Guidebook for Victoria
Shopping
My Chosen Café
4492 Happy Valley RdPopular destination - large portions of down-home fare.
Internationally-acclaimed potters, Judy Deyelle and Robin Hopper (Robin is now deceased, but some of his work is still available)
CHOSIN POTTERY INC.
4283 Metchosin RdInternationally-acclaimed potters, Judy Deyelle and Robin Hopper (Robin is now deceased, but some of his work is still available)
Food Scene
Great coffee, goodies, soups etc. in "downtown" Metchosin!
10 abantu bendawo batusa
The Broken Paddle Coffee House
4480 Happy Valley RdGreat coffee, goodies, soups etc. in "downtown" Metchosin!
Great spot for lunch after an exhilarating hike in East Sooke Park - it's right near the Aylard Farm entrance of the park.
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Smokin Tuna Cafe
241 Becher Bay RdGreat spot for lunch after an exhilarating hike in East Sooke Park - it's right near the Aylard Farm entrance of the park.
Beautiful views, gracious hosts, excellent food! Right down the street from Matheson Lake Park (a great park for a hike and swim!) and right ON the Galloping Goose (in case you are biking.) Open weekend for TAKE-OUT PIZZA ONLY. Check their website for details.
16 abantu bendawo batusa
Glenrosa Farm Restaurant
5447 Rocky Point RdBeautiful views, gracious hosts, excellent food! Right down the street from Matheson Lake Park (a great park for a hike and swim!) and right ON the Galloping Goose (in case you are biking.) Open weekend for TAKE-OUT PIZZA ONLY. Check their website for details.
It's the closest bakery, and they often use organic grains; they also have sandwiches, coffee, etc.
23 abantu bendawo batusa
Royal Bay Bakery
3337 Metchosin RdIt's the closest bakery, and they often use organic grains; they also have sandwiches, coffee, etc.
Bruce's favourite bakery. Great crusty dark loaves, wonderful croissants etc. It's on your way into town if you take the route via Craigflower. Check their hours online.
They also now sell their breads/treats in Metchosin at the Nootka Rose in Metchosin downtown centre! so check it out online - they have limited hours.
45 abantu bendawo batusa
Fry's Red Wheat Bread Bakery
416 Craigflower RdBruce's favourite bakery. Great crusty dark loaves, wonderful croissants etc. It's on your way into town if you take the route via Craigflower. Check their hours online.
They also now sell their breads/treats in Metchosin at the Nootka Rose in Metchosin downtown centre! so check it out online - they have limited hours.
Sabhai Thai Restaurant
2800 Jacklin RdIf you like Thai, they have takeout!
For your "town" day - this is down on Victoria waterfront Inner Harbour - it's like a fixed food truck, with picnic table etc. outside - great for your BC Museum day if the weather is nice and you want to eat outside. Good fish tacos, for example. . .
163 abantu bendawo batusa
Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf StFor your "town" day - this is down on Victoria waterfront Inner Harbour - it's like a fixed food truck, with picnic table etc. outside - great for your BC Museum day if the weather is nice and you want to eat outside. Good fish tacos, for example. . .
Relaxed fine dining. Has a good bakery, Fol Epi. For your "town" day - this is near shops, theatres, close to Inner Harbour, etc.
24 abantu bendawo batusa
Agrius
732 Yates StRelaxed fine dining. Has a good bakery, Fol Epi. For your "town" day - this is near shops, theatres, close to Inner Harbour, etc.
If you're on your way to Port Renfrew or Avatar Grove, this it a really fun place to stop. Great coffee, pastries, lunch stuff, and a hilarious proprietor!
111 abantu bendawo batusa
Shirley Delicious
2794 Sheringham Point RdIf you're on your way to Port Renfrew or Avatar Grove, this it a really fun place to stop. Great coffee, pastries, lunch stuff, and a hilarious proprietor!
Everything Else
Glorious beach walking, raptors gather there in fall, petroglyphs, easy walking or strenuous hiking, your pick.
95 abantu bendawo batusa
East Sooke Regional Park
6807 East Sooke RoadGlorious beach walking, raptors gather there in fall, petroglyphs, easy walking or strenuous hiking, your pick.
