Shelley's Guidebook
Food scene
We discovered this hidden gem of a local restaurant recently and were absolutely blown away by the quality and creativity of food! World class chef Castro Boateng made our meal unforgettable!
2854 Peatt Road; 7 min drive, or 39 min walk.
26 personas locales recomiendan
House Of Boateng Restaurant
2854 Peatt RdWe discovered this hidden gem of a local restaurant recently and were absolutely blown away by the quality and creativity of food! World class chef Castro Boateng made our meal unforgettable!
2854 Peatt Road; 7 min drive, or 39 min walk.
A BC family tradition for over 50 years; great quality food for all ages! Famous ‘Pirate Pak’ meals for kids!
941 Langford Pkwy; 5 min drive or 26 min walk.
30 personas locales recomiendan
White Spot
941 Langford PkwyA BC family tradition for over 50 years; great quality food for all ages! Famous ‘Pirate Pak’ meals for kids!
941 Langford Pkwy; 5 min drive or 26 min walk.
Best gourmet burger joint ever! 716 Goldstream Avenue; 9 min drive.
144 personas locales recomiendan
Bin 4 Burger Lounge
Best gourmet burger joint ever! 716 Goldstream Avenue; 9 min drive.
Quaint rural location; great food! Great bakery items, and ice-cream bar!
4492 Happy Valley Road; 15 min drive. No reservations - expect to wait for a table; worth it!
104 personas locales recomiendan
My Chosen Café
4492 Happy Valley RdQuaint rural location; great food! Great bakery items, and ice-cream bar!
4492 Happy Valley Road; 15 min drive. No reservations - expect to wait for a table; worth it!
This remains our favourite special restaurant! Amazing Italian food, warm ambience, first-class service, great wine list. If you feel like a downtown experience, this will never disappoint!
555 Johnson Street; 25 min drive. Expect to pay for street parking.
244 personas locales recomiendan
II Terrazzo
555 Johnson StThis remains our favourite special restaurant! Amazing Italian food, warm ambience, first-class service, great wine list. If you feel like a downtown experience, this will never disappoint!
555 Johnson Street; 25 min drive. Expect to pay for street parking.
For a lovely Sunday scenic drive, head through Sooke and don’t miss this adorable and delicious roadside cafe! We love their fabulous gourmet sandwiches, soups and bakery goods!
2974 Sheringham Point Road; 41 min drive.
111 personas locales recomiendan
Shirley Delicious
2794 Sheringham Point RdFor a lovely Sunday scenic drive, head through Sooke and don’t miss this adorable and delicious roadside cafe! We love their fabulous gourmet sandwiches, soups and bakery goods!
2974 Sheringham Point Road; 41 min drive.
Famous food stop at Fisherman’s Wharf; you will not be disappointed with these perfect Fish n Chips!
1 Dallas Road; 29 min drive
40 personas locales recomiendan
Barb's Fish and Chips
1 Dallas RdFamous food stop at Fisherman’s Wharf; you will not be disappointed with these perfect Fish n Chips!
1 Dallas Road; 29 min drive
Amazing ribs and brisket!! Sit in, or take out, either way it is phenomenal food!
731 Goldstream Avenue; 9 min drive
Jones Bar B Que Langford
Amazing ribs and brisket!! Sit in, or take out, either way it is phenomenal food!
731 Goldstream Avenue; 9 min drive
Parks & Trails
These are some of our favourite leisure places
This lovely little beach is walkable from our home (14-min) and a perfect swimming hole with water park; with full bathrooms just in case😉
11 personas locales recomiendan
Langford Lake Beach Park
1051 Trillium RdThis lovely little beach is walkable from our home (14-min) and a perfect swimming hole with water park; with full bathrooms just in case😉
Best bike path! Whether you’re cycling to downtown, or all the way to Sidney!
This picturesque multi-use trail, formerly a railway line, moves through urban, rural and wilderness scenery on its 55-kilometre journey from Victoria to Sooke. You can cycle, stroll, run, or even ride a horse through the rural sections. Whether you're commuting to work, meandering on a weekend afternoon or pacing yourself from Sidney to Sooke, the trail is yours to enjoy and yours to protect.
