Kim & Jeff’s guidebook
Restaurant Recommendations
In the West Shore, we are lucky to have so many incredible places to eat!
Excellent food. Great service. The place does fill up at peak hours so make a reservation or be ready to wait! We often do pick up of our food order and bring home.
48 personas locales recomiendan
Sabhai Thai Restaurant
2800 Jacklin RdExcellent food. Great service. The place does fill up at peak hours so make a reservation or be ready to wait! We often do pick up of our food order and bring home.
They have a great lunch buffet whcih is great when you have starving kids! The food is great, ambience is great too. Our favorite is the garlic cauliflower.
21 personas locales recomiendan
Turmeric Indian Cuisine
777 Goldstream AveThey have a great lunch buffet whcih is great when you have starving kids! The food is great, ambience is great too. Our favorite is the garlic cauliflower.
Great Japanese food! I personally love the Tornado roll but everything is yummy.
10 personas locales recomiendan
Sushi Langford Belmont
3016 Merchant WyGreat Japanese food! I personally love the Tornado roll but everything is yummy.
Seriously amazing burgers. Try the garlic mushroom toppings. So good!
144 personas locales recomiendan
Bin 4 Burger Lounge
Seriously amazing burgers. Try the garlic mushroom toppings. So good!
A diner style breakfast and lunch place. Excellent service. The menu is full of so many yummy choices you will need to go back a few times! Faves include their benny's and the beef dip.
39 personas locales recomiendan
Floyd's Diner
721 Station AveA diner style breakfast and lunch place. Excellent service. The menu is full of so many yummy choices you will need to go back a few times! Faves include their benny's and the beef dip.
We often eat lunch here as its quick and filling. I love the Taco salad in the bowl.
9 personas locales recomiendan
Three Gringos Mexican Grill
735 Goldstream AveWe often eat lunch here as its quick and filling. I love the Taco salad in the bowl.
This place is always busy. For a reason! The food is great. They have a mini petting zoo in the back. My kids like to bring carrots from home for the goats. A secret: you can go in and ask the servers for veggie scraps to feed to the goats (its not advertised but we've done it a few times now). The menu is diverse and will please everyone. Oh and there is an amazing pizza place and ice cream/treat/cafe as well!
104 personas locales recomiendan
My Chosen Café
4492 Happy Valley RdThis place is always busy. For a reason! The food is great. They have a mini petting zoo in the back. My kids like to bring carrots from home for the goats. A secret: you can go in and ask the servers for veggie scraps to feed to the goats (its not advertised but we've done it a few times now). The menu is diverse and will please everyone. Oh and there is an amazing pizza place and ice cream/treat/cafe as well!
A perfect place to get a drink and/or watch the game. The food is great and the atmosphere is relaxed yet more upscale.
51 personas locales recomiendan
Browns Socialhouse Langford
783 Goldstream AveA perfect place to get a drink and/or watch the game. The food is great and the atmosphere is relaxed yet more upscale.
A great menu full of options. You can try a bunch of local beers by ordering a beer flight. you might find a new favorite. The pizzas are actually excellent as well. I favour the mushroom.
10 personas locales recomiendan
328 Taphouse + Grill
328 Wale RdA great menu full of options. You can try a bunch of local beers by ordering a beer flight. you might find a new favorite. The pizzas are actually excellent as well. I favour the mushroom.
A wonderful and casual family restaurant. You will instantly feel welcome here. Fast service and fantatic breakfasts. A favorite spot of locals.
Jasmine Family Restaurant
1752 Island HighwayA wonderful and casual family restaurant. You will instantly feel welcome here. Fast service and fantatic breakfasts. A favorite spot of locals.
The original Baan Thai is downtown Victoria but they have just opened a new location nearby at Belmont Market. Such delicious food here! Note: lease look up the Langford location at Belmont Market for the closest restaurant (the Guidebook people haven’t updated the search capability)
26 personas locales recomiendan
Baan Thai Wok & Bar
1117 Blanshard StThe original Baan Thai is downtown Victoria but they have just opened a new location nearby at Belmont Market. Such delicious food here! Note: lease look up the Langford location at Belmont Market for the closest restaurant (the Guidebook people haven’t updated the search capability)
Outdoor Places
So many great options... here is a short list to get you started.
