Victoria Guidebook
Victoria Sightseeing
Sightseeing in and around Victoria.
Fisherman's Wharf is a small floating village with restaurants, ice cream kiosks and the starting point for tours and water taxis.
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Fisherman's Wharf Park
12 Erie StFisherman's Wharf is a small floating village with restaurants, ice cream kiosks and the starting point for tours and water taxis.
Great museum next to the Legislature. Lots of exhibits aimed at kids and look out for special visiting exhibits.
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Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville StGreat museum next to the Legislature. Lots of exhibits aimed at kids and look out for special visiting exhibits.
Stroll along the breakwater walkway to the Ogden Point lighthouse. If you're lucky you can see seals or even whales. And it's a beautiful place to watch the sunset (but be warned it can get quite windy!)
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Breakwater Fyr
The BreakwaterStroll along the breakwater walkway to the Ogden Point lighthouse. If you're lucky you can see seals or even whales. And it's a beautiful place to watch the sunset (but be warned it can get quite windy!)
Beacon Hill Park is just round the corner from the Astoria. World's tallest standing totem pole, the Cameron Bandshell (with free concerts in the summer), kids playgrounds and petting farm. More than that it's a beautiful place for a stroll or a run. Can go all the way down to the ocean on Dallas Road.
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Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StBeacon Hill Park is just round the corner from the Astoria. World's tallest standing totem pole, the Cameron Bandshell (with free concerts in the summer), kids playgrounds and petting farm. More than that it's a beautiful place for a stroll or a run. Can go all the way down to the ocean on Dallas Road.
Canada's oldest Chinatown (and the second oldest in North America after San Francisco) is small but great for shopping, eating and exploring the tiny alleyways with names like Dragon Alley.
Fan Tan Alley between Pandora and Fisgard streets is the narrowest street in Canada crammed with shops on either side.
Stop for lunch or dinner at one of the many Chinese Restaurants on Fisgard Street.
The City of Victoria has a printable Mysterious Chinatown Walking Tour if you want to learn more about the history while exploring: https://www.victoria.ca/assets/Community/Documents/MysteriousChinatown_e.pdf
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Victorias Chinatown
500 Fisgard StCanada's oldest Chinatown (and the second oldest in North America after San Francisco) is small but great for shopping, eating and exploring the tiny alleyways with names like Dragon Alley.
Fan Tan Alley between Pandora and Fisgard streets is the narrowest street in Canada crammed with shops on either side.
Stop for lunch or dinner at one of the many Chinese Restaurants on Fisgard Street.
The City of Victoria has a printable Mysterious Chinatown Walking Tour if you want to learn more about the history while exploring: https://www.victoria.ca/assets/Community/Documents/MysteriousChinatown_e.pdf
This is a tiny little museum just down the hill from the Astoria. Check out their website for summer workshops in things like seagrass jewelry which are great fun.
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The Maritime Museum of British Columbia
744 Douglas StThis is a tiny little museum just down the hill from the Astoria. Check out their website for summer workshops in things like seagrass jewelry which are great fun.
Beautiful gardens outside the Lt Governor's House which are open from dawn to dusk (free admission). This is a great place to bring a picnic (or to buy a picnic to go from the Tea Rooms if they are open) or just to wander around. Also look out for free open air concerts during the summer.
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Government House
1401 Rockland AveBeautiful gardens outside the Lt Governor's House which are open from dawn to dusk (free admission). This is a great place to bring a picnic (or to buy a picnic to go from the Tea Rooms if they are open) or just to wander around. Also look out for free open air concerts during the summer.
Small park with fantastic views of the ocean and the mountains of the US coast. If you're lucky you can sometimes spot whales or seals. Holland Point is a local favourite for jogging, walking the dog or just sitting on one of the benches and soaking in the view. To get there from the Astoria, you could walk through Beacon Hill Park or go down to Douglas and hop on a number 2 or 3 bus to James Bay.
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Holland Point Park
561 Dallas RoadSmall park with fantastic views of the ocean and the mountains of the US coast. If you're lucky you can sometimes spot whales or seals. Holland Point is a local favourite for jogging, walking the dog or just sitting on one of the benches and soaking in the view. To get there from the Astoria, you could walk through Beacon Hill Park or go down to Douglas and hop on a number 2 or 3 bus to James Bay.
