56 Hours in Victoria, BC: How to Plan the Perfect Cozy Winter Escape
Victoria, BC
If there was ever a North American city suited to embracing the concept of hygge, Victoria is a prime candidate. A brief ride aboard the Victoria Clipper lands you in this quaint city. From indulging in local cuisine to soaking in oceanfront mineral spas to discovering unique boutiques, to sipping on a warming cuppa tea with friends or sharing a starlit evening with a special someone, Victoria is the perfect place to transform winter’s chill into a trip full of cozy goodness.
Victoria, BCDay one
11:30am - Government Street snacking and shopping stroll
If you’re hungry for lunch by the time you arrive in Victoria, stretch your legs and wander along Victoria’s unofficial main street, Fabulous Government Street, for a delightful selection of lunch spots. We recommend a stop at one of Victoria's favourite pubs, the Bard & Banker, situated in a heritage building and serving up local fare and pints. Ready to munch on another snack? Head on over to Murchie's Coffee Shop. Choose from an assortment of warm or cold, freshly baked savouries, then pair it with one of their world-famous teas or coffees. Seriously, you can’t go wrong no matter which one (or three) you pick. Did we mention they also have amazing sweets?
Local tip: Eat outside along Government Street, as the heart of the city closes to vehicle traffic and opens to pedestrians each day around lunchtime. One step onto the tree ensconced space and you’ll forget you’re in the heart of downtown.
Of course, you can’t forget dessert. So stroll down to Chocolats Favoris for a dipped cone creation. This goes beyond your typical dipped cone experience, where you can choose your flavour of chocolate and edible adornments to make your cone truly yours.
4:45pm - Check in to the Oak Bay Beach Hotel
Head to the downtown Budget Car & Truck Rental to pick up a set of wheels for the weekend before heading out to the oceanside neighbourhood of Oak Bay. While the community itself is nothing short of beautiful, the iconic and historic Oak Bay Beach Hotel is absolutely stunning. Situated around a series of mineral pools that hug the sea, and backed by Mount Baker and the Pacific Ocean, the hotel offers unparalleled views in every direction. Breathe the fresh ocean air, and let those worries slip away as you step into the beautifully designed property.
5:45pm - Happy hour at Penny Farthing
Grab a seat by one of the four crackling fireplaces at the old-fashioned Penny Farthing Pub and sit back with a smooth pint of Guinness. With rich dark wood and glass-echoed doors, you will think you’ve been transported back to 1870’s England.
Penny Farthing Pub
7:15pm - Dinner at Vis-à-Vis
Tuck into the aptly named Vis-a-Vis next door, which translates to “face-to-face” in French, for a personalized and engaging experience. Grab a front-row seat with the locals to interact directly with the wine bar’s expert bartender. Here, the food and drink are meant not only to be eaten but also experienced. Be adventurous and sample whatever speaks to you on the menu. If you have trouble sorting through the impressive list of incredible dishes, the friendly staff of big-time, unpretentious foodies will be more than happy to help guide you through the options and select the perfect wine or cocktail to accompany your meal.
Vis-à-VisDay two
10:30am - Breakfast at House of Boateng
Kick off your morning exploring the Westshore and beyond at House of Boateng Cafe. At house of Boateng, Chef Castro uses fresh, local ingredients to deliver fine African and Caribbean flavours. This award-winning bistro is both a local favourite, and the launchpad for well-fueled expedition into the wild lands that surround Greater Victoria.
House of Boateng Cafe
12:00pm Sheringham Point Lighthouse
Standing tall above the rocky coastline, the historic 105-year-old Sheringham Point Lighthouse is one of Vancouver’s Island’s must-see secret spots. A short walk along the picturesque Lighthouse View Trail will land you at the lighthouse itself, where you and your significant other can escape the hustle and bustle of daily life and sit and watch the waves for a while. Get the camera ready as you may even spot a pod of whales or catch sight of an otter cruising the shoreline.
Photo credit: @itsrachaeldarling (Instagram)
1:30pm - Sooke Harbour House
A visit to the west side of the island would not be complete without a lunch break at the renowned Sooke Harbour House. Perched on the tip of Whiffen Spit, the elegant resort provides 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 serves up phenomenal farm-to-table fare, much of which is sourced directly from the three-acre manicured rare herb and edible flower garden housed right in the hotel’s backyard.
Local Tip: Venture outside for a leisurely stroll along the neighbouring Whiffen Spit. Find a seat on one of the wooden benches found along the path to the breakwater and soak in breathtaking views. The calm, protected waters of the Sooke Basin on one side and the open waters of the Juan de Fuca Strait on the other.
