Watch the video recap below:
Victoria, BC, Canada Fun Facts
- Oldest Chinatown in Canada: Victoria is home to the oldest Chinatown in Canada and the second oldest in North America, after San Francisco. Check out my video as we rode the double decker bus through Chinatown.
- Mildest Climate in Canada: Victoria boasts the mildest climate in Canada, with average temperatures rarely falling below freezing in winter or rising above 30°C/86°F in summer.
- Whale Watching Capital: The waters around Victoria are renowned for whale watching, especially for sightings of orcas, humpback whales, and gray whales. We saw whale tails in the distance while approaching Victoria Harbor and riding the Black Ball ferry.
- Butchart Gardens: The world-famous Butchart Gardens, a National Historic Site of Canada, is located in Victoria and attracts over a million visitors annually. Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit this location but it just gives us a reason to go back.
- Haunted City: Victoria is often called one of the most haunted cities in the Pacific Northwest, with numerous ghost stories and haunted locations, including the historic Fairmont Empress Hotel.
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Photo by Steven Buena |
Travel Tips
Transportation:
- Use public transit or rent bikes to explore the city.
- Victoria Clipper and BC Ferries offer convenient travel from the mainland.
Accommodation:
- Book hotels or B&Bs well in advance, especially in summer. On the Port Angeles, WA ferry to Victoria, BC, we saw so many visitors with carry on luggage.
- Consider staying in the downtown area for easy access to attractions. I'd love to try staying at the Empress Hotel and experiencing the Afternoon Tea.
Dining:
- Try local seafood, especially salmon and Dungeness crab.
- Visit the Inner Harbour for a variety of dining options. We loved Milestones for Chicken Adobo Poutine.
Attractions:
- Plan visits to Butchart Gardens and the Royal BC Museum. We opted for the Hop On Hop Off bus and it was a great way to see the entire Victoria, BC area.
- Take a whale-watching tour; book early to secure a spot.
Weather:
- Pack layers and a waterproof jacket; weather can be unpredictable.
- Summer months are the driest and most pleasant for outdoor activities. I was wearing a sweater and was fine on July 4th.
Local Customs:
- Tipping is customary in restaurants, usually 15-20%.
- Respect the local wildlife and natural environment; follow Leave No Trace principles.
Events:
- Check the calendar for local festivals and events, such as the Victoria Symphony Splash or the Victoria Fringe Festival.
Currency:
- Use Canadian dollars; credit and debit cards are widely accepted. I used Tap to Pay linking my American Express to Apple Wallet on my phone.
- ATMs are readily available for cash withdrawals.
Must-See Locations
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Gray Line Hop On Hop Off Route |
We loved Old Town and visiting Chinatown. We saw the filming location of Bird on the Wire starring Goldie Hawn and Mel Gibson. We enjoyed seeing the thinnest alley in Victoria, BC. We even went back to Chinatown to shop and explore on foot.
Oak Bay Marina was cute and I'd love to live in the area as it was clean and scenic.
Craig Darroch Castle looked interesting as we drove by it. It was closed at the time of our bus tour, but that's something I'd like to return and visit.
Beacon Hill Park and Children's Farm consisted of a petting zoo and we even spotted a peacock in the road.
Make sure to watch my video for more information.
Trip Recap
Our adventure started from Port Angeles, WA where my brothers and I boarded the Black Ball Ferry and enjoyed a 90-minute ride seeing whales in the distance. We enjoyed the ocean breeze and exploring the ship.
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Photo by Steven Buena |
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Photo by Steven Buena |
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Photo by Steven Buena |
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Photo by Steven Buena |
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Photo by Steven Buena |
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Then, we made our way to the Empress Hotel to catch our red double-decker Hop On Hop Off Gray Line bus. Tickets for 3 adults cost $130.20 USD. We simply walked up to the table and showed our ticket QR codes to the man checking us in. Then, we boarded the bus making our way to the top deck. We were warned by the driver that we'd probably be a bit sunburned and he was right and I'm paying for my sunglass tan as I type this.
After the bus tour, we made our way to try some Beavertails, which I learned about from watching cruise vlogs from Parodeejay. The Bananarama Beavertail was delicious and tasted like a crispy donut topped with Nutella, banana slices, and powdered sugar. I'm craving it now while back home in Los Angeles, CA.
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Bananarama Beavertail |
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Address: 602 Broughton St, Victoria, BC V8W 1C7, Canada |
Next, we wandered around and ended up at Market Square and tried the Fuzzy Peach Sour beer from Whistle Buoy Brewing Company. It was sweet, tart, and resembled a cider. I loved it!
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Fuzzy Peach Sour $5.92 |
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Address: Market Square, Lower Courtyard, #63, 560 Johnson St, Victoria, BC V8W 3C6, Canada |
Our ferry was arriving soon so, we made our way towards the Visitor's Center and ended up at Milestones, where we tried Adobo Chicken Poutine. The gravy was savory and the cheese curds were chewy and delicious. The chicken was seasoned to perfection and the fries were crispy. Happy to say, I've finally tried Poutine in Canada.
Milestones Address: 812 Wharf St, Victoria, BC V8W 1T3, Canada
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Poutine from Milestones by the Visitor's Center |
Overall, our day trip from Port Angeles, WA to Victoria, BC, Canada was great and although we didn't drive our rental car onto the ferry boat, we had plenty to see thanks to the Hop On Hop Off Gray Line bus. We enjoyed learning where everything was located and then explored on foot after our 90-minute bus tour.
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Trip Resources
If you’re planning a road trip, here are some helpful sites that I use. Note, below are affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission for every booking, with no extra cost to you. Thanks so much, in advance!
Booking.com - Victoria BC-specific tours.
Expedia.com - I like to use this site to explore upcoming cruises that I'd like to take. I also refer to it to compare hotel prices, flights, and car rentals.
GetYourGuide.com - Book things to do, attractions, tours and discover new food.
VRBO.com - When we’re not staying in an AIRBNB, we’re in a VRBO rental. We use this option when we want to enjoy a full house with individual bedrooms, a kitchen, backyard and other amenities.
TripAdvisor.com - Anytime I want reputable reviews, tips, and overall advice about a vacation area, I leverage this site.
Viator.com - Looking for cool tours in your vacation area? This site has a number of options.
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