Guidebook for Esquimalt

Robert
Guidebook for Esquimalt

Essentials

Boutique grocery store, with everything a person could ask for.
194 locals recommend
Thrifty Foods
1495 Admirals Rd
194 locals recommend
Boutique grocery store, with everything a person could ask for.
Good produce at reasonable prices
39 locals recommend
Country Grocer
1153 Esquimalt Rd
39 locals recommend
Good produce at reasonable prices
London Drugs, Save On Foods, Winners, etc. The Silver City Cineplex is behind the mall.
Tillicum Mall / G.R. Pearkes Rec Ctr station
London Drugs, Save On Foods, Winners, etc. The Silver City Cineplex is behind the mall.
Open until 10pm, Shoppers has all your pharmacy and drugstore needs, along with basic household wares and food.
52 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
1212 Douglas St
52 locals recommend
Open until 10pm, Shoppers has all your pharmacy and drugstore needs, along with basic household wares and food.
Drugstore that is closest to the Sweet Studio
Rexall
Drugstore that is closest to the Sweet Studio

Entertainment & Activities

Really awesome coffee shop with an outdoor sitting area adjacent to Esquimalt town square.
27 locals recommend
Esquimalt Roasting Company
505 Park Pl
27 locals recommend
Really awesome coffee shop with an outdoor sitting area adjacent to Esquimalt town square.
Skating and curling rink
Archie Browning Sports Centre
1151 Esquimalt Rd
Skating and curling rink
Wonderful beach, park, and playground, with historic Japanese garden and brand new Japanese pavillion. The perfect picnic spot, or launch for a kayak, canoe, or paddle board.
19 locals recommend
Esquimalt Gorge Park
1070 Tillicum Rd
19 locals recommend
Wonderful beach, park, and playground, with historic Japanese garden and brand new Japanese pavillion. The perfect picnic spot, or launch for a kayak, canoe, or paddle board.
Awesome locally-owned and operated independent bike store, with all your bike needs taken care of a stone's throw and easy walk from the suite.
Marty's Mountain Cycle: MMC
1258 Esquimalt Rd
Awesome locally-owned and operated independent bike store, with all your bike needs taken care of a stone's throw and easy walk from the suite.
Very new bowling lanes, if you are so inclined
51 locals recommend
Langford Lanes
1097 Langford Pkwy
51 locals recommend
Very new bowling lanes, if you are so inclined
80 locals recommend
Victoria Bug Zoo
631 Courtney St
80 locals recommend
52 locals recommend
Miniature World
649 Humboldt St
52 locals recommend
Great pool and rec centre
Esquimalt Recreation Centre
Great pool and rec centre
A summer essential for the little ones.
Esq playground splash pad
A summer essential for the little ones.

Local Restaurants

Quirky hole in the wall, with top chef creations. This was Ted Harrison's favourite restaurant in Victoria.
6 locals recommend
Vietnam Garden Restaurant
524 Admirals Rd
6 locals recommend
Quirky hole in the wall, with top chef creations. This was Ted Harrison's favourite restaurant in Victoria.
Awesome Thai food. We've never been disappointed!
13 locals recommend
Thai Green Elephant Restaurant
809 Craigflower Rd
13 locals recommend
Awesome Thai food. We've never been disappointed!
Wonderful authentic French bakery and great food for a quick pit stop on the Galloping Goose bike trail
154 locals recommend
Fol Epi
398 Harbour Rd
154 locals recommend
Wonderful authentic French bakery and great food for a quick pit stop on the Galloping Goose bike trail
Hearty and rustic breads and pastries. You haven't lived till you've tried Fry's
45 locals recommend
Fry's Red Wheat Bread Bakery
416 Craigflower Rd
45 locals recommend
Hearty and rustic breads and pastries. You haven't lived till you've tried Fry's
Quirky local cafe, with live music
32 locals recommend
Spiral Cafe
418 Craigflower Rd
32 locals recommend
Quirky local cafe, with live music
Great local chain, amazing coffee
35 locals recommend
Fantastico bar-deli
398 Harbour Rd
35 locals recommend
Great local chain, amazing coffee
The best breakfast place in the 'hood
16 locals recommend
Sunnyside Cafe
1234 Esquimalt Rd
16 locals recommend
The best breakfast place in the 'hood
Great Greek and Italian food, with a great atmosphere
16 locals recommend
Il Greco Restaurant
300 Tillicum Rd
16 locals recommend
Great Greek and Italian food, with a great atmosphere
Amazing authentic Mexican food, wonderful tacos. Like most taco restaurants, there is limited seating but you won't complain when you are downing their amazing food.
26 locals recommend
La Taquisa
176 Wilson St
26 locals recommend
Amazing authentic Mexican food, wonderful tacos. Like most taco restaurants, there is limited seating but you won't complain when you are downing their amazing food.
Walking distance from the suite, with great coffee, smoothies, sandwiches, and treats.
Thrive and Shine Bistro
829 Admirals Road
Walking distance from the suite, with great coffee, smoothies, sandwiches, and treats.
Family restaurant with an affordable menu.
Apple Tree Restaurant
1501 Admirals Road
Family restaurant with an affordable menu.
Great Indian food in the heart of Esquimalt - but be careful, it is spicy!
12 locals recommend
Spice Valley Indian Cuisine
1/2 Esquimalt Rd
12 locals recommend
Great Indian food in the heart of Esquimalt - but be careful, it is spicy!
Amazing falafel, schwarma, and a host of other authentic Syrian cuisine - quick and delicious
Syriana Restaurant & Catering
Amazing falafel, schwarma, and a host of other authentic Syrian cuisine - quick and delicious