The Galloping Goose was originally a freight railway line built during the First World War. It is part of The Great Trail, a national multi-use trail system linking trails from coast to coast to coast. “The Goose” intersects with the Lochside Regional Trail, a 29-kilometre former railway line from Saanich to Sidney. It also intersects with the E&N Rail Trail – Humpback Connector, a new 17km cycling and pedestrian trail being constructed largely within the E&N rail corridor that will link Victoria and the Western communities when complete.
61 personas locales recomiendan
Galloping Goose Trail
Galloping Goose TrailBest bike path! Whether you’re cycling to downtown, or all the way to Sidney!
This picturesque multi-use trail, formerly a railway line, moves through urban, rural and wilderness scenery on its 55-kilometre journey from Victoria to Sooke. You can cycle, stroll, run, or even ride a horse through the rural sections. Whether you're commuting to work, meandering on a weekend afternoon or pacing yourself from Sidney to Sooke, the trail is yours to enjoy and yours to protect.
The Galloping Goose was originally a freight railway line built during the First World War. It is part of The Great Trail, a national multi-use trail system linking trails from coast to coast to coast. “The Goose” intersects with the Lochside Regional Trail, a 29-kilometre former railway line from Saanich to Sidney. It also intersects with the E&N Rail Trail – Humpback Connector, a new 17km cycling and pedestrian trail being constructed largely within the E&N rail corridor that will link Victoria and the Western communities when complete.
No need to drive; access is 10 min walk from here!
9 personas locales recomiendan
Mount Wells Regional Park
Humpback RoadNo need to drive; access is 10 min walk from here!
Moderate hiking. Start at bottom from Goldstream Park, or half-way from Bear Mountain Resort. Well worth the trek for stunning views!
56 personas locales recomiendan
Mt Finlayson summit
Moderate hiking. Start at bottom from Goldstream Park, or half-way from Bear Mountain Resort. Well worth the trek for stunning views!
Easy nature trails around this gorgeous lake; only 10 min drive from here! Beach, picnic tables, public washrooms.
98 personas locales recomiendan
Parque Regional del Lago Thetis
Easy nature trails around this gorgeous lake; only 10 min drive from here! Beach, picnic tables, public washrooms.
World-class Salmon spawning viewing (seasonal; mid-Oct thru mid-Dec)
242 personas locales recomiendan
Goldstream Provincial Park
World-class Salmon spawning viewing (seasonal; mid-Oct thru mid-Dec)
Right in your back yard! Bring your bike! Opened May 2021. The Jordie Lunn Bike Park is a one-of-a-kind recreational cycling space that caters to cyclists of all ages and abilities. It combines elements of dirt jumping, a pump track, skills area and cyclocross/mountain bike trails in one seamless platform.
The park is named in memory of world-renowned Vancouver Island mountain biker Jordie Lunn, who tragically passed away in 2019 after a riding accident in Mexico. Jordie was an advocate for cycling and shared his passion by mentoring young riders. The Jordie Lunn Bike Park aspires to continue Jordie’s legacy, creating a safe and accessible space for riders of all ages and experience levels to enjoy the sport of cycling.
6 personas locales recomiendan
Jordie Lunn Bike Park
2990 Irwin RdRight in your back yard! Bring your bike! Opened May 2021. The Jordie Lunn Bike Park is a one-of-a-kind recreational cycling space that caters to cyclists of all ages and abilities. It combines elements of dirt jumping, a pump track, skills area and cyclocross/mountain bike trails in one seamless platform.
The park is named in memory of world-renowned Vancouver Island mountain biker Jordie Lunn, who tragically passed away in 2019 after a riding accident in Mexico. Jordie was an advocate for cycling and shared his passion by mentoring young riders. The Jordie Lunn Bike Park aspires to continue Jordie’s legacy, creating a safe and accessible space for riders of all ages and experience levels to enjoy the sport of cycling.
