Katie’s guidebook for Victoria
Groceries
Red Barn is a great little market only a 5-10 minute walk away. They have fresh produce, a solid deli counter and a to-die-for sandwich bar we can't recommend enough!
To get there, we recommend walking to the end of our dead end street (if you're walking out of the driveway away from the house, head right) and at the end of the street take the path to the right. When that path T intersects about 100 feet down, turn left. Follow the path along the highway until it bends to the left and you will see Red Barn one street up.
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Red Barn Market
1933 Oak Bay AveRed Barn is a great little market only a 5-10 minute walk away. They have fresh produce, a solid deli counter and a to-die-for sandwich bar we can't recommend enough!
To get there, we recommend walking to the end of our dead end street (if you're walking out of the driveway away from the house, head right) and at the end of the street take the path to the right. When that path T intersects about 100 feet down, turn left. Follow the path along the highway until it bends to the left and you will see Red Barn one street up.
Country Grocer is the nearest large supermarket. It has everything you could need to stock up on.
If you go after 8pm, their deli counter often has half off dinners if you're looking for a late night snack!
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Country Grocer
1153 Esquimalt RdCountry Grocer is the nearest large supermarket. It has everything you could need to stock up on.
If you go after 8pm, their deli counter often has half off dinners if you're looking for a late night snack!
Walking trails
Christmas Hill is a fantastic hike just behind the house. From your door it takes about 25 minutes to reach the peak where you can see 360' views of the island.
To get there, walk along the path behind the house (accessible at either end of the street) and cross the pedestrian bridge behind Pacific Christian School.
After the bridge walk directly up the big hill until you reach the parking lot for Rogers school.
Cut through the parking lot and follow the path to the right.
2 minutes up the path you will see a sign marking the entrance to the hill. From there it's a "choose your own adventure" of which path to take to the top.
The hike is suitable for kids and requires little fitness, so fun for everyone!
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Christmas Hill
Christmas Hill is a fantastic hike just behind the house. From your door it takes about 25 minutes to reach the peak where you can see 360' views of the island.
To get there, walk along the path behind the house (accessible at either end of the street) and cross the pedestrian bridge behind Pacific Christian School.
After the bridge walk directly up the big hill until you reach the parking lot for Rogers school.
Cut through the parking lot and follow the path to the right.
2 minutes up the path you will see a sign marking the entrance to the hill. From there it's a "choose your own adventure" of which path to take to the top.
The hike is suitable for kids and requires little fitness, so fun for everyone!
Beacon Hill Park is Victoria's most famous public park.
Wander the many pathways inside to see beautiful flowers, towering trees, a petting zoo and usually a few peacocks. There is also a public putting green if you happened to bring your clubs and want to practice your swing.
The east side of the park butts up against the local cricket pitch, which is usually bustling in the summer months.
In May and June you will find nesting heron, which feels very much like walking under trees inhabited by pterodactyl! Ask any local to direct you to the nesting area. It's very cool!
Year 'round the ponds are full of ducks year 'round if you want to bring bird seed and make friends, and the north end of the park has a tall hill you can climb to have beautiful views of the ocean and neighbouring mountains in Washington.
In summer months there are often free live music performances and weekend free public movies in the park.
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Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StBeacon Hill Park is Victoria's most famous public park.
Wander the many pathways inside to see beautiful flowers, towering trees, a petting zoo and usually a few peacocks. There is also a public putting green if you happened to bring your clubs and want to practice your swing.
The east side of the park butts up against the local cricket pitch, which is usually bustling in the summer months.
In May and June you will find nesting heron, which feels very much like walking under trees inhabited by pterodactyl! Ask any local to direct you to the nesting area. It's very cool!
Year 'round the ponds are full of ducks year 'round if you want to bring bird seed and make friends, and the north end of the park has a tall hill you can climb to have beautiful views of the ocean and neighbouring mountains in Washington.
In summer months there are often free live music performances and weekend free public movies in the park.
Willows Beach is a great place for a short ocean walk. Facing east, it often spares you from the cutting winds like those found down south along Dallas Rd.
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Spiaggia Willows
EsplanadeWillows Beach is a great place for a short ocean walk. Facing east, it often spares you from the cutting winds like those found down south along Dallas Rd.
Tastings & Breweries
This whiskey distillery and beer brewery is a short walk away from home. They have a line up of whiskey tastings or beer on tap.
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Victoria Caledonian Distillery & Twa Dogs Brewery
761 Enterprise CrescentThis whiskey distillery and beer brewery is a short walk away from home. They have a line up of whiskey tastings or beer on tap.
