Derek & Lesley's Guidebook
Sightseeing
The Butchart Gardens
800 Benvenuto AveVictoria Bug Zoo
631 Courtney StFun place to take kids. The staff are very knowledgeable.
One of our favourite places to go as a family. The butterfly’s are beautiful and there’s lots to see including bugs, turtles, flamingos, parrots, frogs, and an Iguana.
137 locals recommend
Victoria Butterfly Gardens
1461 Benvenuto AveOne of our favourite places to go as a family. The butterfly’s are beautiful and there’s lots to see including bugs, turtles, flamingos, parrots, frogs, and an Iguana.
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
9811 Seaport PlFun place to visit as a family
Located in Duncan - This is a great place to see if you’re planning to be up island
59 locals recommend
Pacific Northwest Raptors
1877 Herd RdLocated in Duncan - This is a great place to see if you’re planning to be up island
Dino Lab
43 & 45 Dupplin RdGreat place for all ages
Malahat SkyWalk
901 Trans-Canada HwyFantastic place to visit with spectacular views.
Food scene
Sabhai Thai Restaurant
2493 Beacon AvenueGreat local spot for amazing Thai food.
II Terrazzo
555 Johnson StFantastic local restaurant for Italian food lovers.
The Beach House Restaurant
5109 Cordova Bay RdLovely local restaurant with ocean views
Bleue Coyote Bar & Grill
7100 Wallace DrLocal pub with great food.
Brentwood Pub
849 Verdier AveLocal pub with a great patio and views of the inlet.
Tapa Bar
620 Trounce AlleyA local favourite that has fabulous food
Tacofino
760 Pandora AveA local favourite that offers fantastic tacos, burritos, etc.
Fish on Fifth
9812 Fifth StFantastic fish & chips
Woodshed Restaurant
103-2360 Beacon AveEnjoy some local wood-fired thin crust pizza
Excellent food. They serve fresh bread with every meal and have some of the best bottomless soups.
126 locals recommend
Pagliacci's
1011 Broad StExcellent food. They serve fresh bread with every meal and have some of the best bottomless soups.
Tractor Everyday Healthy Foods - Victoria Harbour
805 Government StreetGreat variety of salads and sandwiches.
RockCoast Confections
2261 Sean HeightsSome of the best chocolate and ice cream bars you’ll ever try
Local wine, cider, beer, and distilleries
Sea Cider is a great place to try some local cider (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and food. The property has views of the ocean and they often host events for the community to enjoy.
51 locals recommend
Sea Cider
2487 Mt St Michael RdSea Cider is a great place to try some local cider (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and food. The property has views of the ocean and they often host events for the community to enjoy.
Lovely winery that has a lot of offer. There’s also a bistro that is open certain times of the year.
40 locals recommend
Church & State Wines - Victoria
1445 Benvenuto AveLovely winery that has a lot of offer. There’s also a bistro that is open certain times of the year.
Local distillery situated right by the ocean in Sidney that is known for its Empress Gin.
19 locals recommend
Victoria Distillers
9891 Seaport PlLocal distillery situated right by the ocean in Sidney that is known for its Empress Gin.
A local favourite that has a great variety of beers and non-alcoholic sodas to choose from.
63 locals recommend
Phillips Brewing & Malting
2000 Government StA local favourite that has a great variety of beers and non-alcoholic sodas to choose from.
Hoyne Brewing Company
2740 Bridge StreetGreat local beer
Local winery that has a beautiful garden setting where you can enjoy a tasting and bite to eat.
15 locals recommend
Symphony Vineyard
6409 Oldfield RdLocal winery that has a beautiful garden setting where you can enjoy a tasting and bite to eat.
Lovely local winery. During certain times of the year they also host events for the community to enjoy.
18 locals recommend
Deep Cove Winery
11195 Chalet RdLovely local winery. During certain times of the year they also host events for the community to enjoy.
Take in some gorgeous views while enjoying a local vino or spirit.
24 locals recommend
Devine Distillery & Winery
6181B Old West Saanich RdTake in some gorgeous views while enjoying a local vino or spirit.
