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Summer Fun in BC

in British Columbia, Canada, Travel on 07/25/15

Summer Fun for the Family in Parksville, BC!

This summer we’ve been staying closer to home as the last few years we’ve travelled to places where we had to be on a plane for a few hours so this time it was more of a local vacation theme. We’ve been going to Vancouver Island and our latest jaunt this month was to the lovely area of Parksville, BC which is about a 40 minute drive from the Duke Point Ferry Terminal near Nanaimo. It’s a great place to go for summer fun!

Parksville beach

While my whole family is used to travelling by car and ferry I always like to be prepared so I make sure that we always have a travel first aid kit with us that always includes the essentials, band-aids, anti-bacterial spray, Gravol, wet wipes, Aspirin or Tylenol and other essentials. For the Gravol™ I like the Natural Source™ Ginger Lozenges that require no water to take, and most importantly, are non-drowsy & for my daughter I give her the Gravol™ Quick Dissolve Chewables for kids. It has come in handy in the past and I always take the kit hoping we never need it, which we don’t most of the time but appreciate it when we do need it. I adjust this kit depending if we’re travelling by plane, train, boat or car. However it always contains, band-aids and Gravol as you never know when you might feel queasy or need to cover up a minor cut.

Parksville Beach log

With our essentials in hand we can enjoy our trip and let me tell you Parksville is a beautiful town which is on the ocean and for us it’s a great destination. With only a two hour ferry ride and then short drive to Parksville it makes for a short travel day so that we could get to our destination and start enjoying some sites and settle into our accommodations.

It’s also nice to have such a short travel time when our stay was only for three nights so we truly got to enjoy more of our surroundings rather than having spend most of our time travelling.

Einstein from the Parksville Sand Sculpting Competition (read more below)

Parksville Einstein

We love Parksville and the surrounding area as scenery wise it’s beautiful and it’s a short drive to other spots that are worth checking out like the town of Coombs known for it’s Goats on the Roof. Yes, if you go at the right time the town of Coombs will have goats on the roofs which are covered in grass and the goats feed on it. It’s quite the site to see but Coombs is worth a stop even of the goats are up high as it has a great market which is quite well known, has organic foods, artisan and gourmet items and more. One of my favourite restaurants Cuckoo in Coombs in there as well, such yummy food!

Parksville Robin Hood

Parksville itself is a nice size town but not too big and the beaches stretch out down the coast making it feel like it’s never busy, I was worried it would feel busy but it wasn’t, there’s lots of summer fun to be had at the beach. One of the highlights of the trip into Parksville was stopping by the Sandcastle competition. The sheer talent, skills and work that went into these works of art are amazing! Needless to say we had a ton of fun looking at the sandcastles, taking strolls along the beach and checking out all the local spots of interest.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

If you go it’s always worth a stop to walk around the town of Parksville, stop at Chesterman’s Beach Provincial Park, drive over to Coombs, see the goats and eat at one of the many local restaurants. There’s a lot you can see that’s fairly close together and it makes for a nice short getaway although we could easily stay for longer and still have a wonderful time and still not get to see everything the town has to offer!

The Hulk was one of our favourites!

Parksville Hulk

We love these short getaways close to home as the short travel times make it easy to go and visit all the treasures that the Vancouver area and Vancouver Island have to offer! We can’t wait for our next adventure.

Parksville Zorro

Where do you like to go to visit that’s closer to home but is still some summer fun for the whole family.

 

 

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48 Comments

About Powered by Mom

I’m Michelle aka Powered by Mom. I’m married with one daughter, my hubby was my high school sweetheart, our two dogs Nyx and Cleo and our cat Oliver. As you can see we’re a family of animal lovers. We love to travel when we can, try different food and activities all over the world and enjoy being together. My passions are writing, travelling, creating new recipes, encouraging people to adopt not shop and just to enjoy life while we can.

As an animal lover I also volunteer with a rescue organization called Three Little Pitties All Breed Rescue. I'm part of the cat program Three Little Kitties Saving Kitties which tries to save as many cats as possible in Houston, Texas which has a huge overpopulation fo cats and they euthanize far too many cats (and dogs) we want to change that. Please check out their Facebook page and consider donating https://www.facebook.com/ThreeLittlePittiesRescueSavingKitties

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Comments

  1. Jo-Ann Brightman says

    August 15, 2019 at 4:49 PM

    I don’t live nearby. However, I would love to travel to Parksville and Vancouver Island.

    Reply
  2. Nancy Burgess says

    June 6, 2016 at 6:17 PM

    Looks like a fun place to go.

    Reply
  3. Theresa Little says

    May 24, 2016 at 3:48 AM

    Looks beautiful! We’re doing a close to home vacation this year too.