Tours and Excursions
Guided tours and excursions leaving from Victoria.
Great day tours to explore local breweries or wineries. Can definitely recommend the Cowichan Wineries tour - great fun!
Canadian Craft Tours | Brewery & Winery Tours
Great day tours to explore local breweries or wineries. Can definitely recommend the Cowichan Wineries tour - great fun!
Great tours of the harbour or gorge waterway (book ahead online). Or take as a water taxi to get around Victoria.
Victoria Harbour Ferry
Great tours of the harbour or gorge waterway (book ahead online). Or take as a water taxi to get around Victoria.
Places for Kids
Kids love this farm - it's full of animals from guinea pigs to goats, pot-bellied pigs and peacocks. Petting opportunities may be limited by Covid but it's still worth a visit.
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Beacon Hill Children's Farm
815 Circle DrKids love this farm - it's full of animals from guinea pigs to goats, pot-bellied pigs and peacocks. Petting opportunities may be limited by Covid but it's still worth a visit.
Bugs, bugs and more bugs!! Covid restrictions mean kids can't touch them but the staff can take them out to give a closer look. Reserving ahead of time is recommended due to Covid restrictions on number of visitors.
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Victoria Bug Zoo
631 Courtney StBugs, bugs and more bugs!! Covid restrictions mean kids can't touch them but the staff can take them out to give a closer look. Reserving ahead of time is recommended due to Covid restrictions on number of visitors.
Beaches
Beautiful beach in Oak Bay. Look out for free summer concerts in the park next to the beach.
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Willows Beach
EsplanadeBeautiful beach in Oak Bay. Look out for free summer concerts in the park next to the beach.
Beautiful wild beach and lagoon. Sometimes food trucks come at lunchtimes on summer weekends. But always a lovely place to walk or sit.
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Esquimalt Lagoon
Beautiful wild beach and lagoon. Sometimes food trucks come at lunchtimes on summer weekends. But always a lovely place to walk or sit.
Crescent shaped beach - great for catching sun in the summer or walking your dog in the winter (dogs usually allowed off leash between Sept and May)
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Gonzales Beach
Crescent shaped beach - great for catching sun in the summer or walking your dog in the winter (dogs usually allowed off leash between Sept and May)
Steve Fonyo Beach
645 Dallas RoadRocky beach with great views next to Holland Point Park.
Day Trips from Victoria
Amazing views - cannot recommend this more highly for a great day trip when there's relatively clear skies and not too much wind. I'm scared of heights but I managed to get nearly to the top as the incline is very gentle and it feels very secure with high railings on both sides. If you're adventurous there's a flexi net to walk across at the top and a quick descent option in the form of a slide (I did it - it was great fun - not too scary at all).
There's a gift shop and cafe or it's not too far to drive on to Cowichan Bay for lunch and a wander round to make a full day trip.
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Malahat SkyWalk
901 Trans-Canada HwyAmazing views - cannot recommend this more highly for a great day trip when there's relatively clear skies and not too much wind. I'm scared of heights but I managed to get nearly to the top as the incline is very gentle and it feels very secure with high railings on both sides. If you're adventurous there's a flexi net to walk across at the top and a quick descent option in the form of a slide (I did it - it was great fun - not too scary at all).
There's a gift shop and cafe or it's not too far to drive on to Cowichan Bay for lunch and a wander round to make a full day trip.
Quaint seaside town with float homes and gift shops. Eat at the Cow Cafe for spectacular views of the bay and Salt Spring Island and definitely visit the True Grain Bakery to buy some treats to take home. Combine with the Malahat Skywalk to make a great day trip.
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Cowichan Bay
Quaint seaside town with float homes and gift shops. Eat at the Cow Cafe for spectacular views of the bay and Salt Spring Island and definitely visit the True Grain Bakery to buy some treats to take home. Combine with the Malahat Skywalk to make a great day trip.
Great patio for wine tasting, excellent restaurant (best to book ahead) and lovely wines. Worth the trip from Victoria. (Can also stop by Merridale Cidery next door).