Beacon Hill Park has an abundance of natural features and sensitive ecology throughout roughly 740,000 square metres of parkland. A number of environmentally sensitive areas have been identified within the park and are protected through local, provincial and federal law to preserve these threatened and endangered species and ecosystems. In addition to the Garry oak ecosystem, an example of a threatened species is the Yellow Montane Violet, Viola praemorsa.
Meandering footpaths offer long strolls among manicured and natural areas and features for the whole family to enjoy. Kite enthusiasts, paragliders and sailboarders can also take advantage of the open vista across the Strait of Juan De Fuca. Beacon Hill Park has an important status as Mile "0", the western terminus of the 8,000 kilometre Trans-Canada Highway.
Park Features:
2 playgrounds
2 spray parks (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily)
Cameron Bandshell stage
3 public washrooms
Golf putting green
Baseball diamond
Tennis courts
Pickleball courts
Cricket pitch
2 sports fields
Lawn bowling
Picnic shelter
Garry oak meadows
Footpaths
Flower beds
Rose garden
Story Pole, erected in 1956
Beacon Hill Children's Farm - a favourite for playing with & brushing the hilarious goats!
503 personas locales recomiendan
Beacon Hill Park
100 Cook StBeacon Hill Park has an abundance of natural features and sensitive ecology throughout roughly 740,000 square metres of parkland. A number of environmentally sensitive areas have been identified within the park and are protected through local, provincial and federal law to preserve these threatened and endangered species and ecosystems. In addition to the Garry oak ecosystem, an example of a threatened species is the Yellow Montane Violet, Viola praemorsa.
Meandering footpaths offer long strolls among manicured and natural areas and features for the whole family to enjoy. Kite enthusiasts, paragliders and sailboarders can also take advantage of the open vista across the Strait of Juan De Fuca. Beacon Hill Park has an important status as Mile "0", the western terminus of the 8,000 kilometre Trans-Canada Highway.
Park Features:
2 playgrounds
2 spray parks (open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily)
Cameron Bandshell stage
3 public washrooms
Golf putting green
Baseball diamond
Tennis courts
Pickleball courts
Cricket pitch
2 sports fields
Lawn bowling
Picnic shelter
Garry oak meadows
Footpaths
Flower beds
Rose garden
Story Pole, erected in 1956
Beacon Hill Children's Farm - a favourite for playing with & brushing the hilarious goats!
Sightseeing
We ALWAYS take our visiting family/friends to this look-out point in Saanich! It’s the best 360-degree view of where you are in Victoria! It’s a must-do! You may drive up to the 1st lookout point, which is great - but don’t forgo the 5-8 min path-hike (easy) to the very best viewpoint!! Check website for park hours as they do lock the gate.
24 personas locales recomiendan
Mt Doug Lookout Point
We ALWAYS take our visiting family/friends to this look-out point in Saanich! It’s the best 360-degree view of where you are in Victoria! It’s a must-do! You may drive up to the 1st lookout point, which is great - but don’t forgo the 5-8 min path-hike (easy) to the very best viewpoint!! Check website for park hours as they do lock the gate.
Not only an awesome castle, as seen in movies Deadpool & X-Men, but fabulous walking trails and gardens as well! www.hatleycastle.com
87 personas locales recomiendan
Castillo Hatley
2005 Sooke RdNot only an awesome castle, as seen in movies Deadpool & X-Men, but fabulous walking trails and gardens as well! www.hatleycastle.com
Vancouver Island's Newest Attraction.
Malahat SkyWalk is a wheelchair and stroller-friendly, fully accessible 600 m TreeWalk through a beautiful arbutus forest leading to a spectacular gentle spiral ramp that takes you up 32m to a sightseeing lookout offering views of Finlayson Arm, Saanich Peninsula, Mount Baker and the distant Coast Mountains. $35/adult. 20-minute drive from here.
