Food Tours
Surf Side Fungus Farm
Campbell River
THINGS TO DO · CAMPBELL RIVER & QUADRA ISLAND
Grab a sourdough loaf downtown before catching the ferry to Quadra Island for coastal farm stands and fresh maritime harvests.
13 food tours & tastings · Updated October 2026Things To Do Guide · Campbell River Guide
Photo: Surf Side Fungus Farm via Google
01AT A GLANCE
The details that matter.
The local culinary map stretches from downtown bakeries to agricultural plots across the water. Growers on the Discovery Islands cultivate root vegetables and berries right alongside the ocean. You can easily spend a morning tasting maritime harvests and touring specialty mushroom properties.
- Best Season
- May to October
- Book Ahead
- Farm tours & ferries
- Best Area
- Downtown & Quadra Island
- Good to know
- Salmon runs peak late summer and fall
02THE STORY
Bread, mushrooms and island farm stands.
Build your own food tour: bakeries in town, a mushroom farm, and the farm stands of Quadra Island.
Start early at Steiner Bakery for a classic loaf or at The Sourdough Whisperer for slow-fermented sourdough. Daves’ Bakery does Czech-style baking on the South Island Highway.
Surf Side Fungus Farm opens to visitors twice a week to show how its mushrooms are grown.
Then catch the ferry to Quadra for fresh produce at Fruition Farm, and on the way south, stop at Shorewolf Farm in Black Creek.
01THINGS TO DO GUIDE
Food tours & tastings
Bakery stops, farm stands and market mornings.
Bakeries
Daves' Bakery
Campbell River
Bakeries
Steiner Bakery
Campbell River
Grocery & Specialty Food
Fruition Farm
Quathiaski Cove
Grocery & Specialty Food
Shorewolf Farm
Black Creek
Grocery & Specialty Food
Willows Market - Gifts & Garden Centre
Campbell River
Bakeries
The Sourdough Whisperer
Campbell River
Bakeries
Dave's Bakery
Campbell River
Hover for a closer look.Tap a card for a closer look. A conversation takes you further.
•LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
A Guide to Coastal Bites and Farm Stands
Mapping out your meals means mixing waterfront pastry runs with short ferry rides to rural agricultural stops.
The short answer
Begin your morning with a pastry from Daves' Bakery or Steiner Bakery near the downtown core. From there, head to the Campbell River Farmers Market to pick up seasonal produce, or catch the 10-minute ferry to Quadra Island to check out SouthEnd Farm Winery.
01City Slices
Morning Pastries and Bread
Walking the downtown core gives you direct access to a cluster of independent bread makers. You can easily spend an entire morning jumping between shops to pick up daily loaves and morning sweets. These storefronts sit just steps from the waterfront.
Grab a coffee and walk between Daves' Bakery, Steiner Bakery, and The Sourdough Whisperer. Taking your baked goods down to the Sea Walk makes for an easy morning routine. The paved path stretches all the way to Willow Point with clear views of the passing boat traffic.
Getting a feel for the local baking community requires very little driving. You can park once and cover the main blocks on foot.
Local tips
- Wear comfortable walking shoes for the paved Sea Walk.
- Arrive early in the morning before the popular sourdough loaves sell out.
- Bring a camera to photograph the marine traffic in Discovery Passage.
- Check operating hours ahead of time since many shops close on Sundays or Mondays.
02Ferry Hops
Island Agriculture
The Discovery Islands hold a quiet but active agricultural community just across the water. While formal guided tours are rare, you can map out a self-directed route between various rural farm stands. The soil here yields a surprising amount of coastal produce.
Board the BC Ferries vessel for the 10-minute crossing to Quathiaski Cove. Once you drive off the ramp, the island roads lead directly to rural stops like Fruition Farm. Driving these quiet backroads shows you exactly how rural islanders grow their food.
Before crossing the water, you might want to stop by the Museum at Campbell River. Learning about the historical food systems of the region gives good context for the modern agricultural plots you will see across the channel.
Local tips
- Call the farms directly before driving out to confirm their daily gate hours.
- Pack a lunch using your farm stand purchases and eat at Rebecca Spit.
- Keep a printed copy of the BC Ferries schedule in your car for the return trip.
03Summer Harvests
Seasonal Vendor Markets
The Campbell River Farmers Market gathers the best regional growers into one central location. Running outdoors through the summer and early fall, this weekly event brings in farmers, artisans, and food producers from across Vancouver Island. It is the easiest way to see what is currently in season.
