Victoria (Canada)

Photo © Utrecht

Travel Guide North America Canada British Columbia Vancouver Island Victoria

Introduction

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Victoria, British Columbia, is the city of hanging flower baskets. Victoria contains a perfect combination of the old and new Canada. Amidst the bustle of this little city, you can venture through the classical Brit architecture to the preserved Chinatown, or all the way back in time to the original First Nations (Aboriginal) culture. The colourful gardens and paintings are worth admiring, while the natural beauty just a short distance away from the town is simply breathtaking.

edit

Neighbourhoods

The following is a list of neighbourhoods in the City of Victoria, as defined by the city planning department:

Burnside
Downtown
Esquimalt
Fairfield
Fernwood
Gonzales (Foul Bay)
Gorge/Tillicum
Harris Green
Hillside-Quadra
James Bay
Jubilee (North/South)
North Park
Oaklands
Rockland
Victoria West

edit

Sights and Activities

Many of Victoria's attractions (and tourist activity) are in or around the Inner Harbour and downtown, including the Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel, the Royal BC Museum and Beacon Hill Park. If you're pressed for time, it would be hard to go wrong spending your time there. Beyond the harbour are a handful of attractions, including the renowned Butchart Gardens, and many parks and beaches with trails, views and fewer tourists.

Whale Watching

Whale watching is a popular activity in Victoria. Three pods of orcas (killer whales) have feeding grounds between Victoria and the mainland, plus grey whales, humpback whales and minke whales migrate through the Georgia Strait at different times of the year. Some companies offer whale watching tours year-round, but the best time to see whales is considered April to October. Tours outside of those times focus less on whales and more on the other marine wildlife. Many of the companies offer whale guarantees, but they are seasonable and tend to have conditions, so careful consideration is advised if you are making a decision based on the whale guarantee.
Tours are usually around three hours and the style of boat can vary, from open-air Zodiacs to yachts with heated cabins. Zodiacs are fast and low to the water, but can be very wet (protective suits are usually supplied) are not recommended for young children (restrictions vary by company), and people with mobility issues or injuries.

The Inner Harbour and Downtown

The Inner Harbour and area is the focal point of many trips to Victoria. It has the bulk of the must-see tourist attractions, and the artists, buskers and other entertainers add to the atmosphere. Many find it fascinating to watch the float planes taking off and landing. In the springtime, the Inner Harbour is filled with many beautiful flowers.

