Lund

Twenty-eight kilometers (17.3 miles) north of Powell River [1], Highway 101 dead-ends on the old wooden wharf of Lund, a tiny fishing village founded in 1889 and named after the Swedish hometown of the first settlers. Lund lies on a secluded harbor backed by the magnificent peaks of the Coast Mountains.

Although Lund is best known as the gateway to Desolation Sound [2], it’s worth the trip out just for the relaxed atmosphere and surrounding beauty. Wander around the bustling marina, cruise over to the white sand beaches of Savary Island (604/483-9749, $10 round-trip), and relax with a cold drink on the deck of the Historic Lund Hotel. At the back of the hotel, Rockfish Kayak (604/414-9355) rents kayaks for $35–65 per day and leads kayak tours to Okeover Arm (three hours for $65).

One accommodation right in town is the harbor-front Historic Lund Hotel (1436 Hwy. 101, 604/414-0474 or 877/569-3999, www.lundhotel.com [3], $130–225 s or d). Standard rooms have earthy tones and hardwood floors, with hand-painted murals adding to the charm. Oceanfront rooms are upscale all the way, with handcrafted beds, luxurious bathrooms, and elegant styling throughout.

If you’re looking for something a little different, choose to stay at The Dome (off Baggi Rd., 604/483-9160, www.magicaldome.com [4], $150 s or d), a five-minute drive from Lund. It’s one of the very few places in Canada where you can stay in a geodesic dome—a quirky architectural style that employs dozens of triangular panels to create a rigid spherical structure, creating the most space with the least amount of materials. Inside is a bedroom, loft with second bed, kitchen, lounge area, and wood-burning fireplace. Adjacent is a modern bathhouse, complete with sauna.

In addition to a fine choice of accommodations, Lund is home to a couple of the Sunshine Coast [5]’s premier restaurants. The food at Historic Lund Hotel (604/414-0474, daily for lunch and dinner, $11–19) is overshadowed by the views, especially if you talk your way to an outside table. The seafood chowder and local oysters are both good starters, followed by halibut and chips as a main and a slab of mud cake for dessert.

The Laughing Oyster (Vandermaeden Rd., 604/483-9775, daily noon–9:30 p.m., $19–33) is a hidden gem. Overlooking the water from an elevated setting, diners are seated outside on a deck or inside on tiers that allow everyone to enjoy the view. Starters include oysters prepared in a variety of ways (you can see the restaurant’s oyster farm from the deck) and a healthy roasted pecan and blue cheese salad. Mains include a perfectly presented baked halibut dish. The Laughing Oyster is a well-signposted, five-minute drive from Lund.