Cottage rental in Parksville, British Columbia - Lavishly Appointed Vacation Home centrally located on Vancouver Island - Property 170293

Things to do...: You will never run out of things to see and do in Parksville, especially if you enjoy being outside. The city came by its name honestly: it maintains 30 urban parks! What's more, seven of BC's most beautiful provincial parks, as well as a number of local and regional parks, are within easy reach. Most of the larger parks in the area feature walking, hiking and/or biking trails, while many have superb, sandy beaches, picnic areas and other amenities. Some of the warmest saltwater swimming conditions north of California are to be found in Parksville, so it stands to reason that swimming and diving are popular pursuits. The area is also known for its first-rate kayaking, canoeing and fishing opportunities. You certainly don't have to spend all your time outside: Parksville is packed with art and crafts studios where you can watch artists and artisans at work.

Air and land activities: Parksville's beautiful natural surroundings and temperate climate allow for all sorts of outdoor activities. Laid out along the coast and near a complex network of freshwater lakes and rivers, it's an excellent base for birding and hiking expeditions. It's also arguably the best place on Vancouver Island for mountain biking thanks to Top Bridge Park - the only park on the island designated for mountain bikes. It's also a popular destination for picnicking and swimming. If you want to camp, there are many campgrounds to choose from in the area, some on private property and some in provincial parks. The city is well situated for golfing trips, too, as six courses are within a 25-minute drive from downtown.

Natural Sights, Parks and Wildlife: Parksville is aptly named: despite its small size, the city maintains two large parks and 28 neighbourhood parks. It's also within striking distance of a number of impressive provincial and regional parks. Cathedral Grove (in MacMillan Provincial Park) contains one of the most accessible stands of old-growth Douglas-fir trees in BC. Some of the trees are 800 years old, while one is more than nine m (29 ft) in circumference! Walking among those giant trees is awe inspiring. Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park is particularly well suited to family outings. It's famous for its beach, which, at low tide, becomes a stretch of sand almost a kilometer (about half a mile) wide. Its picnic area is well equipped with tables, a shelter and an adventure playground. It also has lots of easy walking trails that wind through old-growth forest, along beaches and past a pretty heritage farm.