Qualicum Beach

Downtown

What a quaint town! It’s a phrase residents hear a lot. And it’s true. Explore downtown Qualicum Beach and find unique, independent boutiques, shops, galleries, cafés and restaurants — with no big box or franchise stores in sight. The streets are lined by traditional architecture and there is always a colourful array of flowers, trees, planters and gardens found on every corner.

Wander the pedestrian-friendly streets in the nearby Qualicum Beach downtown core exploring unique shops, bookstores, antique shops, restaurants, outdoor cafes, and galleries. Unwind with a glass of freshly brewed craft beer from Fern + Cedar Brewing Company, or sample whiskey, rum, gin and other spirits at neighbouring True North Distillery.

Arts & Culture

Qualicum Beach is a hub of artistic talent with stunning art galleries all within walking distance. Discover art at The Old School House (TOSH) at the heart of it all. This historic, hundred-year-old building is filled with local art and artists, some working while you browse. TOSH also hosts arts and culture events throughout the year.

For live theatre and entertainment, look no further than the ECHO Players Society. The not-for-profit group has been presenting live community theater productions on the stage of the Village Theatre in Qualicum Beach for more than 45 years, with four main stage shows each season and a Vancouver Island Juried One-Act Play festival each November.

History

Discover local history with a visit to the Qualicum Beach Museum, featuring an extensive and renowned paleontology exhibit as well as the social history of the town of Qualicum Beach and area. New oral history videos let visitors discover what Qualicum Beach was like when it was a retreat for the rich and famous such as Bob Hope and the King of Siam.

Outdoor Recreation

Just steps from downtown Qualicum Beach is the town’s playground, swimming pool, skate park, BMX track, sports fields, and off-leash dog walking trails. Join the locals and walk the waterfront promenade lined with picnic tables, shade trees, a wash/change room, and lots of parking. Kayak and standup paddleboard rentals are available during the summer months.

Qualicum Beach offers three area golf courses! Players will thrill at the experience of playing the lush fairways of Eaglecrest Golf Club, marvel at the ocean views at the 9-hole Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Course that was established in 1913, or embrace the challenge of the 18-hole Pheasant Glen Golf Resort that has hosted both Provincial and National Championships.

The Beach

The spectacular beach is where you'll find most of the town's accommodations and some great seaside restaurants, where you can enjoy the view. For more on the beach in Qualicum Beach, please visit this page.

And Even More Nature!

The beautiful nature in Qualicum Beach extends way beyond the beach! Garden lovers must experience the magic of Milner Gardens and Woodland — 28 hectares (70 acres) of unspoiled natural beauty steeped in royal history perched on the edge of an oceanfront bluff overlooking the Strait of Georgia. Located only five minutes from downtown, the 50-acre Heritage Forest of Qualicum Beach offers a diverse mix of plant and animal life for nature lovers to observe as they navigate the winding trails of this old-growth forest.