Whistle Buoy Brewing Company
560 Johnson StCraft brewery located in downtown Victoria
Driftwood Brewery
836 Viewfield RoadGreat craft beers and service
Great beers and traditional Scottish whisky
14 locals recommend
Victoria Caledonian Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery
761 Enterprise CrescentGreat beers and traditional Scottish whisky
Recreation Activities
Great way to spend a few hours - especially on a rainy day.
7 locals recommend
The Boulders Climbing Gym
1627 Stellys Cross RdGreat way to spend a few hours - especially on a rainy day.
Largest recreational facility in Victoria that has a wave pool, water slide, diving boards, gym, teen centre, library, etc
38 locals recommend
Saanich Commonwealth Place
4636 Elk Lake DrLargest recreational facility in Victoria that has a wave pool, water slide, diving boards, gym, teen centre, library, etc
Community recreation centre that has a pool with a water slide, skating arenas, squash courts, etc
23 locals recommend
Panorama Recreation
1885 Forest Park DrCommunity recreation centre that has a pool with a water slide, skating arenas, squash courts, etc
Mattick's Farm Mini Golf
5325 Cordova Bay RdCute mini golf course
Blenkinsop Adventure Mini Golf
4239 Blenkinsop RdFantastic mini golf for the whole family to enjoy
Beaches, Parks & Trails
This park can be accessed on Wallace Rd and is one of our favourite walks. The beach at the end is a great spot to hang out.
33 locals recommend
Gowlland Tod Provincial Park
Ross Durrance RoadThis park can be accessed on Wallace Rd and is one of our favourite walks. The beach at the end is a great spot to hang out.
Island View Beach Regional Park
3215 Island View RdGreat beach to walk and explore
This park offers beautiful views and trails throughout the forest. It’s also a great place to see some big west coast trees.
29 locals recommend
John Dean Provincial Park
This park offers beautiful views and trails throughout the forest. It’s also a great place to see some big west coast trees.
Local beach with lots to offer for the whole family. The kids will love the playground
89 locals recommend
Cadboro-Gyro Park
Sinclair RoadLocal beach with lots to offer for the whole family. The kids will love the playground
Lovely park by the ocean that has an enclosed playground for younger kids, beach volleyball court, skatepark, and picnic area. Very close to Iroquois Park.
12 locals recommend
Tulista Park
9565 Fifth StLovely park by the ocean that has an enclosed playground for younger kids, beach volleyball court, skatepark, and picnic area. Very close to Iroquois Park.
Lovely park with a playground, water splash pad, tennis courts, basketball courts, practice putting green, and duck pond.
Iroquois Park
Lovely park with a playground, water splash pad, tennis courts, basketball courts, practice putting green, and duck pond.
Beckwith Park
857 Beckwith AveGreat park with a playground and water splash pad.
Beautiful walking trails through the forest as well as covered picnic areas, a playground, lacrosse box and baseball diamonds.
Centennial Park
7526 Wallace DrBeautiful walking trails through the forest as well as covered picnic areas, a playground, lacrosse box and baseball diamonds.
This park is within walking distance and a favourite for our family because of the playground, forest area, and open field.
Rodolph Park
6446 Loganberry PlaceThis park is within walking distance and a favourite for our family because of the playground, forest area, and open field.
Known for its salmon run in the fall and year round waterfalls, forest trails, and Nature House. There’s also covered picnic areas where people can have a campfires during certain times of the year.
242 locals recommend
Goldstream Provincial Park
Known for its salmon run in the fall and year round waterfalls, forest trails, and Nature House. There’s also covered picnic areas where people can have a campfires during certain times of the year.
Take the passenger ferry over for the day to enjoy The Spit’s sandy beaches and wildlife.
12 locals recommend
Sidney Spit Marine Park
Take the passenger ferry over for the day to enjoy The Spit’s sandy beaches and wildlife.
Spas
Willow Stream Spa
633 Humboldt StEnjoy the mineral pool, sauna and steam room when booking a treatment.