Parksville Qualicum Beach is where memories come to life; the smells and sounds, tastes and textures that bring you back to a time when the world was a little smaller, people were a little nicer, and time wasn’t a big worry.

While Parksville Qualicum Beach may be best known for amazing sandy beaches that stretch for nearly a kilometre at low tide, there’s much more to the region than saltwater and sandy shores.

top 5 points of interest

Parksville Beach

Parksville Community Park, is home to a remarkable sandy Parksville Beach, a kid's wonderland of swings, slides and water cannons in addition to great picnicking and beachfront choices. Stroll the waterfront boardwalk and take in one of the many festivals that set up shop here, most notably the month long Parksville Beach Festival featuring the Quality Foods Canadian Open Sand Sculpting Competition and Exhibition, that draws nearly 100,000 visitors annually during July and August.

Qualicum Beach Downtown

Qualicum Beach has its own classy brand of the shopping experience. Qualicum Beach downtown aka "the Village" has shunned franchise operations and big box stores in favour of one-of-a-kind boutiques. Wander the pedestrian-friendly streets in the lovely Qualicum Beach downtown core exploring unique shops, bookstores, antique shops, restaurants, outdoor cafes, and galleries.

Coombs

Take a drive to the Coombs for a one-of-a-kind experience complete with local and international foods, locally made and imported gifts, and a herd of goats on the roof. The market also has a restaurant, deli, bakery and ice cream shop and surrounding businesses hold unique and interesting gifts and clothing.

Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park

Spectacular views await at this picturesque Little Qualicum Falls Provincial Park filled with waterfalls, rock cliffs, shaded trails and swimming holes. Walking trails meander through the park, which straddles the Little Qualicum River.

Cathedral Grove - MacMillan Provincial Park

Cathedral Grove located at the top end of Cameron Lake, only minutes from Qualicum Beach and Parksville on Highway 4 just beyond Coombs. Cathedral Grove is a BC Provincial Park preserving a section of lush old-growth forest that is unique to Vancouver Island. Plan to spend a few hours wandering Cathedral Grove's trail system and gazing up at 800 year-old giant Douglas Fir trees.