Beacon Hill Park, Douglas St & Dallas Rd (head south on Douglas St from downtown; or take Bus #3). Large park close to downtown with trails, lakes, gardens, splash pads/playgrounds for the kids and sports fields. The south end is on the waterfront, with a walking path and a view of the Olympic Mountains across the strait. There are plenty of ducks, some wild peacocks running around and herons. Attractions within the park include the Beacon Hill Children's Farm, which features a goat petting area, Mile 0 (the western end of the Trans-Canada highway) and the Beacon Hill Park Story Pole, which, at nearly 39 m, was the tallest free-standing totem pole in the world when it was first raised in 1956. Free.
British Columbia Parliament Buildings, 501 Belleville St (at the Inner Harbour), ☎ +1 250-387-3046. Late May-early Sept M-F 8:30AM-5PM, Sa Su 9AM-5PM; M-F 9AM-5PM at other times of the year. The legislative assembly for the province of British Columbia since 1898, the domed neo-Baroque and Romanesque Revival architecture is a distinctive feature of Victoria's waterfront. The free public tours (usually offered throughout the day) are considered excellent. Self-guided tours are available on weekdays, booklets can be picked up at the Parliamentary Tour desk or downloaded from the website. The buildings are equally nice to view at night night, when they are lit up with 13,000 lights. Free.
Chinatown, 500-600 block of Fisgard St (Fisgard St, between Store & Government). The oldest Chinatown in Canada and second oldest in North America. At its peak in the early 1900s, there were over 3,000 people living amongst its narrow lanes, businesses, theatres, schools, temples and opium dens. Some of the distinctive architecture remains, and a new generation of restaurants, Chinese fruit and vegetable stores, bubble tea and coffee shops have taken over. Other landmarks include The Gates of Harmonious Interest (at the corner of Fisgard & Government) and Fan Tan Alley, Canada's narrowest "road".
Emily Carr House, 207 Government St (a 5-10 minute walk south of the Inner Harbour on Government St), ☎ +1 250-383-5843. May - Sep: Tu-Sa. Emily Carr is one of Canada's greatest and most loved artists. This is her childhood home, which has become a heritage site and museum on her art, writing and life. $6.75 (adult), $5.75 (student/senior), $4.50 (child 6-18), $17 (family).
Maritime Museum of BC, 634 Humboldt St (inside the Nootka Court building at the corner of Humboldt & Douglas), ☎ +1 250-385-4222. Late May-early Sept: daily 10AM-5PM; other times: Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Small museum with exhibits relating to Canada's or British Columbia's maritime history. There's also a gift shop with model ships, books, caps, prints and all things related to boats. $10 (adult), $8 (senior/student), $5 (youth 12-17).
Miniature World, 649 Humboldt St (at the back of the Empress Hotel), ☎ +1 250-385-9731. Mid May - late Sept 9AM-9PM, 9AM-5PM at other times of the year. An extensive display of miniature landscapes, cities, etc., some rather bizarre or at comically mismatched scales. Includes the world's smallest working saw mill at a scale of 1:12. $15 (adult), $11 (senior), $10 (youth), $8 (child).
Royal British Columbia Museum, 675 Belleville St (between the Legislature and the Empress hotel, near the Inner Harbour), ☎ +1 250-356-7226, e-mail: [email protected]. Daily 9AM–5PM (10AM-5PM in winter). This tells BC story, especially from 1850 to 1920. It has amazing exhibits, and is easily worth half a day. There are three permanent galleries: Modern History, story of the European settlement; First Peoples, pre-contact and post-contact; and Natural History, mainly oceans, large animals, and climate. All are explained with phenomenal immersive exhibits. $22 (adult), $16 (senior, student, youth 6-18). Prices vary for special exhibitions.
IMAX Theatre, 675 Bellville St (part of the Royal BC Museum), ☎ +1 250-953-4629. The largest IMAX screen in British Columbia with a mix of Hollywood feature films and traditional IMAX films. $9-12, Hollywood feature films are an extra $3.25. Tickets are not included with regular museum admission but discounted combo tickets are available.
Victoria Bug Zoo, 631 Courtney St, ☎ +1 250-384-2847. M-F 11AM-4PM, Sa Su 11AM-5PM; 10AM-6PM extended summer hours. Looking at bugs while on holidays doesn't sound like it'd be appealing, but this is a fantastic little place filled with very knowledgeable and friendly guides, and where else would you get the chance to hold so many crazy creatures? $12 (adult), $8 (senior, student, youth 5-17).

edit

Weather

DSCN1876.jpg

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg Max	6.9 °C	8.4 °C	10.5 °C	13.4 °C	16.6 °C	19.3 °C	21.9 °C	22 °C	19.4 °C	14.2 °C	9.5 °C	6.9 °C
Avg Min	0.7 °C	1.4 °C	2.3 °C	4.1 °C	6.9 °C	9.3 °C	10.8 °C	10.8 °C	8.4 °C	5.3 °C	2.7 °C	1 °C
Rainfall	136.6 mm	107.8 mm	78 mm	44.5 mm	36.5 mm	32 mm	19.5 mm	23.9 mm	30.4 mm	75.7 mm	147.2 mm	151.2 mm
Rain Days	17.8	16.1	16.2	13.2	11.6	10	5.7	5.6	7.4	13.2	18.7	18.7

Victoria has a temperate climate with mild, rainy winters and cool, dry and sunny summers. Daily temperatures rise above 30 °C on average less than one day per year and fall below 0 °C on average only ten nights per year. Victoria has recorded completely freeze-free winter seasons three times (in 1957/58, 1999/2000, and 2002/03). During the winter, the average daily high and low temperatures are 8 °C and 4 °C, respectively. The summer months are equally mild, with an average high temperature of 20 °C and low of 11 °C, although inland areas often experience warmer daytime highs. Victoria does occasionally experience more extreme temperatures. The highest temperature ever recorded in Victoria was 36.0 °C on July 11, 2007, while the coldest temperature on record was -15.7 °C on December 29, 1968.

