Ariel & Steve's Guidebook
Hiking
Vancouver Island has many great hiking and walking spots!
Just up the road. Our favorite spot for quick hikes. In the winter the under forest shines with ferns, giant cedars and many animal and bird species
13 locals recommend
Francis King Regional Park
Munn RoadJust up the road. Our favorite spot for quick hikes. In the winter the under forest shines with ferns, giant cedars and many animal and bird species
Thetis Lake
A wonderful day spot for hiking and swimming. Parking can be intense in the summer so go early. There are many parking lots, it the first ones are full keep going. Hike in to beautiful river swimming holes, clear water and beautiful forest
222 locals recommend
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke River RoadA wonderful day spot for hiking and swimming. Parking can be intense in the summer so go early. There are many parking lots, it the first ones are full keep going. Hike in to beautiful river swimming holes, clear water and beautiful forest
French Beach Provincial Park
Juan de Fuca Highway
Goldstream Provincial Park
Finlayson Arm RoadA short hike down to a huge wonderful beach. At low tide you can walk way out and explore the shoreline. Great spot for flying kites, summer swims and a beach day
12 locals recommend
Witty's Lagoon Regional Park Nature House
4115 Metchosin RdA short hike down to a huge wonderful beach. At low tide you can walk way out and explore the shoreline. Great spot for flying kites, summer swims and a beach day
Food scene
Great Japanese food. Dine in or take out. Owner and operated by the same family for over 15 years. Some of the best sushi in town!
28 locals recommend
Ebizo Japanese Restaurant Ltd
604 Broughton StGreat Japanese food. Dine in or take out. Owner and operated by the same family for over 15 years. Some of the best sushi in town!
Take out only. Fun to sit on the rock and people / boat watch. Pro tip - order online in advance and skip the line.
163 locals recommend
Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf StTake out only. Fun to sit on the rock and people / boat watch. Pro tip - order online in advance and skip the line.
Victoria’s most classic cozy spot. The best live music in town and delicious American Italian food with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Also their Manhattan is the bomb! Arrive early as the lineup can be long and they don’t take reservations.
126 locals recommend
Pagliacci's
1011 Broad StVictoria’s most classic cozy spot. The best live music in town and delicious American Italian food with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Also their Manhattan is the bomb! Arrive early as the lineup can be long and they don’t take reservations.
Little Jumbo Restaurant and Bar
506 Fort StGreat vibe, cocktails and shared plates.
Hey Happy
560 Johnson StYou have to try their breakfast sandwich.
The best croissants in town! Next level French pastries made with organic ingredients. Grab a pastry and coffee and walk the path to the Selkirk trestle or all the way downtown.
154 locals recommend
Fol Epi
398 Harbour RdThe best croissants in town! Next level French pastries made with organic ingredients. Grab a pastry and coffee and walk the path to the Selkirk trestle or all the way downtown.
Yua Japanese Bistro
622 Fisgard StreetAuthentic modern Japanese cuisine in a fun atmosphere.
Uchida Eatery
633 Courtney StSmall local spot made from seasonal ingredients.
Ramen Arashi
2950 Douglas StreetAuthentic soul warming ramen. Serving lunch and dinner.
Baan Thai Wok & Bar (Broadmead)
777 Royal Oak DrPerfect date or night out with friends. Cool your own Korean grilled delicious and order cold beer!
10 locals recommend
Sura Korean Restaurant
1696 Douglas StPerfect date or night out with friends. Cool your own Korean grilled delicious and order cold beer!
Our favorite brunch spot. Get Eggs Benny on a latke! Near willow beach and in estevan village, great spots to wonder and walk.
62 locals recommend
The Village Restaurant
2518 Estevan AveOur favorite brunch spot. Get Eggs Benny on a latke! Near willow beach and in estevan village, great spots to wonder and walk.
Local seasonal beautifully crafted food. Stop here after a hike. Reservations needed.
76 locals recommend
WILD MOUNTAIN Food & Drink
1831 Maple Avenue SouthLocal seasonal beautifully crafted food. Stop here after a hike. Reservations needed.
Fun loving local gay bar and restaurant. Drag shows, good cocktails, night scene
Friends of Dorothy - Victoria
Fun loving local gay bar and restaurant. Drag shows, good cocktails, night scene
No reservations. Fills up so show up 20-30 min before opening to wait in line. 100 percent worth the wait. Mussels and fries, burger, wine, all the good stuff. Especially fun in winter.
119 locals recommend
Brasserie L'Ecole
1715 Government StNo reservations. Fills up so show up 20-30 min before opening to wait in line. 100 percent worth the wait. Mussels and fries, burger, wine, all the good stuff. Especially fun in winter.
