Parksville

A quick look at the water can become a proper walk, followed by the entirely reasonable decision to sit down and look some more. Parksville Community Park and nearby Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park supply much of the area’s outdoor appeal. The town also makes room for retirement residences with very different service models, from independent living to assisted and complex care. If your ideal week contains repeat visits to the shore and a smaller set of familiar places, Parksville belongs on the list. Give equal attention to the practical trips that would surround those beach days.

Parksville Community Park puts beach time close to town, and Rathtrevor offers another lovely setting nearby. You can build a substantial afternoon around very little equipment: suitable shoes, a layer for the weather and permission to linger. Beachfest’s sand-sculpting is another seasonal outing to check. It is pleasing to live somewhere that can take a material usually associated with getting into your shoes and turn it into a public spectacle.