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History
The first settler, John Hurst, arrived in the area in 1870. Hurst called his settlement the River, and it remained an outpost until the late 19th century, when a road was built from nearby Nanaimo. A post office came soon after, and then a railway extension, prompting people from all over Vancouver Island to come and frolic on the area's beaches. Head on down to the Parksville Museum and Archives complex and you'll see some of the area's heritage buildings, inluding the 1888 post office and an early 1900s schoolhouse.
Activities
Activities and attractions in and around Parksville
Do you want to find attractions to see while you're in town? Although it can be tempting to stay in your comfortable vacation rental, you'll want to check out everything that makes Parksville a fun spot to vacation. Here are some of the major attractions to explore, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Paradise Fun Park (0.5 mi / 0.8 km)
- Riptide Lagoon Adventure Golf (1.9 mi / 3 km)
- Little Qualicum Cheeseworks (2.4 mi / 3.9 km)
- Morningstar Golf Club (2.5 mi / 4 km)
- Eaglecrest Golf Club (4.8 mi / 7.7 km)
- Qualicum Beach Memorial Golf Club (6.2 mi / 9.9 km)
Weather
Seasonal weather averages in Parksville
If you're planning a vacation around the weather, August, July, September and June are the hottest months to visit, when temperatures average 72°F.
Natural features
Exploring the beaches and other natural features in Parksville
Parksville is famous for its beautiful ocean views and breathtaking sunsets. Whether you're looking for fun outdoor activities or just want to spend some time taking in the scenery, you'll be sure to find the perfect setting for your vacation in Parksville. These are a few of the area's noteworthy natural features, all within 30 miles (48.2 km) of the city center:
- Parksville Beach (0.2 mi / 0.4 km)
- Parksville Community Park (0.3 mi / 0.4 km)
- Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park (2 mi / 3.3 km)
- Top Bridge Community Park (2.4 mi / 3.9 km)
- Milner Gardens and Woodland (5 mi / 8 km)
- Englishman River Falls Provincial Park (5.4 mi / 8.7 km)
How to get there
How to get to and around Parksville
The nearest airport is in Nanaimo, BC (ZNA-Nanaimo Harbour Water Aerodrome), located 20 mi (32.3 km) from the city center. If you can't find a flight that's convenient for your trip, you can also fly into Pender Harbour, BC (YPT-Pender Harbour Waterdrome), which is 24.6 mi (39.5 km) away.
How to get around
Getting around from your Parksville vacation rental
If you're feeling fit, you can definitely walk around town and down to the beach from your Parksville vacation home or apartment. A bike will make things even quicker, especially given the healthy sprinkling of biking and hiking trails. It's best to have some wheels to get the full benefit of a trip here, though. Not only can you reach the local beach in a jiffy, you can also venture further afield to explore nearby Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park, for example, or simply get to know more of Vancouver Island. Otherwise, you can get to Parksville via privately operated coaches from Vancouver.
Food & drink
Wining and dining near your Parksville vacation rental
The slow food movement is major news on Vancouver Island. If eating locally sourced meat, seafood, fruit, and veggies while on vacation comes high on your agenda, then Parksville certainly won't let you down. Around the town and along the coastline, you'll see an impressive array of independent eateries serving everything from Thai pub food to gourmet burgers to fish pulled straight from the ocean. There's something for all budgets, as well as family-friendly options, too. Looking for a little familiarity? Pop into one of the town's many national chains.
Essential info
Key facts for your Parksville vacation rental stay
Parksville is a small waterside community of 12,500 people, set in an area of Vancouver known as Oceanside. It's home to a small (and quaint!) town centre and 2 main beaches – Parksville Beach, which is in the town itself, and Rathtrevor Beach, which is part of Rathtrevor Provincial Park in the east side of town. Next door to Parksville is Qualicum Beach, an equally blissful beachside community, and Rosewall Creek Provincial Park, a tropical, coastal oasis full of walking trails. The local currency is the Canadian dollar and the main language is English.
How many vacation rentals are available around Parksville?
Our 2020 vacation rental listings offer a large selection of 250 house rentals around Parksville. From 106 Houses to 49 Cottages, find unique vacation rental for you to enjoy a memorable holiday or a weekend with your family and friends. The best place to stay around Parksville is on HomeAway.
What are the popular points of interest near where I can stay when travelling to Parksville?
HomeAway offers a large selection of lodging choices near lovely places in Parksville. From HomeAway travelers, the most popular points of interest to stay for a holiday trip or just for a weekend are:
- Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park: 334 home rentals
- Parksville Community Park: 324 home rentals
- Oceanside Place Arena: 318 home rentals
- Parksville Visitor Centre: 330 home rentals
- Little Qualicum Cheeseworks: 305 home rentals
But there are many other points of interest around Parksville listed on HomeAway where you can find your place to stay. Please use our search bar to access the selection of vacation rentals available near the point of interest of your choice.
Can I rent Houses in Parksville?
Yes, of course. HomeAway has 106 Houses in Parksville. Our other popular types of vacation rentals in Parksville include:
- Cottages: 49 lodging choices
- Cabins: 49 lodging choices
- Condos/Apartments: 45 lodging choices
But you can also enjoy a great stay in one of our other vacation homes including Bungalows and more.
Can I find a vacation rental with pool in Parksville?
Yes, you can select your preferred vacation rental with pool among our 105 vacation homes with pool available in Parksville.