No, sorry, I’m not familiar with it. I’m excited that Tofino is a contender!
While I was out tonight, H even spent some time looking at the Tofino information. I’d say the main reason we are considering this place as a priority right now is because, for various reasons, the two other options are sort of being ruled out due to timing. Alaska cruise needs to take place at a different time than we’re looking this year, and Banff/Glacier would require reservations at Glacier many months out if you want to make the most of it - and I’m not ready to make those reservations.
H was fascinated by the Wickaninnish Inn and the ‘amenities’ they provide for storm watchers - the rain gear and dryers so you can come in from the outside, have your rain gear dried while you have a warm drink, and within 15 minutes be ready to go back out again.
I remember the first time I ever went to Cannon Beach, OR - it was late September/early October; on my way to the airport, I stopped at one of the state parks along the coast, and watched a storm start to roll in. It was beautiful!
I was actually secretly hoping you’d really flip and decide on the Linblad trip to Norway to view the polar bears because that’s the trip I want to go on someday and I’d love to hear a report from a (virtual) friend! 
(I realize that wasn’t even in the running … )
Not familiar with it either, but it looks nice. If you’re interested in something with a kitchen, I know there’s a lot of listings on vrbo, homeaway and airbnb in the area as well.
There are ferries to and from several locations, Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay (North Van), Swartz Bay (near Victoria) or Nanaimo to Tsawwassen (south of Van) on BC ferries, or Swartz Bay to Anacortes (an hour or so south of the border and north of Seattle, or Victoria to Port Angeles (Olymipc Peninsula). Not sure how much time you have, but Van + the island all the way to Tofino, plus the peninsula could have you driving more than you had hoped. Depends on whether you want to cover as much territory as possible or spend more time in one place.
It’s been many years, but I have taken all those ferry routes and BC Ferries tops the WA state ones, though IIR a car is pricey, so check the fares to ensure no surprises.
“…BC Ferries tops the WA state ones…”
This was our experience as well. Would you consider an alternative itinerary - San Juan islands, Whidbey Island, Anacortes, and then a ferry to Victoria?
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g58727-San_Juan_Islands_Washington-Vacations.html
We saw TONS of orca whales on the ferry ride. It was so cool! Not sure if we got lucky or if it was common. We had been thinking of doing a whale watch to see them but were then able to take a pass on that and save some $. 
teri, having been to all, I’d definitely recommend Tofino if you’re going to Vancouver Island. Hands down. It is spectacular. The Wickaninish is lovely and is worth the $$ for the service you’ll get. The food there is excellent. And yes, you’d definitely need to rent a car. One thing I’d recommend, as I don’t know your timing, is to be sure you have more than just a couple of nights there. To fully appreciate it, and after the long drive to get there, I would want to have several nights/days to enjoy.
Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper, all are beautiful and should definitely be seen. I’d recommend the Fairmont hotel(s) highly. This will be quite different than being in Tofino, though, with the popularity of summer visitors. Much more crowded, but still a great trip.
We have friends who have done several of those cruises to interesting spots and have loved them all. The one to the Galapagos was one of their favorites.
After my Dad died, our then 8 year old son became my mother’s traveling companion. They did 7 Linblad trips over the years, and they’re fabulous. Worth every penny. Not at all like a “cruise.”
@alwaysamom - I would guess that we would spend five nights in Tofino - plenty of time to get a real feel for the place. I’m not big on spending a night or two in one place, then picking up and moving onto the next - except for that we will likely spend a couple of nights in Vancouver, and maybe a couple on the Olympic peninsula.
How about Europe? It’s on sale now. The Euro hasn’t been this cheap in over ten years!
http://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?from=USD&to=EUR&view=10Y
Europe sounds awfully appealing to me. I’ve been researching a trip to Switzerland, perhaps in September. Maybe going to Murren (Bernese Oberlands, hiking), Zermatt or Lucern and the Dolomites in Northern Italy. Wish Switzerland was on the Euro instead of CHF.
@GMTplus7 - been there several times… England, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, France, Austria. Honestly, there are so many beautiful places here on our continent I haven’t seen that I have no desire to go back to Europe at this time. On H’s next trip to Germany for work, though, I may go with him. But I’m not interested in going unless there’s some other reason to go.
We’ve considering some “R&R” in the Mosel Valley in May: Roman ruins & Rieslings
I could go for the ruins, but the Rieslings are too sweet.
Not to derail too much, but there are bone dry Rieslings, even in Mosel (although the dry Rieslings from Alsace are much superior in my opinion).
You can’t possibly derail a vacation thread by talking about wine! It all goes together.
I need to try one of those dry Rieslings. I always thought they were all sickeningly sweet.
I’m a red drinker, myself. But if I’m on vacation in wine country and the food/company/scenery is fabulous, it all tastes great.
It ALL tastes great, huh? So tomorrow, when I’m doing my colonoscopy prep with the stuff that apparently tastes like lemon flavored sweat, that I have to drink a massive container of…I’ll just pretend I’m on a train in Europe, watching the sights, drinking great wine and having fun. In fact, it’s so great, I’m just going to chug it down! Quickly!
I stayed in Lauterbrunnen and it is perhaps my favorite place in the world (in the valley below Murren). Entire area is breathtaking.