Thanks to the rain shadow effect of the nearby Olympic Mountains, Victoria is the driest location on the B.C. coast, with dramatically lower rainfall than other nearby areas. Total annual precipitation is just 608 mm. One of the most striking features of Victoria's climate is that it has distinct dry and rainy seasons. Nearly two-thirds of the annual precipitation falls during the four wettest months, November to February. During the summer months, Victoria is the driest major city in Canada. Victoria averages just 26 centimetres of snow annually.

edit

Getting There

By Plane

Victoria International Airport (YYJ) offers flights to/from Seattle, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, San Francisco and even seasonal flights south to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Honolulu, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Public transit from Victoria International to the city is not that great (routes 79 and 83 go there but infrequently), but the YYJ Airport Shuttle Bus picks you up from the airport and takes you to many downtown hotels (tel 1-778-351-4995 or toll-free 1-855-351-4995, 45 minutes one-way, adults $24).

Victoria Inner Harbor is a much more convenient port of entry right at the heart of town that serves helicopters and floatplanes. There are daily departures from Vancouver's harbor & airport and as far south as Seattle's Lake Union.

By Train

The Malahat is operated by ViaRail and travels between Victoria and Courtenay on Vancouver Island.

By Car

Victoria is accessible from the rest of Vancouver island by roads, and from the mainland by taking one of the car ferries described in By boat. Victoria is connected to Nanaimo and other northern points by the Trans-Canada Hwy 1. BC-4 connects Victoria to Sooke and Port Renfrew. BC-17 connects Sidney (and Vancouver via BC ferries) to Victoria. You can also bring your car on the Black Ball ferries to Port Angeles, WA and the Washington state ferries from Sidney to the San Juan Islands and Anacortes, WA.

By Bus

Bus companies travel to Victoria from Vancouver (including Vancouver International Airport), Sunshine Coast and from other points on Vancouver Island. Buses travelling to Vancouver Island use BC Ferries, so you still get to enjoy the ferry ride. Some bus companies will make announcements on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay ferry inviting foot passengers to purchase bus tickets for the ride into Victoria. This option is faster than the public transit option noted above, but also more expensive.

By Boat

There are several ferries operating between Victoria and mainly Washington State in the USA:

Coho Ferry: Port Angeles, Washington - Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria Express: Port Angeles - Victoria and San Juan Islands - Victoria
Victoria Clipper: Seattle - Victoria
BC Ferries - The main way to get to Vancouver Island and Victoria is via BC Ferries (+1-888-223-3779) which operates a ferry from Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver) to Swartz Bay, a half hour drive north of Victoria. As of September 2017, one way fares are $57.50 per regular sized passenger vehicle (not including the driver), and $17.20 per driver or adult passenger (12 years and over). Children ages 5 to 11 ride half-fare, while children under the age of 5 are free.

By Cruise Ship

Victoria is a major destination port for cruise lines during the Alaska Cruise Ship season which normally runs from May to October each year.
Cruise lines like Holland America, Princess, Carnival are only some of the major ones that dock at Ogden Point. In 2012, over 220 ships docked and more than 500,000 plus passengers visited plus the crew which averages about 1,000 per ship.

edit

Getting Around

By Car

Some of the options to rent a car include the following companies:

By Public Transport

BC Transit runs a network of buses throughout the Saanich Peninsula and forms the mainstay of Victoria's public transit network. Regular fares are a flat $2.50. Children aged 5 and under are free. Bus tickets can be purchased in books of ten, and give a slight discount. Day passes are also available; they cost $5.00 on board the bus. No transfers are available. Victoria, along with Kelowna, Toronto and Ottawa, is one of only a few cities in North America which use double decker buses in their city transit systems.

By Foot

Walking is an easy, free, and fun way to explore the entire downtown area. Make your way from hotel to museum to shops; stop for coffee; stroll along the harborside; grab a pint and some fish-n-chips - take it in!

