Elisa & Shawn’s Guidebook
Things to see (close by)
Here are our favourite sightseeing spots near by
A long sandy beach covered in driftwood about a 10 minute walk away (or a short drive as it's a good uphill walk to get back). A perfect place for a beach walk or a picnic. Keep an eye out for the driftwood bird sculptures created by a local artist scattered across the beach!
Coburg Peninsula
2903 Ocean BlvdA long sandy beach covered in driftwood about a 10 minute walk away (or a short drive as it's a good uphill walk to get back). A perfect place for a beach walk or a picnic. Keep an eye out for the driftwood bird sculptures created by a local artist scattered across the beach!
The first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada built in 1860. A picturesque white lighthouse and red watchkeeper's residence on the rocky shores of the Pacific Ocean. Co-located with Fort Rodd Hill, a west coast artillery fortress from 1895 to 1956.
110 locals recommend
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS
603 Fort Rodd Hill RdThe first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada built in 1860. A picturesque white lighthouse and red watchkeeper's residence on the rocky shores of the Pacific Ocean. Co-located with Fort Rodd Hill, a west coast artillery fortress from 1895 to 1956.
An impressive grey stone castle completed in 1908. Now a part of Royal Roads University it has had multiple uses over the years from contingency Royal residence during WWII to filming location for X-Men and Smallville. A great location to explore it's history or walk around extensive surrounding park and gardens.
87 locals recommend
Hatley Castle
2005 Sooke RdAn impressive grey stone castle completed in 1908. Now a part of Royal Roads University it has had multiple uses over the years from contingency Royal residence during WWII to filming location for X-Men and Smallville. A great location to explore it's history or walk around extensive surrounding park and gardens.
Birdwatcher's paradise at a saltwater lagoon with gulls, terns, herons, eagles, kingfishers & more opposite Coburg Peninsula.
131 locals recommend
Esquimalt Lagoon
Birdwatcher's paradise at a saltwater lagoon with gulls, terns, herons, eagles, kingfishers & more opposite Coburg Peninsula.
An evolving beach park with an oceanview playground and a unique mammoth driftwood sculpture.
18 locals recommend
Royal Bay Beachpark
3483 Metchosin RdAn evolving beach park with an oceanview playground and a unique mammoth driftwood sculpture.
Food Scene (close by)
A few of our favourite local spots for a cup of coffee or something to eat
A fantastic bakery just a short walk away with great pastries and desserts to take away and enjoy with your morning coffee while enjoying the view from the Airbnb
23 locals recommend
Royal Bay Bakery
3337 Metchosin RdA fantastic bakery just a short walk away with great pastries and desserts to take away and enjoy with your morning coffee while enjoying the view from the Airbnb
A cozy, charming and rustic homestyle family-friendly restaurant. It also has amazing take-out pizza, which is our favourite for a pizza night in. It's too hard to pick a favourite pizza there since they have so many great choices!
104 locals recommend
My Chosen Café
4492 Happy Valley RdA cozy, charming and rustic homestyle family-friendly restaurant. It also has amazing take-out pizza, which is our favourite for a pizza night in. It's too hard to pick a favourite pizza there since they have so many great choices!
An inviting coffee shop serving Vancouver Island roasted Drumroaster coffee.
9 locals recommend
Pilgrim Coffee House
1910 Sooke RdAn inviting coffee shop serving Vancouver Island roasted Drumroaster coffee.
Delicious Indian food for eat in or take away. Their Pakoras, Butter Chicken and Peas & Paneer are our family's favourites.
21 locals recommend
Turmeric Indian Cuisine
777 Goldstream AveDelicious Indian food for eat in or take away. Their Pakoras, Butter Chicken and Peas & Paneer are our family's favourites.
A Metchosin farm stand offering organic produce on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
A definite favourite of ours for fresh, local veggies!
Sea Bluff Farm
565 Wootton RdA Metchosin farm stand offering organic produce on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
A definite favourite of ours for fresh, local veggies!
Beach Food - A variety of food trucks are at Esquimalt Lagoon beach Fridays and Saturdays from 11am - 7pm. They're a great option for quick local eats a short (steep) walk or short drive away.
Ocean Boulevard
Ocean BoulevardBeach Food - A variety of food trucks are at Esquimalt Lagoon beach Fridays and Saturdays from 11am - 7pm. They're a great option for quick local eats a short (steep) walk or short drive away.
A well reviewed newer cafe in Langford. A great place for brunch or lunch with a West African inspired menu. The homemade mango habanero sauce is delicious. Recently awarded best new restaurant by local YAM magazine as well as one of Canada's top new restaurants by Air Canada's En Route magazine.
26 locals recommend
House Of Boateng Restaurant
2854 Peatt RdA well reviewed newer cafe in Langford. A great place for brunch or lunch with a West African inspired menu. The homemade mango habanero sauce is delicious. Recently awarded best new restaurant by local YAM magazine as well as one of Canada's top new restaurants by Air Canada's En Route magazine.