Parks & Nature

Do you like 180 degree ocean views towards the Olympic Mountains? If so, this is a great park to get your ocean on.
51 locals recommend
Saxe Point Park
51 locals recommend
Do you like 180 degree ocean views towards the Olympic Mountains? If so, this is a great park to get your ocean on.
Lovely series of lakes, perfect for canoeing or kayaking, or there is a beach, and trails to walk around the lake.
109 locals recommend
Thetis Lake
109 locals recommend
Lovely series of lakes, perfect for canoeing or kayaking, or there is a beach, and trails to walk around the lake.
This is the place to see the salmon spawn in the fall (October - November). Besides that, many hiking paths including to the top of Mount Finlayson, picnic spots and the river.
242 locals recommend
Goldstream Provincial Park
242 locals recommend
This is the place to see the salmon spawn in the fall (October - November). Besides that, many hiking paths including to the top of Mount Finlayson, picnic spots and the river.

Sightseeing

Sweeping 360 degree views of the area, with a very modest climb to the top, suitable for everyone except those who are truly mobility challenged.
14 locals recommend
Highrock Park
14 locals recommend
Sweeping 360 degree views of the area, with a very modest climb to the top, suitable for everyone except those who are truly mobility challenged.
Wonderful seaside trails intermixed with military fortifications.
30 locals recommend
Macaulay Point Park
304 Clifton Terrace
30 locals recommend
Wonderful seaside trails intermixed with military fortifications.
Great place to walk, enjoy the ocean breeze, and see birds.
131 locals recommend
Esquimalt Lagoon
131 locals recommend
Great place to walk, enjoy the ocean breeze, and see birds.
The most impressive castle in the area (even including Craigdarroch). Perfectly situated, the grounds sweep down from the castle to the ocean. Don't miss out on seeing the peacocks!
35 locals recommend
Hatley Park National Historic Site
2005 Sooke Rd
35 locals recommend
The most impressive castle in the area (even including Craigdarroch). Perfectly situated, the grounds sweep down from the castle to the ocean. Don't miss out on seeing the peacocks!
Amazing castle of the Dunsmuir family, completely restored, with amazing views over the city.
234 locals recommend
Craigdarroch Castle
1050 Joan Crescent
234 locals recommend
Amazing castle of the Dunsmuir family, completely restored, with amazing views over the city.
One of the oldest gardens on the west coast, and the best known, Butchart Gardens is an icon and not to be missed.
254 locals recommend
Butchart Gardens
254 locals recommend
One of the oldest gardens on the west coast, and the best known, Butchart Gardens is an icon and not to be missed.
Incredible park in downtown Victoria on the ocean. This park has a bit of everything, from a totem pole, petting zoo, formal gardens, playground (including zip line) and much more.
503 locals recommend
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook St
503 locals recommend
Incredible park in downtown Victoria on the ocean. This park has a bit of everything, from a totem pole, petting zoo, formal gardens, playground (including zip line) and much more.
"THE" Empress, this is the classic grand dam of downtown Victoria. Whether you are looking for high tea, a classy cocktail, high-end shopping, or just a tour of a historic building, the Empress is definitely worth a visit.
7 locals recommend
The Empress Room
721 Government Street
7 locals recommend
"THE" Empress, this is the classic grand dam of downtown Victoria. Whether you are looking for high tea, a classy cocktail, high-end shopping, or just a tour of a historic building, the Empress is definitely worth a visit.
Not quite a street market, but not quite a restaurant, Fisherman's Wharf is an eclectic collection of excellent food stalls specializing in seafood of all sorts, along with a small community of house boats. Don't forget to ask where you can get little fish to feed to the seals!
255 locals recommend
Fisherman's Wharf Park
12 Erie St
255 locals recommend
Not quite a street market, but not quite a restaurant, Fisherman's Wharf is an eclectic collection of excellent food stalls specializing in seafood of all sorts, along with a small community of house boats. Don't forget to ask where you can get little fish to feed to the seals!

