Guidebook for Victoria Studio by the Beach
Food Scene
de'lish caters
677 St Patrick StFrench inspired pastries, breakfast and lunch
where the locals go for great food in garden setting - deli style
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Demitasse Cafe & Garden Centre
2164 McNeill Avewhere the locals go for great food in garden setting - deli style
Ottavio Italian Bakery, Delicatessen & Cafe
2272 Oak Bay AveItalian as it gets!
Starbucks
2182 Oak Bay Aveclosest Starbucks
Best Fish n Chips. Worth the wait. Eat outdoors by the dock.
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Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf StBest Fish n Chips. Worth the wait. Eat outdoors by the dock.
Oak Bay Beach Hotel
1175 Beach DrSpa, Kate's cafe, live theatre, pub, fine dining
Baan Thai Wok & Bar (Oak Bay)
2000 Cadboro Bay Rdbest Thai food in town
Pure Vanilla Bakery & Cafe
2590 Cadboro Bay RdSome of the best pastries in the city.
Victoria's signature building on the waterfront. Tourists favour "High Tea"
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Hotel Fairmont Empress
721 Government StVictoria's signature building on the waterfront. Tourists favour "High Tea"
Tacofino
760 Pandora AveCasual 'fast food' for some of the best fish tacos in town
Tapa Bar
620 Trounce AlleyGreat food and atmosphere in the heart of downtown
When you want good food, in a casual setting, where the locals go.
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Penny Farthing Public House
2228 Oak Bay AveWhen you want good food, in a casual setting, where the locals go.
Great food and local brewery. Walk nearby
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Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & GuestHouses
308 Catherine StGreat food and local brewery. Walk nearby
North India Food - yummmmmm! Small and casual with great food.
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Sizzling Tandoor Downtown
637 Johnson StNorth India Food - yummmmmm! Small and casual with great food.
Superb Asian Fusion restauarant, good portions, friendly staff. Full page listing of Sake offerings - the owners really know their Sake! Recommend reservations - it is busy EVERY night.
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Nubo Japanese Tapas
739 Pandora AveSuperb Asian Fusion restauarant, good portions, friendly staff. Full page listing of Sake offerings - the owners really know their Sake! Recommend reservations - it is busy EVERY night.
Healthy, flavourful and unique fish chowder , pies and salads. Small, family style/order at counter. Quick and casual. Where the locals go
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Fishhook
805 Fort StHealthy, flavourful and unique fish chowder , pies and salads. Small, family style/order at counter. Quick and casual. Where the locals go
Spice Jammer Restaurant
852 Fort StBest Indian Food.... well... tiedwith Sizzling Tandoor on Johnson.
Hide + Seek Coffee
2207 Oak Bay AveOak Bay Village's newest coffee place.
On your way to Port Renfrew, or simply as a destination, this is a wonderful place to stop for lunch. The scenery is spectacular and the food is quite good. Small restaurant. After, ask for the code for the gate and enjoy a walk down to the ocean. Continue until you find their beach, or just hang out on the tiny island that has a magical bridge to it. This place is magic in any whether.
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Point No Point Resort
10829 W Coast RdOn your way to Port Renfrew, or simply as a destination, this is a wonderful place to stop for lunch. The scenery is spectacular and the food is quite good. Small restaurant. After, ask for the code for the gate and enjoy a walk down to the ocean. Continue until you find their beach, or just hang out on the tiny island that has a magical bridge to it. This place is magic in any whether.
Great food overlooking Saanich Inlet. Excellent burgers in the pub. Amazing food in the dining room (reservations recommended)
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Brentwood Bay Resort
849 Verdier AveGreat food overlooking Saanich Inlet. Excellent burgers in the pub. Amazing food in the dining room (reservations recommended)
Food truck with fish market in the back of the building. Sustainable, super fresh food. Where the locals go. Near Fisherman's wharf.
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Finest At Sea
27 Erie StFood truck with fish market in the back of the building. Sustainable, super fresh food. Where the locals go. Near Fisherman's wharf.
