Three-Day Getaway: Victoria

DAY 2: SAVOUR THE SAANICH PENINSULA

Start the day with a pain au chocolat and coffee at Fol Epi, and tuck a wood-fired baguette in your bag for later.

Head north on Blanshard Street, which becomes Highway 17 and leads to both the Swartz Bay ferry terminal and the airport. Within minutes, you’re on the Saanich Peninsula, an agricultural area that feeds Victoria’s appetite for farm-fresh fare.

Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse is a must-do stop (a pretty one, too). If you’re not picnicking in one of Saanich’s more than 170 parks, opt for fish and chips at the casual The Surly Mermaid in Sidney, then make your way to The Butchart Gardens. This former stone quarry—a National Historic Site—is home to one of the world’s most glorious floral display gardens.

Stay on the peninsula for dinner and enjoy the farm-to-fork experience at the Roost Winery Bistro & Farm Bakery, where almost everything they serve is grown on their four-hectare (10-acre) farm—even the wheat they mill to make their daily bread! If you’re the picnicking sort, swing by Nourish Kitchen and Cafe to pick up goodies to go, and find a nearby park or waterfront spot to dine al fresco.

Where to Stay

Victoria’s many neighbourhoods—with their waterfront views, historic buildings, and gardens—offer plenty of varied accommodation options.

Plan a stay at the famed Fairmont Empress overlooking the harbour. While it’s best known for its high tea service, you can also enjoy an evening cocktail in the opulent lounge. Soak up the fun and funky atmosphere (and play a game of lobby ping pong) at the colourful Zed Hotel or opt for Robin Hood Inn & Suites, near the the Galloping Goose Trail, which offers guests complimentary e-bike and kayak rentals. For a retreat within city limits, stay at the luxurious Oak Bay Beach Hotel, a short drive from the heart of Victoria and just minutes from the Victoria Golf Club.

Something different? Choose a quiet overnight at Marketa’s Bed & Breakfast, a 1912 heritage building in the seaside neighbourhood of James Bay. With comfortable quarters and a European flare, this is the perfect home base for exploring the city’s many shops and restaurants. See more accommodation options in Victoria.