De Vine is one of our favourite tasting rooms on the island. Initially a winery, they now specialize in spirits, some made with ancient grains right from Vancouver Island!
We recommend their honey-based rum and the vermouth!
They also permit visitors to bring their own picnic lunch and enjoy their tastings from the top of the winery, which has beautiful agricultural and ocean views.
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Devine Distillery & Winery
6181B Old West Saanich RdDe Vine is one of our favourite tasting rooms on the island. Initially a winery, they now specialize in spirits, some made with ancient grains right from Vancouver Island!
We recommend their honey-based rum and the vermouth!
They also permit visitors to bring their own picnic lunch and enjoy their tastings from the top of the winery, which has beautiful agricultural and ocean views.
If you're a cider fan, this is the place for you.
A short drive north of the house you will find Sea Cider nestled in amongst the farms. They're barn-style tasting room and bar is a great place to sit down for a flight of delicious ciders on tap.
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Sea Cider
2487 Mt St Michael RdIf you're a cider fan, this is the place for you.
A short drive north of the house you will find Sea Cider nestled in amongst the farms. They're barn-style tasting room and bar is a great place to sit down for a flight of delicious ciders on tap.
Deep Cove winery has an adorable little tasting room and wonderful staff. The neighbourhood itself is also quite charming and there are several nearby access paths to the ocean for those wanting some time outside.
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Deep Cove Winery
11195 Chalet RdDeep Cove winery has an adorable little tasting room and wonderful staff. The neighbourhood itself is also quite charming and there are several nearby access paths to the ocean for those wanting some time outside.
This is one of the best wineries on the island and we love their picnic tables with vineyard and mountain views.
Get a bottle of wine and head outside to enjoy nature. They also provide a light deli menu for those who are hungry.
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Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Vineyard
2182 Lakeside RdThis is one of the best wineries on the island and we love their picnic tables with vineyard and mountain views.
Get a bottle of wine and head outside to enjoy nature. They also provide a light deli menu for those who are hungry.
A fun little brewery downtown with an assortment of flavours on tap! The staff are friendly and the beer is affordable.
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Vancouver Island Brewing
2330 Government StA fun little brewery downtown with an assortment of flavours on tap! The staff are friendly and the beer is affordable.
Shopping
Uptown is the nearest shopping mall to home.
It includes a Walmart, H&M, Shoppers Drugmart, Best Buy and Whole Foods, among others.
A full store directory can be found here:
https://shopuptown.ca/store-directory/
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Uptown
3440 Saanich RdUptown is the nearest shopping mall to home.
It includes a Walmart, H&M, Shoppers Drugmart, Best Buy and Whole Foods, among others.
A full store directory can be found here:
https://shopuptown.ca/store-directory/
Food scene
This "fast casual" restaurant 10 minutes south of home provides great Asian noodles. They also support a lot of mental health initiatives in the community so we can't say enough good things about them.
They have an app if you want to order ahead of time.
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Noodlebox
3749 Shelbourne StThis "fast casual" restaurant 10 minutes south of home provides great Asian noodles. They also support a lot of mental health initiatives in the community so we can't say enough good things about them.
They have an app if you want to order ahead of time.
This is one of our favourite restaurants in town. It fills up fast so make sure to make a reservation if you'd like to go for dinner. Their mixologists are also top notch so do plan to have a cocktail or two.
It's one of the few places we tell the bartender our mood and let them make us a cocktail of their choosing. They never disappoint!
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Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar
506 Fort StThis is one of our favourite restaurants in town. It fills up fast so make sure to make a reservation if you'd like to go for dinner. Their mixologists are also top notch so do plan to have a cocktail or two.
It's one of the few places we tell the bartender our mood and let them make us a cocktail of their choosing. They never disappoint!
This is the best all around pub in town. If you're looking for a good burger and beer with some fun ambiance, look no further.
Set in a historic old bank building, it's fun for weekend brunch or for Friday night dancing with the live band.
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Bard & Banker
1022 Government StThis is the best all around pub in town. If you're looking for a good burger and beer with some fun ambiance, look no further.
Set in a historic old bank building, it's fun for weekend brunch or for Friday night dancing with the live band.
Ignore everything on Yelp trying to send you to the Blue Fox. Jam is THE place to go for breakfast or brunch in Victoria. Mentally prepare to wait, however, as lineups are often long out the door. But well worth it!
