Guidebook for Victoria
Food Scene
Great food, large portions and family friendly atmosphere in a cute little village.
104 locals recommend
My Chosen Café
4492 Happy Valley RdGreat food, large portions and family friendly atmosphere in a cute little village.
My-Chosen Pizza
4492 Happy Valley RdGreat pizza!
This cute cafe/bakery has the best apple fritters and sausage rolls! All their baked goods and pastries are awesome too. It' family run and a local favourite.
23 locals recommend
Royal Bay Bakery
3337 Metchosin RdThis cute cafe/bakery has the best apple fritters and sausage rolls! All their baked goods and pastries are awesome too. It' family run and a local favourite.
Sushi Langford
2455 Millstream RdTop quality sushi and great service!
Excellent farm to table bistro serving delicious local fare and libations. Highly recommended!
66 locals recommend
10 Acres Bistro
611 Courtney StExcellent farm to table bistro serving delicious local fare and libations. Highly recommended!
Great local fish n' chips and several other excellent food vendors and whale watching tours. Excellent view of the entrance to Victoria Harbour and a chance to meet the local seals up close and personal!
255 locals recommend
Fisherman's Wharf Park
12 Erie StGreat local fish n' chips and several other excellent food vendors and whale watching tours. Excellent view of the entrance to Victoria Harbour and a chance to meet the local seals up close and personal!
The Beach House Restaurant
5109 Cordova Bay RdAwesome music, ambience, organic food and delicious coffee! A must stop if you're heading out to Sooke and beyond. ;)
111 locals recommend
Shirley Delicious
2794 Sheringham Point RdAwesome music, ambience, organic food and delicious coffee! A must stop if you're heading out to Sooke and beyond. ;)
The food is delicious and reliable and everyone in your group will find a dish they will love.
51 locals recommend
Browns Socialhouse Langford
783 Goldstream Ave The food is delicious and reliable and everyone in your group will find a dish they will love.
Great espresso coffee with milk alternatives and a pleasant space to meet up with a friend.
9 locals recommend
Pilgrim Coffee House
1910 Sooke RdGreat espresso coffee with milk alternatives and a pleasant space to meet up with a friend.
Wild Mountain is a bit of a local secret - a small farm-to-table restaurant featuring organic, locally sourced food and drink. Call ahead - reservations recommended as seating is limited.
77 locals recommend
WILD MOUNTAIN Food & Drink
1831 Maple Avenue SouthWild Mountain is a bit of a local secret - a small farm-to-table restaurant featuring organic, locally sourced food and drink. Call ahead - reservations recommended as seating is limited.
Drumroaster Coffee
1400 Cowichan Bay RdLocally roasted, delicious coffee and delicious baked goods!
Heading up Island? Grab a coffee at Drumroaster and a delicious sandwich from Cure.
6 locals recommend
Cure Artisan Meat and Cheese
1400 Cowichan Bay RdHeading up Island? Grab a coffee at Drumroaster and a delicious sandwich from Cure.
Our little guy's favourite downtown pizza place. "Traditional Neapolitan pizza, non-traditional service, unpretentious wine, and the kind of atmosphere that will keep you coming back."
19 locals recommend
Famoso Neapolitan Pizzeria
560 Johnson StOur little guy's favourite downtown pizza place. "Traditional Neapolitan pizza, non-traditional service, unpretentious wine, and the kind of atmosphere that will keep you coming back."
Our new favourite fast food joint - get the garlic fries! "Big Wheel Burger provides the best quality burgers, shakes, sodas and fries through local, sustainable and environmentally friendly resources. It's fast food without the guilt trip." They have a summer location just down the hill by Sequoia Coffee!
45 locals recommend
Big Wheel Burger
341 Cook StOur new favourite fast food joint - get the garlic fries! "Big Wheel Burger provides the best quality burgers, shakes, sodas and fries through local, sustainable and environmentally friendly resources. It's fast food without the guilt trip." They have a summer location just down the hill by Sequoia Coffee!
We went there recently with friends and the food and service is exceptional.
95 locals recommend
Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar
506 Fort StWe went there recently with friends and the food and service is exceptional.
Amazing new local restaurant! Recognized as one of Canada's best new restaurants!
