With a compact downtown core, nicely curated shopping district, world-famous landmarks and a smattering of lush gardens…Victoria has it as all! Now that you’ve checked off the Fairmont Empress, Parliament Buildings, Craigdarroch Castle, Fisherman’s Wharf and Fan Tan Alley from your list, it’s time to push beyond familiar boundaries and discover new locations to explore.
Book our Seattle to Victoria Overnight package to explore Vancouver Island.
Only a short road trip from downtown Victoria, the picturesque seaside towns of Cowichan, Oak Bay, Sidney, Salt Spring and Sooke are all easy picks. Whether you’re a foodie, outdoor enthusiast, beverage connoisseur or a fashionista, these spots cover the bases for a relaxing escape. Pick up some wheels at Budget downtown, head out on the road and explore beyond Victoria with our guide to Vancouver Island getaways.
Cowichan
Estimated Drive Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Eat: Tucked away on the shore of Mill Bay, Bridgeman’s Bistro is the perfect stopping point if you’re in need of a break after zipping up Highway 1. Settle in and check out the collection of magnificent yachts and serene swans plying the local waters. Dig into mouth-watering seafood, such as the local clams and mussels. Served in a cream sauce made from another local favorite – Merridale Cider, they are absolute perfection!
If you make it farther up the road to the equally scenic Cowichan Bay, a visit to True Grain Bread bakery is a must. This incredible, Old-World bakery is all about the bread. Peek behind the scenes at everything from the milling to the baking process. With the deliciously yeasty scent of baked bread wafting through the air, it is hard to leave empty-handed.
Sip: What could be more perfect than spending a warm day basking in the sun and reconnecting with your friends? How about pairing the experience with some of the finest wines on Vancouver Island? Hop on a Cowichan Wine Country tasting tour and sip your way through generous samples of Pinot Gris, Ortega and Cabernet Franc at Venturi-Schulze Vineyard, Blue Grose Estate Winery and Vineyard as well as Enrico Winery. As an added bonus, you’ll have the chance to experience incredible views of the glistening Saanich Inlet as you drive along the rugged Malahat Road.
Shop: If you need to stretch your legs while cruising along Malahat Drive, the funky Whippletree Junction is a worthy stop. Explore the colorful frontier buildings and duck inside the eclectic collection of shops for snuggly Cowichan sweaters, original art, handmade lotions as well as artisanal eats.
Play: Cowichan’s famous wine trails may get all the hype, but the countless paths crisscrossing the region’s wilderness are also worth exploring. Get your daily dose of outdoor goodness as you follow the 20 km Cowichan River Footpath to the spectacular Skutz Falls. If winged wildlife piques your interest, head to the Pacific Northwest Raptor Center in Duncan for a “hawk walk” or “owl prowl” and see these amazing feathered friends up close.
How to get there:
Oak Bay
Estimated Drive Time: 13 minutes
Eat: A Vancouver Island staple, the petite patisserie De’lish on Beach Drive could easily pass as one of the neighborhood’s manicured homes. Inside, however, the cafe teems with an amazing selection of healthy and delicious food. Whether you’re looking for tarts, cakes and cookies or salads and sandwiches, you’ll find them all here.
Looking for a dinner spot? Try the intimate, 13 table Blighty’s Bistro. Filled with flickering candlelight, the bistro oozes warmth and is a haven for both art aficionados and serious foodies. Feast on the tenderest steak you have ever tasted or sample the chef’s pasta, which changes daily. You won’t be disappointed.
Sip: In need of a proper tea fix? Follow the Victoria tea trail to the cozy White Heather Tea Room. This off the beaten path eatery offers up a tremendous afternoon tea service. You’ll leave with a full tummy and have enough leftover treats for a snack later.
Shop: Wander along the quaint Oak Bay Avenue for a British-style shopping experience. Head to the cozy Side Street Studio for handcrafted original pottery, wood carvings, glass-art and more.
Victoria-based Clipper travel expert, Barbie Zipp says, “This shop is my go-to for gifts. All products are locally made and there is a range of price points, so anyone can find something.” Cross the street to Finn & Izzy to stock up on funky finds for little tykes. Then stroll down to Nicholas Randall for stylish housewares, clothing and accessories.
Play: There’s no better way to beat the summer heat than on Ocean River Adventure’s Discovery Island Kayak Tour. Experience Vancouver Island’s wild and rugged West Coast as you paddle through the amazing Discovery Island archipelago. Glide along in the water and soak in majestic views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, San Juan Islands and the Olympic Mountains.
Be prepared to meet some of the locals – sea lions, eagles and whales – who call this area home. Cap the day with a relaxing picnic and guided nature walk on the island’s driftwood-strewn shore. This is the Northwest at its finest!
How to get there:
Sidney
Estimated Drive Time: 30 minutes
Eat: Housed on 10 acres of farmland, Roost Farm Centre brings fresh produce right to your plate. Everything from chicken and lamb, to fruits and veggies, to honey and even the flour is grown right on the farm. Nosh on delicious pizzas baked to perfection in their wood-fired oven. Still hungry? Share a decadent made-from-scratch carrot cake or Roost’s signature Bumbleberry pie.
Sip: Drink in stunning vistas of the Saanich Inlet as you sample delicious adult, apple beverages at Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse. From there, head to Victoria Distillers, one of Canada’s oldest, small-batch spirits producers. Hop on their 45-minute guided tour to learn everything about the distillation process. Sip on a few of their award-winning spirits or grab one of their gin popsicles, which are sure to hit the spot. (Inside tip: Sample the Empress Gin, which magically changes color from deep indigo to soft pink when mixed with citrus or tonic.)
