Oceanside Escapes

07/06/2024

Our new favourite place might be CAFE 356 in French Creek. Just two months old, this incredible delicious and value for money local spot will fuel you as you have your island adventure. We had the cheeseburger soup and had to ask for a to go container! Café 356

07/04/2024

And some happy Oceanside Escapes news. We have just been re-certified by AirBNB as superhosts! Thank you for all of your encouragement out there in keeping this standard year after year!

Oceanside Escapes

07/03/2024

Summer BBQ season is here at Oceanside Escapes! Our brand new bbq was christened with some tasty burgers. What are you going to grill up on the grill this year!?!?

06/21/2024

You never know what you might find on a walk near Oceanside Escapes. Recently, we came across a Doe and her two deers. All looking healthy and very confident!

06/02/2024

Oceanside Escapes has a brand new guest book to welcome all our guests. Feel free to message us if you’d like a PDF of mid island ideas for food, activities and thrifting. Summer is coming and the cabin looks great!

02/25/2024

Another fun find on the island is the charming and delicious Milton Pub in Nanaimo. From the front you would think it is a house. Lunch specials always sell out so go early! This won’t disappoint!

12/29/2023

From our family to yours, may your holidays be full of good cheer and may you have many happy memories in 2024!

11/14/2023

We have some exciting updates at the cabin. Thanks to Richard and his team at McCulloch Builders a new entranceway and landscaping will greet you as you arrive at the cabin. For our island based guests, please check out their wonderful work.

https://www.facebook.com/mccullochbuilders/

11/12/2023

Vancouver Islanders generally take the time to pause and recognize each Remembrance Day. Many meaningful and beautiful services take place throughout the Island.

11/08/2023

This is how you say good morning in Parksville!

09/10/2023

It’s harvest time at Zanatta! Our wonderful long term providers of our “house white”, Zanatta, located in Duncan, is an easy drive from the cabin. Open Wednesdays through Sundays during the summer and by appointment on the off season. Be sure to save some time for island wine tasting! And ask for Jim, the owner and wine maker himself!

09/03/2023

Calling all motorcycle and car enthusiasts! If fancy wheels are your thing, be sure to check into what car and motorcycle events are happening in the region. This is part of a weekly ride that meets on Sundays at Serious Coffee in Parksville. A few Vespas were present and accounted for!

07/13/2023

Nature’s artwork…found on the beaches of Rathtrevor.

07/12/2023

Art and food and emus oh my! Check out the local Parksville night market, Tuesday nights through the summer from 6 to 9. Food trucks galore. Bring a hearty appetite!

04/05/2023

So proud to be part of the AirBNB community. We have been AirBNB superhosts for many years now and plan to continue to be so many years from now. Thank you to our wonderful past and future guests for helping us in this pursuit!

03/31/2023

Some of our recent guests enjoying the local amenities...Parksville is dog heaven four seasons of the year. Thank you for sharing some "family photos"! We would love to see more!

10/17/2022

A new local option that you might want to consider is Fern & Cedar in Qualicum. A wonderful local brewery with some solid pub choices to round things out. The patio is puppy friendly as a bonus. And if you go on a Saturday you can also hit the Saturday market.

09/01/2022

If you happen to live in Vancouver Island then you happen to know about the delightful chain of coffee shops called Serious Coffee. The one in Parksville is particularly wonderful and is the centre of social activity throughout the day. With tons of indoor and outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, and space to spread out popping over to this lovely coffee shop is part of our daily ritual. The best part?! It’s within walking distance of the cabin. Another spot to check out when you’re here.

08/28/2022

How have we never posted about Van Isle Collectables before! Just down the road, the store is a maze of interesting objects at non Vancouver prices!

07/06/2022

So proud to stay that we have achieved Superhost status with AirBNB as one of their partners. This means that we do our very best to respond quickly, provide a quality environment for all of our guests and keep our booking commitments. We are really proud to be hosts and hope to continue to do this in the future!!

04/12/2022

This one is for the history books...snow in April! Thank you to our most recent guests who were kind enough to share these photos. A power outage also accompanied this!

01/08/2022

Parksville can be a winter wonderland with many parks, beach walks and hikes. Top Bridge is a local favourite, within walking distance from the cabin. Made even more special with the addition of a fur companion!

12/28/2021

Oceanside Escapes is magical in the winter too! Snow shoeing, cross country skiing and ice skating are right in your back yard. Book soon!! Great dates available in January and February are still available.

10/06/2021

I can work with this…

"Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock in a mostly empty bar. Go somewhere you’ve never been. Listen to someone you think may have nothing in common with you. Order the steak rare. Eat an oyster. Have a negroni. Have two. Be open to a world where you may not understand or agree with the person next to you, but have a drink with them anyways. Eat slowly. Tip your server. Check in on your friends. Check in on yourself. Enjoy the ride."

– Anthony Bourdain

09/15/2021

Some updated photos of the cabin compliments of Jenn Dykstra, photographer and owner or Roam Media. The back deck is going to be one inviting place to spend time with family and friends this Fall!

09/06/2021

Another fantastic get away from Oceanside Escapes is visiting the hamlet of Cowichan Bay. There are about a dozen very cute stores including an island based perfumery and several excellent spots for lunch. We love Bob’s Lighthouse Eatery where you can sit comfortably outside with your pet or the Cow Cafe. Both feature amazing clam chowder. Cowichan Bay is about an hour and ten minutes south on the Island Highway!

https://cowcafe.ca

08/28/2021

Looking for a friend and family activity in the Parksville area? Check out the Qualicum Farmers Market. Held year round on Saturday mornings. You can also double dip and enjoy a Legion Pancake Breakfast. Our only caveat - keep the puppies at home!

https://www.qbfarmersmarket.com

07/02/2021

Looking for the most amazing day trip from Oceanside Escapes? Head to Tofino! It a beautiful day trip that takes you “coast to coast” in just over two hours. We love Cox Bay and Chesterman Beach. After your day head to Shed for dinner and grab some gelato at Tofino Chocolate. Voila! Home for a glass of wine on your deck and a movie with the family.

06/28/2021

New to our region! Just north of Parksville you can now find the delicious Qualicum Beach Cafe. For the month of June it featured a crab fest. We would recommend the burrata, fried chicken and the gnocchi. Plus it features air conditioning!

05/27/2021

Some dates are free for June in case our Island friends have some need for some R and R! I've attached the link below of you can message me for more information!

https://www.airbnb.ca/rooms/3881064?preview_for_ml=true&source_impression_id=p3_1622088272_dLeRFhwObEX346Lj

Entire home/apt in Parksville, Canada. Oceanside Escapes is a year-round destination, perfect for a romantic weekend away or an annual trip with family and friends. This 3 bedroom, 2 bat...