Author: Rhys Butterfield
April 08, 2024
Are you planning a trip to Victoria? Maybe you’re already here and need some recommendations for fun places to go or things to do. My name is Rhys, and I was born, raised and grew up here. So let me let you in on some local secrets. Victoria is so unique in many of its aesthetic features. While you won’t find any skyscrapers, the buildings will make up for their lack of height with character and charm. Whether you arrive in Victoria on a cruise ship, the ferry or a plane, this article attempts to guide you to your desired destinations. It will be split into four different categories. Firstly, we’re going to focus on food. You’ve just got off the cruise ship, and you need a meal that is not served on the ship, I’ll show you some fantastic local options. Once you’re on a full stomach, we’ll move into the attractions. There’s plenty to explore, popular locations to see and a couple favourites close to home. Suddenly, a full day of looking around has escaped you. What now? Well, if you’re not back in the hotel for the night and want to go out, the next section will suit you perfectly. The third section is Victoria’s nightlife, the bars and clubs. Finally, the main and most desirable attraction the island has to offer. The beaches. For those planning on staying a while, I will let you in on some of the scenic unnamed beaches only a local would know about. All businesses in this article are local and without further introduction, let’s start with some food.
Food:
If you have just stepped off the cruise ship, you are almost in the heart of downtown. I recommend you stop by Fisherman’s Wharf. It is close to where the ships stop and has an variety of cuisine perfect for lunch. Barb’s crispy Fish and Chips are always fantastic, and the atmosphere of being on the water and getting food from houseboats is unlike anything else. They also have Ice Cream, Pizza, Mexican Food, and more.
Alternatively, you might prefer a more classical sit-down and dine experience. Or maybe it’s just dinner time. When taking to Google for “best restaurants in Victoria BC”, the first result is the self-proclaimed “Best 18 Restaurants in Victoria”. I’ll be honest, most of these are too pricey with better alternatives. However, the number one spot, “Pagliacci’s”, is more than well deserved. Located on Broad St. downtown near the Hudson’s Bay Centre, it has fantastically fresh Italian food. Please note the prices are usually higher than what you would think on the website, but it is worth it for the taste, the atmosphere and the kind service. Ill Terrazzo does not make the list, potentially because it shares similarities with Pagliacci’s. It is another outstanding local Italian place whose dim atmosphere makes it the perfect spot for an anniversary or special occasion. The bread there is also endless and so delicious. For either of these places, unless you’re walking in for lunch, make sure to have a reservation at dinner.Â
Number 17 on the website is “JJ Wonton Noodle House”. You might walk straight past it from the exterior, but do not let the appearance fool you. It is hands down the best and most authentic Chinese food the island has to offer. Everything is made fresh to order, its quick, inexpensive and fantastically tasty. All the ingredients are local, and it even has been voted the best Chinese food in the city for over a decade. Plus, if you’re looking for gluten-free options, JJ has plenty.
You can also head over to Glo if you’re looking for a local spin on the classic Bar + Bistro, with a captivating view of the Gorge. Also the hot wings here are just sublime. It has a really cool drinks menu with a bunch of unique cocktails. I would recommend you try a “Shaft” which is a coffee based alcoholic drink that was invented in Victoria. If you’re staying and few days and have access to a vehicle, I would also highly recommend the Beacon Hill Drive-In. This quaint drive in has fantastic diner style burgers, hot dogs and ice cream.
Attractions:
When asking my mom about local attractions for families in Victoria, the two that immediately sprung to mind were Miniature World and the Bug Zoo. When reflecting upon it I realised the two were prime birthday spots for kids, when I was a “wee lad”. Every kid wanted to have their birthdays here, which is how you know it’s good. That and the laser tag were prime hot spots for parties of course. However, these two are significantly more educational. Have you ever wanted to hold a Tarantula? Perhaps not, but has your kid ever wanted to? Probably. The Bug Zoo and I go way back. In fact, the first time I ever asked a girl out, in grade four, this exact establishment is where I proposed we went. She politely declined. It’s not for everyone, fair enough. But it’s unique to Victoria, and if you think it’s for you, you’ll love it. Miniature World is, too and is conveniently directly across the street. The displays are meticulously crafted and delicately maintained to illustrate a wide variety of impressive settings and scenes. The detail on these models are incredible, the longer you stare the more you see.