By Bike

Victoria is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Canada, which may have something to do with the very mild winters. There are many places to rent bikes. One place is CycleBCRentals, at 685 Humboldt St. (phone +1 250-380-2453 or toll-free +1-866-380-2453). Bike rentals start at $6 and they also rent scooters and motorbikes here.

edit

Eat

Victoria has the second-highest number of restaurants per capita of all North American cities! The waterfront tourist area is home to a wide variety of restaurants and eateries, including several English-style pubs. Try the fish and chips or shepherds pie for a taste of England in Canada. For a more eclectic Victoria experience, check out the classy restaurants that surround Chinatown, offering interesting west-coast fusion and Asian dishes.

8 1550's Pub Style Restaurant, 1550 Cedar Hill X Rd, Saanich (between Cedar Hill Rd and Shelbourne), ☎ +1 250-472-0047. M-Th 11AM-11PM, F 11AM-midnight, Sa 9AM-midnight, Su 9AM-11PM. Typical pub fare, but very good. Large selection of burgers. Great location for hangover brunch; sitting on the patio is quite pleasant. Starters $8-15, mains $14-18.

Bent Mast Pub and Restaurant, 512 Simcoe St (at Five Corners, in James Bay), ☎ +1 250-383-6000. M-Th noon-midnight, F noon-2AM, Sa 10AM-2AM, Su 10AM-midnight. Burgers, sandwiches and pub fare in an old Victorian house. A great place to drink, eat, make friends, and have fun. Talk to the staff for a bit of the history of the house. Starters $6-14, mains $10-20.
Garrick’s Head Pub, 66 Bastion Square, ☎ +1 250-384-6835. M-Sa 11AM-1AM, Su 11AM-midnight. A simple pub - and “One of the oldest English pubs in Canada” according to their website (est. 1867) — but with excellent food and amazing friendly service. As is typical in such pubs, not a great selection for veggheads, but their veggie burger (nuts and chick peas) is really fantastic. The fries are beer-battered to a lovely crispy dark golden colour and the fish is cooked really well, flaky, not squeaky. Mushy peas that come with the steak pie are very tasty. Lots of traditional British food, but with taste. There are also over 50 beers on tap. Not enough for you, how about that fireplace? Starters $7-15, mains $13-19.
Ferris' Oyster Bar & Grill, 536 Yates St, ☎ +1 250-360-1824. M 11:30AM-10PM, Tu-Sa 11:30AM-11PM, Su 10AM-11PM (Upstairs oyster bar opens at 5PM nightly). Two restaurants - the grill and patio (with a focus on sandwiches, burgers and oysters) downstairs, and the upstairs oyster and seafood bar. A large menu and classy atmosphere, perfect for first dates or nights out with friends. Even the burgers are good. Starters $5-16, mains $11-32.
John's Place, 723 Pandora Ave, ☎ +1 250-389-0711. M-F 7AM-9PM, Sa-Su 8AM-9PM. A local favourite with some of the best staff in town and excellent food at decent prices. Does breakfast, lunch and dinner, with brunch on weekends. The Eggs Benedict with hollandaise sauce is to die for (10 varieties)! Breakfast $7-15, dinner mains $9-17.
Shine Cafe, 1458 Fort St (near Oak Bay Corners (Fort and Pandora), outside of downtown), ☎ +1 250-595-2133. 8AM-3PM daily. A very popular brunch spot with a variety of breakfast dishes, soups, sandwiches and burgers. A particularly interesting dish they make is Scottish breakfast with black pudding and potato scones. Expect a long wait after 11AM on weekends. There is now a second location downtown at 1320 Blanshard St (corner of Blanshard & Johnson). $7-15.
Rebar Modern Food (Rebar), 50 Bastion Square, ☎ +1 250-361-9223. M-F 11:30AM-9PM, Sa 9:30AM-9PM, Su 9:30AM-8PM. A partially vegetarian restaurant with a diverse modern menu and a nice location. Limited vegan options, and many menu items contain fish. $8-22.
The Mint, 1414 Douglas St (between Pandora and Johnson), ☎ +1 250-386-6468. M-F 11AM-4PM (The Mint Lunch); 5PM-2AM daily (The Mint). Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine in a swanky atmosphere, DJs included. The main restaurant (The Mint) is downstairs, with lunch fare (The Mint Lunch) served at street level. A popular spot for students. Starters $5-18, mains $10-23.
The Noodle Box, 818 Douglas St, ☎ +1 250-384-1314. 11AM-9PM daily. Another very popular spot for locals. Serves southeast Asian food fresh and in a takeaway box. Wait times vary depending on the time of day (for example, 20-25 minutes during lunch hour rush), but the meal is worth it. Minimize the wait by phoning in your order in advance. The boxes look deceptively small, but they make a very filling meal. There are also locations at 3500 Uptown Blvd and Saanich (205-3749 Shelbourne St). $9-18.