Drinks & Nightlife

Our favourite restaurant in the city. Great location, great food, great beer. What more is there to say? Kid friendly. http://www.spinnakers.com/
148 locals recommend
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & GuestHouses
308 Catherine St
148 locals recommend
Our favourite restaurant in the city. Great location, great food, great beer. What more is there to say? Kid friendly. http://www.spinnakers.com/
This might be the oldest pub in the Victoria area. Beautiful old building, and amazing patio overlooking a waterway. http://www.sixmilepub.com/
36 locals recommend
Six Mile Pub
494 Island Hwy
36 locals recommend
This might be the oldest pub in the Victoria area. Beautiful old building, and amazing patio overlooking a waterway. http://www.sixmilepub.com/
A cute smaller brewpub, with good local atmosphere and, of course, fine micro-brews. http://www.moonunderwater.ca/home
44 locals recommend
Moon Under Water Brewpub
350 Bay St
44 locals recommend
A cute smaller brewpub, with good local atmosphere and, of course, fine micro-brews. http://www.moonunderwater.ca/home
Great tasting room with local food favourites, walking distance from the Sweet Studio.
31 locals recommend
Driftwood Brewery
836 Viewfield Road
31 locals recommend
Great tasting room with local food favourites, walking distance from the Sweet Studio.
Probably the coolest tasting room in the city, hosted by the best known brewery. It is worth checking out.
14 locals recommend
Phillips Tasting Room
2000 Government St
14 locals recommend
Probably the coolest tasting room in the city, hosted by the best known brewery. It is worth checking out.

Arts & Culture

Great location to take kids. Many interactive displays, lots of space to wander and explore. There's also a beach and lighthouse!
110 locals recommend
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS
603 Fort Rodd Hill Rd
110 locals recommend
Great location to take kids. Many interactive displays, lots of space to wander and explore. There's also a beach and lighthouse!
Beautiful Campus
61 locals recommend
Royal Roads University
2005 Sooke Rd
61 locals recommend
Beautiful Campus
Arty cinema, performance theatre, great facilities (pool, gym, etc.)
78 locals recommend
University of Victoria
3800 Finnerty Road
78 locals recommend
Arty cinema, performance theatre, great facilities (pool, gym, etc.)
A little expensive to get in, but well worth the price. The Royal BC Museum hosts the most impressive collection of west coast art and history, along with a natural history museum (including a life-sized mammoth), and many wonderful exhibits of pioneer life on the west coast. Don't forget to check out what is on the IMAX listings in case you want to take in a movie.
534 locals recommend
Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville St
534 locals recommend
A little expensive to get in, but well worth the price. The Royal BC Museum hosts the most impressive collection of west coast art and history, along with a natural history museum (including a life-sized mammoth), and many wonderful exhibits of pioneer life on the west coast. Don't forget to check out what is on the IMAX listings in case you want to take in a movie.
Beautiful ornate historic symphony hall. Check out what is on for the premiere arts performances in the city.
39 locals recommend
Royal Theatre
805 Broughton St
39 locals recommend
Beautiful ornate historic symphony hall. Check out what is on for the premiere arts performances in the city.