    Reply
  4. michele soyer says

    May 21, 2016 at 10:03 AM

    What a great place to visit. We have never been to Canada on any of our vacations and this gives me food fore thought.. thank you for the idea…

    Reply
  5. clojo9372 says

    March 22, 2016 at 3:17 PM

    I am in awe of sand sculpting. I think it’s so creative. I wish I had the ability to be creative like that but I can only draw stick figures. LOL! I love the Hulk one the best. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Travelbuds says

    March 8, 2016 at 1:08 PM

    I grew up on Vancouver Island so I know Parksville well. I used to go camping and the Provincial campground right there. So much fun and such a beautiful place to get away and unwind.

    Reply
  7. denise smith says

    March 2, 2016 at 5:56 AM

    my mom was born and raised in canada i havent been in B.C for a long time but i have to remember this place for net time

    Reply
  8. Rosie says

    December 19, 2015 at 8:29 AM

    This looks like such a nice and low key place to unwind and have a great time, everyone will enjoy, not just the kids, not some places that only the parents like, but everyone. I’d love to take a vacation here and just leisurely explore!

    Reply
  9. Brian T says

    November 27, 2015 at 7:33 AM

    Our family enjoyed visiting BC a couple of years ago. We sometimes plan our trips around food and discovered the Nanaimo bars – what a great treat!

    Reply
  10. Barrie says

    November 18, 2015 at 3:11 PM

    I love the sand sculptures! I’ve never heard of Parksville in BC but it looks like a great place to vacation.

    Reply
  11. Darlene Demell says

    November 7, 2015 at 4:58 PM

    This looks like a real fun place to visit. Hubby always said he would take me out west but so far it hasn’t happened. Maybe someday.

    Reply
  12. Jeffrey says

    October 30, 2015 at 7:13 PM

    This looks like a nice place to visit.

    Reply
  13. Tamra Phelps says

    October 12, 2015 at 12:14 PM

    I’ve always wanted to see British Columbia, but I admit beach sand sculptures were not what first came to mind, lol. I love these! especially, the Hulk SMASH!

    Reply
  14. David Fultner says

    October 6, 2015 at 10:38 AM

    This sounds a place. The sand castles are awesome.

    Reply
  15. lisa says

    September 29, 2015 at 9:44 AM

    People are so creative. It must take quite a while to plan and erect the sand sculptures.

    Reply
  16. Laura S. says

    September 18, 2015 at 11:07 AM

    We’ll have to head north next summer. Parksville looks lovely.
    We spent most of our summer exploring the Oregon Coast. Such beauty and just a few hours away.

    Reply
  17. Hannah C says

    September 14, 2015 at 5:24 PM

    These are beautiful photos and those are some awesome sculptures! Some people are so talented, it amazes me. I have always wanted to go to Canada! Someday.

    Reply
  18. Kelly O says

    September 12, 2015 at 7:14 PM

    WOW! Amazing sand sculptures. What a fun thing to watch as these start from sand, and into such masterpieces!

    Reply
  19. Jeanine says

    September 11, 2015 at 11:26 PM

    I didn’t realize there was a sand competition there. Maybe we’ll have to plan a trip there next summer.

    Reply
  20. Sandra Watts says

    September 11, 2015 at 6:14 PM

    The sky in your photos is gorgeous. Such a beautiful blue.

    Reply
  21. Leslie Fantauzzi says

    September 11, 2015 at 1:28 AM

    What a great vacation you guys had! The pictures are amazing, and the review you wrote, made it sound really fun. I live in Alaska, so I would go to Denali Park for somewhere close. But I really love the ocean, so this would have been ideal for me as well. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  22. Lauryn R says

    September 5, 2015 at 3:42 PM

    I have always known Canada was a beautful place, but your pictures really do it justice! I would love to visit this gorgeous country with my family!

    Reply
  23. Karen Ung (@playoutsidegal) says

    September 2, 2015 at 7:58 PM

    We spent 5 days in Parksville this summer! I agree it’s so much fun and Rathtrevor Beach is the ultimate family beach. Still can’t believe how warm the water was. Will have to go back in time for the sand castles/sculptures next time!

    Reply
    • Powered by Mom says

      September 2, 2015 at 8:33 PM

      I know it’s such a great spot isn’t it Karen? I love it I’ve been there 3 times since last October it’s great all year long but yeah summer is nice since the water is warm especially when the tide is out and all those puddles and mini pools 🙂

      Reply
  24. Mandy says

    September 2, 2015 at 1:35 AM

    I live in BC but never heard of Parksville before this. Thanks for intro-ing it to me and what they have to offer.

