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Qualicum Beach: relaxed island lifestyle
Tuesday, May 8th, 2007 by GetawayBC.com
It’s not surprising that many of the people who call Qualicum Beach their home refer to it as God’s country. A temperate climate, one of the warmest in Canada, along with sandy beaches and myriad of golf courses combine to make Qualicum Beach akin to the Bahamas of Canada and a retirement capital.
With the highest average age in the country, Qualicum Beach has a relaxed, easy pace.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t much to do – far from it. Residents and visitors don’t have to go far to enjoy boating, caving, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding, lawn bowling, mountain biking, skiing, swimming, skating, curling diving or tennis. And of course, there’s the golf, probably one of the more popular pastimes in Qualicum Beach.
Golf is an important part of life here, with several courses in the immediate vicinity and even one of the main roads through town is bisected by the municipal course.
Opened in 1913, the Memorial Golf Course is one of the oldest in British Columbia, and certainly one of the most scenic. The envy of most of Canada, golfers are able to tee up for a game 12 months of the year, thanks to the area’s mild climate.
Word gets out about good things, and that has certainly been the case with Qualicum Beach, which welcomes increasing numbers of tourists during the summer months who want to enjoy everything the community has to offer.
That’s actually quite a lot. A thriving live theatre scene draws audiences from around Vancouver Island and beyond, while the number and quality of the area’s visual artists is a secret that’s long been out. Combine this strong arts scene with the small town village atmosphere, relaxed pace and mild climate, a top-flight aquatic centre, mix in a few special events and adventure possibilities and Qualicum Beach pretty much has it all.;