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Unsworth Vineyards
2915 Cameron Taggart RdGreat patio for wine tasting, excellent restaurant (best to book ahead) and lovely wines. Worth the trip from Victoria. (Can also stop by Merridale Cidery next door).
Quaint seaside town full of small shops and art galleries on Salt Spring Island. Home to the Saturday food and arts/crafts market plus the Tuesday farmers market in the summer. Look out for Harlan's Chocolates and Gelato (yum!) and lunch on the dockside patio at the Oystercatcher Restaurant.
Worth the trip from Victoria - driving plus ferry from Swartz Bay takes about 2 1/2 hours (includes 30 minutes on the water and arriving 1 hour early at the ferry terminal - especially on Saturdays when the ferry fills up fast - unfortunately spots on the ferry are not bookable in advance). But Salt Spring Island is worth the trip.
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Ganges
Quaint seaside town full of small shops and art galleries on Salt Spring Island. Home to the Saturday food and arts/crafts market plus the Tuesday farmers market in the summer. Look out for Harlan's Chocolates and Gelato (yum!) and lunch on the dockside patio at the Oystercatcher Restaurant.
Worth the trip from Victoria - driving plus ferry from Swartz Bay takes about 2 1/2 hours (includes 30 minutes on the water and arriving 1 hour early at the ferry terminal - especially on Saturdays when the ferry fills up fast - unfortunately spots on the ferry are not bookable in advance). But Salt Spring Island is worth the trip.
Cidery (can go on self-guided tour around the orchards) with a great shop plus restaurant with patio. Next door to Unsworth Vineyard if you want to combine both.
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Merridale Cidery & Distillery
1230 Merridale RdCidery (can go on self-guided tour around the orchards) with a great shop plus restaurant with patio. Next door to Unsworth Vineyard if you want to combine both.
Seafood on the patio overlooking the ocean - stunning views. The West Coast Grill is within the Presige Oceanfront Resort. A great place for a relaxing lunch on a day trip to Sooke.
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West Coast Grill
6929 W Coast RdSeafood on the patio overlooking the ocean - stunning views. The West Coast Grill is within the Presige Oceanfront Resort. A great place for a relaxing lunch on a day trip to Sooke.
Fresh locally-grown produce, plus arts and crafts every Saturday during the summer in Ganges, Salt Spring Island. Take the ferry from Swartz Bay (about 40 minutes drive from Victoria) - it's about 30 minutes on the ferry and 15 minutes drive to Ganges. Pick a sunny day and the trip itself is wonderfully scenic. Plenty of lunch spots to choose from: can recommend the dockside patio of the Oyster Catcher restaurant.
Salt Spring Saturday Market
Fresh locally-grown produce, plus arts and crafts every Saturday during the summer in Ganges, Salt Spring Island. Take the ferry from Swartz Bay (about 40 minutes drive from Victoria) - it's about 30 minutes on the ferry and 15 minutes drive to Ganges. Pick a sunny day and the trip itself is wonderfully scenic. Plenty of lunch spots to choose from: can recommend the dockside patio of the Oyster Catcher restaurant.
Food scene
Traditional Greek family restaurant steps from the Astoria. Friendly atmosphere and great food.
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Ithaka Greek Restaurant
716 Burdett AveTraditional Greek family restaurant steps from the Astoria. Friendly atmosphere and great food.
Excellent fish and chips on the wharf. In high season, expect long queues but the food is worth the wait.
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Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf StExcellent fish and chips on the wharf. In high season, expect long queues but the food is worth the wait.
Bistro in heart of James Bay. Famous for brunch and poutine fries!
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Heron Rock Bistro
435 Simcoe StBistro in heart of James Bay. Famous for brunch and poutine fries!
Unique seafood and Indian fusion cuisine. Their chowder is delicious!
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Fishhook
805 Fort StUnique seafood and Indian fusion cuisine. Their chowder is delicious!
Authentic Japanese cuisine, tucked away in Nootka Court. It's only open at lunchtime and very small, so get there before noon before it fills up. It's worth the effort though - food is so delicious!
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Uchida Eatery
633 Courtney StAuthentic Japanese cuisine, tucked away in Nootka Court. It's only open at lunchtime and very small, so get there before noon before it fills up. It's worth the effort though - food is so delicious!
