Guidebook for Victoria
Food Scene
Great food, wine, atmosphere. Our #1 pick in Victoria. But get there early - they don't take reservations. Plan to wait in line for a while, and to put your name on the list and get a drink somewhere else while you wait for your table.
119 locals recommend
Brasserie L'Ecole
1715 Government StGreat food, wine, atmosphere. Our #1 pick in Victoria. But get there early - they don't take reservations. Plan to wait in line for a while, and to put your name on the list and get a drink somewhere else while you wait for your table.
Very good coffee, nice pastries and treats at the bakery next door, cool view of the working harbour.
35 locals recommend
Fantastico bar-deli
398 Harbour RdVery good coffee, nice pastries and treats at the bakery next door, cool view of the working harbour.
Fresh, healthy food and great coffee in a beautiful old character house downtown. Very healthy, different kind of menu.
56 locals recommend
Nourish Kitchen & Cafe
225 Quebec StreetFresh, healthy food and great coffee in a beautiful old character house downtown. Very healthy, different kind of menu.
Habit Coffee
808 Yates StFunky coffee shop with great coffees and cool magazines.
Oak Bay Marina
1327 Beach DrGreat food and views!
Great brewpub with excellent food and amazing view of the harbour.
148 locals recommend
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & GuestHouses
308 Catherine StGreat brewpub with excellent food and amazing view of the harbour.
Gorge-ous Coffee
300 Gorge Rd WOur closest coffee shop - three minute walk away.
Four Mile House Restaurant
199 Island HwyRestaurant and pub, close by.
Great pizza baked in wood oven. There are other locations, but this one is close to Beacon Hill Park and Dallas Road, for a nice walk before or after dinner. Gets really busy!
145 locals recommend
Pizzeria Prima Strada
230 Cook StGreat pizza baked in wood oven. There are other locations, but this one is close to Beacon Hill Park and Dallas Road, for a nice walk before or after dinner. Gets really busy!
II Terrazzo
555 Johnson StAmazing Italian food. Book ahead!
IL Covo Trattoria
106 Superior StGreat Italian food, nice patio for warmer days, great service.
Good restaurant with nice view of the Gorge. Closer than going downtown. Typically has music playing which can get a little loud for some.
89 locals recommend
Glo Restaurant + Lounge
2940 Jutland RdGood restaurant with nice view of the Gorge. Closer than going downtown. Typically has music playing which can get a little loud for some.
Parks & Nature
It's a trek to get there, but when you arrive you'll see why it's worth it. Pretty little tea house with trails to gorgeous west coast beaches.
48 locals recommend
Point No Point Resort
10829 W Coast RdIt's a trek to get there, but when you arrive you'll see why it's worth it. Pretty little tea house with trails to gorgeous west coast beaches.
It's a bit of a drive to get there, but you will enjoy a real west coast beach complete with big waves, cool driftwood and rocks. There are day picnic spots with fire pits, so you can make a day of it any time of year. Even in the summer it can get that west coast fog, so be prepared with warm clothes.
93 locals recommend
French Beach Provincial Park
It's a bit of a drive to get there, but you will enjoy a real west coast beach complete with big waves, cool driftwood and rocks. There are day picnic spots with fire pits, so you can make a day of it any time of year. Even in the summer it can get that west coast fog, so be prepared with warm clothes.
This park is close by (10 min drive) and has beautiful views of the ocean and Olympic Peninsula mountains. There is a big grassy are great for picnics, frisbee, kite flying, etc. It also has walking trails and some hidden little beaches. Great spot to watch the sunset.
51 locals recommend
Saxe Point Park
This park is close by (10 min drive) and has beautiful views of the ocean and Olympic Peninsula mountains. There is a big grassy are great for picnics, frisbee, kite flying, etc. It also has walking trails and some hidden little beaches. Great spot to watch the sunset.
This park is a five minute walk from the house. It has nice trails through forest and meadows. Trails connect you to the movie theatre, mall and rec centre, as well as miles of walking and biking trails.
8 locals recommend
Cuthbert Holmes Park
Trans-Canada HighwayThis park is a five minute walk from the house. It has nice trails through forest and meadows. Trails connect you to the movie theatre, mall and rec centre, as well as miles of walking and biking trails.