edit

Drink

Because Victoria’s downtown is fairly small, most of the nightlife is within walking distance. Cabs aren’t too expensive and there isn’t too far to go to get from point A to B. Victoria's police force has an aggressive crackdown on drinking and driving, so take a cab, all you have to do is stumble to Douglas and eventually you will grab one before someone else. But if it’s a special night like Halloween or New Year’s Eve, expect a bit of a wait. Compared to clubs in larger cities, cover in Victoria is cheap, ranging from $3 to $10. Fridays and Saturdays: expect to pay $7 to get in the door and another $2 to check your coat. Compared to larger cities, Victoria's liquor is pretty pricey. There is a law in Victoria that requires all drinks to cost $3 at minimum for a serving of alcohol. Expect to pay at least $3 but most likely more for each drink. Beers and shots are about $5. Most bars have cash machines inside, and accept only cash as payment.

Lucky Bar 517 Yates. A bit small, but not nearly as costly as others. Wednesday night is Mod Night so dress in your hipster finest. Thursday night's "Hang The DJ" is probably the most tasteful music in the city, and the music-snob crowd reflects that. The crowd is a mix of straight and queer. Monday night is 90210 so dress to impress and get down there early.
Touch View St. (at Blanshard). Formerly known as 'The Red Jacket' This opulent nightclub is frequented by a posh crowd looking to see and be seen. The crowd tends to be a bit more ethnically diverse. The bar itself is large (when both sides are open) and features a bright fish tank that is very cool when you’re drunk. When this club is popular, usually Thursdays, expect to wait in line unless you come early or know the right people. Mondays are the hipster night - complete with DSLR photographers and enough electro and mash ups to choke a portland donkey.
For a slightly older crowd, head to Upstairs Cabaret (in Bastion square). Above the popular pub Darcy’s, the place gets busy on Saturday after the pub crowd are kicked out at 1AM when the (awesome) rock cover band finishes. Upstairs is a good size and plays a wide variety of music. The staff often ignores all patrons but their friends but with a bit of persistence you’ll get a drink.
Distrikt is probably the largest club in Victoria, with a sunken dance floor and multiple bars. Used to be called Legends and was very popular. in the basement of the Strathcona hotel which also features the Clubhouse, Rooftop and Big Bad John's.
For rock and 80s fans, go to Rehab (formerly Evolution) at 502 Discovery. They play classic and modern rock, retro, electro etc. depending on the night. Retro night on Wednesday’s is especially popular and the drinks tend to be a bit cheaper. The crowd is really mixed, all ages and walks of life.
Victoria's gay crowd, although usually more comfortable at Lucky or Hush, will occasionally show their support and hang out at Paparazzi (formerly known as Prism) the “official” gay bar on Johnson St. The music is pumping and special drag shows or karaoke contests are often. Straight people are welcome...sort of...if they are willing to have a little fun anyway. This place is also home to the only good Karaoke night in town.
Another “sort-of” gay bar is Hush. The music is almost purely pounding trance and other dance music genres and anyone is welcome. The bar is fairly small but you can find it on Government St. This is basically where everybody went after the City of Victoria completely destroyed the awesome rave scene that used to happen here.
Redd's Roadhouse Pub (Redd's Pub), 3020 Blanshard St (in front of Topaz Park), ☎ +1 250-382-4400, e-mail: [email protected]. 11AM-11PM. Sports bar featuring all sports events in huge TV screens, daily specials, game nights and live bands. $30.
Moon Under Water Pub & Brewery, 350B Bay St, ☎ +1 250-380-0706. Mon-Thurs 11:30AM-11PM, Fri 11:30AM - Midnight, Sat 11:30AM - 11PM, Sun 11:30AM-8PM. A "Beer" bar. Food is matched to the beer. In-house German-inspired beers are served along side craft beers from around British Columbia. Free overnight parking.

edit

Sleep

There are a number of areas to stay in Victoria with the most popular location being downtown. Other options include Sidney, the West Shore and the Upper Harbour district.

