Three of the best beaches in all of Canada are right here in your B.C. backyard.
The acclaimed international travel guide Lonely Planet has named north Vancouver Island鈥檚 San Josef Bay as the 鈥渂est wilderness beach鈥� in Canada, Vancouver鈥檚 Kitsilano as the 鈥渂est urban beach鈥� and Tofino鈥檚 Chesterman as 鈥渂est for surfing.鈥�
The titles were awarded yesterday in an article called 鈥淭op 10 Beaches in Canada鈥� by Brendan Sainsbury on lonelyplanet.com.
San Jo has a 鈥渞eputation for tempestuous weather and tricky access鈥� and the 1.6-mile (2.5km) trail that leads to the ocean 鈥渟tarts at the end of a 43-mile (70km) unpaved logging road from Port Hardy.鈥�
The article goes into more detail on the area, noting that when the forest finally parts, 鈥測ou鈥檒l be delivered onto a windswept expanse of crashing surf and forested sea stacks where bushes and trees have been contorted by fierce Pacific storms,鈥� adding, 鈥淏ring a tent and binoculars. You can camp right on the smooth sandy beach and the 鈥榖ins鈥� will enhance your appreciation of the resident wildlife including eagles and ospreys.鈥�
Chesterman earned its award due to being 鈥渃lose enough to town to reach by bike (with your surfboard clipped to a special bike-rack) and firm enough to cycle on if you need some leg exercise before cresting the Pacific waves.鈥�
The article states choosing your favourite surf beach near Tofino is 鈥渓ike choosing your favourite delixe sports car. They鈥檙e all ridiculously good.鈥� But the author leaned on the input of locals who called Chesterman the region鈥檚 鈥渕ost complete scimitar of sand.鈥�
Meanwhile, Vancouver鈥檚 Kitsilano earned recognition as a 鈥渇reewheeling nugget of Southern California, chopped off and transported 1,000 miles north.鈥�
Kits has 鈥渁 sporty, laid-back vibe, especially in summer鈥� and beach volleyball is 鈥渢he game of choice although there are also enough grassy expanses to spread out and toss a frisbee or football.鈥�
To see the full list of beaches named the best in Canada, check out Lonely Planet鈥檚
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