5 Ways to Make the Most of Fall in the Comox Valley

No matter how far removed you are from attending school, September always feels like a new beginning – a time to get back to the ol’ schedule or maybe come up with a new one.

And in the Comox Valley, September makes that reset especially easy. The summer visitors have started to disappear. The days are still long enough to get outside after work, but there’s a noticeable shift in the air that tells us fall is on its way. With fewer trips to plan and the busy pace of summer winding down, it’s the perfect time to settle back into local routines and remember just how much there is to enjoy right here at home.

If you’re looking for a change in routine, here are five ways to make the most of fall in the Valley.

1. Take advantage of quieter trails

Fall is prime time for exploring some of the Valley’s favourite trails before the November rains come rolling in.

Head to Seal Bay Regional Nature Park for a walk through towering trees. With numerous trails, a few of which are loops, you can get in some cardio while enjoying forest immersion mixed in with glimpses of ocean. Or make a trip to the West side of the Valley to appreciate Nymph Falls and follow the Puntledge River through the woods. By later fall, the Falls are a great place to watch the annual salmon run. Of course, we’re sharing the trails with the local wildlife (bears also enjoy the salmon run!), so make sure your four-legged friends stay on leash.

Prefer an ocean view? Take a stroll at Goose Spit and head up the steps, where you can look across Comox Harbour toward the mountains. Looking for a more horizontal walk? Point Holmes/Cape Lazo offers a level waterfront walk and a chance to watch the boats and bustling shore life.

Of course, there’s plenty of other spots to explore, too. Walk the trails at Cumberland Community Forest, wander along the Courtenay Riverway, or head to Miracle Beach for a beach walk with a little less summer bustle. One of the best things about living here is that you don't have to plan an entire day around getting into nature. Sometimes it's just a 10-minute drive away.

2. Make Saturday morning a local tradition

There’s something about a Saturday morning at the Comox Valley Farmers’ Market that feels quintessentially local. Head to the Comox Valley Exhibition Grounds on Headquarters Road, grab a cinnamon bun, hear some live tunes and pick up fresh, seasonal produce before heading home with ingredients for the weekend. September is an especially good time to shop the market, with late-summer produce and the first tastes of fall appearing side by side. But don’t forget, they move indoors to the Native Sons Hall after Thanksgiving.

Prefer to sleep in on Saturday? Seiffert’s Market out by the airport on Knight Road is open till 5 PM up to November 10. They’ll have everything you need for a hearty harvest soup or stew.

3. Squeeze in a few more beach days

You can still wear white after Labour Day and you can still go to the beach. In fact, with the crowds mostly back at school and work, September can be one of the nicest times to visit the more popular sandy spots at Kye Bay, Saratoga and Air Force Beaches. With the shoreline generally quieter and temperatures more comfortable for walking, why wouldn’t you keep indulging in it? And you can still get those beautiful late-summer evenings that make you want to stay outside just a little longer. Pack a snack, bring the dog and find a log so you can watch the tide come in. Water too chilly for swimming? That’s what paddleboards are for.

4. Explore the Valley's small-town charm

With about 75,000 people calling the CVRD home, it doesn’t exactly qualify as a small town. But because it’s made up of the various communities, it still has that small-town feel and each area has its own personality. September is a great time to rediscover all three.

Spend an afternoon wandering 5th Street in Courtenay, stop for coffee or lunch and browse the local shops. Head to Downtown Comox for a stroll along Comox Avenue and a walk through Filberg Park, with its beautiful gardens and views over the harbour. Or make a trip to Cumberland, where you can wander the village, check out the shops and cafés, and then head out onto one of the many surrounding trails. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve lived here, there’s always an opportunity to find a new favourite spot.

5. Slow down and enjoy the view

Sometimes the best activities don’t require a plan at all. Take the scenic route home. Sit on the patio while the evenings are still warm. Walk down to the waterfront at sunset. Look toward the Beaufort Range, watching the light change over the water.

In such lovely surroundings, it’s easy to take for granted how much natural beauty is woven into everyday life. That's the real September reset: not necessarily doing more but taking a little more time to appreciate where we are.

Get outside. Shop local. Explore somewhere you haven’t been in a while. And enjoy the place we get to call home.

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