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Jam Cafe
542 Herald StIgnore everything on Yelp trying to send you to the Blue Fox. Jam is THE place to go for breakfast or brunch in Victoria. Mentally prepare to wait, however, as lineups are often long out the door. But well worth it!
If you're looking for an excellent coffee and delicious baking, look no further. You'll find Crust in a kiosk stand in Uptown courtyard, or another location downtown on Fort.
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Crust Bakery
730 Fort StIf you're looking for an excellent coffee and delicious baking, look no further. You'll find Crust in a kiosk stand in Uptown courtyard, or another location downtown on Fort.
If you're looking for a reason to get out of town but not go far, try heading to the Lakehouse on Shawnigan Lake for a bite.
A 40 minute drive from home, this charming little log restaurant offers views of Lake Shawnigan surrounded by pacific northwest forests.
The menu is always tasteful and the drinks top notch.
Keep an eye out for local otters, who are often busy playing in the waters down below.
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The Lakehouse at Shawnigan
2460 Renfrew RdIf you're looking for a reason to get out of town but not go far, try heading to the Lakehouse on Shawnigan Lake for a bite.
A 40 minute drive from home, this charming little log restaurant offers views of Lake Shawnigan surrounded by pacific northwest forests.
The menu is always tasteful and the drinks top notch.
Keep an eye out for local otters, who are often busy playing in the waters down below.
City/town information
If you're looking for a relaxing day trip, try driving up island to Chemainus. This tiny former mining town is known for its murals painted on buildings all over town.
The local bakery in the heart of Chemainus is a great place to grab a coffee and a sweet before wandering the streets and taking in the art. An hour is about all that's needed to see everything.
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Chemainus
If you're looking for a relaxing day trip, try driving up island to Chemainus. This tiny former mining town is known for its murals painted on buildings all over town.
The local bakery in the heart of Chemainus is a great place to grab a coffee and a sweet before wandering the streets and taking in the art. An hour is about all that's needed to see everything.
Sightseeing
If you're heading up island, consider making time to pop by the Villa Eyrie for a drink.
The views of the Malahat Inlet are stunning. We've found the food can be hit or miss, but the wine menu is very reliable. No matter what you order, the views will make it worthwhile.
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Villa Eyrie Resort
600 Ebedora LnIf you're heading up island, consider making time to pop by the Villa Eyrie for a drink.
The views of the Malahat Inlet are stunning. We've found the food can be hit or miss, but the wine menu is very reliable. No matter what you order, the views will make it worthwhile.
Probably the most famous tourist spot in town, the Butchart Gardens are a lovely place for a stroll and high tea for those who love gardens.
Fireworks and live bands are on during the summer months, and light displays are on during Christmas so check their website for current schedules.
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The Butchart Gardens
800 Benvenuto AveProbably the most famous tourist spot in town, the Butchart Gardens are a lovely place for a stroll and high tea for those who love gardens.
Fireworks and live bands are on during the summer months, and light displays are on during Christmas so check their website for current schedules.
Fisherman's Wharf is a colourful neighbourhood of house boats that are fun to tour around.
It's also one of the best places in town to get fish and chips!
Water taxis stop here throughout the day and it can also be fun to hop on one of those over to China Town or another corner of the harbour.
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Parco di Fisherman's Wharf
12 Erie StFisherman's Wharf is a colourful neighbourhood of house boats that are fun to tour around.
It's also one of the best places in town to get fish and chips!
Water taxis stop here throughout the day and it can also be fun to hop on one of those over to China Town or another corner of the harbour.
Chinatown is fun for a short stop-in. Find Fan Tan Alley in the middle - famous for being Canada's narrowest legal road - and wander between the red brick walls with lanterns overhead.
Also worth checking out is the local bakery! But it's easy to miss!
If you're facing the big painted red gates of Chinatown (looking towards the water) the Chinese bakery is just a few doors down to the right on Government St.
Look for "Victoria BBQ House & Bakery," they make super yummy pork stuff buns that are cheap!
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Chinatown di Victoria
500 Fisgard StChinatown is fun for a short stop-in. Find Fan Tan Alley in the middle - famous for being Canada's narrowest legal road - and wander between the red brick walls with lanterns overhead.
Also worth checking out is the local bakery! But it's easy to miss!
If you're facing the big painted red gates of Chinatown (looking towards the water) the Chinese bakery is just a few doors down to the right on Government St.
Look for "Victoria BBQ House & Bakery," they make super yummy pork stuff buns that are cheap!