This is your guide to dozens of spectacular and often hidden beaches on the eastern coast of Vancouver Island between Qualicum and the Malahat. While some of them are well used by people living nearby, many are virtually impossible to find without combing through official maps and back-road guides. From tiny rocky coves to broad sandy beaches, these public-access spots are enormously diverse. Just as important as finding these spots is knowing what to expect. Thus each location is accompanied by detailed information that any beach explorer should know before setting out. Is the beach a few level steps from a vehicle or down a high, steep bank? Is the beach suitable for children? Large groups? Kayakers? All of these questions and many more are answered in this book, which includes Theo’s hand-drawn maps, photographs and artwork. Watch sea lions in the winter (Higginson Road) Paint one of the few great views of Mt. Arrowsmith—go before noon for dramatic light (Rowland Road) Head to the most child-friendly beach between Crofton and the Malahat (Cherry Point Nature Park) Splash and swim in warm water over sand (Benwalden Road) Refresh your pleasure in the shore and head out to picnic, play, launch kayaks, watch winter storms or just enjoy the waves.

This third volume in Theo's Secret Beaches series is a comprehensive guide to dozens of beaches on the east coast of Vancouver Island between Campbell River and Qualicum. While some of them are well used by people who live nearby, some are tucked just off the highway and others are hidden at the end of a labyrinth of roads. Just as important as finding a particular spot is knowing what to expect. Theo provides detailed information for each location so that you can find the right place for the activity you seek. The book includes Theo's hand-drawn maps, photographs and paintings. Want a place where the kids can scamper barefoot across acres of fine white sand? Try Seaman Road near Saratoga Beach. Eager to explore forested ravine trails leading to protected sandy beaches? Try Seal Bay north of Comox. How about a picnic in the car while watching the spring brant geese migration? Check out Seacroft Road near Qualicum. Looking for an easy place to launch a kayak for a paddle to Sandy Island Marine Park? Head for Argyll Road north of Union Bay. Refresh your pleasure in the shore and head out to picnic, play, swim, watch winter storms or just enjoy the waves.

In the fifth volume in the Secret Beaches series, one of two on the Salish Sea, you'll discover noteworthy beaches in the northern Gulf Islands, including Denman, Quadra, Gabriola, Hornby and Texada. As in his previous volumes, Theo gives full descriptions of each beach so that you'll be able to find the right location for your activity, from group picnics to romantic cuddles, leisurely strolls to wild woodsy walks, family explorations to soul-searching solitary afternoons watching the clouds race across an island-dotted horizon. Discover where to launch a kayak, where to catch some rays or where to spot surf scoters, harlequin ducks and Pacific white-sided dolphins. Theo's hand-drawn maps are indispensable, as each island marks its public beach access points differently, if they mark them at all. His detailed entries are accompanied by an illustrative photo or painting for each beach. As usual, the charming paintings and photos are done by Theo himself.

Secret Beaches of Greater Victoria is a comprehensive review of nearly 100 beaches on the Saanich Peninsula and in the Greater Victoria area. While some of these are well used by people living nearby, many are virtually impossible to find without combing through official maps and back-road guides. Even the seemingly well-known shoreline from Oak Bay to Beacon Hill hides its own tiny pocket beaches and obscure coves. Just as important as finding these spots is knowing what to expect. Thus each location is accompanied by detailed information that any beach explorer should know before setting out. Is the beach a few level steps from a vehicle or down a high, steep bank? Is the beach suitable for children? Large groups? Kayakers? All of these questions and many more are answered in this book, which includes Theo’s hand-drawn maps, photographs and artwork. Take a few steps off a grassy area and enter a world of miniature reefs and islets (Lansdowne Road) Watch boats navigating Enterprise Channel from a hidden headland (Radcliffe Lane) Relax on an expanse of beautiful white sand (Gonzales Beach) Explore a beach where you can see low-tide critters like anemones, starfish and crabs (Beaufort Road, Sidney) Refresh your pleasure in the shore and head out to picnic, play, launch kayaks, watch winter storms or just enjoy the waves.

Secret Beaches of Greater Victoria is a comprehensive review of nearly 100 beaches on the Saanich Peninsula and in the Greater Victoria area. While some of these are well used by people living nearby, many are virtually impossible to find without combing through official maps and back-road guides. Even the seemingly well-known shoreline from Oak Bay to Beacon Hill hides its own tiny pocket beaches and obscure coves. Just as important as finding these spots is knowing what to expect. Thus each location is accompanied by detailed information that any beach explorer should know before setting out. Is the beach a few level steps from a vehicle or down a high, steep bank? Is the beach suitable for children? Large groups? Kayakers? All of these questions and many more are answered in this book, which includes Theo's hand-drawn maps, photographs and artwork. Take a few steps off a grassy area and enter a world of miniature reefs and islets (Lansdowne Road) Watch boats navigating Enterprise Channel from a hidden headland (Radcliffe Lane) Relax on an expanse of beautiful white sand (Gonzales Beach) Explore a beach where you can see low-tide critters like anemones, starfish and crabs (Beaufort Road, Sidney) Refresh your pleasure in the shore and head out to picnic, play, launch kayaks, watch winter storms or just enjoy the waves.