Fabulous home cooked food. Great for take out breakfast, lunch, dinner. A 10 minute walk from the house. This is where I typically grab my dinners on the way home. Very tasty, hot food, soups, salads, and great Baristas. Located in a garden.
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Demitasse Cafe & Garden Centre
2164 McNeill AveFabulous home cooked food. Great for take out breakfast, lunch, dinner. A 10 minute walk from the house. This is where I typically grab my dinners on the way home. Very tasty, hot food, soups, salads, and great Baristas. Located in a garden.
Food is amazing, and staff very friendly. Where the locals go. This is a casual place where I will order food to take home after being downtown. Simple menu, excellent sandwiches and gourmet burgers. Excellent baristas.
They made their own orange spice flavouring for lattes which is my new favourite. The Gluten Free carrot muffins are worth walking over for. Door Dash available for delivery.
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Sherwood Cafe & Bar
710 Pandora AveFood is amazing, and staff very friendly. Where the locals go. This is a casual place where I will order food to take home after being downtown. Simple menu, excellent sandwiches and gourmet burgers. Excellent baristas.
They made their own orange spice flavouring for lattes which is my new favourite. The Gluten Free carrot muffins are worth walking over for. Door Dash available for delivery.
The Whole Beast
2032 Oak Bay AveCharcuterie at its finest. Award winning.
FARO Handcrafted Pizza and Tasting Room
1175 Beach Drivewalking distance, and they have a patio
Excellent chowder (they have a freezer full), fish and chips (if you don't want to go to RedFish/BlueFish), and fresh fish to bring home and cook
Oak Bay Seafood
2024 Oak Bay AveExcellent chowder (they have a freezer full), fish and chips (if you don't want to go to RedFish/BlueFish), and fresh fish to bring home and cook
Casual dining, great burgers and sandwiches, excellent staff
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Sherwood Cafe & Bar
710 Pandora AveCasual dining, great burgers and sandwiches, excellent staff
Excellent food any time of day. $9 breakfast if you are there before 9am
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Vis-a-Vis
2232 Oak Bay AveExcellent food any time of day. $9 breakfast if you are there before 9am
Wonderful small plates. Local eatery. Quiet atmosphere. You can have a wonderful conversation here
Tapas on Oak
Wonderful small plates. Local eatery. Quiet atmosphere. You can have a wonderful conversation here
Essentials
local butcher and adjacent charcuterie - local farm raised and humanely treated pigs, chicken, beef, turkey
Village Butcher
2032 Oak Bay Avelocal butcher and adjacent charcuterie - local farm raised and humanely treated pigs, chicken, beef, turkey
Fairway Market
2187 Oak Bay AveGood prices, long hours, easy shopping for groceries
Oak Bay Pharmasave
2200 Oak Bay Avepharmacy, general items, plus a post office
Large full service grocery store with a neighbourhood feel. 5 minute drive
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Thrifty Foods
1580 Hillside AveLarge full service grocery store with a neighbourhood feel. 5 minute drive
Sightseeing
Beutiful garden stroll, gardens created by Russian prince and his wife. Tea and light lunches served
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The Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden
1964 Fairfield RdBeutiful garden stroll, gardens created by Russian prince and his wife. Tea and light lunches served
Willows Beach
EsplanadeVictoria's sandiest and warmest beach
Clover Point
Clover PointViews. Start of walk along Dallas Road
Commanding view of Salish Sea, Greater Victoria Coastline, and Olympic mountains.
King George Terrace
King George TerraceCommanding view of Salish Sea, Greater Victoria Coastline, and Olympic mountains.
Victoria's "Central Park" - petting zoo, water features, trees, open, heron rookerie, and worlds tallest totem.
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Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StVictoria's "Central Park" - petting zoo, water features, trees, open, heron rookerie, and worlds tallest totem.
If you like boats...this is a small museum in the heart of downtown. The local square is full of life.