Another lovely park within walking distance!
10 abantu bendawo batusa
Albert Head Lagoon Regional Park
Delgada RoadAnother lovely park within walking distance!
Coastal Cycles
1612 Island HwyYou can rent bicycles here. Check their website!
You can rent kayaks here, and arrange lessons, guided adventures etc. Check their website!
16 abantu bendawo batusa
Rush Adventures
5449 Sooke RdYou can rent kayaks here, and arrange lessons, guided adventures etc. Check their website!
Westbrook Homestyle Laundromat
776 Goldstream AveHandy laundromat in Langford; has tables/chairs for relaxing. Clean.
Lovely old Victorian-era mansion complete with period furniture and historical information. Close to the Victoria Art Gallery and Government House.
234 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Craigdarroch Castle
1050 Joan CrescentLovely old Victorian-era mansion complete with period furniture and historical information. Close to the Victoria Art Gallery and Government House.
Arts & Culture
If you're going to leave the beauties of Metchosin to have a "town" day in Victoria, this is a must-see in my view. Great for kids. Take your time.
534 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Royal BC Museum
675 Belleville StIf you're going to leave the beauties of Metchosin to have a "town" day in Victoria, this is a must-see in my view. Great for kids. Take your time.
If you're on your way west - toward Sooke or Port Renfrew - and have time and interest in museums, this is a sweet little museum with information on local history, parks, etc.
43 abantu bendawo batusa
Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre
2070 Phillips RdIf you're on your way west - toward Sooke or Port Renfrew - and have time and interest in museums, this is a sweet little museum with information on local history, parks, etc.
Some very beautiful and interesting collections. Close to Government House if you want a stroll in some beautiful gardens after.
Victoria Emerging Art Gallery
1040 Moss StSome very beautiful and interesting collections. Close to Government House if you want a stroll in some beautiful gardens after.
Sightseeing
If you're having a "town" day, this has beautiful gardens, benches with views - you can take a picnic there, or go to their tea house. No entrance fee.
103 abantu bendawo batusa
Government House
1401 Rockland AveIf you're having a "town" day, this has beautiful gardens, benches with views - you can take a picnic there, or go to their tea house. No entrance fee.
Everyone knows about Butchart Gardens! I boycotted it for years (I prefer more wilderness spots!) but honestly, if you like manicured gardens, it's beautiful and worth a half-day!
254 abantu bendawo batusa
Butchart Gardens
Everyone knows about Butchart Gardens! I boycotted it for years (I prefer more wilderness spots!) but honestly, if you like manicured gardens, it's beautiful and worth a half-day!
Hatley Castle is on the grounds of Royal Roads University. Beautiful gardens. Entry fee is much less than Butchart Gardens and it's only 10 minutes' drive from here. You can bring your own picnic and enjoy it in the Japanese gardens. . .
86 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Hatley Castle
2005 Sooke RdHatley Castle is on the grounds of Royal Roads University. Beautiful gardens. Entry fee is much less than Butchart Gardens and it's only 10 minutes' drive from here. You can bring your own picnic and enjoy it in the Japanese gardens. . .
Lovely old Victorian-era mansion complete with period furniture and historical information. Close to the Victoria Art Gallery and Government House.
234 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Craigdarroch Castle
1050 Joan CrescentLovely old Victorian-era mansion complete with period furniture and historical information. Close to the Victoria Art Gallery and Government House.
Parks & Nature
Matheson Lake Regional Park
Matheson Lake Park RoadWonderful river swimming on a hot day. Deep pools, waterfalls, trails.
222 abantu bendawo batusa
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke River RoadWonderful river swimming on a hot day. Deep pools, waterfalls, trails.
Essentials
6 minutes by car from here, this is a small grocery store but it has a full range of items including local meats and produce. Doesn't usually carry fresh fish. Great deli where thy make wonderful big wraps and sandwiches to take on your picnics.
79 abantu bendawo batusa
Red Barn Market
611 Brookside Rd6 minutes by car from here, this is a small grocery store but it has a full range of items including local meats and produce. Doesn't usually carry fresh fish. Great deli where thy make wonderful big wraps and sandwiches to take on your picnics.
Thrifty Foods
1495 Admirals Rd