Things to do in Victoria Archives | Page 3 of 6

raising a toast with beer by Giovanna Gomes

Victoria’s Best Toast-Worthy Pours

Originally Published March 28, 2019 | Updated January 10, 2023

Victoria may be best known for its afternoon tea and historical charm, but it’s also ground central for British Columbia’s craft beer revolution.

Beer has been brewed in Victoria longer than anywhere else in BC. This is thanks to William Steinberger, a German gent who moved to the city from San Francisco in 1859. Despite coming during the Fraser Canyon Gold Rush, Steinberger focused his sights on liquid gold — brewing beer to satiate the thirsty prospectors.

January 10, 2023/by Mikaela Judd

17 Pacific Northwest Bucket List Must-Dos

Princess Louisa Inlet and Chatterbox Falls, Roche Harbor, Things to do in Canada, Things to do in Seattle, Things to do in the San Juan Islands, Things to do in Victoria, West Coast Wilderness Lodge

There are hills to hike, waterfalls to explore, and plates of eggs Benedict to devour. This is your ultimate Pacific Northwest travel bucket list. And, it’s just in time for kicking off the New Year!

It’s loaded with seaside cocktails, DIY brewery tours, and can’t-miss donuts. It features remote fishing destinations, sea-to-table cuisine, and some of the most Instagram-worthy spots around.

December 29, 2022/by Mikaela Judd

Blue Grouse Estate Winery by Jacqueline Downey Photography in Cowichan Valley

Can’t-Miss Cowichan Valley Wineries

Adventures, Things to do in Victoria

Blue Grouse Estate Winery by Jacqueline Downey Photography — *The sweetest slice of wine country heaven you’ve probably never heard of. Photo by Jacqueline Downey Photography*

Warm days and crisp nights, gravelly soil rich with minerals, and lush aquifers imbue Cowichan Valley wines with fruit-forward flavors that deliver a crisp, dry finish. The conditions are similar to what’s found in the northern regions of Germany and France. The main difference is: Cowichan vines are relative babies.

The oldest operating winery can trace its lineage back more than 1,150 years. By comparison, the first commercial wineries on Vancouver Island appeared just 100 years ago, making wine from local loganberries. It wasn’t until the 1980s that grapes were planted in Cowichan Valley, located on the southern end of British Columbia’s Vancouver Island.

But make no mistake — this quaint slice of paradise produces exceptional grapes. It’s a fact that was recognized in June of 2020 when Cowichan Valley was formally given a sub-geographical indication (sub-GI). An official and protected term in B.C., it helps people identify local wine origins, signifying that at least 95% of the wine was made with regionally grown grapes.

August 12, 2022/by Mikaela Judd

Ultimate Seattle, WA to Victoria, BC Weekend

Things to do in Victoria

Victoria is just 25 miles from Port Angeles, the closest American shore. That’s 25 miles closer to America than its Canadian mainland. But the quaint British Columbia capital feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle of US city life thanks to its walkable streets, historic architecture, and generally upbeat culture.

Like its residents, its gardens tend to be bright and cheerful — thanks in large part to incredible Victoria BC weather patterns. Tucked within the Olympic Rainshadow, the small metropolitan hub gets 308 days a year with sunshine! So whether you’re looking for indoor activities or plenty of fresh air, there’s a wide variety of things to do in Victoria, BC.

July 7, 2022/by Mikaela Judd

The Magic of Scent at Zingaro Floral Perfumery in Victoria, BC

Things to do in Victoria

Zingaro Floral Perfumery Victoria BC — *Victoria’s Palma Cafolla’s parfum and flower shop transports visitors deep into memories and beloved destinations.*

Zingaro Floral Perfumery could well be a time machine. The small boutique is tucked within a historic building on Johnson Street, less than half a mile from the Victoria Harbour Airport. The space is an Instagramer’s daydream, filled with the kind of treasures that evoke a mix of old-world elegance and whimsical fun.

June 6, 2022/by Mikaela Judd

Goats on the Roof

Things to do in Victoria

Feb 13, 2020

In 1973, Kristian Graaten opened a roadside fruit stand on the Alberni Highway near the Eastern edge of Vancouver Island. Today, the ‘stand’ is known as the Old Country Market. While the charming shop is filled with everything from groceries and gelato to pottery and libre masks — it’s best known for the goats on its roof.

Each spring, a trip of goats is relocated to the market’s roof. The hungry creatures are given free range of the grassy canopy for a few months while they help keep the elevated field in check.

February 13, 2020/by Mikaela Judd

Goldstream Railway Trestle Hike

Blog, Things to do in Victoria

Feb 6, 2020

Goldstream Provincial Park is home to massive trees, majestic waterfalls, and a meandering river that meets the sea. A variety of hiking trails can be found throughout the park’s more than 950 acres — the most popular of which is the Goldstream Railway Trestle Hike.

Though difficult, those willing to make the steep ascent are rewarded with an up-close and personal view of the spectacular train bridge that runs high above the Niagara Creek Canyon. The railway is part of the Esquimalt-Nanaimo Railway, an important element in the development of Vancouver Island as it provided access to the island’s forest and mineral resources. The trestle is no longer active, but be careful.* Work crews do occasionally come by on cars.

February 6, 2020/by Mikaela Judd

Delectable Pastries

Things to do in Seattle, Things to do in the San Juan Islands, Things to do in Vancouver, Things to do in Victoria

Jan 23, 2020

The Pacific Northwest is known for its fresh seafood and lush mountainscapes. But speckled throughout its cities and destinations, you’ll also find baked delectables that’ll make you want to ooh and aah.

January 23, 2020/by Mikaela Judd

Victoria Alleys

Things to do in Victoria

Trounce alley restaurants and shops in Victoria BC. Photo by Destination BC andTanya Goehring — *Trounce alley restaurants and shops in Victoria BC. Photo by Destination BC and Tanya Goehring*

Victoria’s small and intimate pedestrian paths have preserved bits of the city’s past. Unlike a city’s major thoroughfares that are typically renovated by the demand of progress, alleys have a way of preserving the past. The narrow, pedestrian-only passageways hold onto their intimate storefronts and leisurely culture. They beckon the outdoor dining parties, strolling lovers, and adventuresome tourists — especially in Victoria.

January 16, 2020/by Mikaela Judd

Unique Pacific Northwest Travel Ideas

Blog, Things to do in Seattle, Things to do in the San Juan Islands, Things to do in Vancouver, Things to do in Victoria

Dec 26, 2019

Have you thought about your travel bucket list? A new year is the perfect time to re-visit and maybe re-map yours with some unique Pacific Northwest travel ideas.

Because while you may have visited Victoria, the San Juan Islands, Vancouver, and Seattle — have you actually seen and done everything? Chances are, there are quite a few unique Pacific Northwest travel ideas that you haven’t yet explored.

December 26, 2019/by Mikaela Judd