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The Maritime Museum of British Columbia
744 Douglas StIf you like boats...this is a small museum in the heart of downtown. The local square is full of life.
Enjoy tours of the harbour.... location is misleading. Catch a harbour ferry in the Inner Harbour, near the Empress Hotel, and travel around, for for Fish and Chips at Fisherman's Wharf, walk the Songhees trail, go up the Gorge. Bonus is a local guide (our neighbour)
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Victoria Harbor
Wharf StreetEnjoy tours of the harbour.... location is misleading. Catch a harbour ferry in the Inner Harbour, near the Empress Hotel, and travel around, for for Fish and Chips at Fisherman's Wharf, walk the Songhees trail, go up the Gorge. Bonus is a local guide (our neighbour)
Take the hop on/hop off ferry around the harbour. Have fish and chips at Fisherman's wharf (or at Finest at Sea) and hop back on the little ferry. The stories you'll hear!
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Victoria Harbour Ferry - Fisherman's Wharf Ferry Stop
12 Erie StTake the hop on/hop off ferry around the harbour. Have fish and chips at Fisherman's wharf (or at Finest at Sea) and hop back on the little ferry. The stories you'll hear!
A lovely walk if you want to get away from downtown with a quick walk. Cross the Johnson St Bridge, head towards the Delta hotel and you are there! Walk as far or as short as you want. A nice way to get to Spinnakers restaurant and microbrewery.
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Songhees Walkway
Songhees WalkwayA lovely walk if you want to get away from downtown with a quick walk. Cross the Johnson St Bridge, head towards the Delta hotel and you are there! Walk as far or as short as you want. A nice way to get to Spinnakers restaurant and microbrewery.
Who doesn't love castles? this one has a view. After checking out the castle (make sure it is open when you want to go), head to the Japanese gardens beside it. There's a good cafe across in the building at the top of the stairs. You can continue to Metchosin/Soooke/Port Renfrew, or return home via Lagoon road.
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Hatley Castle
2005 Sooke RdWho doesn't love castles? this one has a view. After checking out the castle (make sure it is open when you want to go), head to the Japanese gardens beside it. There's a good cafe across in the building at the top of the stairs. You can continue to Metchosin/Soooke/Port Renfrew, or return home via Lagoon road.
Craigdarroch Castle
1050 Joan CrescentWho doesn't love castles?
Arts & Culture
local artists at the Avenue Gallery, and adjacent shops with local artisan goodies
The Avenue Gallery
2184 Oak Bay Avelocal artists at the Avenue Gallery, and adjacent shops with local artisan goodies
world class exhibits. History of BC land, animals and people. IMAX always has great shows all day and evening, everday.
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Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville Stworld class exhibits. History of BC land, animals and people. IMAX always has great shows all day and evening, everday.
Local produce, food, crafts, music. A Saturday ritual! (10-2 only)
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Moss Street Market
1330 Fairfield RdLocal produce, food, crafts, music. A Saturday ritual! (10-2 only)
Permanent collection of Emily Carr, famous BC artist who captured the forests and land in early 1900s
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Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
1040 Moss StPermanent collection of Emily Carr, famous BC artist who captured the forests and land in early 1900s
Oak Bay Recreation Centre
1975 Bee Stswimming pool, tennis, fitness
Uplands Golf Club
3300 Cadboro Bay Rddeer hang out here (and everywhere)
Heart of Downtown - local artisans, buskers, restaurants, bars, access to waterfront nearby
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Bastion Square
60 Bastion SquareHeart of Downtown - local artisans, buskers, restaurants, bars, access to waterfront nearby
Homage to one of Canada's best Wildlife artists, who happens to live on Saltspring Island. Building recently refurbished to LEED Gold standard.
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The Bateman Gallery
470 Belleville StHomage to one of Canada's best Wildlife artists, who happens to live on Saltspring Island. Building recently refurbished to LEED Gold standard.
