Qualicum Beach, Memorial Golf Course, Powerhouse Museum, Oceanside Waterfront

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Home > Travel BC > BC Cities and Towns > The Islands > Qualicum Beach

Qualicum Beach
Qualicum Beach is located 36 km (22 miles) north of Nanaimo and 73 (44 miles) south of Courtenay by Hwy 19 on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Qualicum Beach along with Parksville and French Creek to the south are referred to as Oceanside.

Oceanside Paradise
Often compared with having a similar climate to Victoria, Qualicum Beach is an ocean paradise with beautiful homes, lovely gardens and the quality of life found there is one of the best. The community is clean, well-organized with a beautiful layout of city streets, endless beach, superb golfing and renowned for some of the best tasting and healthiest drinking water on Vancouver Island.

Memorial Avenue
The small village of Qualicum Beach is centred on Memorial Avenue west of Hwy 19A, just a short walk up the hill from the waterfront. In the village you can find all services including restaurants, a Quality Foods grocery store and the Arts Centre. Just a short distance away from Memorial Avenue is the Ravensong Aquatic Centre and the Powerhouse Museum.

Waterfront Pathway
The Visitor Info Centre, the service station, pub and most of the motels and resorts are located along the waterfront of Qualicum Beach on Hwy 19A, the Island Hwy. There is a paved waterfront pathway that encircles the waterfront with a beautiful view of the beach and along the route benches to sit down and enjoy it.

Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course
Also located on Memorial Avenue just up from the beach is Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course on Crescent Road. Established in 1913, it is probably one of the most beautiful courses for scenery in British Columbia. The 9-hole, civic-owned course has incredible views of the Strait of Georgia and towards Mount Arrowsmith and the Beaufort Mountain Range.

Qualicum Beach Museum
Situated near the tracks of the E&N Railway by the heritage building of the Via Rail Station is the Qualicum Beach Museum. If you enjoy an electrical theme, this museum is well worth visiting. Old instruments, gauges, tools, and switchgear, plus numerous other BC Hydro and BC Electric memorabilia are displayed.

Shady Rest
Also situated near the Qualicum Beach Info Centre is the Shady Rest, a popular place to visit and mix with the locals. From the deck of the Shady Rest there is a beautiful waterfront view of the shoreline and of Georgia Strait and Lasqueti Island.

Shady Rest

Boating in Georgia Strait
Qualicum Beach is situated near some of the best boating areas on Georgia Strait, located just south-west of Lasqueti Island and directly across from Thormanby Island near Sechelt, plus beyond that Texada Island and Powell River areas. Qualicum Beach is also close enough to the south Gulf Islands near Nanaimo at Gabriola Island by either hauling your boat or cruising right from here.

Milner Gardens and Woodland
For garden lovers try and visit Milner Gardens and Woodland where you'll find a wide array of flower gardens including a fabulous collection of rhododendrons. The Milner Gardens and Woodland are spread over 23 hectares (70 acres) interspersed between a lush old-growth forest.

Milner Gardens and Woodland

The Old School House Art Centre
Also located near Memorial Avenue is the Old School House Art Centre. Housed in a 1912 heritage-style building, the Old School House Art Centre has exhibits, a gift shop supporting local artists and offers a full schedule of art classes in the fall and winter.

The Old School House Art Centre

Restaurants
There are a couple of favourite places to eat at Qualicum Beach including Lefty's and Gary's Bistro. At both you can find superb food in a friendly family atmosphere complete with some outdoor seating. Lefty's situated right in the village on Memorial Avenue right across from Quality Foods and Gary's Bistro is nearby on West Second Ave.

Exploring Near Qualicum Beach
Other things worth doing near Qualicum Beach are travelling to Parksville to visit Rathtrevor Provincial Park or Top Bridge Regional Park on the Englishman River or, from French Creek take the passenger-only ferry to Lasqueti Island or travel north on Hwy 19A to Dunsmuir then west to Horne Lake Caves and take the guided tour.

Horne Lake Caves

Fabulous Golf Courses
For other golf courses the rest of Oceanside south to Nanoose Bay have some fabulous options of play for all range of skills. A few favourites include Eaglecrest Golf Club or Pheasant Glen Golf Resort in Qualicum Beach and Morningstar Golf Course in French Creek.