    Reply
  25. Mary Hoffman says

    August 29, 2015 at 8:16 PM

    Oh how I miss BC..It’s on my bucket list to go back one day! I want to do “All of The Above!”

    Reply
  26. loriag says

    August 24, 2015 at 5:37 PM

    Oh made me homesick for the Island. Parksville is beautiful as is so much of the Island.

    Reply
  27. Kelly O says

    August 17, 2015 at 4:13 PM

    Looks like you had a blast. I love the ocean. I could sit there all day and just play in the sand and watch the waves. So peaceful.

    Reply
  28. Jerry Marquardt says

    August 17, 2015 at 11:34 AM

    THis place looks wonderful! I would so like to come out there and vacation. I enjoyed the beautiful photos and thank you for lifting my day with these cheerful pictures.

    Reply
    • Powered by Mom says

      August 19, 2015 at 7:56 PM

      awww you’re welcome Jerry 🙂

      Reply
  29. Elizabeth H. says

    August 11, 2015 at 6:15 PM

    Seems like a cool place to go. Would be amazing to visit Chesterman’s Beach Provincial Park. Thanks a bunch for posting.

    Reply
  30. Jayne says

    August 10, 2015 at 9:13 PM

    The Robin Hood sand sculpture is my favorite. I can’t stack two bricks together to make a sand castle.

    Canada is on my travel bucket list.

    Reply
  31. Dorothy Boucher says

    August 9, 2015 at 6:31 PM

    Right now we head on over to the local beach, there is 4 beaches, 2 are pretty much walking distance from me, we also have a water slide park not to far about 15 minute drive.. but mostly we head on over to the local zoo, ButtonWood Park Zoo in New Bedford, MA 🙂

    Reply
  32. lisa says

    August 6, 2015 at 10:17 AM

    It really looks like a lovely area. Very peaceful. If I lived in the area, that would be my choice for a vacation too.

    Reply
  33. laura rubenstein says

    August 6, 2015 at 8:04 AM

    This place looks great! I would love to make a visit!

    Reply
  34. Pauline says

    August 4, 2015 at 1:38 PM

    looks beautidful and sound amazing. would love to visit

    Reply
  35. V33JG says

    August 3, 2015 at 3:24 PM

    Looks like a really fun place to take the family for the day! Those sand sculptures are awesome!

    Reply
  36. Fee Roberts says

    July 28, 2015 at 7:18 PM

    his looks like so much fun. I love sand art. It’s so amazing to me how they get so much detail in the pieces.

    Reply
    • Fee Roberts says

      July 28, 2015 at 7:18 PM

      *This

      Reply
  37. Sarah L says

    July 27, 2015 at 11:50 PM

    Great sand sculptures. We just go up in the Rocky Mountain for day trips or overnight.

    Reply
  38. RANDY FULGHAM says

    July 27, 2015 at 10:05 AM

    if i ever get a chance to go here-i will biuld something in the sand-looks like real fun….

    Reply
  39. Sophia,M.,McConnery says

    July 26, 2015 at 8:22 PM

    This looks amazing.Glad you had such a good time!

    Reply
  40. April says

    July 26, 2015 at 6:42 PM

    Wow the sand castle competition looks fierce. How do you judge the winner when all look so amazing!! =D My boys would have gone nuts over the hulk smash one. ^-^ Sounds like you had a fun time! I would have loved to see a pic of the goats on the roof =D

    Reply
  41. Lori Pouncey says

    July 26, 2015 at 5:55 PM

    Such a great family adventure! Looks like everyone had a super great time! Very nice place to visit, I love the beach, my absolute favorite place in the world. Thank you for sharing your family with us 🙂

    Reply
  42. M.Clark says

    July 26, 2015 at 2:56 PM

    It sounds like you had a great time. Goats on the roof? That’s something I need to see. For me the best place to visit that’s close to home is always the beach. Thank you for sharing this post.

    Reply
  43. lisa says

    July 26, 2015 at 2:47 PM

    I have never been there. It sounds like you had a good time. I love seeing how creative people are. Be it art, cooking, whatever.

    Reply
  44. Laurie P says

    July 26, 2015 at 7:13 AM

    Haven’t been to B.C in years….but I love knowing all the fun things to do there with kids. Hubby has been wanting to head there for a long time now, I know our time is coming 🙂

    Reply
  45. Linda Manns Linneman says

    July 26, 2015 at 7:12 AM

    This sounds like such a neat place to visit. I love the sand sculptures. They are awesome. We have a contest like this on Siesta Beach in Florida every year. It is amazing what some of these talented people do. Thank you so much for sharing

    Reply

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