Guidebook for Victoria
Parks & Nature
Westsong Walkway begins just across Victoria’s Johnson Street Bridge (right outside your door at The Janion) near the Inner Harbour, at the Songhees totems, and follows the contours of the harbour up to the float homes at West Bay.
It’s about 6 km return (1 km = .62 miles) and includes spectacular views of the Inner Harbour and downtown Victoria, waterfowl and other wild life, as well as the comings and goings of float planes, water taxis, ferrys and cruise ships.
Very popular with locals, and always a special treat for visitors, there are no uphill sections but you’ll pass by a 100-step staircase if you want the extra workout and some elevation gain.
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Songhees Walkway
Songhees WalkwayWestsong Walkway begins just across Victoria’s Johnson Street Bridge (right outside your door at The Janion) near the Inner Harbour, at the Songhees totems, and follows the contours of the harbour up to the float homes at West Bay.
It’s about 6 km return (1 km = .62 miles) and includes spectacular views of the Inner Harbour and downtown Victoria, waterfowl and other wild life, as well as the comings and goings of float planes, water taxis, ferrys and cruise ships.
Very popular with locals, and always a special treat for visitors, there are no uphill sections but you’ll pass by a 100-step staircase if you want the extra workout and some elevation gain.
Shopping
A mix of unique clothing, accessories, gifts and home decor. Milkman's Daughter is my go-to shop for quirky prints and fabrics on everything from headbands to coats, dishtowels to notebooks. Quality is key and everything here is the highest! Just a block away. Don't miss it.
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Smoking Lily Victoria Boutique
1713 Government StA mix of unique clothing, accessories, gifts and home decor. Milkman's Daughter is my go-to shop for quirky prints and fabrics on everything from headbands to coats, dishtowels to notebooks. Quality is key and everything here is the highest! Just a block away. Don't miss it.
Lululemon is now an iconic yoga-wear brand. Its roots are pure BC though. This is a must-stop shop for practical AND fashionable yoga and casual wear.
Every Sunday, at 8:30, you can join them for a Sunday Community Yoga session. They don't just talk the talk, they walk it too!
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lululemon
584 Johnson StLululemon is now an iconic yoga-wear brand. Its roots are pure BC though. This is a must-stop shop for practical AND fashionable yoga and casual wear.
Every Sunday, at 8:30, you can join them for a Sunday Community Yoga session. They don't just talk the talk, they walk it too!
I feel outdoorsy every time I go into Mountain Equipment Co-op. There's something here for everyone - from the most dedicated adventurer to the wanna-be outdoorsy fashionista (that's me!). Gear, gadgets, tips, advice - great people and just a fun place to browse in the heart of Canada's outdoorsy mecca.
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MEC Victoria
1450 Government StI feel outdoorsy every time I go into Mountain Equipment Co-op. There's something here for everyone - from the most dedicated adventurer to the wanna-be outdoorsy fashionista (that's me!). Gear, gadgets, tips, advice - great people and just a fun place to browse in the heart of Canada's outdoorsy mecca.
This outdoor market, which runs from May-September, is a great place to browse and take in some of unique, local, artisanal products. Market runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00-5:30.
On Sunday, a Farmer's Market on Langley Street is incorporated and the Market hours are 11:00-4:00.
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The Bastion Square Public Market
26 Bastion SquareThis outdoor market, which runs from May-September, is a great place to browse and take in some of unique, local, artisanal products. Market runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11:00-5:30.
On Sunday, a Farmer's Market on Langley Street is incorporated and the Market hours are 11:00-4:00.
Sightseeing
One of the best ways to see the city - from a Pickle Boat! Victoria Harbour Ferries runs water taxi service, tours and even pub-crawls! They are seasonally-operated and run from Spring through Fall. Visit their website for full details of schedules and fares.
Even if you don't ride ON them, you'll be entertained by them - look out for the Water Ballet that runs week-end mornings. Or, just make yourself a cup of coffee, settle in on the comfy couch, and enjoy the view of them docking right outside your window at Pickle Boat Landing!
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Victoria Harbor
Wharf StreetOne of the best ways to see the city - from a Pickle Boat! Victoria Harbour Ferries runs water taxi service, tours and even pub-crawls! They are seasonally-operated and run from Spring through Fall. Visit their website for full details of schedules and fares.
Even if you don't ride ON them, you'll be entertained by them - look out for the Water Ballet that runs week-end mornings. Or, just make yourself a cup of coffee, settle in on the comfy couch, and enjoy the view of them docking right outside your window at Pickle Boat Landing!
Food Scene
Our favourite place to buy a snack to munch while roaming the streets of Chinatown. Our favourites are sesame balls and coconut buns but, everything looks and smells wonderful and I don't think you can go wrong here.
They are open from 11-8, but most things will not be out until 12:30, which is the best time to go for warm stuff. Also go early so there's still something left.
It's a small business, so bring cash as they will charge for small debit transactions and no credit is taken. Everything is under 2$ pretty much. Nothing is too sweet and it's all so delicious!
Victoria BBQ House & Bakery
1714 Government StOur favourite place to buy a snack to munch while roaming the streets of Chinatown. Our favourites are sesame balls and coconut buns but, everything looks and smells wonderful and I don't think you can go wrong here.
They are open from 11-8, but most things will not be out until 12:30, which is the best time to go for warm stuff. Also go early so there's still something left.
It's a small business, so bring cash as they will charge for small debit transactions and no credit is taken. Everything is under 2$ pretty much. Nothing is too sweet and it's all so delicious!
