Have a picnic at Sombrio Beach in Juan de Fuca Provincial Park of British Columbia’s Vancouver Island for an unforgettable moment. Surrounded by a rain forest, crashing waves and a waterfall near the beach, the area is very popular. Take one of two gently inclined access trails from your car to the beach, which is about 820 feet (250 meters) away. Make sure you take the second trail back to your car in case you missed the Hidden Falls, a truly magical area in the filtered light of the rock cliffs.
It’s likely you won’t be alone, as this is a popular surfing area with camping sections. If you’re lucky, you might see whales, sea lions and seals, which are known to frequently swim along the shore. The beach has some sandy areas but it’s primarily a cobbled rock beach so bring comfortable shoes.
Hike farther along the shore on the 29-mile (47-kilometer) Juan de Fuca Marine Trail, which has additional trailheads along the way. These include eco-sensitive Botanical Beach, Mystic Beach and China Beach. Natural scenes along the entire length are impressive. The trail has varying levels of physical intensity.
Port Renfrew is at the western end of the Juan de Fuca Marine Trail and offers an excellent base to walk the trail or explore the park. This is also where some of the largest documented evergreen trees in Canada are located. The town is also noted for having a natural bonsai tree that’s said to be the most photographed in the province. Watch for birds, with a number of endangered and protected species inhabiting the area.
Find Sombrio Beach 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of Port Renfrew or 60 miles (100 kilometers) west of British Columbia’s capital city of Victoria. Nature is certainly the center of attraction in this beautiful region, with a multitude of ways to enjoy it.