We go tot he lagoon on a weekly basis and it never gets boring! At one end is the washrooms, perfect to park near when you have kids. Or park anywhere along the road, you will love the view of the Olympic Mountains in the USA, of Esquimalt and downtown Victoria, where you will see huge cruise ships entering into port. At the beach, you can build a driftwood fort or add onto someone else's creation. You will find seashells and cool rocks.
131 personas locales recomiendan
Esquimalt Lagoon
We go tot he lagoon on a weekly basis and it never gets boring! At one end is the washrooms, perfect to park near when you have kids. Or park anywhere along the road, you will love the view of the Olympic Mountains in the USA, of Esquimalt and downtown Victoria, where you will see huge cruise ships entering into port. At the beach, you can build a driftwood fort or add onto someone else's creation. You will find seashells and cool rocks.
Only 10 minutes from our house is this gem! It has a huge grass filed to have picnics or play games. It boasts a small playground, a small splashpad and a sandy beach. The kids can swim here. There is a public dock for fishing or relaxing. You can take your kayak or inflatables or rest on the beach. There are a few picnic tables and a washroom facility.
19 personas locales recomiendan
Glen Lake Park
3076 Shoreview DrOnly 10 minutes from our house is this gem! It has a huge grass filed to have picnics or play games. It boasts a small playground, a small splashpad and a sandy beach. The kids can swim here. There is a public dock for fishing or relaxing. You can take your kayak or inflatables or rest on the beach. There are a few picnic tables and a washroom facility.
This lake is minutes away, right across from the West hills stadium and arena. It has a small playground, small splashpad and washroom facilities. The beach is sandy but small, so be prepared to sit close to others but everyone is relaxed about that. The beach is gradual entry and you can swim to a floating dock. This is a great place for younger kids (as well as Glen Lake). You could also walk around the lake on a beautiful trail with boardwalks.
26 personas locales recomiendan
Langford Lake
This lake is minutes away, right across from the West hills stadium and arena. It has a small playground, small splashpad and washroom facilities. The beach is sandy but small, so be prepared to sit close to others but everyone is relaxed about that. The beach is gradual entry and you can swim to a floating dock. This is a great place for younger kids (as well as Glen Lake). You could also walk around the lake on a beautiful trail with boardwalks.
This is a favorite of locals! The trails around the lake are fantastic! The beach has a huge sandy area at the main beach with a large washroom facility. Nearby is a grassy area with picnic tables. This is a very popular place in the summer, especially for the teen/young adult crowd. There is another smaller beach area that is less popluar as you will have to walk a bit. During the summer, people find boulders and cliffs to sun on and enjoy the nature.
109 personas locales recomiendan
Thetis Lake
This is a favorite of locals! The trails around the lake are fantastic! The beach has a huge sandy area at the main beach with a large washroom facility. Nearby is a grassy area with picnic tables. This is a very popular place in the summer, especially for the teen/young adult crowd. There is another smaller beach area that is less popluar as you will have to walk a bit. During the summer, people find boulders and cliffs to sun on and enjoy the nature.
A must-see especially in the fall when the salmon are returning to spawn. Its quite a site to see. There are lots of picnic tables to have a snack and 3 fire pits (when fires are allowed) that are on a first come first served basis. Walk down to the Nature House to view eagles and the watershed. The house offers fun for the kids with interactive displays and small treats like ice cream or souvenirs. If you are advanced and adventurous, you can try hiking Mt Finlayson. Nearby Goldstream park are several other hiking rails and even a waterfall ( called Niagara Falls- seriously)
242 personas locales recomiendan
Goldstream Provincial Park
A must-see especially in the fall when the salmon are returning to spawn. Its quite a site to see. There are lots of picnic tables to have a snack and 3 fire pits (when fires are allowed) that are on a first come first served basis. Walk down to the Nature House to view eagles and the watershed. The house offers fun for the kids with interactive displays and small treats like ice cream or souvenirs. If you are advanced and adventurous, you can try hiking Mt Finlayson. Nearby Goldstream park are several other hiking rails and even a waterfall ( called Niagara Falls- seriously)
So many trails to choose from. Be sure to visit the website to find a trail that suits you. All of them are awesome.
