or bus and is still the only paved road to the open Pacific Ocean in Canada. This end of the road distinction has earned Tofino the official terminus of the Trans-Canada Highway.

Village and Population	Travel Time by Boat or Car
Tofino - pop. 1103	------------------
Opitsaht - pop. approx. 200	(5 km) 10 min. (boat)
Ahousaht - pop. Approx. 700	(20 km) 30 min. (boat)
Hot Springs Cove - pop. Approx. 75	(40 km) 60 min. (boat)
Ucluelet - pop. 1595 )	(42 km) 45 min. (car
Port Alberni - pop. 18,403	(126 km) 1.5 - 2 hrs. (car)
Nanaimo - pop. 69,494	(208 km) 3.5 hrs. (car)
Victoria - pop. 325,903	(321km) 5.5 hrs. (car)

REAL ESTATE

• rental price range: $525.00 - $900.00
• house price range: $270,000 - $600,000

Related Links:
City of Port Alberni
http://www.city.port-alberni.bc.ca

Port Alberni Information
http://www.bcadventure.com/adventure/explore/island/cities/ptalberni.htm

Tofino Chamber of Commerce
http://www.island.net/~tofino

Tofino city Information
http://www.island.net/about/tofino

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