Full-colour photographs by internationally recognized photographer Chris Cheadle showcase the diversity and beauty of Victoria and its surrounding environs. From spectacular destinations like The Butchart Gardens to windswept Jordan River, this book features all the key attractions and landmarks, making it a memorable gift and keepsake. Cheadle's photographic journey includes: the Inner Harbour and the world-famous landmarks Empress Hotel, Royal British Columbia Museum and Legislative Buildings; the winding, scenic marine drive from James Bay through to Cadboro Bay, including Beacon Hill Park; parks and historical sites in the western communities, including Fisgard Lighthouse and Fort Rodd Hill; East Sooke Park, the Sooke River potholes and other special places along the West Coast Highway; the Malahat, where travellers can drink in the breathtaking view of Saanich Inlet below.

In this revised follow-up to Victoria: Secrets of the City, former Monday Magazine editor Ross Crockford (co-author of Victoria: Secrets) delves further into the hidden intrigues of Canada's westernmost provincial capital, whose polite, "just-like-England" exterior conceals a surprisingly quirky and rough-edged heart. Victoria has long been a city of contradictions; the home of the unfortunately phrased "newly wed and nearly dead" is also where you will find one of North America's oldest Chinatowns; where tales of secret satanic cults abound; and where the flowers bloom so early in the year, it's no surprise that Victoria is regularly named one of the world's (yes, the world's) top tourist destinations. Ross Crockford takes readers on a tour of the city's best-kept culinary, shopping, and bar-hopping secrets, along with little-known facts that will beguile tourists and residents alike. There are directions to find remnants of the original Fort Victoria, 150 years after it was demolished; details on a nearby island purchased for Marilyn Monroe by her secret lover; a list of infamous criminals who got caught in Victoria, from Brother XII to Ahmed Ressam; and even advice on how to avoid long waits and bad seats on the BC Ferries. So raise your teacup and make a toast to the outrageous, shocking, and glorious gems to be found in Victoria: The Unknown City. Now in 2nd printing.

Secret Lakes of Southern Vancouver Island is the first, most comprehensive guide to the beautiful lakes that make southern Vancouver Island such a wonderful place to live and visit. Find the best place to soak up sunshine, where to launch your boat, and how to avoid the crowds. You'll find plenty of practical information on: Swimming and Beaches Walking and Hiking Trails Fishing, Boating, and Paddling Cycling and Mountain Biking Parking, Picnic Tables, Washrooms Top Ten Lists are included to help find the best lakes to walk your dog, learn about nature, catch rainbow trout, or enjoy a family picnic. Maps and directions are provided for each lake, along with information on natural features and historical events. The casual visitor, avid naturalist and armchair historian will all find this to be an indispensible guide to exploring the Secret Lakes of Southern Vancouver Island!

A one-stop resource for hiking backpackers in beautiful British Columbia. Planning your next backpacking adventure? This book covers all the essentials including: 40 overnight hiking trails: discover the many different routes that BC has to offer Packing tips: take only the most essential items with you (plus a few comforts) Permitting: find out what permits you’ll need, and where to get them Camp set-up: tips for where to pitch your tent and how to find water Environmental impact: learn how to Leave No Trace behind in the wilderness This book features backpacking routes from the North Shore up to Pemberton and Lytton and from the Sunshine Coast out to the Similkameen Valley. Beautiful photographs showcase what you’ll see along the way: mountain peaks, alpine meadows, waterfalls, old-growth forests, and more. Every backpacking route in the book includes bonus features: Trail maps and route descriptions Elevation, distance and time information Points of cultural and natural history Pre-planning hints about fees, permits, and reservations Suggested side trips and points of particular interest Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia also shares options for extending an overnight excursion to several nights or a week, and for selecting hikes that match your timeline/fitness level.

This is the perfect book for those who love to explore the seashore but also love walking through forests and seaside meadows. Whether discovering inviting stretches of sandy beach, hiking along rugged cliffs or strolling through quiet estuaries, visitors to these trails will usually be far away from the crowds who chose to drive directly to the more popular, touristy beaches. Each of the walks in this book is accompanied by a colourful, easy-to-follow map and step by step descriptions of what to expect. By scanning through the clearly presented information, walkers can select an easy, level route suitable for all abilities, or a challenging wilderness trail perfect for the more adventurous. In addition they can look at the full-colour photographs accompanying each description in order to choose the most enticing outing. A large-scale planning map of Vancouver Island makes driving strategies easy, whether to the relatively sheltered east coast or the wild and rugged west coast. Complete with full-colour photos and maps, Seaside Walks on Vancouver Island is the only book of its kind and it will serve locals and tourists alike as an invaluable guide for lovers of both lush, coastal forests and ocean shores.