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A Family Road Trip Down the Island
Sometimes the best adventures are the ones closest to home. With a few days free, a very old rescue dog named Boo, and a nine-year-old who declared himself “maxed on camps,” we set out from Nanaimo for a four-day loop through Port Renfrew, Sooke, and Langford. The route practically plans itself — wild and remote at one end, buzzing with family-friendly energy at the other, and beautiful the whole way through.
Here’s how it unfolded.
Day 1 & 2 — Port Renfrew: Into the Wild
The drive down is part of the experience. Port Renfrew sits at the far southwestern tip of Vancouver Island, and it genuinely feels like the edge of the world in the best possible way. Remote, rugged, and restorative.
We based ourselves at Handsome Dan’s in the Cat’s Pajamas cabin, which turned out to be a delight — spotless, cabin-cozy, with wood floors and a deck built around a massive old tree. If you’re travelling with pets, it’s worth noting that not all accommodation in the area allows animals, so book ahead.
Before check-in, we stopped at Botanical Beach in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park — and it’s absolutely worth building your day around. The 20-minute trek from the parkade to the beach winds past interpretive signs covering the local flora and fauna, and the beach itself is unlike anything else on the island. Sandstone and granite shelves give way to some of the richest intertidal zones in BC, teeming with purple sea urchins, gooseneck barnacles, blue mussels, starfish in purple, red and orange, anemones, and darting little fish. Keep an eye out too for the remarkable natural bonsai near the trail — small Sitka Spruce trees that have adapted to the harsh coastal conditions by staying low and compact rather than reaching for the sky.
One important note: the waves here can be powerful and unpredictable. Stay well back from the water’s edge, especially with children.
The next morning, we took it slow — a walk around the property, a late lunch at Coastal Kitchen Café (excellent coffee, a great chicken and Brie club sandwich, and a sticky bun that needs no further justification), and a lazy afternoon in the cabin. That kind of unhurried day, nestled in the woods with nothing pressing, is exactly what Port Renfrew does best.
Day 3 — Sooke: Zip Lines, Harbour Views & Room Service
Heading back toward Victoria, pull over in Jordan River for a stop at the Cold Shoulder Café. There’s a genuinely warm, characterful atmosphere that makes it worth the detour. The beach here is also a lovely spot to stretch your legs and watch the surfers.
Once in Sooke, we checked into the Prestige Oceanfront Resort — a comfortable, well-appointed property right on Sooke Harbour. It’s a great base, and pet-friendly to boot.
The afternoon highlight was Adrena LINE Zipline Adventures — a two-hour guided experience with eight ziplines, two suspension bridges, and a 10-minute off-road ride through stunning coastal forest. The guides are excellent: welcoming, thorough, and genuinely fun. Flying over the treetops is exhilarating for all ages, and the whole experience strikes a great balance of thrill and accessibility.
Pack snacks for after — hungry kids and zip lines are a combination that requires forward planning.
For lunch, Mom’s Café delivers on both comfort and quality. The halibut is superb, the Caesar salad is a proper Caesar, and the Hawaiian burger with yam fries is a reliably popular choice with the younger crowd. Round out the evening with a swim in the hotel pool, and if you’re feeling indulgent, the room service desserts — homemade bread pudding, chocolate torte, deconstructed cheesecake — are not to be missed.
Day 4 — Langford: Dogs, Friends & Pizza (Obviously)
The final stretch of the loop brings you into Langford and it’s a fantastic place to finish a family trip.
Start with a visit to Danbrook Dog Park if you’ve got a four-legged travel companion. It’s spacious, sociable, and a wonderful way to let everyone — dogs included — burn off some energy before the day begins in earnest. Also check out the dog park near Langford Station.
Centennial Park is a must if you’re travelling with kids. The water park is a huge hit, and a double scoop of ice cream afterward is mandatory. From there, the Galloping Goose Trail offers easy, scenic cycling for all fitness levels — bike rentals are readily available in the area.
For dinner, 900 Degrees Pizzeria is the perfect finale. The Neapolitan-style pizza is wood-fired and wonderful, but don’t overlook the pancetta caesar salad and the meatballs — they’re as good as the main event. Save room for the tiramisu.
We stayed at The Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa, which is a beautiful property with plenty of room to spread out, and a very comfortable place to fall into bed after a full few days on the road. Kids will love the pool at the
Sheraton Four Points! If you are looking for condo-style accommodation, check out Langford’s Solo Suites or the Fairways Hotel on the Mountain.
The Port Renfrew–Sooke–Langford loop is one of those routes that packs an enormous amount into a short amount of time — wild beaches, old-growth forest, ziplines, harbour sunsets, and great food at every stop. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, or with kids in tow, it delivers. Highly recommended — and Boo gives it four paws up.
