Sarah and Sammy’s guidebook
Hiking
Moderate hike with some nice views at the top. Steep at the top but worth the effort. Trailhead is about 2.5 km down the street from our property. Dogs can be off leash here.
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Mount Wells Regional Park
Humpback RoadModerate hike with some nice views at the top. Steep at the top but worth the effort. Trailhead is about 2.5 km down the street from our property. Dogs can be off leash here.
Easy-moderate gravel trail through the Sooke Hills Regional Park to a waterfall. About 1-1.5 hrs round trip. Park in the same parking lot as Mt. Wells but follow the gravel path that takes you along the Humpback Reservois. Due to wildlife, dogs should be on leash.
Waugh Creek Falls
Easy-moderate gravel trail through the Sooke Hills Regional Park to a waterfall. About 1-1.5 hrs round trip. Park in the same parking lot as Mt. Wells but follow the gravel path that takes you along the Humpback Reservois. Due to wildlife, dogs should be on leash.
Beautiful lakeside trail that loops around lower and upper Thetis Lake. Dogs can be off leash here, but be wary of algae blooms in the water in winter months.
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Thetis Lake
Beautiful lakeside trail that loops around lower and upper Thetis Lake. Dogs can be off leash here, but be wary of algae blooms in the water in winter months.
Ed Nixon trail is an out and back trail with boardwalks through a marsh that loops halfway around Langford Lake. To maximize the trail, park at the northern side of the lake at the end of Goldstream ave. There are a few beaches and a boat ramp as well to enjoy the water in the summer.
Ed Nixon Trail
Ed Nixon TrailEd Nixon trail is an out and back trail with boardwalks through a marsh that loops halfway around Langford Lake. To maximize the trail, park at the northern side of the lake at the end of Goldstream ave. There are a few beaches and a boat ramp as well to enjoy the water in the summer.
Sea to Sea has several hiking trails up Mt Manual Quimper, Mt Brule, and Mt Empress. The parking lot is about 15 minutes from our property, and dogs can be off leash.
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Sea to Sea Regional Park
Harbourview RoadSea to Sea has several hiking trails up Mt Manual Quimper, Mt Brule, and Mt Empress. The parking lot is about 15 minutes from our property, and dogs can be off leash.
A short, 1km loop around a lake in Metchosin. A good hike/walk for young kids or if you're just in the mood for a short stroll. This trail is about 7 minutes from our place.
Blinkhorn Lake
A short, 1km loop around a lake in Metchosin. A good hike/walk for young kids or if you're just in the mood for a short stroll. This trail is about 7 minutes from our place.
Charlie's trail is an easy forest hike with a couple small waterfalls through the Royal Roads campus that ends at Esquimalt Lagoon. Royal Roads is a beautiful campus with a network of many other trails along the water and forest.
Charlie's Trail
Charlie's trail is an easy forest hike with a couple small waterfalls through the Royal Roads campus that ends at Esquimalt Lagoon. Royal Roads is a beautiful campus with a network of many other trails along the water and forest.
A moderate to difficult hike with some great views at the top. Dogs can be off leash here if well behaved. Park at the Goldstream Provincial Park parking lot about 10 minutes from our place.
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Mt Finlayson
A moderate to difficult hike with some great views at the top. Dogs can be off leash here if well behaved. Park at the Goldstream Provincial Park parking lot about 10 minutes from our place.
A beautiful trail that loops around Matheson Lake. Dogs can be off leash here. This lake is also a great lake for swimming in the summer.
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Matheson Lake Regional Park
Matheson Lake Park RoadA beautiful trail that loops around Matheson Lake. Dogs can be off leash here. This lake is also a great lake for swimming in the summer.
A network of trails through the forest and along the craggy coastline. If you have the time, the East Sooke Coast Trail is challenging and long but wonderful trail.
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East Sooke Regional Park
6807 East Sooke RoadA network of trails through the forest and along the craggy coastline. If you have the time, the East Sooke Coast Trail is challenging and long but wonderful trail.