Alcheringa Gallery
621 Fort StFirst Nation artists. Small but high quality
BC's natural and cultural history. A moderate sized museum that is not overwhelming. Feature exhibits are usually great. Plus IMAX
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Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville StBC's natural and cultural history. A moderate sized museum that is not overwhelming. Feature exhibits are usually great. Plus IMAX
Everything Else
Estevan Village - Village Cafe, dining, pharmacy, second hand clothing, cupcakes, hair, menswear, jewellry, toy store - 1 block long
Estevan Avenue
Estevan AvenueEstevan Village - Village Cafe, dining, pharmacy, second hand clothing, cupcakes, hair, menswear, jewellry, toy store - 1 block long
Parks Nature & Adventure
Gonzales Hill
270 degree view
Victoria Golf Club
1110 Beach DrBeach Drive cuts through the scenic Golf Course
Vigorous hike with great views. Steep so you'll need good knees.
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Mt Finlayson summit
Vigorous hike with great views. Steep so you'll need good knees.
Gentle Trail. Next to Mt. Finlayson it leads to the Estuary. Best seen in late fall once the salmon have run. Can see up to 100 eagles in the trees from the Nature House
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Goldstream Provincial Park
Gentle Trail. Next to Mt. Finlayson it leads to the Estuary. Best seen in late fall once the salmon have run. Can see up to 100 eagles in the trees from the Nature House
One of my favourite hikes. You can start at Alyard Farm or the West end of East Sooke. Beautiful views fro much of the trail along high cliffs. Slightly challenging and you'll need good knees.
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East Sooke Regional Park
6807 East Sooke RoadOne of my favourite hikes. You can start at Alyard Farm or the West end of East Sooke. Beautiful views fro much of the trail along high cliffs. Slightly challenging and you'll need good knees.
First of the wonderful "western beaches' known for the rolling rocks that move with the tide.
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French Beach
First of the wonderful "western beaches' known for the rolling rocks that move with the tide.
One of my favourite Western Beaches - pull in at China Beach park and walk 2 km though lovely forest to Mystic Beach. Best to time your arrival at low tide
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Mystic Beach
One of my favourite Western Beaches - pull in at China Beach park and walk 2 km though lovely forest to Mystic Beach. Best to time your arrival at low tide
China Beach Day Use Trail
China Beach Day Use TrailIt's a Park, it's a beach, it's a trail.
The trail takes you to wonderful Botanical Beach. Wear shoes that have some grip and plan to be at the beach at low tide for the incredible tide pools. Before you return to Victoria consider stopping in for a long sandy beach walk on the other side of Port Renfrew at Pacheedat Beach First Nations campground.
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Botanical Beach Loop Trail
Botanical Beach Loop TrailThe trail takes you to wonderful Botanical Beach. Wear shoes that have some grip and plan to be at the beach at low tide for the incredible tide pools. Before you return to Victoria consider stopping in for a long sandy beach walk on the other side of Port Renfrew at Pacheedat Beach First Nations campground.
Iconic old growth trees that are protected. It makes for a long day, but if you are already at Port Renfrew and have an early start, you will be impressed with the sacred trees.
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Avatar Grove
Iconic old growth trees that are protected. It makes for a long day, but if you are already at Port Renfrew and have an early start, you will be impressed with the sacred trees.
For a quick walk with a great view, head up Transit Road 7 houses. Turn right at the hiking post, up the stairs and right at the top. Follow the trail for the wonderful lookout overlooking Trial Island, the Golf Course, Olympic Mountains and Mt Baker in the East. Great spot for sunrise or sunset. For a slightly longer walk out towards Island road (you'll have to backtrack a wee bit from the very top). Turn right on Island Rd, then Right on Newport Ave. From there head to Beach Drive. Right returns you back to the house. Left takes you through the Golf Course to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel for Coffee or dinner, or to the Marina cafe for light meal, or Marina Restaurant for fine dining
Anderson Hill Park
572 Island RdFor a quick walk with a great view, head up Transit Road 7 houses. Turn right at the hiking post, up the stairs and right at the top. Follow the trail for the wonderful lookout overlooking Trial Island, the Golf Course, Olympic Mountains and Mt Baker in the East. Great spot for sunrise or sunset. For a slightly longer walk out towards Island road (you'll have to backtrack a wee bit from the very top). Turn right on Island Rd, then Right on Newport Ave. From there head to Beach Drive. Right returns you back to the house. Left takes you through the Golf Course to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel for Coffee or dinner, or to the Marina cafe for light meal, or Marina Restaurant for fine dining
Gowlland Tod Provincial Park
Ross Durrance RoadNice long hike
Gowlland Tod
98 Ross Durrance RdSteep trail to McKenzie Bight with great views
One of the many trails to get up to Mt Douglas. check out more on line
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Mount Douglas Park
4500 Cedar Hill RoadOne of the many trails to get up to Mt Douglas. check out more on line
Moss Rock Park
Short hike up for great views
Hiking and Cycling trail that goes from Victoria to Sidney
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Lochside Regional Trail
Lochside Regional TrailHiking and Cycling trail that goes from Victoria to Sidney
Bring your swimming suit... if you dare. Be careful and have fun. Or just walk about.