26 locals recommend
House Of Boateng Restaurant
2854 Peatt RdAmazing new local restaurant! Recognized as one of Canada's best new restaurants!
Fatburger Langford
3004 Merchant WyYummy burgers!
Sushi Langford Belmont
3016 Merchant WyTop quality sushi and great service!
Sequoia Coffee
3582 Latoria BlvdThe closest coffee place to us - about a 15 minute walk.
MOD Pizza
3022 Merchant WayTasty, quick pizza made to order!
Parachute Ice Cream (w/ Victoria Pie Co) - Langford
735 Goldstream AvenueSuper tasty ice cream!
CAn you tell we love pizza?! For wood-fired this place is the best.
23 locals recommend
900 Degrees Wood-Fired Pizzeria
CAn you tell we love pizza?! For wood-fired this place is the best.
Rhino Coffee House Langford
2840 Peatt RoadHaven't been here yet but the one in Tofino is great!
Is it a downside or upside that kids aren't allowed here? It's a fantastic restaurant!
18 locals recommend
Wind Cries Mary
45 Bastion SquareIs it a downside or upside that kids aren't allowed here? It's a fantastic restaurant!
Liberty Kitchen Belmont
3005 Merchant WaySightseeing
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS
603 Fort Rodd Hill RdHatley Castle
2005 Sooke RdThe Historic Kinsol Trestle is open to the public for cyclists, hikers and equestrians to experience the full Cowichan Valley Trail in the Cowichan Region. The Kinsol Trestle is one of eight trestles along the Cowichan Valley Trail route and by far the largest and most spectacular. The Kinsol Trestle is one of the tallest free-standing and most spectacular timber rail trestle structures in the world. At 187 metres in length and standing 44 metres above the salmon bearing Koksilah River, the Kinsol is an incredible structure.
168 locals recommend
Kinsol Trestle
2869 Glen Eagles RdThe Historic Kinsol Trestle is open to the public for cyclists, hikers and equestrians to experience the full Cowichan Valley Trail in the Cowichan Region. The Kinsol Trestle is one of eight trestles along the Cowichan Valley Trail route and by far the largest and most spectacular. The Kinsol Trestle is one of the tallest free-standing and most spectacular timber rail trestle structures in the world. At 187 metres in length and standing 44 metres above the salmon bearing Koksilah River, the Kinsol is an incredible structure.
After a stop at Shirley Delicious, take the road down to one of the gravel parking lots and hop on the trail down to the lighthouse. Be rewarded with spectacular views and a freshly restored historic spot!
28 locals recommend
Sheringham Point Lighthouse
1 Sheringham Point RdAfter a stop at Shirley Delicious, take the road down to one of the gravel parking lots and hop on the trail down to the lighthouse. Be rewarded with spectacular views and a freshly restored historic spot!
Malahat SkyWalk
901 Trans-Canada HwyWe haven't been yet but from all accounts it's pretty cool!
Parks & Nature
Goldstream Provincial Park
Thetis Lake Regional Park
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StSooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke River RoadBeautiful spot to bring the kids for a nice swim and play in the lake.
48 locals recommend
Matheson Lake Regional Park
Matheson Lake Park RoadBeautiful spot to bring the kids for a nice swim and play in the lake.
The lagoon has the best of both worlds, with Hatley Castle behind and the ocean and beach in front, you get views of the city, beachcombing and bird watching all at the same place. Easy to get to, it's a great place for families with bathroom facilities
131 locals recommend
Esquimalt Lagoon
The lagoon has the best of both worlds, with Hatley Castle behind and the ocean and beach in front, you get views of the city, beachcombing and bird watching all at the same place. Easy to get to, it's a great place for families with bathroom facilities
I great little spot to hop in the water to cool off or to launch your SUP. You'll also find the Ed Nixon trail that winds along the lakeshore through marsh areas and cool forest.
11 locals recommend
Langford Lake Beach Park
1051 Trillium RdI great little spot to hop in the water to cool off or to launch your SUP. You'll also find the Ed Nixon trail that winds along the lakeshore through marsh areas and cool forest.
In addition to offering fabulous views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains, the 1,600-metre beach at this park is an ideal location for exploring and whale watching. The magnificent Gray whales pass by this park in the spring as they migrate to northern feeding grounds, and return again in the fall. Roaming pods of resident killer whales can also be seen offshore, as well as otters, seals and sea lions. French Beach is also a good spot to observe Bald eagles, ospreys and a variety of seabirds.
93 locals recommend
French Beach Provincial Park
In addition to offering fabulous views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains, the 1,600-metre beach at this park is an ideal location for exploring and whale watching. The magnificent Gray whales pass by this park in the spring as they migrate to northern feeding grounds, and return again in the fall. Roaming pods of resident killer whales can also be seen offshore, as well as otters, seals and sea lions. French Beach is also a good spot to observe Bald eagles, ospreys and a variety of seabirds.
