It’s bittersweet. The last long-weekend of the summer has come and gone, but I can’t even be upset about it because I had a fabulous weekend away.
This weekend, my fiancé and our friends travelled to Vancouver Island to explore the town of Ucluelet, or Ukee as the locals call it. I’ve never been to that side of the island, so I was exited to see the Pacific Ocean in all its glory and explore a place off the well-travelled path.
Here is a little snapshot of what we got up to.
Where We Stayed
Our friends always stay at the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort when they visit Ucluelet and rave about the experience, so we were excited to follow their lead. The resort is stunning and perched on a ocean/cliffside offering breathtaking views of the wild Pacific landscape. Black Rock is a blend of contemporary comfort and innovative architecture which offers guests the dichotomy of being surrounded by luxury while being in the midst of nature. A perfect blend for a west coast retreat.
Check out Black Rock’s various accommodations here.
Where We Ate
By far the best meal of the trip, but more impressively, Norwoods is the best meal I have had in the province of BC. Chef Richard Norwood and his staff pride themselves on using fresh, local ingredients that are indigenous to the pacific northwest. The menu is forever rotating, the wine list is superb and the atmosphere is sophisticated yet cozy. The perfect blend for small town fine-dining, Norwoods is a must!
The tastiest breakfast place in town! The Blue Room serves breakfast all day (lunch after 11am) and offers a patio with a great view of the harbour. If you’re looking for generous portions made with fresh ingredients, this place will start your day off on the right foot.
We actually didn’t go to the Cedar Grill, we ordered in. Two pizzas and a caesar salad from the restaurant and we were pleasantly surprised by the meal and the service (delivery to the Black Rock took less then twenty minutes).
Float Lounge @ Black Rock Oceanfront Resort
The cocktails and service were great, but sadly the food was subpar. Therefore, if you are staying at the Black Rock I would recommend having an apéritif here and find dinner elsewhere.
What We Did
We hiked the Wild Pacific Trail; at least some of it. The trail is divided into three sections: Lighthouse Loop, Big Beach Section and Brown’s Beach to Ancient Cedars Section. We chose to do Lighthouse Loop which offers spectacular views of Barkley Sound and can easily be done within an hour. The trail is maintained by Wild Pacific Trail Society who do a great job, it’s no surprise the trail is rated in TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Outdoor Activities to do in BC.
We also indulged in a spa treatment at the resort, Drift, which was excellent and completely necessary after a “long and arduous hike”.
For a long-weekend getaway, I can say Ucluelet is the perfect place to go. I’m already planning my next trip for storm season!
For more information on what to see and do in Ucluelet check out Life on the Edge here.
Have you ever visited the coastal town of Ucluelet? If so, where did you stay?
