Kalvin and Tabitha's Guidebook ~ some of our favourite local places here in Nanaimo, and on our Island.

Kalvin And Tabitha
Kalvin And Tabitha
Kalvin and Tabitha's Guidebook ~ some of our favourite local places here in Nanaimo, and on our Island.

Food Scene

Best of the City Award Winning Locally owned Brewing Pub. Amazing food. Amazing beer. And only a three minute drive away!
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Longwood Brew Pub
5775 Turner Rd
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Best of the City Award Winning Locally owned Brewing Pub. Amazing food. Amazing beer. And only a three minute drive away!
If you're looking for a great local spot for Brunch this is your place! Gabriel's offers a large menu which includes a number of Vegan options. *Parking downtown can be tricky, and is all pay metered whether on the street or in the parkade.
86 locals raden deze aan
Gabriel's Cafe
39 Commercial Street
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If you're looking for a great local spot for Brunch this is your place! Gabriel's offers a large menu which includes a number of Vegan options. *Parking downtown can be tricky, and is all pay metered whether on the street or in the parkade.
The Dinghy Dock Pub is our only floating pub! Getting here requires a short, passenger only ferry boat ride. Or your own boat! This tops the list of places Nanaimoites will take their guests from out of town. The Dinghy Dock has a small area for families with minors, but inside it's 19+ only. If food is what you're after - the Dinghy Dock probably won't wow you. But the experience certainly will!
86 locals raden deze aan
Dinghy Dock Pub
8 Pirates Ln
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The Dinghy Dock Pub is our only floating pub! Getting here requires a short, passenger only ferry boat ride. Or your own boat! This tops the list of places Nanaimoites will take their guests from out of town. The Dinghy Dock has a small area for families with minors, but inside it's 19+ only. If food is what you're after - the Dinghy Dock probably won't wow you. But the experience certainly will!
Nori is the hot spot for sushi in our city! Unique and tasty rolls and excellent service! About a 5 minute drive from our little Airbnb.
64 locals raden deze aan
Nori Japanese Restaurant
6750 N Island Hwy
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Nori is the hot spot for sushi in our city! Unique and tasty rolls and excellent service! About a 5 minute drive from our little Airbnb.
A brand new local craft brewery in Ladysmith. The brewery is winning all kinds of awards for best beer. And they also serve amazing food. Fun fact - this little brewery is owned and operated by teachers at the local highschool. And employs students! If you find yourself in Ladysmith this is a MUST! While in Ladysmith check out Transfer Beach, the Holland Creek Trail and Hart Lake for you avid hikers. And keep your eyes open for Ladysmith’s own claim to fame - Miss Pam Anderson!
Bayview Brewing Company
204 Dogwood Drive
A brand new local craft brewery in Ladysmith. The brewery is winning all kinds of awards for best beer. And they also serve amazing food. Fun fact - this little brewery is owned and operated by teachers at the local highschool. And employs students! If you find yourself in Ladysmith this is a MUST! While in Ladysmith check out Transfer Beach, the Holland Creek Trail and Hart Lake for you avid hikers. And keep your eyes open for Ladysmith’s own claim to fame - Miss Pam Anderson!
A locally owned and family run inn with a delicious menu sourced from local markets! Sit inside the meticulously designed dining room or on their heated patio where you can take in the expansive ocean coast line.
41 locals raden deze aan
Qualicum Beach Inn
2690 Island Hwy W
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A locally owned and family run inn with a delicious menu sourced from local markets! Sit inside the meticulously designed dining room or on their heated patio where you can take in the expansive ocean coast line.

Entertainment

Looking for something to do? Catch a movie at the Galaxy Theatre located at Nanaimo North Town Center just down the road.
29 locals raden deze aan
Cineplex Entertainment
4750 Rutherford Rd
29 locals raden deze aan
Looking for something to do? Catch a movie at the Galaxy Theatre located at Nanaimo North Town Center just down the road.
Indoor gymnasium offering drop in activity scheduling. Check the website for current activities and availability. There is also a great playground for the kids!
8 locals raden deze aan
Oliver Woods Community Centre
6000 Oliver Rd
8 locals raden deze aan
Indoor gymnasium offering drop in activity scheduling. Check the website for current activities and availability. There is also a great playground for the kids!
Pete is a talented and knowledgeable charter host. He provides an experience like no other. If you’re looking for a day spent fishing in our local waters give Pete a call!
Coastal Blue Adventures
I Dock
Pete is a talented and knowledgeable charter host. He provides an experience like no other. If you’re looking for a day spent fishing in our local waters give Pete a call!

