Three Day "Sustainability Seekers" Itinerary
Surrounded by spectacular mountain and ocean views and home to awe-worthy wildlife and intriguing flora, it’s no wonder so many Comox Valley businesses follow sustainable practices. If you’re passionate about protecting the ecosystems you’ll be exploring, this 3-4 day itinerary is for you.
For your mode of transport, EV charging stations are available across the Comox Valley. You can also make use of our BC public transport bus system, which reaches our more rural northern and southern communities. If you’re keen to get around on two wheels, check out the Comox Valley Regional Cycling Map. Many bike lanes and car-free, bike-friendly multi-use trails snake through residential, rural, and downtown locations. If you haven’t brought your own bike, you can rent an e-bike or gravel bike from one of the Comox Valley’s bike rental stores or test out Evolve E-Bike Share.
Day one: Bike around spectacular conservation areas with locally-made snacks
On day one, head to the Local Refillery in Courtenay to fill your backpack with snacks for a day of activities and inspiring ecosystem education in motion. The refillery also stocks an abundance of sustainability-minded local and Island businesses.
Grab your bike or a rental and pedal along the Lazo Greenway Multi-Use Path to the North East Comox Wildlife Reserve. Take your time wandering or slowly cycling along the serene Lazo Marsh Northeast Nature Trails, a vital undisturbed habitat for wildlife, and a fantastic place to do some birding.
Afterward, grab lunch at Pink Moon Cafe, a plant-based food truck parked outside GARDENWORKS. They highlight local and sustainable ingredients in flavourful bowls and handhelds, alongside tasty smoothies and their popular housemade lemonade.
In the afternoon, make your way to Cumberland to spend time in the Cumberland Community Forest to witness the benefits of stewardship and read interpretive signage about the area’s non-human inhabitants and cultural heritage. Then wander down Dunsmuir Avenue where storefronts are filled with local, handmade goods, whole foods, and other slow-made, small Island and Canadian makers committed to sustainable supply chains and low carbon footprints.
In the evening, head for dinner at The Locals Restaurant, which specifically highlights the Comox Valley’s farmers, fishers, and producers in every plate. Stay on-site at the Old House Hotel and Spa. Alternatively, if you’re travelling in an electric vehicle, several hotels in Courtenay offer EV charging stations.
Day 2: Agritourism experiences and farm-to-table dining
On day two, get to the heart of our culinary scene and head to our northern rural communities to explore farms, apiaries, farmers’ markets, and biodynamic vineyards. These agritourism destinations near Comox and Courtenay are a highlight for those seeking honest, down-to-earth experiences that forge a deeper connection with the land and waters you’re visiting, and the people who call them home.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market runs year-round (seasonally rotating between indoors and outdoors). Then take the scenic Old Island Highway north, occasionally taking side roads, stopping at farms like Shamrock Farm and Fireweed Farmstand that follow regenerative, organic, and other intentional farming practices. Stop at Home Grown Bee in Merville to learn about local bees and taste delicious wildflower honey. In the summer, you can even book an apiary tour with passionate beekeeper and owner, Rachel. Bee-centric experiences are also available at Smith Lake Farm.
Alongside honey and produce, several farms in Merville and Black Creek on the outer edges of Comox and Courtenay sell organic and grass-fed meat, eggs, and dairy. You could easily spend a whole day exploring these vibrant farms, but we have a feeling you might want to stop at a responsible winery or two too. Beaufort Vineyard and Estate Winery is Vancouver Island’s first certified organic winery (since 2022), so it’s the perfect place to start. Check out their events calendar, enjoy a tasting on the picturesque patio, and learn about their regenerative viticulture principles in person. Back toward Comox, 40 Knots Winery pays homage to its ocean-influenced terroir by following organic and biodynamic practices.
This area, while vast, can be covered swiftly by bike thanks to a network of multi-use trails and quiet side roads that crisscross Highway 19A. End your day at Gigi’s Oysters for a responsibly sourced tide-to-table meal, or in the summer enjoy an early dinner on the lawn at the Filberg Kitchen.
Day 3: Restorative spas and sustainability-rooted stores
Day three takes you to more vibrant stores stocking handmade goods, plastic-free fibres, and organic ingredients. It’s the perfect way to pick up a memento or treat yourself. Wander down 5th Street in Courtenay and pop into boutique stores like West Coast Karma, ARTIFACT, Euspira, Red Fox Botanicals, and more for small-batch and slow-made goods from independent Island and Canadian designers and makers.
Have brunch or lunch between stops at Atlas Cafe. They proudly and loudly cherish the many partnerships they have with local producers, from wineries, meat suppliers, and breweries to micro-green growers, oyster farmers, and other farmers. A bite to eat here is an honest taste of our soil and salt, and the meaningful relationships that get those flavours onto our plates.
When your feet are ready to pause from shopping, head to the Old House Hotel and Spa—the ideal spot for a few hours of relaxation and rejuvenation, reflecting on the sustainable values and relationships you’ve discovered that thread through life here in the Comox Valley. Set in a serene riverside setting, OhSpa uses natural and organic products in its face and body treatments—a perfect end to your intentional trip.