95 personas locales recomiendan
East Sooke Regional Park
6807 East Sooke RoadSo many trails to choose from. Be sure to visit the website to find a trail that suits you. All of them are awesome.
A fun and historical place! Tour through secret bunkers, military command posts and original 19th century buildings at Fort Rodd Hill, a west coast artillery fortress on active duty from 1895 to 1956. Also onsite is the Fisgard Lighthouse, the oldest on the Canadian west coast, whichis open for tours inside. On Canada Day, there is a big celebration with a 21 gun salute. Check out their website for all the info.
110 personas locales recomiendan
Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse NHS
603 Fort Rodd Hill RdA fun and historical place! Tour through secret bunkers, military command posts and original 19th century buildings at Fort Rodd Hill, a west coast artillery fortress on active duty from 1895 to 1956. Also onsite is the Fisgard Lighthouse, the oldest on the Canadian west coast, whichis open for tours inside. On Canada Day, there is a big celebration with a 21 gun salute. Check out their website for all the info.
Only 3 minutes from our house, this beautiful golf course offers stunning views and a great course.
61 personas locales recomiendan
Olympic View Golf Club
643 Latoria RdOnly 3 minutes from our house, this beautiful golf course offers stunning views and a great course.
So much to do at Royal Roads University. From walking beautiful trails, touring the immaculate Italian or Japanese gardens or have a picnic at the castle. Lots of people take wedding photos here as its so gorgeous.
35 personas locales recomiendan
Hatley Park National Historic Site
2005 Sooke RdSo much to do at Royal Roads University. From walking beautiful trails, touring the immaculate Italian or Japanese gardens or have a picnic at the castle. Lots of people take wedding photos here as its so gorgeous.
A classic and favorite tourist place to visit. The gardens are extensive and stunning. A day well spent enjoying the trails, with a cute cafe for a coffee or tea. Check out the gift shop too- it sells lots of neat local items.
388 personas locales recomiendan
The Butchart Gardens
800 Benvenuto AveA classic and favorite tourist place to visit. The gardens are extensive and stunning. A day well spent enjoying the trails, with a cute cafe for a coffee or tea. Check out the gift shop too- it sells lots of neat local items.
Pictures cannot show the beauty of this place! Nestled in between rocks, the water gets trapped in pools providing small potholes for swimming or basking in. Lots of private locations and a beach area. A really nice trail also meanders around the potholes.
222 personas locales recomiendan
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke River RoadPictures cannot show the beauty of this place! Nestled in between rocks, the water gets trapped in pools providing small potholes for swimming or basking in. Lots of private locations and a beach area. A really nice trail also meanders around the potholes.
So Amazing! This is a rocky beach on the west side of the island. It has an endless beach to walk and find treasures. Go to the waterfall naturally cut into the sandstone and take a dip. Or have a swing on the rope. The kids will enjoy playing here. Down the road is French Beach which is amazing as well and has a playground with picnic tables.
48 personas locales recomiendan
Sandcut Beach
11033 West Coast RoadSo Amazing! This is a rocky beach on the west side of the island. It has an endless beach to walk and find treasures. Go to the waterfall naturally cut into the sandstone and take a dip. Or have a swing on the rope. The kids will enjoy playing here. Down the road is French Beach which is amazing as well and has a playground with picnic tables.
Touristy Places
Here is a short list of the favorite tourist sights...
A fun day at the wharf. You can have lunch, ice cream or coffee at the marina or walk along the road and enjoy the ocean. You will find the best fish and chips here! We love to park over near the Empress and take a Harbour Taxi over to Fishermans Wharf the take the harbour taxi back.
255 personas locales recomiendan
Fisherman's Wharf Park
12 Erie StA fun day at the wharf. You can have lunch, ice cream or coffee at the marina or walk along the road and enjoy the ocean. You will find the best fish and chips here! We love to park over near the Empress and take a Harbour Taxi over to Fishermans Wharf the take the harbour taxi back.
A gorgeous place to sit and people- watch. Have a coffee at the Q at the Empress or have high tea in the Empress Lobby Lounge (a tradition since 1908). Worth it to check out the beauty of the Empress.
