Fly-in Lunch Destinations on the West Coast

[moocow]

I would like to take some friends out flying with me before the wet season arrives. Any suggestions? I prefer some place with decent ground transportation (taxi or bus for under 30 minutes). Airport restaurants and Chilliwack do not count. Point of departure is CZBB using either Piper Warrior or Cessna 172. Many thanks in advance.

[ZBBYLW]

Well I was going to suggest YCW. How about YYJ, I forget the name of the restaurant, but about 700 meters down the road by the VFC there is a not bad restaurant. There is also the spitfire grill. If you want a longer flight howabout YAZ, then walk into town and have something to eat.

[Geko]

Yea the Dakota Cafe is literally in the Victoria Flying Club. I'm not sure what time the Final Approach restaurant opens at the Qualicum Beach airport but that's another good idea. Lastly, you could just pack a lunch and if the weather is good enough head out to Tofino and sit on the beach (5 minute walk to the beach from the airport).

[scm]

Final Approach opens at 11, closed mondays and tuesdays.

[Just Duckie]

Courtenay has several eating options just a short walk from the strip.

[deflux]

I flew into YCW for pie a while back...

It was pretty good. I don't know what all the hype is about though.

The Final Approach restaurant had pretty good food last time I was there.

[Crobe]

before the wet season arrives/b].....hmmmmm, been outside today?

My favorite place is Sandpiper Golf Course in Harrison Mills. Land on the side of the 17th hole, and have lunch at the great little restaurant. Even play a round. Not too many people can say they went fly-in golfing.


http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source= ... 4&t=h&z=16

[BigglesNBella]

Well I was going to suggest YCW. How about YYJ, I forget the name of the restaurant, but about 700 meters down the road by the VFC there is a not bad restaurant. There is also the spitfire grill. If you want a longer flight howabout YAZ, then walk into town and have something to eat.

The restaurant you're thinking of is Mary's Blue Moon Café. It's a 10 minute walk from the club down Canora.

The other option in Victoria is to park at the Viscount hanger and eat in the RC Grill. It has the best view of the field for a place serving food and you can park your aircraft basically right outside the doors for free.

Personally, I love flying into YVR, parking at Million Air and walking down to The Flying Beaver.

[xsbank]

YOU CAN'T GO TO THE BEAVER WITHOUT DRINKING BEER!

Mary's Bleue Moon Cafe. French spelling of Blue. No Mary there anymore.

[ei ei owe]

Fly to Pemberton for a gound round of golf and some great food in town.

Or, cross the water to Texada Island, land at and walk to Gillies Bay. 30 minute walk to great seaside restautants.

[PanEuropean]

There is actually quite a bit to see and do at Victoria airport.

In addition to Mary's Blue Moon Café (previously mentioned), there is an aviation museum abutting the airport property. The museum is more or less directly across the street from Mary's restaurant, and both are no more than a 10 minute walk (maximum) from the transient parking areas - either at the Shell FBO or at the Victoria Flying Club.

The village of Sidney is a 10 minute taxi ride from either of those two parking areas - cost of the cab ride is probably about $10 to $12 each way. Sidney is a 'sort of' interesting small town of about 15,000, with a nice downtown area (Beacon Avenue). There is a marketplace held on the main street every Thursday afternoon and evening in the summertime.

Michael

[wallypilot]

Friday Harbour on San Juan Island. Walk to town in 5 min.

[altiplano]

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[AOtterstrom]

Courtenay Air Park has a great restaurant named Tomato that is well worth checking out. Also the sandpiper near Harrison mills is good fun as the runway is fairly narrow (20feet). If you go to the sandpiper give them a call beforehand and someone will come and pick you up from the strip, this beats dodging golf balls as you walk to the restaurant. Name of the strip by the sandpiper is Rowenas. ( http://archive.copanational.org/PlacesT ... ap_id=1096 )

[moocow]

OK it seem Victoria is the winner. Friends want to hit the town for museum and lunch. Just curious, is there a separate access to the ramp for GA or I have to use terminal as well? I may do a recon run this weekend just to practice the route since I never solo outside of Lower Mainland.

[EPR]

Does the Victoria Flying Club still have the Beer dispensing pop machine?

[metal]

Theres transient parking right on the ramp next to the flying club.

[Wilbur]

The San Juan Islands on the US side have a few really nice fly-in destinations. My favorite has always been East Sound on Orcas Island. The village is a 15 minute stroll from the from the airport where you'll finid a few seaside eateries and lots of touristy type shops and things to look at. Second is Friday Harbour on San Juan Island. It's a 10 minute walk down the hill to the downtown and waterfront. Lots of restaraunts and things to see, but a much larger and busier place than East Sound. Also on San Juan Island is Roche Harbour where there used to be a decent restaraunt at the marina. Fly to Friday Harbour, clear customs, spend a few hours there and have lunch, then fly the .2 over to East Sound for the afternoon and dinner. If you can't relax on Orcas, you can't relax.

[BigglesNBella]

OK it seem Victoria is the winner. Friends want to hit the town for museum and lunch. Just curious, is there a separate access to the ramp for GA or I have to use terminal as well? I may do a recon run this weekend just to practice the route since I never solo outside of Lower Mainland.

People fly into YYJ and park at the Viscount Hanger outside RC Grill all the time and I don't think they've ever had to pay for it. There's a whole bunch of empty spots.