Ready for a quick pick me up? Bee-line it to Alexander’s Coffee for their amazing Mexican Mocha. A unique and delicious blend of almond, cinnamon, dark chocolate and spices imported from Mexico, it is sure to make your taste buds happy.
Shop: Bibliophiles love Sidney! With at least six bookstores scattered within a four-block radius, there’s no shortage of reading material for bookworms. Each shop houses a unique collection of titles and is independently owned by experts in their fields. Zipp adds, “My absolute favorite is Vancouver Island’s oldest bookstore, The Haunted Bookshop, it is a magical experience!”
Play: Head 15 minutes south of Sidney toward Brentwood Bay, for what might be the highlight of the entire trip. Get lost in a tropical paradise filled with flamingos, large iguanas and, of course, thousands of colorful butterflies at the Butterfly Gardens. Then immerse yourself in 55-acres of trees, plants and flowers at the world-renowned Butchart Gardens. (Inside tip: stop at the Gelateria Benvenuto in the Italian Garden to savor their unique and refreshing house-made gelato.) YUM!
Have the kiddos in tow? Swing by the Shaw Center for the Salish Sea. Part aquarium, part museum, the Center houses 160 species of marine life as well as unique, regional Coast Salish art. Or pop into one of the most popular family attractions in Sidney, the BC Aviation Museum to check out more than 20 unique aircraft!
How to get there:
Salt Spring Island
Estimated Drive Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Eat: Soak in the outdoors at hip The Tree House Cafe, built under a live plum tree in the heart of Ganges Village. While the setting will draw you in, the calm, tranquil vibe combined with simple, healthy food will invite you to stay. Dine on the Tree House Club Sandwich or lamb burger and you won’t have to worry about leaving hungry. Stay into the evening and catch live music under the stars seven nights a week!
Sip: Get a taste of this unspoiled paradise as you partake in award-winning wines, craft beer and artisanal cheese at local farms on a Salt Spring Island Tour. Sample some of the freshest brews around at Salt Spring Island Ales. The brewery specializes in flavorful suds made from spring water piped straight from the source and island-grown hops. Another favorite stop is Salt Spring Vineyards, where you can taste “Karma,” the winery’s biscuit-flavored brut-style sparkling wine.
Shop: Home to an array of eclectic boutiques, Ganges Village is a shopper’s haven. One step into the chic, historic Twang & Pearl and you will wish the store’s designer could come and redo your house. Looking for fresh threads? Thrive is your source for the perfect fashion fit. With a well-curated selection of men’s and women’s designer clothes as well as jewelry and accessories, it checks all the boxes.
Be sure to time your visit to catch the island’s legendary Saturday Market, June through October. Everything found in this outdoor extravaganza is either baked or grown on Salt Spring Island, food doesn’t get fresher than this!
Play: A southeastern gem, Ruckle Provincial Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the Southern Gulf Islands. Wander along the craggy shoreline and watch for orcas, sea lions, minke whales and otters cruising the local waterways. When you need a rest, stop for a picnic at Yeo Point Beach and take in all the natural beauty around you.
Want to feel like you’re on top of the world? Make the trek up Mount Maxwell’s Cliffside trail to Baynes Peak, one of the highest points on Salt Spring Island. Gaze down on soaring eagles and soak in spectacular vistas of Vancouver Island, the surrounding Gulf Islands and the BC mainland.
How to get there:
Sooke
Estimated Drive Time: 50 minutes
Eat: Perched on the tip of Whiffen Spit, the elegant Sooke Harbour House serves up jaw-dropping views of the Salish Sea and the surrounding wilderness. The epitome of culinary goodness in the Pacific Northwest, the property’s Copper Room Bistro creates phenomenal farm-to-table fare. Many of the ingredients come from the rare herb and edible flower garden housed in the hotel’s backyard.
Sip: Get a proper introduction to bees with a visit to Tugwell Creek Farm and Meadery, the first in British Columbia. Explore the wildflower-filled ocean view property on a self-guided tour for a look at the more than 100 hives dotting the farm. Dip into the farm’s sweet, sweet honey and learn about making one of the sumptuous, liquid byproducts – mead.
Of course, a visit wouldn’t be complete without tasting their award-winning “bee-to-bottle” brews. A couple of favorites are the deliciously decadent Vintage Sac Sweet Mead or the ginger and spiced tinged Solstice Metheglin.
Shop: Swing by the family-friendly Sooke Country Market on Saturdays, May through October. You can’t beat the fresh fruits and veggies, baked treats, handcrafted local arts and crafts, live music and tons of smiles!
Play: Standing tall above the coastline, the 105-year-old Sheringham Point Lighthouse is a must-see location. A short walk along the picturesque Lighthouse View Trail will land you at the lighthouse itself. Here you can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and just sit and watch the waves.
Or get your heart pumping as you whisk above the Sooke rainforest on an AdrenaLINE Zipline Adventure Tour. Eight ziplines ranging from 150-1,000 feet long and up to 150 feet high will give you an adrenaline rush and offer a new perspective on Vancouver Island.
How to get there:
With Victoria as your home base, there is no better way to expand your horizons than with an adventure to the city’s neighboring communities. Whether you stay one day or five, these amazing towns will satisfy your quest for exploration.
Looking for a fall destination
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Hi Marilyn,
Thanks for reaching out! Looks like part of your comment got cut off, what region are you looking for a fall destination for? Let us know how we can help.
Cheers,
Brenna