Tofino, British Columbia
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| Tofino, British Columbia | |||
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| Country | Canada | ||
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| Province | British Columbia | ||
| Regional District | Alberni-Clayoquot | ||
| Incorporated | 1932 | ||
| Government | |||
| - Mayor | John Fraser | ||
| Area | |||
| - Total | 10.64 km² (4.1 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 10 m (33 ft) | ||
| Population (2006) | |||
| - Total | 1,655 | ||
| - Density | 157.1/km² (406.9/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) | ||
| Postal code span | V0R 2Z0 | ||
| Area code(s) | 250 | ||
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| Website: Tofino.ca | |||
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. It is located at the tip of the Esowista Peninsula, and is thus a part of Clayoquot Sound. Islands in the vicinity include Meares, Vargas and Flores. Lone Cone on Meares Island is an extinct volcano. Tofino and the nearby town of Ucluelet are the closest towns to the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve.
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.[1]. Tofino Inlet was named in 1792 by the Spanish commanders Galiano and Valdés, in honor of Admiral Vicente Tofiño,[2] under whom Galiano had learned cartography.[3]
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 [4], with its natural hot springs, is located about 45 kilometres (28 mi) 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.
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[edit] 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 several 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.
[edit] Festivals and Events
Every March, the migration of thousand of grey whales is celebrated with the Pacific Rim Whale Festival [1]. 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.
[edit] Cultural references
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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".
[edit] Telecommunications
Tofino has modern cell phone and land line access (including Internet, ADSL) -- as well as television relays of CBC-SRC.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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