Go HUNGRY! Also, be patient. There is almost always a line-up outside this brunch/lunch spot. For a good reason. Huge portions, quality food, funky decor, friendly service, super range of drinks to go with your food. A great place to while away a few hours (waiting then eating & drinking) with the locals.
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Jam Cafe
542 Herald StGo HUNGRY! Also, be patient. There is almost always a line-up outside this brunch/lunch spot. For a good reason. Huge portions, quality food, funky decor, friendly service, super range of drinks to go with your food. A great place to while away a few hours (waiting then eating & drinking) with the locals.
A charming place to enjoy high-quality pastries served by knowledgeable staff (and owners) in surroundings that meld the best of a French cafe with a British tea room.
I found my favourite pastry - a Paris Brest, there and I hadn't had one/seen one in Canada since I lived in Montreal. Everything there is an absolute feast for the eyes and it all lives up to the expectations set.
Enjoy your coffee, tea and beautiful baked goods either inside, our sit outside and watch the world go by. Great place to pick up a couple of treats for dessert on The Janion's Rooftop Patio as well!
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La Roux Patisserie
519 Fisgard StA charming place to enjoy high-quality pastries served by knowledgeable staff (and owners) in surroundings that meld the best of a French cafe with a British tea room.
I found my favourite pastry - a Paris Brest, there and I hadn't had one/seen one in Canada since I lived in Montreal. Everything there is an absolute feast for the eyes and it all lives up to the expectations set.
Enjoy your coffee, tea and beautiful baked goods either inside, our sit outside and watch the world go by. Great place to pick up a couple of treats for dessert on The Janion's Rooftop Patio as well!
Essentials
You'll find a lot of excellent ingredients at the shops around the corner in Chinatown but, if you'd like a little more grocery selection, a few minutes walk away, head to Tomley's Market on Johnson Street.
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Tomley's Market
716 Johnson StreetYou'll find a lot of excellent ingredients at the shops around the corner in Chinatown but, if you'd like a little more grocery selection, a few minutes walk away, head to Tomley's Market on Johnson Street.
If you're looking to grab a quick bottle of wine, beer or spirits to enjoy just after you arrive, you can't get closer than the Swans Liquor Store, directly across the street from The Janion. The Liquor Store entrance in ON Pandora Avenue, just past the entrance to the Swans Hotel - walk past the restaurant on the corner and there, just on your left, is the store. Open 11:00a.m.-11:00p.m.
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Swans Brewery, Pub & Hotel
506 Pandora AveIf you're looking to grab a quick bottle of wine, beer or spirits to enjoy just after you arrive, you can't get closer than the Swans Liquor Store, directly across the street from The Janion. The Liquor Store entrance in ON Pandora Avenue, just past the entrance to the Swans Hotel - walk past the restaurant on the corner and there, just on your left, is the store. Open 11:00a.m.-11:00p.m.
Swans Liquor Store might be the most convenient place to grab a bottle but, if you've got a little more time, you can wander slight further up Pandora and visit Vintage Spirits - a super-friendly, very well-stocked and beautiful liquor store.
In Downtown Victoria nobody is doing it at a higher level than Vintage Spirits. With over 1500 different wine, spirits and beer items, you will find the most sought after products to the most obscure treasures.
It's a pleasure just to go in and take a look at their selection. They have wine tastings on Fridays and Saturdays (between 2-4) and beer tastings on Sundays, 2-4. At least the did at the time I write this!
Vintage Spirits Liquor Store
653 Pandora AveSwans Liquor Store might be the most convenient place to grab a bottle but, if you've got a little more time, you can wander slight further up Pandora and visit Vintage Spirits - a super-friendly, very well-stocked and beautiful liquor store.
In Downtown Victoria nobody is doing it at a higher level than Vintage Spirits. With over 1500 different wine, spirits and beer items, you will find the most sought after products to the most obscure treasures.
It's a pleasure just to go in and take a look at their selection. They have wine tastings on Fridays and Saturdays (between 2-4) and beer tastings on Sundays, 2-4. At least the did at the time I write this!
This market is the perfect blend of gourmet and convenience. You'll find everything from fresh-cut flowers to local smoked salmon - and all the basics in-between. Perfect for stocking your Pickle Boat Landing kitchen with basics or, with splurgy gourmet treats. It's a few blocks walk - take the basket that's stored in the front cupboard and have fun filling it at the Market on Yates!
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Market On Yates
903 Yates StThis market is the perfect blend of gourmet and convenience. You'll find everything from fresh-cut flowers to local smoked salmon - and all the basics in-between. Perfect for stocking your Pickle Boat Landing kitchen with basics or, with splurgy gourmet treats. It's a few blocks walk - take the basket that's stored in the front cupboard and have fun filling it at the Market on Yates!
Drinks & Nightlife
Excellent brews, historic building, beautiful outdoor seating when weather permits, great staff and good food. Live music sometimes.
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Canoe Brewpub
450 Swift StExcellent brews, historic building, beautiful outdoor seating when weather permits, great staff and good food. Live music sometimes.
This is our "local". It's where we go to just grab a light, but excellent, bite to eat with an outstanding beer (check their selection!) and good company. Friendly, informative staff. A nice mix of age groups, locals and, some tourists - if they've got the inside info. Make sure you order at the bar, just like in England. Then, settle in, relax and enjoy the warm atmosphere.
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The Drake Eatery
517 Pandora AveThis is our "local". It's where we go to just grab a light, but excellent, bite to eat with an outstanding beer (check their selection!) and good company. Friendly, informative staff. A nice mix of age groups, locals and, some tourists - if they've got the inside info. Make sure you order at the bar, just like in England. Then, settle in, relax and enjoy the warm atmosphere.