Blue Ridge Inns, 3110 Douglas St, ☎ +1 250-388-4345, toll-free: +1-800-997-6797, fax: +1 250-388-7613, e-mail: [email protected]. Pretty wide range of pricing, from $70 a night for a single bed to $500+ a week for deluxe cabins. Quaint rooms, but they have coffee makers, and you can request rooms with microwaves and fridges.
Comfort Hotel & Conference Centre, 3020 Blanshard St (In front of Topaz Park), ☎ +1 250-382-4400. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 12 noon. Free parking, hot breakfast and Internet. Fitness room, sauna and jacuzzi. $85.
HI-Victoria Hostel, 516 Yates St, ☎ +1 250-385-4511, toll-free: +1-888-883-0099, fax: +1 250-385-3232. Check-in: Noon, check-out: 11AM. A bit institutional, but a good location otherwise. 24 or 44 people in a dorm. Private rooms also available. Internet access, free wifi, laundry, luggage storage, and lockers offered. Dorms from $20/member, $24/non-members. Private rooms from $57.75/members, $65.75/non-members.
Harbour Towers Hotel & Suites (Harbour Towers Victoria), 345 Quebec Street, Victoria, BC, V8V 1W4, ☎ +1 250-385-2405. Check-in: 12PM, check-out: 11AM. Downtown, 196 guestrooms, ocean and mountain views. $85.
Ocean Island Inn, 791 Pandora Ave (in downtown core, corner of Pandora & Blanshard), ☎ +1 250-385-1788, toll-free: +1-888-888-4180, e-mail: [email protected]. Open 24/7. Weekly and biweekly rates available. There are also discounted monthly rates from October to May. Accommodations are comfortable and this place definitely has character (and an all-ages licensed café). Lots of rooms info and online booking on their website. Cheapest budget hotel downtown, free wireless internet in every room, and an internet café with computers that even have Skype. Shared dormitory-style rooms (4-6 people in a room) $19-$27/night; Private hotel-style rooms $28-$78/night.
Travellers' Inn, 1850 Douglas St, toll-free: +1-888-872-8355. One of a chain of nine budget hotels in the area, closest to the inner harbour. $50-100.
The Turtle Refuge, 1608 Quadra St, ☎ +1 250-386-4471, fax: +1 250-386-4471, e-mail: [email protected]. Free coffee every morning, linens are provided, free wireless internet, laundry facilities, etc. It is in a neighbourhood noted for crime and drug use and attracts a crowd that many will not like. Private rooms are safe but unsuitable for all but the most desperate. $14 for a dorm bed a night to $35 singles.
UVic Housing (University of Victoria), ☎ +1 250-721-8395. Accommodation is available at Craigdarroch House for $60 (including cafeteria breakfast). Most suitable for those visiting the University. In the summer the University dorm rooms are available for $44-55 , or a 4 bedroom unit in the cluster housing for $160.
Inn by Wyndham Victoria Uptown Victoria Travelodge, 229 Gorge Road East, ☎ +1 250-388-6611, toll-free: +1-800-578-7878, fax: +1 250-388-4153, e-mail: [email protected]. In the heart of Victoria along the Gorge Waterway, rates starting at $69 per night with free internet and free parking. Pets are welcome and kids under 18 stay free. Rooms with kitchens are available.
Abbeylee Guesthouse, 255 Government St, toll-free: +1-888-831-5660, fax: +1 250-389-2857, e-mail: [email protected]. A quiet elegant 1892 Victorian gingerbread masterpiece in historical James Bay, 3 doors away from the Emily Carr house. Antiques and modern comforts, gourmet breakfasts. Alternate tel +1-250-370-1469. skype: abbeyleeryan. $79-$199/night.