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Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke River RoadBring your swimming suit... if you dare. Be careful and have fun. Or just walk about.
Take the ferry to Sidney Island for a lovely picnic. Best at low tide.
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Alpine Sidney Spit Ferry
2537 Beacon AveTake the ferry to Sidney Island for a lovely picnic. Best at low tide.
Fabulouus views. Head up the stairs just before 350 King George Terrace, walk to the bunker, and point. Continue to the right until you see the white observatory at the very top of Gonzales Hill. From there, walk downhill towards King George Terrace Lookout, or the Chinese Cemetery or Gonzales Bay. My house is in the middle of the key photo, and behind it in the distance, you can see Mt Baker in Washington State on a clear day. Cool sight on Sundays when the sailboats are out.
Walbran Park
141 Denison RdFabulouus views. Head up the stairs just before 350 King George Terrace, walk to the bunker, and point. Continue to the right until you see the white observatory at the very top of Gonzales Hill. From there, walk downhill towards King George Terrace Lookout, or the Chinese Cemetery or Gonzales Bay. My house is in the middle of the key photo, and behind it in the distance, you can see Mt Baker in Washington State on a clear day. Cool sight on Sundays when the sailboats are out.
A Day in Victoria - Kayak & SUP - Tours, Rentals & Courses
550 Beach DrOak Bay Bicycles
1990 Oak Bay AveRent a bike, repair your bike
A wonderful way to get a feel for the Salish Sea. Captain Rob is great. You can work the sheets, or just enjoy.
3-Hour Sail
780 Government StreetA wonderful way to get a feel for the Salish Sea. Captain Rob is great. You can work the sheets, or just enjoy.
Best sunrise and sunset views. Walk up Transit Ave 5 houses. Turn right at the "Centennial Walk" post, along the path. Turn right at top of stairs and follow the path along the houses. Be sure to go to the very top. You can return to the Studio, or make a loop. Backtrack a bit from the top and turn right (away from ocean), turn right on the road, turn right on Newport Ave. which takes you to Beach Drive. Turn right for your walk home. 20-40 minutes total, depending on how leisurely you take it
Anderson Hill Park
572 Island RdBest sunrise and sunset views. Walk up Transit Ave 5 houses. Turn right at the "Centennial Walk" post, along the path. Turn right at top of stairs and follow the path along the houses. Be sure to go to the very top. You can return to the Studio, or make a loop. Backtrack a bit from the top and turn right (away from ocean), turn right on the road, turn right on Newport Ave. which takes you to Beach Drive. Turn right for your walk home. 20-40 minutes total, depending on how leisurely you take it
A quick walk from the Studio. Turn left on Beach Drive until you see the stairs to Kitty Islet. Famous for the coloured Adirondack Chairs. Amazing at any time of day, but super great at sunset.
Kitty Islet
A quick walk from the Studio. Turn left on Beach Drive until you see the stairs to Kitty Islet. Famous for the coloured Adirondack Chairs. Amazing at any time of day, but super great at sunset.
Drinks & Nightlife
Veneto Tapa Lounge - Hotel Rialto
1450 Douglas StreetGreat drinks