Campbell River-Salmon Capitol of the World

Nestled peacefully along the eastern coast of central Vancouver Island, Campbell River has long been known as the Salmon Capital of the World. This peaceful fishing and logging area was the "Relaxation Destination" for Hollywood’s rich and famous during the 1940’s and early 1950’s. Bing Crosby, Clark Gable, Bob Hope, Carole Lombard and William Randolph Hearst escaped to this fantastic natural destination surrounded by beauty and wonder.

Capture the spirit of Campbell River.... stroll amid the sea breezes along Discovery Pier -- you might see a salmon, an eagle, or a whale.

Take in the magnificent views of Discovery Passage, Quadra Island and, in the distance, the rugged Coastal Mountain range of mainland British Columbia.

Explore trails along Campbell River's designated British Columbia Heritage River.

Restore your soul amidst streams, lakes and forests kept green by the mild Pacific Coast climate.

Quick Tips:

Join the Wonders of the Wild Celebration, which showcases Campbell River’s unique blend of heritage, culture, scenery, and wildlife through a variety of educational, sightseeing, and recreational activities.

In Campbell River you're not just watching the drama unfold; you're part of it! As the sun rises over British Columbia's Coast Mountain ranges, the coastline of Discovery Passage comes to life.

Best Way To Get Around:

This is a wide, wild and diverse area. The only way to really enjoy the visit is with a rental car or private vehicle. Cabs and buses are only available within the city--but the real, wildlife experiences are found beyond the city limits.

PRICE DEPENDS UPON SITE AND TYPE OF ACCOMMODATIONS

Salmon Point Resort is an extremely clean and well-run resort with plenty of activities for the entire family. Fishing, Boat Rentals, Charter Fishing Trips, horseshoes, a playground for the kids and miles of pristine beaches for romantic sunset walks.

A superb, gourmet restaurant featuring the freshest fish that money can buy welcomes tourists and locals alike. Situated along the Georgia Straits, each evening a parade Alaska-bound cruise ships passes the Resort as they enter the "narrows" area of the famous Inland Passage.

Fourteen miles south of Campbell River, the "Salmon Capitol of the World", the Salmon Point Resort is every sportsman’s fishing pleasure.
Chinook salmon is the "KING": (7-20 lbs) in January --(7 - 25 lbs)-- in June.
Kings, Northerns, Tyee, Chinook, Pinks and Sockeyes in September range from 7-25 lbs.
Chinooks and Northerns (7-15 lbs ) are still around in December.
EXCELLENT FISHING throughout the year.

Within a short drive, you will find 4 golf courses, 2 ski areas, a Speedway Race Track, Shopping Malls and the picturesque towns of Courtenay and Campbell River. All these activities and the magnificent scenery of Canada’s Inland passage right outside your door.

Salmon Point offers several types of moderately priced accommodations: Cabins for 2-4 persons, RV Rental Units, and a variety of RV and Tent sites.
We had a lighthouse view, full hookups (including TV), and a beachfront site for our 30 foot motor home priced at just $26 Canadian (About $15 US per night)!

The on-site restaurant was marvelous! It specializes in fresh fish; but the menu also offers meat, chicken and vegetarian dishes. During our five-day stay we chose several items from the extensive menu and everything was very elegantly served and delicious! My special recommendation: the tartufo - chocolate ice cream dessert is terrific! One is enough for 2 people to share.

We were especially impressed by the total cleanliness of this campground!
The atmosphere at the Resort was relaxed and laid back
AND the fishing was FANTASTIC!!

When it comes to Breakfast--the BeeHive excels! Competent service combines with excellent food preparation to give you a wonderful dining experience. We have dined at the BeeHive many times, for breakfast, lunch, dinners and special parties--and we have never been disappointed.

Here, food freshness and quality takes center stage. The ambiance is rather mediocre inside, but if you snag a seat on the outdoor patio, the view is superb; fishing boats, trawlers, logging barges and cruise ships all ply the inland passage within your view from the BeeHive.

Breakfasts range from eggs with hash browns at ($5.69 Canadian-about $4.75 US) to Steak and eggs (6 oz steak) for $10.39 or $7.90 US. The coffee here is wonderful--strong, flavorful and "keeps on coming"--

The lunch menu is widely varied -- Sandwiches, Salads, appetizers, pasta dishes, fish and regional specialties. Also, A Big Burger Menu is available. I saw nothing on the menu over $8.50--about $5.75 US! Now how's that for a bargain??

Dinner is even better, with fresh salmon, fried oysters and other seafood specials all very reasonably priced. However, consider yourself warned, evenings can be very crowded and service can be slower than anticipated. Still a great meal for a fantastic price, so why not PLAN to linger.

