Essentials
Thrifty Foods
1495 Admirals RdBoutique grocery store, with everything a person could ask for.
Country Grocer
1153 Esquimalt RdGood produce at reasonable prices
London Drugs, Save On Foods, Winners, etc. The Silver City Cineplex is behind the mall.
Tillicum Mall / G.R. Pearkes Rec Ctr station
London Drugs, Save On Foods, Winners, etc. The Silver City Cineplex is behind the mall.
Open until 10pm, Shoppers has all your pharmacy and drugstore needs, along with basic household wares and food.
52 locals recommend
Shoppers Drug Mart
1212 Douglas StOpen until 10pm, Shoppers has all your pharmacy and drugstore needs, along with basic household wares and food.
Rexall
Drugstore that is closest to the Sweet Studio
Entertainment & Activities
Really awesome coffee shop with an outdoor sitting area adjacent to Esquimalt town square.
27 locals recommend
Esquimalt Roasting Company
505 Park PlReally awesome coffee shop with an outdoor sitting area adjacent to Esquimalt town square.
Archie Browning Sports Centre
1151 Esquimalt RdSkating and curling rink
Wonderful beach, park, and playground, with historic Japanese garden and brand new Japanese pavillion. The perfect picnic spot, or launch for a kayak, canoe, or paddle board.
19 locals recommend
Esquimalt Gorge Park
1070 Tillicum RdWonderful beach, park, and playground, with historic Japanese garden and brand new Japanese pavillion. The perfect picnic spot, or launch for a kayak, canoe, or paddle board.
Awesome locally-owned and operated independent bike store, with all your bike needs taken care of a stone's throw and easy walk from the suite.
Marty's Mountain Cycle: MMC
1258 Esquimalt RdAwesome locally-owned and operated independent bike store, with all your bike needs taken care of a stone's throw and easy walk from the suite.
Langford Lanes
1097 Langford PkwyVery new bowling lanes, if you are so inclined
Victoria Bug Zoo
631 Courtney StMiniature World
649 Humboldt StEsquimalt Recreation Centre
Great pool and rec centre
Esq playground splash pad
A summer essential for the little ones.
Local Restaurants
Quirky hole in the wall, with top chef creations. This was Ted Harrison's favourite restaurant in Victoria.
6 locals recommend
Vietnam Garden Restaurant
524 Admirals RdQuirky hole in the wall, with top chef creations. This was Ted Harrison's favourite restaurant in Victoria.
Thai Green Elephant Restaurant
809 Craigflower RdAwesome Thai food. We've never been disappointed!
Wonderful authentic French bakery and great food for a quick pit stop on the Galloping Goose bike trail
154 locals recommend
Fol Epi
398 Harbour RdWonderful authentic French bakery and great food for a quick pit stop on the Galloping Goose bike trail
Hearty and rustic breads and pastries. You haven't lived till you've tried Fry's
45 locals recommend
Fry's Red Wheat Bread Bakery
416 Craigflower RdHearty and rustic breads and pastries. You haven't lived till you've tried Fry's
Spiral Cafe
418 Craigflower RdQuirky local cafe, with live music
Fantastico bar-deli
398 Harbour RdGreat local chain, amazing coffee
Sunnyside Cafe
1234 Esquimalt RdThe best breakfast place in the 'hood
Il Greco Restaurant
300 Tillicum RdGreat Greek and Italian food, with a great atmosphere
Amazing authentic Mexican food, wonderful tacos. Like most taco restaurants, there is limited seating but you won't complain when you are downing their amazing food.
26 locals recommend
La Taquisa
176 Wilson StAmazing authentic Mexican food, wonderful tacos. Like most taco restaurants, there is limited seating but you won't complain when you are downing their amazing food.
Walking distance from the suite, with great coffee, smoothies, sandwiches, and treats.
Thrive and Shine Bistro
829 Admirals RoadWalking distance from the suite, with great coffee, smoothies, sandwiches, and treats.
Apple Tree Restaurant
1501 Admirals RoadFamily restaurant with an affordable menu.
Great Indian food in the heart of Esquimalt - but be careful, it is spicy!
12 locals recommend
Spice Valley Indian Cuisine
1/2 Esquimalt RdGreat Indian food in the heart of Esquimalt - but be careful, it is spicy!
Amazing falafel, schwarma, and a host of other authentic Syrian cuisine - quick and delicious
Syriana Restaurant & Catering
Amazing falafel, schwarma, and a host of other authentic Syrian cuisine - quick and delicious
Parks & Nature
Do you like 180 degree ocean views towards the Olympic Mountains? If so, this is a great park to get your ocean on.
51 locals recommend
Saxe Point Park
Do you like 180 degree ocean views towards the Olympic Mountains? If so, this is a great park to get your ocean on.
Lovely series of lakes, perfect for canoeing or kayaking, or there is a beach, and trails to walk around the lake.
109 locals recommend
Thetis Lake
Lovely series of lakes, perfect for canoeing or kayaking, or there is a beach, and trails to walk around the lake.
This is the place to see the salmon spawn in the fall (October - November). Besides that, many hiking paths including to the top of Mount Finlayson, picnic spots and the river.
242 locals recommend
Goldstream Provincial Park
Finlayson Arm RoadThis is the place to see the salmon spawn in the fall (October - November). Besides that, many hiking paths including to the top of Mount Finlayson, picnic spots and the river.
Sightseeing
Sweeping 360 degree views of the area, with a very modest climb to the top, suitable for everyone except those who are truly mobility challenged.
14 locals recommend
Highrock Park
Sweeping 360 degree views of the area, with a very modest climb to the top, suitable for everyone except those who are truly mobility challenged.