Biking
Series of mountain bike and multi-use trails that range from beginner to expert. Free to the public and only 3.5 km from our property.
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Jordie Lunn Bike Park
2990 Irwin RdSeries of mountain bike and multi-use trails that range from beginner to expert. Free to the public and only 3.5 km from our property.
This trail connects downtown Victoria to Langford, Metchosin, Sooke, and the ghost town of Leechtown. Relatively flat multi-use trail that's great for biking, walking, running, and in some areas, horseback riding.
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Galloping Goose Trail
Galloping Goose TrailThis trail connects downtown Victoria to Langford, Metchosin, Sooke, and the ghost town of Leechtown. Relatively flat multi-use trail that's great for biking, walking, running, and in some areas, horseback riding.
Harbourview mountain bike trails is a network of trails around Mt Manual Quimper and Mt Brule, ranging from beginner to advanced. The parking lot is about 15 minutes from our property.
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Sea to Sea Regional Park
Harbourview RoadHarbourview mountain bike trails is a network of trails around Mt Manual Quimper and Mt Brule, ranging from beginner to advanced. The parking lot is about 15 minutes from our property.
Climbing
Mt Wells is also known for its rock climbing. There are a few pullout areas along Humpback to to park with trails leading to several rock climbing routes.
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Mount Wells Regional Park
Humpback RoadMt Wells is also known for its rock climbing. There are a few pullout areas along Humpback to to park with trails leading to several rock climbing routes.
A brand new indoor climbing gym dedicated to bouldering. About 7 minutes from our house.
Boulderhouse Climbing Langford
1109 Langford PkwyA brand new indoor climbing gym dedicated to bouldering. About 7 minutes from our house.
Beaches
Witty's is a great beach for swimming, as the water is very shallow for a long distance so it gets quite warm in the summer. It can be busy on sunny days but it's a good spot for a picnic and sunbathing.
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Witty's Lagoon
525 Witty Beach RdWitty's is a great beach for swimming, as the water is very shallow for a long distance so it gets quite warm in the summer. It can be busy on sunny days but it's a good spot for a picnic and sunbathing.
Royal Bay is a long rock/sandy beach in Metchosin that looks across to downtown Victoria. A great place for dogs to run and swim.
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Royal Bay Beachpark
3483 Metchosin RdRoyal Bay is a long rock/sandy beach in Metchosin that looks across to downtown Victoria. A great place for dogs to run and swim.
Well known dog park, walking path, and beach that stretches from downtown Victoria through its waterfront neighbourhoods. The beach looks out over Juan de Fuca strait to the Olympic Mountains and is a popular spot for sunbathing, picnics, and dog walkers.
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Dallas Road
Dallas RoadWell known dog park, walking path, and beach that stretches from downtown Victoria through its waterfront neighbourhoods. The beach looks out over Juan de Fuca strait to the Olympic Mountains and is a popular spot for sunbathing, picnics, and dog walkers.
Jordan River is a popular spot for surfing and storm watching in the fall, winter, and spring. Once a logging town, it now consists of a few quaint houses that are mostly abandoned and a few developments up the hill. Just north of Jordan River is China Beach, which is the start of the Juan de Fuca Trail, a 47 km hiking trail along the coastline.
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Jordan River
Jordan River is a popular spot for surfing and storm watching in the fall, winter, and spring. Once a logging town, it now consists of a few quaint houses that are mostly abandoned and a few developments up the hill. Just north of Jordan River is China Beach, which is the start of the Juan de Fuca Trail, a 47 km hiking trail along the coastline.
Botanical beach is famous for its intertidal zone, especially at low tide. Observe the tide pools, unique rock formations, and rugged coastline, then hop over to the pub for some fish and chips. Located just outside Port Renfrew, which is also the start of the 75 km West Coast Trail.
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Botanical Beach
Botanical beach is famous for its intertidal zone, especially at low tide. Observe the tide pools, unique rock formations, and rugged coastline, then hop over to the pub for some fish and chips. Located just outside Port Renfrew, which is also the start of the 75 km West Coast Trail.