Sightseeing

A popular area for locals to walk the trails and explore the beaches. You may see Sea Lions or Occasionally pods of Killer Whales have been spotted in the waters off Neck point.
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Neck Point Park
1055 Morningside Dr
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A popular area for locals to walk the trails and explore the beaches. You may see Sea Lions or Occasionally pods of Killer Whales have been spotted in the waters off Neck point.
Explore the trails and views right here in our neighbourhood! The main entrance to these trails is a 5 minute drive away. But there are several access points within walking distance.
25 locals raden deze aan
Linley Valley Cottle Lake Park
3669 Rock City Rd
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Explore the trails and views right here in our neighbourhood! The main entrance to these trails is a 5 minute drive away. But there are several access points within walking distance.
8 locals raden deze aan
Mount Benson Regional Park
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One of Nanaimo's favourite hidden beaches is just a 5 minute drive away! The beach itself is beautiful, but the only access is via taking the 100+ stairs down and back up! If you're looking for a workout - this is also a popular place for people to go to do the stairs!
21 locals raden deze aan
Blueback Beach Access
6300 Icarus Dr
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One of Nanaimo's favourite hidden beaches is just a 5 minute drive away! The beach itself is beautiful, but the only access is via taking the 100+ stairs down and back up! If you're looking for a workout - this is also a popular place for people to go to do the stairs!
If you’re an avid hiker, there are some great trails to the summit of our very own Mount Benson where you will find breath taking views of our city!
8 locals raden deze aan
Mount Benson Regional Park
8 locals raden deze aan
If you’re an avid hiker, there are some great trails to the summit of our very own Mount Benson where you will find breath taking views of our city!

Island Secrets outside of Nanaimo you won’t want to miss!

Hornby Island is an Islanders favourite place! Best known for Tribune Bay dubbed “Little Hawaii” by the the locals. This beach is tucked away and is about as tropical as you will find on the West coast! While most airbnbs, campgrounds and glamping grounds (yes you read that right - luxury camping at Fossil Beach Farms) are booked well in advance by locals don’t let that deter you from spending a day here! From Honeymoon Bay you board a ferry to Denman Island. A short drive to the other end of Denman you will board a second ferry over to Hornby. Sounds taxing. But SO worth it! Hornby is an eclectic little island with lots of locally run shops and little restaurants. However we do suggest packing a lunch because once you hit Tribune Bay you won’t want to leave!
40 locals raden deze aan
Hornby Island
40 locals raden deze aan
Hornby Island is an Islanders favourite place! Best known for Tribune Bay dubbed “Little Hawaii” by the the locals. This beach is tucked away and is about as tropical as you will find on the West coast! While most airbnbs, campgrounds and glamping grounds (yes you read that right - luxury camping at Fossil Beach Farms) are booked well in advance by locals don’t let that deter you from spending a day here! From Honeymoon Bay you board a ferry to Denman Island. A short drive to the other end of Denman you will board a second ferry over to Hornby. Sounds taxing. But SO worth it! Hornby is an eclectic little island with lots of locally run shops and little restaurants. However we do suggest packing a lunch because once you hit Tribune Bay you won’t want to leave!
If you're here for a while, we live on a beautiful island surrounded by so many inhabited smaller islands. One of our favourite islands to visit in the Summer is Saltspring. There are serene beaches to visit and cool little home run shops all over the island and a market that operates on Saturdays during the summer months. People from all over the island head to salt spring for this market where you will find locally farmed fruit and vegetables, hand made soaps and clothing and art, and SO MUCH MORE! There are two ferries to Saltspring - but the one closest to us is in Crofton.
29 locals raden deze aan
Salt Spring Island
29 locals raden deze aan
If you're here for a while, we live on a beautiful island surrounded by so many inhabited smaller islands. One of our favourite islands to visit in the Summer is Saltspring. There are serene beaches to visit and cool little home run shops all over the island and a market that operates on Saturdays during the summer months. People from all over the island head to salt spring for this market where you will find locally farmed fruit and vegetables, hand made soaps and clothing and art, and SO MUCH MORE! There are two ferries to Saltspring - but the one closest to us is in Crofton.
If you like summer sunsets there’s no better place to be than on the beach in Qualicum! About a 40 minute drive from our Airbnb. Qualicum is known to Islanders as a retirement community. It’s a quaint and quiet little town with some very serene beach spots. A drive through neibourhoods is a must if you love luxury home design! One of our favourite places to eat in Qualicum is at the QBI - check it out under the food scene section.
108 locals raden deze aan
Qualicum Beach
108 locals raden deze aan
If you like summer sunsets there’s no better place to be than on the beach in Qualicum! About a 40 minute drive from our Airbnb. Qualicum is known to Islanders as a retirement community. It’s a quaint and quiet little town with some very serene beach spots. A drive through neibourhoods is a must if you love luxury home design! One of our favourite places to eat in Qualicum is at the QBI - check it out under the food scene section.