Amenities
Just two minutes from the farm this plaza has most things you need. Quality Foods grocery, Cascadia liquor store, Peoples Pharmacy among others!
7 locals recommend
Eagle Creek Village
29 Helmcken RdJust two minutes from the farm this plaza has most things you need. Quality Foods grocery, Cascadia liquor store, Peoples Pharmacy among others!
Our favorite local grocery store! Go for the fresh island grown produce but be sure to check out their meat counter, small nursery and specialty items like our favorite local made salad dressing (Yeshi) and local made tortillas (Maiiz).
74 locals recommend
The Root Cellar Village Green Grocer
1286 McKenzie AveOur favorite local grocery store! Go for the fresh island grown produce but be sure to check out their meat counter, small nursery and specialty items like our favorite local made salad dressing (Yeshi) and local made tortillas (Maiiz).
Sightseeing
Island View Beach Regional Park
3215 Island View Rd
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook St
The Gardens at HCP
505 Quayle Rd
Esquimalt Lagoon
Dallas Road
Dallas RoadOne of Victoria’s loveliest neighborhoods. Great spot to grab a bite, walk through Beacon Hill Park and down to Dallas Rd.
17 locals recommend
Cook Street
Cook StreetOne of Victoria’s loveliest neighborhoods. Great spot to grab a bite, walk through Beacon Hill Park and down to Dallas Rd.
Activities
A unique experience and an amazing way to see some of the city. This books up quickly so schedule in advance as you can. You pay per person and drive the boat yourself!
16 locals recommend
Hot Tub Boat Victoria
450 Swift StA unique experience and an amazing way to see some of the city. This books up quickly so schedule in advance as you can. You pay per person and drive the boat yourself!
Great for kids. We love to go here in winter to soak in the tropical air, beauty and admire all the colorful creatures.
137 locals recommend
Victoria Butterfly Gardens
1461 Benvenuto AveGreat for kids. We love to go here in winter to soak in the tropical air, beauty and admire all the colorful creatures.
Victoria Bug Zoo
631 Courtney StFun for kids!
Wonderful floating sauna / hot tubs. Reservations needed. Enjoy their lounge, cold plunge. Night bookings get a beautiful view of the downtown lights!
HAVN Saunas
Wonderful floating sauna / hot tubs. Reservations needed. Enjoy their lounge, cold plunge. Night bookings get a beautiful view of the downtown lights!
Classic and popular Victoria activity. Enjoy high tea at this beautiful spot. Reservations needed.
23 locals recommend
Tea at The Empress
721 Government StClassic and popular Victoria activity. Enjoy high tea at this beautiful spot. Reservations needed.
The Butchart Gardens
800 Benvenuto AveWorld famous show garden
Shopping
Fun and eclectic local spots
Our favorite downtown florist - selling candles, perfume and other delights. Great for gifts or special items for your home.
Zingaro floral perfumery
561 Johnson StreetOur favorite downtown florist - selling candles, perfume and other delights. Great for gifts or special items for your home.
Another locally owned spot - amazing teas, soaps and a wonderful spa
13 locals recommend
Silk Road Tea
1624 Government StAnother locally owned spot - amazing teas, soaps and a wonderful spa
One of Victorias best hidden gems. The creation of an Alice in Wonderland mad hatter visionary. You have to just go there. Great spot for finding gifts and goodies to take home for loved ones.
14 locals recommend
The Market Garden
810 Catherine StOne of Victorias best hidden gems. The creation of an Alice in Wonderland mad hatter visionary. You have to just go there. Great spot for finding gifts and goodies to take home for loved ones.
Wonderful selection of local and imported liquor and spirits. Locally owned
Vintage Spirits Liquor Store
653 Pandora AveWonderful selection of local and imported liquor and spirits. Locally owned
Day Trips
Wonderful spots you can get to and from in one day and take in the sights!
Saltspring Island
East Sooke Regional Park - Aylard Farm Parking Lot
Beautifully crafted wine, nice drive up the island. Make a booking at their restaurant for lunch!
111 locals recommend
Unsworth Vineyards
2915 Cameron Taggart RdBeautifully crafted wine, nice drive up the island. Make a booking at their restaurant for lunch!
Drive up for a day of swimming snd sightseeing. Book a float on the Cowan river and spend hours lazily floating down on a hot day
Cowichan Lake
Drive up for a day of swimming snd sightseeing. Book a float on the Cowan river and spend hours lazily floating down on a hot day
Float down this tranquil river. Arrive and get your float, they pick you up on the other end and drive you back to your car!
Cowichan River Tubing -Cowabunga Tubes
Float down this tranquil river. Arrive and get your float, they pick you up on the other end and drive you back to your car!