You are cordially invited…to visit Cowichan to celebrate this most wonderful of occasions: the shift into the fall season. You won’t find your official invitation in your mailbox but in the hearts of the people who call this diverse region home.
Your hosts await your arrival
Your hosts are waiting with open arms to share the joy of simple pleasures found in our spectacular coastal locale and sun-warmed soil. Their infectious go-with-the-slow mentality cultivates deep presence in nature, delights in farm-to-table food, and has creative pursuits inspired by the landscape spilling into stores and adorning public spaces. The chance to unwind in unique spaces, from forest yurts and oceanfront resorts to rustic log lodges, and generous home-away-from-home hospitality, is the icing on the cake that makes your visit with us extra special. Cowichan truly flourishes in the fall.
Find your fall stay
The Venue
Each of our sixteen communities has its own unique reason to visit while encompassing that familiar thread of warmth and authenticity that makes your time in Cowichan so memorable. Everyone is welcome here and with so much on offer, we believe you’ll experience that sweet moment of connection where you feel you’ve found your place.
Retreat in the coastal communities of Maple Bay and Genoa Bay, Cowichan Bay, and Mill Bay to enjoy delicious seafood, marine wildlife expeditions, and our maritime heritage. If harvest festivals, winery tours, and delectable local produce are high on your exploration list, the family-run farms in Cobble Hill and Duncan are calling. Arts enthusiasts head to Chemainus and Ladysmith, while the adventurous enjoy lakeside life, unpaved roads, and extensive trails around Shawnigan Lake, Cowichan Lake, and the more remote Nitinaht region.
Discover your most suited communities
Order of Events
For many, the fall weather ushers in more time spent indoors, and there’s plenty to see and do with so many artisans and performers making their home here. Spend an evening at the theatre or duck into an art gallery after exploring the historic streets, murals, and cozy cafes of Ladysmith, Duncan, and Chemainus. If you’re more of a history buff, head to the Hand of Man Museum, explore wooden boatbuilding at the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre, or brush up on your natural world knowledge at the BC Forest Discovery Centre.
Find things to do this autumn
For those appropriately dressed for the weather, our rivers, forest trails, oceanfront walkways, estuaries, and mountain tops beckon adventurers and wildlife enthusiasts who know that the cooler, wetter weather means these ecosystems are full of life and very lush. Fall is also one of the best times of the year for mountain biking in the Cowichan region—traverse the multitude of trails and enjoy a spike of adrenaline as you climb up to unparalleled mountaintop vistas.
Along with our renowned harvest season and all the ways to enjoy a taste of it—from farm-to-table dining and foodie festivals to farm tours and wine tastings—our ocean and rivers too entice active, culinary travellers at this time of year. Embark on a fishing charter or give fly-fishing along the Cowichan River a go with local guides eager to share a truly hands-on experience of the salmon spawning season with you surrounded by beautiful fall foliage.
Experience an outdoor adventure
Dresscode
Fall in our region can be a mix of atmospheric misty mornings and crisp, sun-filled days. When it comes to what to pack, think in layers—tshirts and lightweight long sleeves under puffy vests and your snuggliest sweater. Throw in your favourite toque and your lightweight rain gear, just in case. A couple of elevated outfits never go amiss if you feel called to dine out, while packing swimwear means you’re prepared to go from a cold dip on the coast to a luxurious spa experience.
Dietary Requirements
Known for our mild climate, extended growing season, and as the only official winemaking region on Vancouver Island, the rural pace quickens just a fraction in fall as locals and visitors alike revel in the harvest season.
You might be surprised by some of the produce on offer, cultivated by down-to-earth locals eager to share their passions—from kiwis and Canada’s only tea farm, to lavender and a whole spread of ciders and wines that celebrate our apple orchard and grape growing history. Its a spirited mix of experimentation and authentic love for gathering people around the table that guides our growing craft beer scene too.
Then there is of course our coastal locale. Crab, spot prawns, mouthwatering salmon, ling cod, foraged sea asparagus, oysters, and more grace the seasonal, hyperlocal menus of our independent restaurants with stunning views out to sea.
Where to eat in Cowichan
Gifts
If you’re anything like us, when we fall in love with a new place, we want to take home momentos that transport us back in an instant once home. Our hosts don’t expect any gifts, but we hope you feel encouraged to treat yourself while you’re here. From professional artists to pottery studios, jewelry makers to perfumers, our region has inspired generation after generation of creative expression. Meet our makers in heritage buildings, artist studios, and independent stores that make shopping an opportunity for storytelling and connection.
Shopping
Guestbook
When it’s time to say goodbye or, we hope, see you soon, we’d love if you signed our digital guestbook so we can reminiscence over the memories we’ve made, together. You can tag your fall moments with us with @cowichantourism.
