Tofino, British Columbia

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Tofino, British Columbia
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settlement_type = Village
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image_caption =Fish Wharf in Tofino


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dot_map_caption =Location of Tofino within the Alberni-Clayoquot District in British Columbia, Canada
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Canada
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = British Columbia
subdivision_type2 = Regional District
subdivision_name2 = Alberni-Clayoquot
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leader_title =Mayor
leader_name =John Fraser
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established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1932
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area_total_km2 = 10.64
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population_total = 1,655
population_density_km2 = 157.1
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timezone = PST
utc_offset = -8
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elevation_m = 10
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postal_code_type = Postal code span
postal_code = V0R 2Z0
area_code =250
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website = [http://www.tofino.ca/ Tofino.ca]
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Tofino is a village of about 1,650 residents on the west coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada, located at the western terminus of Highway 4, on the tip of the Esowista Peninsula, at the southern edge of Clayoquot Sound. Islands in the vicinity include Meares, Vargas and Flores. Tofino is surrounded by 6 other communities: Ucluelet, Ittatsoo (Ucluelet First Nation), Ahousat (Ahousaht First Nation), Hot Springs Cove (Hesquiaht First Nation), Esowista and Opitsaht (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation).

The settlement of Tofino first acquired the name in 1909 with the opening of the Tofino Post Office, named in association with Tofino Inlet nearby. [BCGNIS|20919|Tofino] . Tofino Inlet was named in 1792 by the Spanish commanders Galiano and Valdés, in honor of Admiral Vicente Tofiño, [BCGNIS|20921|Tofino Inlet] under whom Galiano had learned cartography. [http://web.mala.bc.ca/black/amrc/index.htm?Research/Papers/INGLIS1.HTM&2 Dionisio Alcalá Galiano: The Canadian Adventure of a Spanish Naval Hero] , Malaspina University-College]

A popular tourist destination in the summer, Tofino's population swells to many times its winter size. It attracts surfers, nature lovers, campers, whale watchers, fishermen, or anyone just looking to be close to nature. In the winter it is not as bustling, however, many people visit Tofino and the west coast to watch storms on the water. Close to Tofino is Long Beach, a scenic and popular year-round destination, at the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Nearby Maquinna Marine Provincial Park [ [http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/parkpgs/maquinna.html Ministry of Environment Maquinna Marine Provincial Park] ] , with its natural hot springs, is located about km to mi|45|spell=UK north of Tofino and is also a popular day-trip destination for tourists although it is only reachable by boat or float plane.

Accommodation in Tofino includes bed and breakfast lodging, independent locally-run inns, and upscale luxury resorts which are locally owned and operated.

Transportation

Tofino has a small airport about ten minutes drive from town. Tofino Airport is accessible to very small passenger planes, with floatplanes landing on the inlet in town. Coastal fog is a common morning phenomenon in the summer, complicating access by air until the weather clears.

Accessing Tofino by car from the North American mainland involves taking a ferry to Vancouver Island from Vancouver or Seattle or Port Angeles, then driving a little over 3 hours northwest across the island, along Highway 4. Ferry access from Vancouver to the island is provided by BC Ferries.

Tofino Bus also services Tofino from Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo and Port Alberni.

Festivities and events

Every March, the migration of thousand of grey whales is celebrated with the Pacific Rim Whale Festival [http://www.pacificrimwhalefestival.com] . The first week-end of June brings the ever-growing Tofino Food and Wine Festival, featuring British Columbia wines and showcasing the creations of Tofino chefs. The highlight of November is the Clayoquot Oyster Festival, which hosts the annual and popular Oyster Gala, an evening of local chefs competing for the favorite oyster creation, slurping contests, British Columbia wines and beers, and live music.

Cultural references

Music

* Montreal third wave ska band The Planet Smashers recorded a song on their album "Life of the Party" entitled "Surfin' in Tofino".
* The punk band Gob filmed their music video "No Regrets", directed by William Morrison, on Long Beach.

Film & television

* The opening scenes in the film Going the Distance take place in Tofino. It is the home of the main trio of characters and it is the starting point for their trans-Canada road trip that takes place in the movie. The movie was released in the United States as "National Lampoon's Going The Distance".

Telecommunications

Tofino has modern cell phone and land line access (including Internet, ADSL) -- as well as television relays of CBC-SRC.

References

External links

* [http://wikitravel.org/en/Tofino WikiTravel.org on Tofino]