Robert’s Lake and a Trek on Menzie’s Mountain

I was reminded of many things during our recent visit to Vancouver Island's northernmost city, Campbell River. Not the least of which was that in this dramatic natural setting, you're not just watching a drama unfold; you are a part of it!

I hate Monday mornings, but as we set out for an early breakfast at Robert's Lake and a trek up Menzie’s Mountain, anticipation began to build. Just a 20 minute drive from downtown Campbell River along Canada’s scenic Island Highway (#19), Robert’s Lake Resort is reminiscent of a scene from the 1940’s. The red-painted restaurant next to the road beckoning travelers, an ancient gas pump and ice chest out front and a row of rustic single-family cabins set beside the dirt road creeping downward toward the lake.

We entered the Restaurant through the Resort’s tiny general store and headed directly for a table near the rear window. Our waitress, Lorna, immediately delivered steaming ceramic mugs of strong hot coffee as we looked out across the lake toward Menzie’s mountain.

We (my husband, his brother and our sister-in-law) justified our huge breakfast, based on the fact that we would need the energy for our trek. Plates of sourdough hotcakes, inch-thick toast from bread fresh from the oven that morning, ranch eggs, ham, spiced hash browns, crispy bacon and pots of homemade raspberry and boysenberry jam crowded the table as we planned our journey. Simple food, hearty food and a panoramic view of the lake MAY even have changed my feelings about Monday mornings!

This memorable breakfast for four hungry adults cost less than $9 per person (that’s just $6 in US money)! I can’t even tell you who ate what, because we all just ate a lot of everything! Feeling worlds away from home, we were now fortified and ready to see the drama awaiting us on Menzie’s mountain, under a blanket of firs and cedars. Mother Nature gave Campbell River a gift, and luckily--it’s a gift we all can share!

"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," because "I'm the Great Pretender", but "I Apologize,"-- SINCE "Only You" can be my "Earth Angel"!

The Legendary group, THE PLATTERS performed a special concert at Campbell Rivers' Tidemark Theatre on Friday July 13th 2001. Being "Children of the '50's," my husband and I made a special trip to see their fantastic concert.

The Tidemark Theatre, with its "Arte-Deco Theme," provided a perfect backdrop for the nostalgic music of this group. The garish, larger-than-life characters in the lobby and the huge neon fixtures quickly transported the audience to another era.

THE PLATTERS gave an exceptional performance. We re-lived the sounds of the legendary Rhythm and Blues Music of the 50's: "Only You", "Twilight Time", "Unchained Melody" and "Harbor Lights" carried us back to younger days and more tolerant times. Floods of memories from high school, the Senior Prom and graduation washed through the Tidemark Theatre that evening.

The Platters performed for over an hour, interrupted by several standing ovations. They called for a short intermission, and then took up the mood with an encore performance. All players in this group are well into their 60's, yet they performed like teenagers. Bravo!

The Tidemark Theatre in Campbell River presents a number of sensational musical and theatrical events throughout the year. A small, but extremely well-provided theatre, all events seem to be of "Sell-Out" caliber.

Tickets for this performance by the legendary Platters
cost only $35 Canadian -- about $24 US--Which we considered an exceptional BUY!

Gildas-- So, what the heck is a Gildas?? Gildas is the traditional Native Kwakwaka'wak name given to the symbolic box in which each Native American family stores their treasures. The songs, masks, dances and stories which record their personal heritage.

In July 2000, the Gildas Box of Treasure Theatre, featuring the cultural traditions of the Laichwiltach people of Vancouver Island, opened in a dramatic cedar building on the waterfront of Campbell River, British Columbia. Owned by the Campbell River Indian Band, the Gildas offers tourists an opportunity to participate in the authentic dances, songs, and stories of the Laichwiltach First Nation people.

They have opened a Unique, one-of-a-kind gallery housed in a magnificent contemporary interpretation of a Native Big House. Located in the Discovery Harbor Center, the "Wei Wai Kam House of Treasures" features the work of numerous native artists of the Northwest Coast.

The House of Treasures is truly the "Gildas" of Campbell River’s Native American families. Here, you will find distinctively carved totem poles, colorful native masks, jewelry created in unparalled design, clothing, home accessories, dolls and souvenirs of all distinctions. Prices here are definitely not inexpensive! Most items far exceeded our budget, but we enjoyed seeing the magnificent art and craft items on display in such a typical setting. We were able to afford to buy some high quality sweatshirts with native designs for about $40 each -- not true native art, but wonderful souvenirs anyway! You can visit the Native Art website at www.houseoftreasures.com