Hiking and Exploring
Some of the many places to take in the natural beauty of the west coast!
A 565 acre old growth forest park that connects with the Hatley Castle gardens and Royal Roads University. Tip - easy access to the trails is only 550m from the Airbnb at the corner of Lagoon Rd & Heatherbell Rd.
35 locals recommend
Hatley Park National Historic Site
2005 Sooke RdA 565 acre old growth forest park that connects with the Hatley Castle gardens and Royal Roads University. Tip - easy access to the trails is only 550m from the Airbnb at the corner of Lagoon Rd & Heatherbell Rd.
A range of hiking options from easy to challenging that popular with both locals and visitors. Check out the salmon run (seasonal) or if you're up for a challenge - Goldstream's 47m "Niagara Falls" or the old E&N railway trestle.
242 locals recommend
Goldstream Provincial Park
A range of hiking options from easy to challenging that popular with both locals and visitors. Check out the salmon run (seasonal) or if you're up for a challenge - Goldstream's 47m "Niagara Falls" or the old E&N railway trestle.
50 km of trails including spectacular views out to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Olympic Mountains with a number of pocket beaches, rocky bays and tide pools to explore.
95 locals recommend
East Sooke Regional Park
6807 East Sooke Road50 km of trails including spectacular views out to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Olympic Mountains with a number of pocket beaches, rocky bays and tide pools to explore.
A protected lagoon and cobble beach perfect for a quiet outing.
10 locals recommend
Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park
Delgada RoadA protected lagoon and cobble beach perfect for a quiet outing.
This 56 hectare park with a variety natural environments including a waterfall, mixed woodland, tidal lagoon, sandy beach, and rocky shore.
36 locals recommend
Witty's Lagoon
525 Witty Beach RdThis 56 hectare park with a variety natural environments including a waterfall, mixed woodland, tidal lagoon, sandy beach, and rocky shore.
Amenities (close by)
Grocery stores, Banks, Liquor Stores, Pharmacies, etc.
A large shopping centre with multiple grocery stores, a pharmacy, banks, a liquor store and Walmart all close by.
77 locals recommend
Westshore Town Centre
2945 Jacklin RdA large shopping centre with multiple grocery stores, a pharmacy, banks, a liquor store and Walmart all close by.
Things to see (out and about)
A number of things to see in Victoria and the surrounding area
Butchart Gardens
Beautiful gardens & where we had our first date!
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
501 Belleville StBeacon Hill Park
100 Cook StFisherman's Wharf Park
12 Erie StRoyal BC Museum
675 Belleville StVictoria’s Chinatown
500 Fisgard StFood Scene (out and about)
A list of our favourite places for food or drink when exploring Victoria
One of the best places for Brunch on the the Island.
There can be a wait, but it's worth it in our view!
201 locals recommend
Jam Cafe
542 Herald StOne of the best places for Brunch on the the Island.
There can be a wait, but it's worth it in our view!
A popular spot for fish and chips or fish tacos down by the inner harbour when the weather is nice.
163 locals recommend
Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf StA popular spot for fish and chips or fish tacos down by the inner harbour when the weather is nice.
A great local coffee roaster and they have delicious donuts too!
104 locals recommend
Discovery Coffee
281 Menzies StA great local coffee roaster and they have delicious donuts too!
Silk Road Tea
1624 Government StA huge selection of teas to browse and try.
II Terrazzo
555 Johnson StOur favourite for Italian food in Victoria.
Ferris' Grill & Garden Patio
536 Yates StOur recommendation for Oysters/Seafood.
A local brewpub favourite with great fish and chips including in-house made malt vinegar.
148 locals recommend
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & GuestHouses
308 Catherine StA local brewpub favourite with great fish and chips including in-house made malt vinegar.
Bard & Banker
1022 Government StA great place for a drink and music in downtown Victoria
Beacon Drive In Ltd
126 Douglas StBest soft serve ice cream!!
Great coffee shop overlooking the Marina. The kids always like to see the harbour seals here.
36 locals recommend
Marina Restaurant
1327 Beach DrGreat coffee shop overlooking the Marina. The kids always like to see the harbour seals here.
A family favourite - waterfront dining in Cordova Bay. A great stop on your way in or out of town.
61 locals recommend
The Beach House Restaurant
5109 Cordova Bay RdA family favourite - waterfront dining in Cordova Bay. A great stop on your way in or out of town.
Roost Farm Winery and Bakery
9100 E Saanich RdA family friendly option close to the airport.
Waterfront dining either inside or outside on the patio in a relaxed atmosphere. Family friendly and one of our guests' favourite spots for fish and chips. Close to ferries.
9 locals recommend
Rumrunner Pub & Restaurant
9881 Seaport PlWaterfront dining either inside or outside on the patio in a relaxed atmosphere. Family friendly and one of our guests' favourite spots for fish and chips. Close to ferries.