https://www.victoriabugzoo.ca/
The website “Attractions Victoria”, has some of the conventional suggestions you might expect. The Natural History Museum and the Art Gallery are great places to visit if you haven’t already. They both have regularly changing and rotating exhibits so even if you have been before, there will be something new to see. The Aviation Museum is further down this list and super fascinating. But it’s all the way up in Sydney, so you’ll need a car to visit that one. If you do end up in Sydney, you should also stop by the interactive Shaw Aquarium. It is fantastic for the whole family. Speaking of family fun, the Beacon Hill petting zoo is also perfect for kids and very close to the cruise ships. It’s a zoo specifically designed for kids with animals that they can interact with. Mainly goats, but you’ll see a few peacocks too. There are also tours of Craigdarroch Castle on this list, which is a gorgeous 2500 square-foot stone castle built in 1890. If you’re interested in history this selection will be great for you.
Nightlife:
The types of places you’ll find downtown usually fit into one of two categories. I will give you the most popular recommendations for each. Please note that anywhere with a “cover charge” will most likely not accept cards at the door, only cash. So make sure to remember to bring cash unless otherwise specified. The legal age for drinking is 19, and please drink responsibly. The first category is the clubs
Nightclubs:
Paparazzi:
Anywhere that does not serve food, opens at 10 pm, has a cover fee at the door and a stamp to be allowed re-entry. That is my definition of a nightclub. The most popular of those is Paparazzi. A spot that went from being relatively unknown recently rebranded and has skyrocketed in popularity over the last two years. The average age of the people you’ll find here is young. Usually around 19-25. Drinks are expensive, music is usually remixes of popular songs and the pool table is just for display. Seriously, that thing has no cue ball and three red 3 balls, you’re better off dancing. Paparazzi has a very appealing and mysterious vibe, being led down a flight of stairs to the dark platform dancefloor. The floor tails off as the bar turns a corner into a large seating area allowing for a breather and the ability to chat with friends. The dance floor is not massive and can overheat on especially hot summer nights. It hands down provides the most authentic “club experience” in Victoria. If you want to hear Drake, go here. You will have a fantastic time on a night out with a small group of friends. The cover is anywhere from $10 at the standard entrance to 20 to skip the line on regular Friday/Saturday nights. Coat check is $5.
Wicket Hall:
The next most popular nightclub and the newest is the“Wicket Hall” under the famous Sticky Wicket Pub. Wicket Hall is ginormous, probably equivalent to the volume of a football field. The last time I went here, I ended up losing my friends and rotating around each of the four little bars to find them. So, I would say try to stay close to your friends here because it is dark and huge. You will definitely get your daily steps in. There is a large platform to dance and a mini bar to buy drinks in every polar direction. The music, vibe and price are overall like Paparazzi; however, the age of the crowd is much more diverse. Because of the size and the proximity of all the bars downtown, people flood in and out of here at an unpredictable rate. I believe the target audience is 20-27-year-olds, but everyone is welcome. Wicket Hall or “Lower Sticky” is identical to Paparazzi when it comes to price and operational hours. So on to the next category, the bars.
Bars:
Darcy’s Pub:
It should be noted that most Pubs here are just bars. Darcy’s is a fantastic example of this because day it is a pub, serving classic pub food like fish and chips. But once it hits 10 pm, this place transforms into a bar. Day or night, Darcy’s has a fantastic selection for pints of beer. On Fridays and Saturdays, they’ll have live music, usually a cover band. But don’t be put off, they are very talented and play songs most people will know and recognize. Lots of 2010 pop hits but also some RnB and classic rock mixed in there too. Darcy’s was so successful they opened a second location in the Westshore a few years ago. Out of everywhere in Victoria, I have had the most consistent fun at Darcy’s. The purple and pink ambient lighting is super cool and the exposed brick wall inside gives the place such a unique aesthetic. As I said, the music is excellent and the people you meet here are just hilarious.