194 personas locales recomiendan
Hotel Fairmont Empress
721 Government StA gorgeous place to sit and people- watch. Have a coffee at the Q at the Empress or have high tea in the Empress Lobby Lounge (a tradition since 1908). Worth it to check out the beauty of the Empress.
A favorite of our family. You can tour the museum and take in an IMAX movie. My kids love to see how cold the ice is at the wooly mammoth exhibit. Currently, the visiting exhibit is the Maya:The Great Jaguar Rises.... a must see!
534 personas locales recomiendan
Museo Real de BC
675 Belleville StA favorite of our family. You can tour the museum and take in an IMAX movie. My kids love to see how cold the ice is at the wooly mammoth exhibit. Currently, the visiting exhibit is the Maya:The Great Jaguar Rises.... a must see!
A great way to spend your day. Stroll around the oldest Chinatown
in Canada and the second oldest in North America after San Francisco's. Various restaurants and stores dot the streets. Take a trip down Fan Tan Alley- the narrowest alley in Canada, named after a gambling game. A fun place to pick up treasures or souvenirs.
124 personas locales recomiendan
Barrio Chino de Victoria
500 Fisgard StA great way to spend your day. Stroll around the oldest Chinatown
in Canada and the second oldest in North America after San Francisco's. Various restaurants and stores dot the streets. Take a trip down Fan Tan Alley- the narrowest alley in Canada, named after a gambling game. A fun place to pick up treasures or souvenirs.
Take a beautifully crafted timber and steel structure and add amazing views. People over 42 inches can ride the slide down from the half way point. A definite highlight for my kids. There is a small cafe for snacks and drinks. Or bring a picnic- lots of nice picnic tables and chairs available at the base.
108 personas locales recomiendan
Malahat SkyWalk
901 Trans-Canada HwyTake a beautifully crafted timber and steel structure and add amazing views. People over 42 inches can ride the slide down from the half way point. A definite highlight for my kids. There is a small cafe for snacks and drinks. Or bring a picnic- lots of nice picnic tables and chairs available at the base.
Places to go with kids
Here is a short list of places we love to visit with our kids...
A super fun park. It has grass to lay your towels or blankets on while you watch your little ones have fun. Lots of large trees provide shade too. There are two playgrounds. One is for toddlers and has a rubber flooring with a rock wall surrounding it to corral the kids in! On the other side is a huge play structure for kids that like to climb. In betwen the two is a good sized splash park. Nearby are the 2 Centennial base ball fields.
Centennial Park
2805 Carlow RdA super fun park. It has grass to lay your towels or blankets on while you watch your little ones have fun. Lots of large trees provide shade too. There are two playgrounds. One is for toddlers and has a rubber flooring with a rock wall surrounding it to corral the kids in! On the other side is a huge play structure for kids that like to climb. In betwen the two is a good sized splash park. Nearby are the 2 Centennial base ball fields.
A fun place to climb and to run around for kids of all ages. There are no mature trees so little shade- bring your sunscreen.
Westhills Park
West Shore ParkwayA fun place to climb and to run around for kids of all ages. There are no mature trees so little shade- bring your sunscreen.
A beautiful but small wooden playground. Steps lead down to the ocean. Take a photo with a woolly mammoth and her baby made out of driftwood by a local artist. A Port-a-potty is up in the parking lot for emergencies. This beach is about 3 minutes from our house by car.
18 personas locales recomiendan
Royal Bay Beachpark
3483 Metchosin RdA beautiful but small wooden playground. Steps lead down to the ocean. Take a photo with a woolly mammoth and her baby made out of driftwood by a local artist. A Port-a-potty is up in the parking lot for emergencies. This beach is about 3 minutes from our house by car.
A short drive will take to you this long sandy beach. When the tide is low, you will find lots of crabs and treasures and be able to walk out pretty far into the ocean as its so shallow. There is a 20-30 minute walk from the parking lot to the beach. Not ideal for strollers. But if you can do this moderatly easy walk, you will enjoy it. You will glimpse a waterfall, walk along a cliff (safely), and meaner thru a watershed and orchard. Pick a local apple or plum if you are lucky to be here at the right time.