Latoria Creek Park
Very close by and a great place for a cooling walk on a hot summer day!
Another park that's really close by. If you take the trail to the top you'll be rewarded with a beautiful view!
Havenwood Park
Another park that's really close by. If you take the trail to the top you'll be rewarded with a beautiful view!
Entertainment & Activities
Cineplex Odeon Westshore Cinemas
2945 Jacklin RdExcellent facilities including weight room, swimming pool with tube slides, wave pool, rushing river and lanes, hot tub, sauna and steam room, plus exercise classes and private training.
19 locals recommend
YMCA-YWCA Westhills
1319 Westhills DrExcellent facilities including weight room, swimming pool with tube slides, wave pool, rushing river and lanes, hot tub, sauna and steam room, plus exercise classes and private training.
Langford Lanes
1097 Langford PkwyFun for the whole family!
Jordan River
If you are here to surf, you know about Jordan River!
ittle platforms way, way above your head. Dozens of ziplines whizzing everywhere. A gravity-powered jump that makes your palms sweat. More suspended ladders, bridges, nets, and obstacle games than you can count. The swing so giant and fast that it makes your vision blur. Some call it crazy, or thrilling – kinda terrifying, or surprisingly intense. We call it WildPlay.
When life feels boring, too cozy, or is just missing something, it’s a signal to push at the edges of your comfort zone. Imagine what a little nudge (or a big ‘ol leap) into a new aerial adventure will bring. Fun? Challenge? Adrenaline? At WildPlay, that’s only the beginning. Let your fear out to play.
53 locals recommend
WildPlay Element Parks Victoria
1767 Island Hwyittle platforms way, way above your head. Dozens of ziplines whizzing everywhere. A gravity-powered jump that makes your palms sweat. More suspended ladders, bridges, nets, and obstacle games than you can count. The swing so giant and fast that it makes your vision blur. Some call it crazy, or thrilling – kinda terrifying, or surprisingly intense. We call it WildPlay.
When life feels boring, too cozy, or is just missing something, it’s a signal to push at the edges of your comfort zone. Imagine what a little nudge (or a big ‘ol leap) into a new aerial adventure will bring. Fun? Challenge? Adrenaline? At WildPlay, that’s only the beginning. Let your fear out to play.
This is an amazing bike park - great trails, pumps tracks and skill zones!
6 locals recommend
Jordie Lunn Bike Park
2990 Irwin RdThis is an amazing bike park - great trails, pumps tracks and skill zones!
Essentials
The closest grocery store to us. They make amazing sandwiches so a great place to hit at the beginning of a day trip.
79 locals recommend
Red Barn Market
611 Brookside RdThe closest grocery store to us. They make amazing sandwiches so a great place to hit at the beginning of a day trip.
Thrifty Foods
1860 Island HwyQuality Foods WestShore
977 Langford PkwyThrifty Foods Pharmacy - Belmont Market, Langford
3011 Merchant WyGreat supermarket!
Getting Around
National Car Rental
727 Courtney StWishart 3480 block station
Coming from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland? This is where your ferry lands.
32 locals recommend
Swartz Bay Terminal station
11300 Patricia Bay HwyComing from Vancouver and the Lower Mainland? This is where your ferry lands.
If you are taking the Coho ferry to or from Port Angeles, this is the terminal.
21 locals recommend
Black Ball Ferry Line
430 Belleville StIf you are taking the Coho ferry to or from Port Angeles, this is the terminal.
Victoria International Airport
1640 Electra BlvdFlying in?
Arts & Culture
Always wonderful and interesting exhibits and a great place to bring the family on a rainy day!
534 locals recommend
Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville StAlways wonderful and interesting exhibits and a great place to bring the family on a rainy day!
Craigdarroch Castle
1050 Joan CrescentHistoric snapshot of a famous Victoria family home.
Beautiful historic Fairmont Hotel and the classic place to go for high tea!
194 locals recommend
Hotel Fairmont Empress
721 Government StBeautiful historic Fairmont Hotel and the classic place to go for high tea!
Legislative Assembly of British Columbia
501 Belleville StRoyal Roads University
2005 Sooke RdThe Butchart Gardens is a group of floral display gardens. The gardens receive over a million visitors each year and have been designated a National Historic Site of Canada.
388 locals recommend
The Butchart Gardens
800 Benvenuto AveThe Butchart Gardens is a group of floral display gardens. The gardens receive over a million visitors each year and have been designated a National Historic Site of Canada.