108 personas locales recomiendan
Malahat SkyWalk
901 Trans-Canada HwyVancouver Island's Newest Attraction.
Malahat SkyWalk is a wheelchair and stroller-friendly, fully accessible 600 m TreeWalk through a beautiful arbutus forest leading to a spectacular gentle spiral ramp that takes you up 32m to a sightseeing lookout offering views of Finlayson Arm, Saanich Peninsula, Mount Baker and the distant Coast Mountains. $35/adult. 20-minute drive from here.
The Butchart Gardens is a 118-year-old internationally-renowned 55-acre display garden located in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia. Created by Jennie Butchart, and still privately owned and operated by the family, The Gardens was designated a National Historic Site of Canada, in 2004 for its one hundredth birthday. 30-minute drive from here.
388 personas locales recomiendan
The Butchart Gardens
800 Benvenuto AveThe Butchart Gardens is a 118-year-old internationally-renowned 55-acre display garden located in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia. Created by Jennie Butchart, and still privately owned and operated by the family, The Gardens was designated a National Historic Site of Canada, in 2004 for its one hundredth birthday. 30-minute drive from here.
Lovely to wander through this famous landmark opened in 1908. Book early to enjoy their famed High Tea ($89 pp). Located 25-minutes away on the beautiful downtown Inner Harbour.
194 personas locales recomiendan
Hotel Fairmont Empress
721 Government StLovely to wander through this famous landmark opened in 1908. Book early to enjoy their famed High Tea ($89 pp). Located 25-minutes away on the beautiful downtown Inner Harbour.
Victoria Waterfront Tour.
Victoria’s Harbour really is the heart of the city. For over 4000 years, the Coast Salish peoples lived along the shoreline where they relied on the abundance of resources for hunting, fishing, and foraging. Early European explorers soon discovered the natural splendor for themselves and established the city as the main port in Western Canada. Follow in their paddle strokes as your guide shares the story of Victoria’s waterways in this 45-minute scenic tour.
Get a first-hand look at how the harbour functions as a seaport and seaplane airplane terminal as well as a cruise ship and ferry destination. Uncover the secrets of historic landmarks like the Parliament Buildings, First Nation sacred territories, wildlife habitats, and float home communities.
This intimate tour gets you up close and personal with some of our favourite things — ocean views, marine life, and history
58 personas locales recomiendan
Victoria Harbor
Wharf StreetVictoria Waterfront Tour.
Victoria’s Harbour really is the heart of the city. For over 4000 years, the Coast Salish peoples lived along the shoreline where they relied on the abundance of resources for hunting, fishing, and foraging. Early European explorers soon discovered the natural splendor for themselves and established the city as the main port in Western Canada. Follow in their paddle strokes as your guide shares the story of Victoria’s waterways in this 45-minute scenic tour.
Get a first-hand look at how the harbour functions as a seaport and seaplane airplane terminal as well as a cruise ship and ferry destination. Uncover the secrets of historic landmarks like the Parliament Buildings, First Nation sacred territories, wildlife habitats, and float home communities.
This intimate tour gets you up close and personal with some of our favourite things — ocean views, marine life, and history
The Royal BC Museum Corporation is one of Canada’s greatest cultural treasures. The museum was founded in 1886; the Archives, in 1894. In 2003, these two organizations joined to become British Columbia’s combined provincial museum and archives, collecting artifacts, documents and specimens of British Columbia’s natural and human history, safeguarding them for the future and sharing them with the world.
Adult (19+) $5.00
Senior (65+) $5.00
Youth (6-18) $5.00
Student (19+ w/ ID) $5.00
Child (3-5) Free
534 personas locales recomiendan
Museo Real de BC
675 Belleville StThe Royal BC Museum Corporation is one of Canada’s greatest cultural treasures. The museum was founded in 1886; the Archives, in 1894. In 2003, these two organizations joined to become British Columbia’s combined provincial museum and archives, collecting artifacts, documents and specimens of British Columbia’s natural and human history, safeguarding them for the future and sharing them with the world.
Adult (19+) $5.00
Senior (65+) $5.00
Youth (6-18) $5.00
Student (19+ w/ ID) $5.00
Child (3-5) Free