Ambrosia Victoria Historic B&B, 522 Quadra St, toll-free: +1-877-262-7672. Ambrosia Victoria bed and breakfast is a historic 1897 heritage home. $125-$255.
Best Western Carlton Plaza, 642 Johnson St, toll-free: +1-800-663-7241. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Featuring free internet and complimentary bicycle rental. $89-$179.
Best Western Plus Inner Harbour Hotel, 412 Quebec St (650 m from coach station; 300 m from U.S. ferry terminal), ☎ +1 250-384-5122, toll-free: +1-888-383-2378, fax: +1 250-384-5113, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Complimentary continental breakfast buffet and covered parking. Outdoor seasonal heated pool, indoor whirlpool, sauna, steam room, and fitness room. Rooms are spacious, and each has a balcony or patio, some with a partial view of the harbour. Free wired and wireless internet access and tea/coffee maker are included. $99-699.
Birds of a Feather, 206 Portsmouth Dr, toll-free: +1-800-730-4790. Bed and Breakfast Waterfront Accommodation with free parking. $140+.
Dalton Hotel and Suites, 759 Yates St, ☎ +1 250-384-4136. $120-199.
Dashwood Manor Bed and Breakfast, 1 Cook St, toll-free: +1-800-667-5517, e-mail: [email protected]. Beside historic Beacon Hill Park. Eleven ocean view rooms, some with fireplaces and double Jacuzzis. Full breakfast. Free off-street parking. The style and elegance of an old-world and gracious home. Monthly and weekly rates available.
The Embassy Inn, 520 Menzies St (next to the Parliament Buildings), ☎ +1 250-382-8161, toll-free: +1-800-268-8161. An inner harbour hotel, offering a wide variety of rooms and suites available at your request. Free parking and wireless internet included in your booking. Starts at $89 plus taxes.
Fairholme Manor B&B, 638 Rockland Pl, toll-free: +1-877-511-3322. A Victorian mansion. $145-325.
Gazebo Bed and Breakfast, 5460 Old W Saanich Rd, toll-free: +1-877-211-2387, e-mail: [email protected]. Country manor house near the Butchart Gardens. Quiet central location with secluded cottage and elegant rooms. $145-210.
Howard Johnson Hotel & Suites, 4670 Elk Lake Dr, ☎ +1 250-704-4656. Clean, comfortable rooms. $109-248.
Huntingdon Hotel & Suites, 330 Quebec St, toll-free: +1-800-663-7557. Good location on the south side of the Inner Harbour. Slightly faded rooms with British character. $100-250.
Marketa's Bed and Breakfast, 239 Superior St, ☎ +1 250-384-9844. Edwardian heritage home serves continental breakfast. $90-$140.
Ocean Island Suites, 143 Government St, ☎ +1 250-385-1788, toll-free: +1-888-888-4180, e-mail: [email protected]. Individually designed and decorated bright character suites. In quiet and historic James Bay, one block from Beacon Hill Park. Fully-equipped kitchens, queen sized beds, spacious garden/deck, private entrance, TV/DVD, laundry facilities, free parking, free wireless internet. Starts at $95/night.
Quality Inn Downtown Victoria, 850 Blanshard St, ☎ +1 250-385-6787. Meeting & banquet facilities, pet friendly, on site restaurant, heated indoor swimming pool, free Wi-Fi, fitness room, free local phone, kitchenette available, jacuzzi suites, executive suites