36 personas locales recomiendan
Witty's Lagoon
525 Witty Beach RdA short drive will take to you this long sandy beach. When the tide is low, you will find lots of crabs and treasures and be able to walk out pretty far into the ocean as its so shallow. There is a 20-30 minute walk from the parking lot to the beach. Not ideal for strollers. But if you can do this moderatly easy walk, you will enjoy it. You will glimpse a waterfall, walk along a cliff (safely), and meaner thru a watershed and orchard. Pick a local apple or plum if you are lucky to be here at the right time.
This place has it all. Situated downtown Victora, you will find easy walking trails, grassy areas for picnics, a large playground, a large splash pad area and even a petting zoo. By donation, you will see lamas, birds of various kinds including peacocks and even be able to brush a goat! Its amazing to be there when the babies have arrived. They have such personality.
503 personas locales recomiendan
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StThis place has it all. Situated downtown Victora, you will find easy walking trails, grassy areas for picnics, a large playground, a large splash pad area and even a petting zoo. By donation, you will see lamas, birds of various kinds including peacocks and even be able to brush a goat! Its amazing to be there when the babies have arrived. They have such personality.
A huge playground with a sandy beach. This place is great fun for all the kids. Grab a snack in the cute shopping plaza right before entering the park. Grab a coffee or cold drinks or lunch.
89 personas locales recomiendan
Cadboro-Gyro Park
Sinclair RoadA huge playground with a sandy beach. This place is great fun for all the kids. Grab a snack in the cute shopping plaza right before entering the park. Grab a coffee or cold drinks or lunch.
A fun place to take kids. The aquarium is small but its very interactive. There is a touch pool at the end that the kids will spend a long time hanging out at. Beautiful gifts in the gift shop. We always finish here then go across the street to the Rock Patch then to the beach glass beach. Its right across the street. All the locals know where it is, so just ask if you get turned around. Great cafes and restaurants nearby.
75 personas locales recomiendan
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
9811 Seaport PlA fun place to take kids. The aquarium is small but its very interactive. There is a touch pool at the end that the kids will spend a long time hanging out at. Beautiful gifts in the gift shop. We always finish here then go across the street to the Rock Patch then to the beach glass beach. Its right across the street. All the locals know where it is, so just ask if you get turned around. Great cafes and restaurants nearby.
Fun place to go mini-golfing, bowling or play at the playzone (for younger kiddos). There is also a large splash pad with a pirate ship!
19 personas locales recomiendan
City Centre Park
1089 Langford PkwyFun place to go mini-golfing, bowling or play at the playzone (for younger kiddos). There is also a large splash pad with a pirate ship!
Beautiful spot to spend half a day. The Nature House offers exhibits on nature (by donation) and has a small gift shop and snack selection. At the shop, you can buy duck food to take down to the boardwalk. The ducks and geese will swim up and take the food from you often right from your hands. There are several trails and boardwalks that meander thru various natural areas. Often they will host local and free events which are always well done.
29 personas locales recomiendan
Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary
3873 Swan Lake RdBeautiful spot to spend half a day. The Nature House offers exhibits on nature (by donation) and has a small gift shop and snack selection. At the shop, you can buy duck food to take down to the boardwalk. The ducks and geese will swim up and take the food from you often right from your hands. There are several trails and boardwalks that meander thru various natural areas. Often they will host local and free events which are always well done.
Consejos para la ciudad
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2021 Patio and Take-Away Restaurant list
https://victoriapatios.ca
This website offers suggestions about where to dine during COVID and which restaurant has a patio to dine in or places with take out menus. The list is new as of April 2021 and keeps changing so check back in now and then....
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BC Ferry Reservation
To get to the island its best to book a reservation on BC Ferries. This will give you the actual timing you want to cross and not wait in long lines (some waits between sailing are 3-4 hours in length). Plus your vehicle will get better positioning in the ferry and also quicker exit off the ferry on the other side. Be sure to book both arrival ferry and departing ferry. There is a small fee but worth your time!
https://www.bcferries.com
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Food Truck locations!
https://streetfoodapp.com/victoria/map
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BC Government Requires proof of Vaccines for certain venues
As of September 13th 2021, the BC govenrnment will impplement new measures for certain venues. You will need to provide proof of vaccination and also ID. Venues include sports events, theaters, movies, casinos, nightclubs, indoor fitness and more:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/covid-19/vaccine/proof