Great location near the harbour with farm to table cuisine. Outdoor patio is great on a sunny evening for cocktails too.
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10 Acres Commons
620 Humboldt StGreat location near the harbour with farm to table cuisine. Outdoor patio is great on a sunny evening for cocktails too.
Sister restaurant to 10 Acres Common. Fresh farm-to-table cuisine and a small patio area for warmer nights.
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10 Acres Bistro
611 Courtney StSister restaurant to 10 Acres Common. Fresh farm-to-table cuisine and a small patio area for warmer nights.
Dine in the heart of the Legislative Building just round the corner from the Astoria. Breakfast and lunch only (reservations are recommended).
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BC Legislative Dining Room
501 Belleville StDine in the heart of the Legislative Building just round the corner from the Astoria. Breakfast and lunch only (reservations are recommended).
Frankie's Modern Diner
910 Government StreetLocal favourite diner - great breakfast and brunches and pizza.
Fantastic views - great for brunch or breakfast in the cafe after a walk on the Breakwater out to the lighthouse. Sometimes live music in the bistro / bar.
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Breakwater Cafe . Bistro . Bar
199 Dallas RdFantastic views - great for brunch or breakfast in the cafe after a walk on the Breakwater out to the lighthouse. Sometimes live music in the bistro / bar.
Food truck serving fish and chips directly from the fishing fleet. Across the park next to Fisherman's Wharf. Also a great fresh fish shop around the back.
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Finest At Sea
27 Erie StFood truck serving fish and chips directly from the fishing fleet. Across the park next to Fisherman's Wharf. Also a great fresh fish shop around the back.
Yummy Middle Eastern Street food. The falafel wrap is absolutely delicious. The restaurant interior is quite simple so I usually get my order to go and either take it home or if the weather is nice, go into the courtyard and eat it there (the courtyard is 2 doors up from Yalla just before Starbucks).
Yalla
1011 Blanshard StYummy Middle Eastern Street food. The falafel wrap is absolutely delicious. The restaurant interior is quite simple so I usually get my order to go and either take it home or if the weather is nice, go into the courtyard and eat it there (the courtyard is 2 doors up from Yalla just before Starbucks).
Bubby Rose has delicious baked goods, pizzas and sandwiches. Friendly service and relaxed atmosphere to dine in. There are several locations around Victoria, including Cook St and James Bay, as well as the downtown location on Johnson St.
Bubby Rose's Downtown
Bubby Rose has delicious baked goods, pizzas and sandwiches. Friendly service and relaxed atmosphere to dine in. There are several locations around Victoria, including Cook St and James Bay, as well as the downtown location on Johnson St.
Absolutely yummy. Farm fresh salads. Lots of vegan options. My new favourite lunchtime place!
Tractor Everyday Healthy Foods - Victoria Harbour
Absolutely yummy. Farm fresh salads. Lots of vegan options. My new favourite lunchtime place!
Absolutely delicious seafood in a tucked away patio overlooking the Inner Harbour in James Bay. My new favourite summertime restaurant.
Aura Waterfront Restaurant + Patio
Absolutely delicious seafood in a tucked away patio overlooking the Inner Harbour in James Bay. My new favourite summertime restaurant.
Coffee and Breakfast
Great coffee and baked goods. Want to sit outside? Take your coffee into the courtyard (through the iron gate just up the street just before you reach Starbucks)
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Discovery Coffee
281 Menzies StGreat coffee and baked goods. Want to sit outside? Take your coffee into the courtyard (through the iron gate just up the street just before you reach Starbucks)
Yummy baked goods. Perfect to pick up a few breakfast goodies!
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Crust Bakery
730 Fort StYummy baked goods. Perfect to pick up a few breakfast goodies!
Cora
850 Douglas StTraditional breakfasts, crepes - and all just down the hill from the condo in the Astoria.
Starbucks - super close to the Astoria (just 2 buildings down the hill).
Starbucks DoubleTree Victoria
777 Douglas StreetStarbucks - super close to the Astoria (just 2 buildings down the hill).
Great coffee and bakery just next door to The Astoria on Humboldt Street (near the parking entrance).
Jackson Brothers Coffeehouse
Great coffee and bakery just next door to The Astoria on Humboldt Street (near the parking entrance).