Queen Victoria Hotel, 655 Douglas. $100-200.

Ramada Victoria Hotel, 123 Gorge Road East, ☎ +1 250-386-1422. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Meeting & banquest rooms, business center, seasonal pool, complimentary internet, free parking, kitchenette suites, pet friendly $69-$199.
Victoria Harborwalk Bed & Breakfast Suite, 427 Heather St, ☎ +1 250-294-9985. A popular private character suite in James Bay just behind the Legislative Buildings and the Royal BC Museum. $108-148.
Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe, 100 Harbour Rd, ☎ +1 250-360-2999. A nice hotel, with charming staff and a slightly modern feel to it. Beautiful harbor views and lovely harbor-side dining. $130-350.
The Empress Hotel, 721 Government St (on the inner harbour, near the Legislature & Royal BC Museum), ☎ +1 250-384-8111, e-mail: [email protected]. Victoria's grand old hotel and most famous luxury hotel, designed in the same Edwardian style as many former Canadian Pacific Hotels such as Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City. $350-500.
Fisher House Victoria Bed and Breakfast, 333 Simcoe St (in the heart of historic James Bay Village, from the Victoria Clipper & Port Angeles Coho Ferry head five short blocks on Oswego St to Simcoe Street, turn left on Simcoe Street), ☎ +1 250-386-6252, toll-free: +1-877-386-6252, fax: +1-250-386-6254, e-mail: [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Comfortable, quiet accommodations in a boutique setting. Winter $75–100, high season $110-150.
Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St (Inner Harbour), ☎ +1 250-386-0450. Every room has a private balcony and cable TV. $175-$350.
Inn at Laurel Point, 680 Montreal St (short walk from Inner Harbour past the Coho Terminal), ☎ +1 250-386-8721. A nice hotel with a subtle Oriental feel to it. All rooms have a view over the harbour area. Free taxi vouchers sufficient to get you to The Bay shopping centre are a nice touch. $250-450.
The Magnolia Hotel & Spa, 623 Courtney St, ☎ +1 250-381-0999, toll-free: +1-877-624-6654. The Magnolia is a boutique hotel, infused with European elegance. $149-$499.
Victoria Marriott Inner Harbour, 728 Humboldt St, ☎ +1 250-480-3800. A newer building. $150-$500.

edit

Learn

There are many different schools in Victoria including ESL & Language schools, films school, art school, private colleges and so on.

The biggest school is the publicly funded University of Victoria. It's on a hill a short walk from the ocean, UVic prides itself on its beautiful campus with tree-lined paths, large gardens, lush green grass and a large fountain.

The school is on the smaller side, with the whole campus inside a circular road known as Ring Road. You can walk from one end of campus to the other in 15 minutes – and that is if you walk slowly. UVic is home to many international students and just completed several new residence buildings for those who wish to live on campus. Many different programs are offered, but the school is known for its Earth Science, environmental law and fine arts departments, among others. The campus community is very earth friendly – as is the city of Victoria itself – and is a good place to catch cheap theatre, free lectures and small music, art or film festivals.

edit

Keep Connected

Internet

Internet usage is wide-spread in Canada. Wi-fi is available in many locations in larger cities, sometimes free and sometimes at a cost. You will find Wi-Fi in coffee stores, some restaurants and also hotels and motels more and more offer this service for free, but with a code usually. Internet cafes are common along major streets, and and in larger cities, charge between $3 and $4 for an hour, usually in 20-minute increments.

Phone

Post

Postal service is provided by Canada Post, a crown corporation owned by the government but run as an independent business. Most post offices keep hours from 9:00am to 5:00pm though in bigger places longer hourse might be available.

To format the envelope of a letter sent within Canada, put the destination address on the centre of its envelope, with a stamp, postal indicia, meter label, or frank mark on the top-right corner of the envelope to acknowledge payment of postage. A return address, although it is not required, can be put on the top-left corner of the envelope in smaller type than the destination address.

The lettermail service allows the mailing of a letter. The basic rate is currently set at $0.63 for one standard letter (30 grams or less). The rates for lettermail are based or weight and size and determine whether the article falls into the aforementioned standard format, or in the oversize one. The rate is the same for a postcard. Mail sent internationally is known as letterpost. It can only contain paper documents. The rate for a standard letter is of $1.10 if sent to the United States, and $1.85 if sent to any other destination. Oversize or overweight letters may be charged a higher fee. Larger parcels can be shipped via Canada post both domestically and internationally, the rate is dependent on the weight and destination. ^[1]

Federal Express, TNT, UPS or DHL also provide interntional shipping from Canada and are usually very quick and reliable though might cost a little more compared to Canada Post.

edit