Ucluelet, Tofino, The Point Restaurant + Back to Ukee | Night 11

We woke up in a spacious seaside lot in Ucluelet called Big Beach. Brushed our chicklets, got dressed, and followed a quick Google search to Barkley Café for our morning caffeine.

The town felt like a coastal mash-up of Port Dover and Tobermory, surf shops, cafés, and little bistros lining the strip into the harbour.

Coffee in hand, we wandered down to the marina. The tide was low, the streets quiet, the air cool and damp. Fueled up, we drove into Pacific Rim National Park, stopping first at Wickaninnish Beach to stretch our legs and touch the ocean. Tsunami evacuation signs dotted the roadsides, reminders that the sea can take as quickly as it gives. I saw my very first starfish there, massive and beautiful, my inner child just beaming.

From there, we continued north, stopping at Long Beach, and it was endless. Blue and beige stretched in every direction, surfers dotted across the horizon, driftwood cabins and castles lining the shore. James inspected each one like an appraiser, while I beachcombed, camera in hand. Be sure to check out below.

After hanging out at Long Beach for a while, we drove into Tofino. It felt like Port Dover but way more. Just way more. Super populated, chaotic parking, but undeniably beautiful. The community thrummed with Indigenous art and spirit, the shoreline dotted with galleries and surf shops.

We wandered into Roy Vickers’ Gallery and took our time moving through his incredible collection. Inspiring does not even cover it. A few tokens were purchased, and we carried ourselves through the rest of town before finding our car and heading to dinner.

And not just any dinner.

Our dear friend CJ made it clear that if we did one thing in Tofino, it had to be dinner at The Point Restaurant. It is her favourite place in the entire world, and she made sure we did not miss it. “Stuff your faces,” she told us. And stuffed, our faces we did. Thank you, CJ.

We showered and dressed up in the van, pulled out our nicest clothes, and walked ourselves up to this estate perched high on the cliffs. The entranceway was welcoming with warm giant beans that were carved ever so slightly, then came the grand doors beautifully carved with Haida artwork.

The restaurant itself felt like a cathedral of glass and timber, with waves crashing against the rocks just below us. Inside, the air was alive with soft clinking glassware, warm candlelight, and the hum of service done with precision. The fireplace in the centre of the room only added to the already incredible ambience. From an industry perspective, it was honestly a joy to watch.

Our server, Aaron, was incredible, knowledgeable, kind, and perfectly timed. The food? Beyond. Check the gallery and blog for all the images from dinner; you will see exactly why CJ insisted. It ended up pairing almost like a Surf and Turf evening for us; we shared everything, we liked everything, so we ordered everything.

Albacore Tuna Ceviche | Bright and refreshing, with summer berries, green strawberry, and dill adding tang and freshness.

Elk Tataki | Tender and lightly seared, paired with wild flavours of salal, spruce, sorrel, and chia seed.

Roasted Beef Tenderloin | Rich and buttery, served with poached potato, brisket, black garlic, and sweet allium.

Poached Lingcod | Delicate and flaky, finished with fiddlehead, broccoli rabe, a light fumet, and dill.

Sea Buckthorn Tart | Citrus kissed with lemon meringue and yuzu, on a buttery sable crust.

Chocolate & Raspberry | Airy dark chocolate with fresh berries and a tart raspberry sorbet to balance.

As the sun melted into the Pacific and our evening came to a close, we pointed the Roadtrek back toward Ucluelet. We simply loved the vibe there, the community, the simplicity. We wanted to wake up to it again. From there,

we can decide where we are headed next, maybe over a drink.

Back at our home in Big Beach parking lot, we decided on one last cocktail before calling it.

That led us to Papi Cantina right on the main drag. We had some drinks, chatted with the owner, an Ontario boy who moved west and never looked back, and soaked in the easy, small town surf town energy.

After a tequila nightcap, we wandered back to the Roadtrek and collapsed into glorious sleep. Let me mention again, this trip has been so comfortable because of this van.

Next up, we are heading north toward the ferry at Little River.