This park is at the end of our block. A paved walking path takes you along the beautiful Gorge Waterway. You will often see swans, herons, seals or otters in the water. There are two great playgrounds, one near the intersection of Gorge and Tillicum roads and one at the intersection of Gorge and Craigflower roads (this one has public washrooms as well).
15 locals recommend
Gorge Waterway Park
301 Gorge Rd WThis park is at the end of our block. A paved walking path takes you along the beautiful Gorge Waterway. You will often see swans, herons, seals or otters in the water. There are two great playgrounds, one near the intersection of Gorge and Tillicum roads and one at the intersection of Gorge and Craigflower roads (this one has public washrooms as well).
A five minute walk from the house, at the entrance of Cuthbert Holmes Park and walking trails. Has a fun playground, basketball courts and a big, grassy field.
Meadow Park
3050 Dysart RoadA five minute walk from the house, at the entrance of Cuthbert Holmes Park and walking trails. Has a fun playground, basketball courts and a big, grassy field.
Nice hike around the lake and a great place for a dip on a hot day. You have to pay to park, but people often leave their parking passes on top of the machine where you pay, so check there before you buy your day pass.
109 locals recommend
Thetis Lake
Nice hike around the lake and a great place for a dip on a hot day. You have to pay to park, but people often leave their parking passes on top of the machine where you pay, so check there before you buy your day pass.
10 km trail around both lakes is a great place to walk or run. There are playgrounds and swimming beaches and off leash areas for dogs.
38 locals recommend
Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park
5267 Patricia Bay Highway10 km trail around both lakes is a great place to walk or run. There are playgrounds and swimming beaches and off leash areas for dogs.
Beautiful, large park close to downtown. Has beautiful gardens, ponds, paths, views, a petting zoo and couple of great playgrounds. Walk along Dallas Road at the edge of the park for ocean and mountain views. Keep going west and walk out the breakwater for a look at the outer harbour. Also a great spot for a run.
503 locals recommend
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StBeautiful, large park close to downtown. Has beautiful gardens, ponds, paths, views, a petting zoo and couple of great playgrounds. Walk along Dallas Road at the edge of the park for ocean and mountain views. Keep going west and walk out the breakwater for a look at the outer harbour. Also a great spot for a run.
Arts & Culture
Really excellent and well worth seeing! Definitely don't miss it.
534 locals recommend
Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville StReally excellent and well worth seeing! Definitely don't miss it.
Check out some live music, often local, always good. The food is just ok - we recommend dinner somewhere else.
36 locals recommend
Hermann's Jazz Club
753 View StCheck out some live music, often local, always good. The food is just ok - we recommend dinner somewhere else.
Everything Else
World famous Butchart Gardens is amazing at any time of the year. Christmas and summer are our favourite times to go.
254 locals recommend
Butchart Gardens
World famous Butchart Gardens is amazing at any time of the year. Christmas and summer are our favourite times to go.
Nice little library - 5-10 minute walk from the house.
Greater Victoria Public Library - Saanich Centennial Branch
3110 Tillicum RdNice little library - 5-10 minute walk from the house.
Essentials
Our closest grocery store. Within walking distance and has the basics.
100 locals recommend
Fairway Market
1521 McKenzie AveOur closest grocery store. Within walking distance and has the basics.
Save-On-Foods
3170 Tillicum RdProbably the best of our local grocery stores. During afternoon rush hour the traffic can be bad getting there and getting back.
194 locals recommend
Thrifty Foods
1495 Admirals RdProbably the best of our local grocery stores. During afternoon rush hour the traffic can be bad getting there and getting back.
London Drugs
911 Yates StPharmacy and drug store
BC Liquor Stores
1960 Foul Bay RdWithin walking distance.
Whole Foods Market
3587 Blanshard StEntertainment & Activities
G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre
3100 Tillicum RdGym and arena, no pool sadly.
SilverCity Victoria
3130 Tillicum RdGreat movie theatre!
Sightseeing
Check this out and then go for a walk, see the oceans and the mountains, visit the beach or Beacon Hill Park.
14 locals recommend
Mile Zero Monument
18 Douglas StCheck this out and then go for a walk, see the oceans and the mountains, visit the beach or Beacon Hill Park.