Swimming
Unique rock formations form small pools of water in the Sooke River. Great place to swim and hang out on a hot summer day.
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Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke River RoadUnique rock formations form small pools of water in the Sooke River. Great place to swim and hang out on a hot summer day.
A great spot for swimming in the summer thats a little less crowded.
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Durrance Lake
A great spot for swimming in the summer thats a little less crowded.
Matheson Lake Regional Park
Matheson Lake Park RoadSightseeing
Beautiful lavender farm in Metchosin. Often runs workshops and events throughout the year, as well as a gift shop with various lavender products from their farm.
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Bilston Creek Farm
4185 Metchosin RdBeautiful lavender farm in Metchosin. Often runs workshops and events throughout the year, as well as a gift shop with various lavender products from their farm.
My Chosen Cafe is a quaint cafe with a casual restaurant, candy and ice cream shop (the Sugar Shack), a great pizza restaurant (My Chosen Pizza), and an area to view some very cute farm animals (the Critter Corner). Grab a pizza and an ice cream and sit with some goats and that's a pretty good Saturday afternoon I'd say.
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My Chosen Café
4492 Happy Valley RdMy Chosen Cafe is a quaint cafe with a casual restaurant, candy and ice cream shop (the Sugar Shack), a great pizza restaurant (My Chosen Pizza), and an area to view some very cute farm animals (the Critter Corner). Grab a pizza and an ice cream and sit with some goats and that's a pretty good Saturday afternoon I'd say.
There is lots to do at Goldstream; take a short hike to an epic waterfall, have a picnic by the river, watch the salmon spawn in the fall, or hike up Mt. Finlayson. It's a popular spot with families on the weekend but it's a bit quieter during the week.
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Goldstream Provincial Park
Finlayson Arm RoadThere is lots to do at Goldstream; take a short hike to an epic waterfall, have a picnic by the river, watch the salmon spawn in the fall, or hike up Mt. Finlayson. It's a popular spot with families on the weekend but it's a bit quieter during the week.
If you enjoy birding, Esquimalt Lagoon is a great place for watching them as it's a migratory bird sanctuary.
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Esquimalt Lagoon
If you enjoy birding, Esquimalt Lagoon is a great place for watching them as it's a migratory bird sanctuary.
Food scene
Farm to table, seasonal food served on handmade pottery by local potter Wicked Wanda Ceramics. Located in Sooke, about 15-20 minutes from our place.
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WILD MOUNTAIN Food & Drink
1831 Maple Avenue SouthFarm to table, seasonal food served on handmade pottery by local potter Wicked Wanda Ceramics. Located in Sooke, about 15-20 minutes from our place.
Maybe the best ice cream ever. Located on Goldstream Ave, in Langford's "downtown" about 10 minutes from here.
Parachute Ice Cream (w/ Victoria Pie Co) - Langford
735 Goldstream AvenueMaybe the best ice cream ever. Located on Goldstream Ave, in Langford's "downtown" about 10 minutes from here.
Cute waterfront restaurant in Sooke, about 15-20 minutes from here.
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Stickleback West Coast Eatery
5449 Sooke RdCute waterfront restaurant in Sooke, about 15-20 minutes from here.
A great little brewery with a food truck that serves grilled cheese and mac and cheese (!!) and surf shop. Located just east of sooke, about 15 minutes from our place.
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Sooke Oceanside Brewery
5871-A Sooke RoadA great little brewery with a food truck that serves grilled cheese and mac and cheese (!!) and surf shop. Located just east of sooke, about 15 minutes from our place.
A hip and modern coffee shop in "downtown" Langford. Originally started in Tofino, and serves food, donuts, and has a liquor licence as well.
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Rhino Coffee House Langford
2840 Peatt RoadA hip and modern coffee shop in "downtown" Langford. Originally started in Tofino, and serves food, donuts, and has a liquor licence as well.
Excellent restaurant in Langford that serves brunch and dinner.
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House Of Boateng Restaurant
2854 Peatt RdExcellent restaurant in Langford that serves brunch and dinner.