4:30pm - Couples massage at Boathouse Spa
Zip back to the Boathouse Spa & Bath at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit with a luxurious couples spa treatment. Indulge in an intimate 60 minute side-by-side Swedish rubdown and then pamper your feet with a relaxing pedicure while you sip on a soothing herbal tea. If this doesn’t leave you feeling blissed-out and refreshed, we don’t know what will!
The Boathouse Spa
6:45pm - Dinner at Il Terrazzo Ristorante
Head downtown to Il Terrazzo Ristorante for an intimate dinner for two. Filled with flickering candlelight and brick fireplaces, the quaint Italian restaurant practically oozes warmth and romance. The relaxed, romantic space offers an expertly crafted wine list and a menu of comforting Italian dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Local tip: Feast on fresh seafood or opt for one of the many unique, house-made pasta dishes, like butternut squash cannelloni served with asiago, coconut curried lentils and crab cakes.
9:30pm - Night cap at Perro Negro
Less than a block away from Il Terrazzo, tucked away on the second floor of one of Victoria’s historic brick buildings, you’ll find Perro Negro. This cozy wine bar features an extensive list of tapas, sherry, and wines from Spain, BC and beyond. They also offer a full cocktail menu, if that’s more your style.
Perro NegroDay three
9:00am - Breakfast at Caffe Fantastico
Hop in the car and cruise along Beach Drive toward Dallas Road, enjoying the scenic views over the Juan de Fuca Strait and Olympic Mountain Range beyond. Find parking outside St. Ann’s Academy National Historic Site and head across the street into Tre Fantastico at the Parkside Hotel & Spa. The bright, spacious atmosphere will invite you to linger as you sip Fantastico’s own locally-roasted coffee and enjoy simple but fresh breakfast items like cold-smoked salmon on a fresh bagel or local braised greens with farm-fresh poached eggs.
Caffe Fantastico
10:00am - Cowichan Valley Wine Tour
If you don't feel like driving, following breakfast, head back into downtown Victoria to meet one of Island Time Tours’ local expert guides for the Cowichan Wine Country Tour. Climb into your private van, lean back, relax and let someone else take care of the driving and the planning for the day. On the way to Cowichan’s excellent vineyards, your expert will not only fill you in on key local players and history of Vancouver Island’s burgeoning wine scene but also show you some of the island’s most stunning views.
Island Time Tours
10:25 - Goldstream Provincial Park
Less than 25 minutes into the drive north on the scenic Trans-Canada Highway, you’ll pull into the peaceful Goldstream Provincial Park to get a peep at the natural wonderland right outside of Victoria. Wander down to the visitor’s centre to learn more about the park and soak in some of the energy from the massive, aromatic 500-year old cedars that call the park home.
Goldstream Provincial Park
11:15am - Saanich Inlet Scenic Overlook
Stop once more at the scenic overlook at the top of the rugged Malahat Drive to soak in breathtaking vistas of the lush valley below and snap awe-inspiring shots of the sparkling Saanich Inlet as it carves its way through the rugged terrain.
Photo credit: @hikevictoria.com
11:45am – Lunch & Wine Tasting at Boutique Wineries
Kick off your day among the grapes with a stop at the intimate Unsworth Vineyards. Located off a picturesque country road that winds through working farms and rolling hills, Unsworth is a wine lover's paradise. This award-winning winery offers some of our region's finest wines out of their tasting room or restored 1900s farm-house restaurant - we recommend the Pinot Noir. Next up, duck into the ultra-modern Blue Grouse Estate Winery & Vineyard, head upstairs to cozy up on the open second-floor landing and sample the region’s signature crystal-clear Ortega while you stare in awe at the impressive 45-acre vineyard that stretches down the sunny slope before you. As a final stop of the day, swing by Merridale Cidery & Distillery, wander the orchard, explore the Instagram-worthy grounds, and stop into the restaurant for their fresh, locally-sourced food, and stop by their gift shop on the way out to grab a cider or bottle of spirits for home.
4:00 pm – Clipper Terminal
With a full tummy, make your way back to the Clipper terminal to check in for the 2-hour and 45-minute cruise back to Seattle. While it’s easy to succumb to heavy eyelids after a day full of adventure, get lost in a card game or catch up on your TV shows on the ride home, don’t forget to gaze out the window or make a trip out to the back deck for a moment or two to soak in the natural beauty that surrounds you. When the last rays of sunlight illuminate the Cascades and neighbouring coastline in a golden blaze, the views are pretty hard to beat.
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For more ideas, check out things to see and do in Victoria and browse the events calendar to see what fun things are going on in town!
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