Wonderful seaside trails intermixed with military fortifications.
30 locals recommend
Macaulay Point Park
304 Clifton TerraceWonderful seaside trails intermixed with military fortifications.
Esquimalt Lagoon
Great place to walk, enjoy the ocean breeze, and see birds.
The most impressive castle in the area (even including Craigdarroch). Perfectly situated, the grounds sweep down from the castle to the ocean. Don't miss out on seeing the peacocks!
35 locals recommend
Hatley Park National Historic Site
2005 Sooke RdThe most impressive castle in the area (even including Craigdarroch). Perfectly situated, the grounds sweep down from the castle to the ocean. Don't miss out on seeing the peacocks!
Amazing castle of the Dunsmuir family, completely restored, with amazing views over the city.
234 locals recommend
Craigdarroch Castle
1050 Joan CrescentAmazing castle of the Dunsmuir family, completely restored, with amazing views over the city.
One of the oldest gardens on the west coast, and the best known, Butchart Gardens is an icon and not to be missed.
254 locals recommend
Butchart Gardens
One of the oldest gardens on the west coast, and the best known, Butchart Gardens is an icon and not to be missed.
Incredible park in downtown Victoria on the ocean. This park has a bit of everything, from a totem pole, petting zoo, formal gardens, playground (including zip line) and much more.
503 locals recommend
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StIncredible park in downtown Victoria on the ocean. This park has a bit of everything, from a totem pole, petting zoo, formal gardens, playground (including zip line) and much more.
"THE" Empress, this is the classic grand dam of downtown Victoria. Whether you are looking for high tea, a classy cocktail, high-end shopping, or just a tour of a historic building, the Empress is definitely worth a visit.
7 locals recommend
The Empress Room
721 Government Street"THE" Empress, this is the classic grand dam of downtown Victoria. Whether you are looking for high tea, a classy cocktail, high-end shopping, or just a tour of a historic building, the Empress is definitely worth a visit.
Not quite a street market, but not quite a restaurant, Fisherman's Wharf is an eclectic collection of excellent food stalls specializing in seafood of all sorts, along with a small community of house boats. Don't forget to ask where you can get little fish to feed to the seals!
255 locals recommend
Fisherman's Wharf Park
12 Erie StNot quite a street market, but not quite a restaurant, Fisherman's Wharf is an eclectic collection of excellent food stalls specializing in seafood of all sorts, along with a small community of house boats. Don't forget to ask where you can get little fish to feed to the seals!
Drinks & Nightlife
Our favourite restaurant in the city. Great location, great food, great beer. What more is there to say? Kid friendly.
http://www.spinnakers.com/
148 locals recommend
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & GuestHouses
308 Catherine StOur favourite restaurant in the city. Great location, great food, great beer. What more is there to say? Kid friendly.
http://www.spinnakers.com/
This might be the oldest pub in the Victoria area. Beautiful old building, and amazing patio overlooking a waterway.
http://www.sixmilepub.com/
36 locals recommend
Six Mile Pub
494 Island HwyThis might be the oldest pub in the Victoria area. Beautiful old building, and amazing patio overlooking a waterway.
http://www.sixmilepub.com/
A cute smaller brewpub, with good local atmosphere and, of course, fine micro-brews. http://www.moonunderwater.ca/home
44 locals recommend
Moon Under Water Brewpub
350 Bay StA cute smaller brewpub, with good local atmosphere and, of course, fine micro-brews. http://www.moonunderwater.ca/home
Great tasting room with local food favourites, walking distance from the Sweet Studio.
31 locals recommend
Driftwood Brewery
836 Viewfield RoadGreat tasting room with local food favourites, walking distance from the Sweet Studio.
Probably the coolest tasting room in the city, hosted by the best known brewery. It is worth checking out.
14 locals recommend
Phillips Tasting Room
2000 Government StProbably the coolest tasting room in the city, hosted by the best known brewery. It is worth checking out.
Esquimalt finally has a pub! Check out the latest addition to Esquimalt's new town square. The pub opens up onto the square for al fresco food and drinks.
Saxe Point Public House
Esquimalt finally has a pub! Check out the latest addition to Esquimalt's new town square. The pub opens up onto the square for al fresco food and drinks.
Arts & Culture
Great location to take kids. Many interactive displays, lots of space to wander and explore. There's also a beach and lighthouse!
110 locals recommend
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS
603 Fort Rodd Hill RdGreat location to take kids. Many interactive displays, lots of space to wander and explore. There's also a beach and lighthouse!
Royal Roads University
2005 Sooke RdBeautiful Campus
Arty cinema, performance theatre, great facilities (pool, gym, etc.)
78 locals recommend
University of Victoria
3800 Finnerty RoadArty cinema, performance theatre, great facilities (pool, gym, etc.)
A little expensive to get in, but well worth the price. The Royal BC Museum hosts the most impressive collection of west coast art and history, along with a natural history museum (including a life-sized mammoth), and many wonderful exhibits of pioneer life on the west coast. Don't forget to check out what is on the IMAX listings in case you want to take in a movie.
534 locals recommend
Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville StA little expensive to get in, but well worth the price. The Royal BC Museum hosts the most impressive collection of west coast art and history, along with a natural history museum (including a life-sized mammoth), and many wonderful exhibits of pioneer life on the west coast. Don't forget to check out what is on the IMAX listings in case you want to take in a movie.
Beautiful ornate historic symphony hall. Check out what is on for the premiere arts performances in the city.
39 locals recommend
Royal Theatre
805 Broughton StBeautiful ornate historic symphony hall. Check out what is on for the premiere arts performances in the city.