Walking the aisles gives you a chance to buy directly from the people working the soil. You will often hear live music playing while you gather supplies for a picnic at Elk Falls or McIvor Lake. The vendor list changes slightly as different crops ripen.
Early summer brings fresh berries to the tables, while late fall shifts to heavy root vegetables. Many stalls put out small samples so you can taste the produce before buying a whole basket.
Local tips
- Carry small bills and coins, though card readers are becoming more common.
- Show up right when the market opens to get the best selection of fresh bread.
- Look up the market on social media to see the weekly vendor map.
04Stocking Up
Regional Grocers and Provisions
Finding local ingredients often means stopping at independent grocers along Highway 19. Shops like Willows Market - Gifts & Garden Centre and the Mid Island Co-op Food Market - Willow Point actively stock goods from Vancouver Island producers. These spots are highly reliable for finding regional pantry staples.
If you are planning a massive grocery run before camping in Strathcona Provincial Park, larger stores like No Frills handle the heavy lifting. Mixing your shopping between independent markets and larger chain stores ensures you have everything needed for a backcountry trip.
Loading up on supplies is a necessary step before heading out to fish with the Tyee Club or hike around Buttle Lake. The aisles here hold plenty of regional snacks that travel well in a backpack.
Local tips
- Buy all your major groceries in town before driving to remote spots like Cortes Island.
- Scan the shelves for tags indicating the item was grown on Vancouver Island.
- Keep reusable bags in your trunk to use at the checkout counters.
05Outskirts Tasting
Wineries and Rural Estates
While the area is widely known as the Salmon Capital of the World, the soil produces plenty of reasons to visit. Rural estates highlight how agriculture survives and thrives right on the edge of the wilderness. These properties give you a direct look at coastal growing practices.
Taking the ferry over to Quathiaski Cove puts you near SouthEnd Farm Winery, where the grapes grow in the specific climate of the Discovery Islands. Down the highway in Black Creek, Shorewolf Farm grows fresh goods right on Vancouver Island.
Stopping at these rural properties lets you speak directly with the growers. You can ask them about their soil management and seasonal crop rotations. Plotting a drive down Highway 19 makes for a solid afternoon itinerary.
Local tips
- Verify the tasting room and farm stand hours online before driving out.
- Pair a trip to Black Creek with a drive further south down the island.
- Ask the staff what crops are currently being harvested that week.
06Getting Dirty
Hands-On Agriculture
Some agricultural stops ask you to get a little closer to the dirt. Surf Side Fungus Farm shows visitors exactly how specialty mushrooms grow in a controlled environment. Seeing the cultivation process up close changes how you look at the ingredients on your plate.
During the warmer months, Holly Hill Farm opens its gates for interactive visits. These guided walks work well for families wanting to show kids the daily chores required to run a rural property.
Spending time on a working property teaches you the realities of coastal farming. You can usually buy the harvest directly from the growers at the end of your visit, or find their labels at the weekly markets.
Local tips
- Reserve your spot early since guided walks keep their group sizes small.
- Watch the farm social media pages for announcements about special harvest days.
- Wear rubber boots or sturdy shoes that can handle mud and rough terrain.
•THE FULL LIST
All 13 food tours & tastings.
Search by name, narrow by type or community, and sort by the most-reviewed or highest-rated. Every card opens a full profile.
See them on the map13 places
Food ToursSurf Side Fungus FarmCampbell RiverBakeriesDaves' BakeryCampbell RiverBakeriesSteiner BakeryCampbell RiverGrocery & Specialty FoodFruition FarmQuathiaski CoveGrocery & Specialty FoodShorewolf FarmBlack CreekGrocery & Specialty FoodWillows Market - Gifts & Garden CentreCampbell RiverBakeriesThe Sourdough WhispererCampbell RiverBakeriesDave's BakeryCampbell River
Grocery & Specialty FoodMid Island Co-op Food Market - Willow PointCampbell RiverGrocery & Specialty FoodCampbell River Farmers MarketCampbell River
Grocery & Specialty FoodNo FrillsCampbell River
Food ToursSouthEnd Farm WineryQuathiaski Cove•FAQ
Good to know
The most active season for local eating runs from May to October. The outdoor markets operate at full capacity during this window, and you get the best access to fresh coastal catches and summer produce.