Everyone at Darcy’s seems like they’re having a good time. The one downside here, is that it closes at 1 am. Once it does, I would recommend you head a block up Warf St. and get a slice from “The Joint” pizza. This place is so good, the slices are huge and piping hot, coming out of the oven every twenty minutes. Plus they stay open until 3 am. Take it from me, hitting the joint for a slice after Darcy’s is as quintessentially Victoria as it gets. The cover is $7 at the standard door and 20 to skip the line and the coat check is $4.
The Duke Saloon:
The Duke is a country bar, and I am not much of a country fan, so what I have to say about this place is slightly limited. But plenty of people are country fans so rest assured The Duke is packed every weekend, it opens at 10 pm and closes at 2 am. It is located further down Wharf St. near Craft Brewhouse and Value Village. Upon reaching the rustic tavern entrance, the standard fee is ten dollars, and the line skipping fee is 20. The intensity of the energy makes the Duke special in my experience. Everyone here is always lively and awake and dancing and singing along. They are known for their variety of barrel-aged whiskeys and are partners with Darcy’s Pub. Similar to Darcy’s, they sometimes have live music on weekends. The Duke attracts all ages; anyone who likes country music is welcome and they do an excellent job of clarifying that.
Beaches:
The photos below were taken by me, but unfortunately, not during the summer months. Victoria is as friendly with the rain as I am with my shadow. So come and take in these gorgeous shorelines on a rainy spring day and try to imagine it in August. Or alternatively, a quick google search should do the trick Anyways, the first result for “best beaches in Victoria” on Google is from Trip Advisor, with a top five list linked below.
Dallas Road (Photos from Clover Point):
The number one spot on this list goes to Dallas Road Beach. Dallas Road is a magnificent stretch of beautiful shoreline spanning from Ross Bay all the down to Beacon Hill Park and past the Breakwater and Ogden Point. It’s at the furthest southern point in Greater Victoria and there is a spectacular view of the glistening ocean under the towering Olympic National Park glaciers in the distance. At sunset, the horizon becomes a vibrant purple and orange panorama, usually accompanied by a gentle summer breeze. As Trip Advisor says, it also lies within walking distance of downtown. I would highly recommend you venture up Dallas Road until you reach Clover Point, because that specific spot on the road is my favourite. Here are a couple photos:
The fourth entry on this list is very interesting, McNeil Bay Park. The beach is beautiful, but the real hidden gem lies about a block up and down a cul-de-sac. McMicking Park off Radcliffe Lane only has residential parking so if you are driving, please park on Beach Drive. This beach is much better and more private. Through a twisted thorny little path, you reach a small rocky beach where the breathtaking ocean surrounds you and you can see islands in the distance.
Willows Beach is Oak Bay’s most popular beach, after Gonzales beach. Its stunning and has a nice little park and a large field beside it. For those reasons, this spot is perfect for a family beach day. Willows is also great during the holiday season because the Kiwanis Willows Beach Tea Room is only open during the summer. If you happen to go in the first weekend of June, you’ll have the opportunity to partake in the “Oak Bay Tea Party,” a temporary amusement park with rides and food trucks. Below attached is a photo I took near the parking lot and front entrance to Willows.
The final beach I must recommend, did not even make it on any lists and it is Hollydene beach, seen in the photo directly above. Near the university, it can be a bit hard to find. You go down Hollydene St. until you reach the end where there is parking for four cars and a pathway leading behind all the houses. As you travel down the gravel path the trees begin to part and you get a glimpse of the beach at a higher altitude. Continuing further you arrive at a giant staircase that takes you down to the surface of the beach. The classmates at my old high school would always choose this location to host a party or a beach day. The landscape is stunning, and it benefits from being secluded enough that most times you visit, you have the entire beach to yourself. Potentially even in the summer. The entire beach is swaddled by the beautiful landscape enormous pine and birch trees and rocky outcrops.
Author: Rhys Butterfield