Why Tofino is the best dog-friendly B.C. summer getaway

As more folks are turning to local travel this summer, there are plenty of great spots to visit here in B.C., but you can never go wrong with Tofino.

While the west coast Vancouver Island town is known as a surfer’s paradise, you don’t need to visit for that reason alone. With its picturesque beaches, stunning trails, quaint local shops, and a bustling food scene, it’s a great place to take the entire family away for a few days.

And when I say “family”, I mean all members — not just the kids or grandparents — but your beloved pet(s), as well.

There can be a lot to think about when taking a trip with your animal: how you’re going to get there, where you’ll stay, and if the destination has an overall pet-friendly vibe at its businesses and restaurants.

After all, if you’re travelling with your pet, the last thing you want to do is leave them behind in a hotel room.

Having the chance to take my pup, Mylo, to visit Tofino recently confirmed that it checks off all the pet-friendly boxes, especially for dog owners.

The journey and the stay

If you’re on the mainland, you’ll start your journey by taking a trip with BC Ferries, with the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay route is the most convenient route to take. Once you arrive in Nanaimo, it’s about a three-hour drive (give or take) to reach Tofino.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Tofino before, but this was my first time staying at Hotel Zed.

The funky ’60s-inspired hotel is located along the Pacific Rim Highway just outside Tofino’s quaint downtown strip, and it’s not hard to miss.

Its colourful exterior is a welcoming sight, and when you enter, that friendly feeling continues.

The front desk staff warmly welcomed us. They provided a care package for Mylo, getting our trip off to the right start. It contained treats, a towel, and other doggy essentials.

The accommodation itself was certainly a highlight of our stay, and it’s all because of the attention to detail and the fact that Mylo was welcome pretty much everywhere.

From the hidden bookshelf that opened up to a sweet ’80s arcade to the groovy disco room and “psychic’s” den, Hotel Zed Tofino really knows how to pack in the fun, not just inside but also outside.

The property features several outdoor amenities, including a sauna and a hot tub. There’s a cute play area for the kids, and a few steps away, you’ll find a life-size, custom-made VW Bus made out of driftwood, which adds to the hotel’s charm and eclectic design.

A beautiful private pathway at the back of the property leads through the rainforest to a dock that sits on the edge of the gorgeous Tofino Inlet.

It also provides a relaxing spot to sip your morning coffee or an evening cocktail. Although the hotel doesn’t have an ocean view, it’s a few minutes’ walk from the jaw-dropping Chesterman Beach. There are no off-leash beaches in Tofino, so be mindful of your pup and be sure to clean up after them.

It’s rare to stay at a hotel where you feel like you can connect with your fellow travellers, but Hotel Zed made that really easy to do. On this particular weekend, the hotel was packed with families (many of whom were travelling with their pups) and we’d often run into some familiar faces in the lobby or at Zed’s funky sunken sunken living room space, which made for a great place to unwind, grab a drink and play some board games.

And if you’re feeling hungry, you don’t need to go far. Hotel Zed is home to the acclaimed ROAR eatery, which focuses on locally sourced West Coast ingredients served up as delectably unique dishes.

While the food is refined and crafted by talented chefs who are visible in an open-concept kitchen cooking over a live fire, ROAR itself exudes a warm, approachable vibe, just like the rest of Hotel Zed.

Exploring Tofino with your pup

While Hotel Zed makes it hard to leave, we wanted to soak in everything Tofino had to offer and make sure Mylo got the full experience, too.

There are plenty of great trails to take your dog for a walk (my personal recommendations are the Rainforest or the Big Tree Trail). And of course, you can’t have a Tofino trip without dipping your toes (and your pup’s paws) in the sand.

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Whether you opt for a longer walk along the famed Long Beach or a shorter seaside stroll at Tonquin Beach, a stop to soak in the sunshine and ocean air is a must-do. Most Tofino beaches are dog-friendly, except for Combers Beach, where dogs are prohibited from April 1 to October 1, except for service animals.

You can take a stroll along the paved walking/bike path on Pacific Rim Highway that leads into town for some good eats and shopping.

The best way to discover Tofino’s main strip (located along Campbell Street) is to walk from one end to the other. We began our trek at Drift Tofino—Moto Surf Coffee, a hidden gem of a cafe. It specializes in high-quality motorcycle and surf accessories and apparel, but inside, you’ll also find a tiny coffee shop that brews up some of the best espresso in town.

From there, we strolled shop to shop with Mylo. While some stores are pet-friendly, be sure to ask before entering with your pup.

After an hour or two exploring town, you’ll likely work up an appetite, and while there are plenty of delicious options to discover, Tofino Brewing is an ideal dog-friendly spot where you can enjoy a nice cold beer (or a flight, or a root beer if that’s your thing) and chill out. If you’ve worked up an appetite, the Toki Doki food truck is a few steps away, serving up Japanese-style street food and Osaka-style Okonomiyaki, which pairs perfectly with Tofino Brewery’s offerings.

The nice thing about Tofino Brewing is you can also opt to bring your own takeout on site, so if you want to hit up the original Tacofino food truck (which is just a few minutes away)  you can grab your burrito with a side of guac and chips and post up at the brewery for the rest of the evening.

After a long day of exploration, make sure you’re not too tired, because Hotel Zed comes alive at night with guests enjoying a nightcap in the sunken living room or dancing off the day in the disco room.

But if you and your pup are ready to call it a night, be sure to rest up. Because Tofino offers so much adventure, you’ll want to feel reenergized for the next day.

The author of this trip was hosted by Destination BC

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