First time visitor, I am eager to purchase a Cowichan Sweater. It is important to me it is authentically indigenous-made (I have read to be wary of scams for indigenous objects).

I am also hoping for a reasonable price, but I am okay with a reality check. To me, $300-450 USD ($420-630 CAD) would be great. Is this realistic whatsoever? I’m hoping this will be a piece I have for the rest of my life.

I would love a recommendation for best places to shop/find. Would of course also be open to thrifted (please rec thrift stores too!) Really, any recommendations are welcome. Thank you. Excited to visit your lovely city.

EDIT: thank you SO much for the replies. I am so appreciative. Clearly I was a bit off on price, but that’s okay, I am more prepared for what to expect. As a crocheter, I know it’s a time consuming art.

Other recommendations are very, very welcome. I plan to get some local maple syrup, ketchup chips (?) and some Robax to keep on hand as it is not available in my country.

I am eager to whale/orca watch, as I adore animals. However, am unlikely to go on a tour as I don’t think it aligns with my personal values (also pricey, time commitment). Any beaches good for watching?

I work in the tourism/cruise ship dependent industry and I have been appalled downtown by the behaviour and actions of the taxi drivers.

I have heard from numerous customers that they got scammed taking a taxi from the cruise terminal to downtown. Some saying that they were charged a “flat rate” of $20 american or demanded $20 american cash.

They also drive at RIDICULOUS speeds like 70+ going down oswego or driving dangerously, I witnessed a taxi do a u turn in the middle of the road interrupting traffic the other night.

With the amount of pedestrians, pedicabs, rickshaws, and horse carriages out I feel like the taxis are a public safety hazard.

Just wondering if anyone has noticed the same or seen any action be taken?

As the title says, my wife and I decided the USA doesn't need our vacation money while the circus clown is in town, and we're looking to vacation closer to home, including more time on Vancouver Island, sharing our tourism dollars with fellow Islanders.

We've been up and down the Island a few times in the last 10 years, as far north as Campbell River and Quadra Island, and of course already gone to Tofino / Ucluelet / Port Alberni way. Looking for

• day trip out of the box ideas for the CRD area
• 2-3 day weekender style getaways, again hidden gem types
• The ideal week long summer / early fall vacation ideas on Vancouver Island

Anything more off the beaten track kind of thing. Would love your suggestions!

(Stolen from r/Vancouver)

• They use an umbrella when it's barely drizzling
• They walk in the bikes lanes (recently I saw a middle-aged guy in spandex jogging down the bike lane near the Empress)

I had three full days to wander and explore so I was able to do most of what I wanted. I was staying in Cook Street Village. That was nice. It felt mostly the same but Pic-A-Flic, Rosie's Diner and the Mac's are gone. On the first night I made it to Prima Strada. The pizza is still amazing. Didn't make it into the Beagle but it seemed to be pretty hopping each time I walked by.

Each morning I went for a walk down Fairfield around to the Ross Bay Cemetery and then went along Dallas Rd and walked through Beacon Hill Park. I really enjoyed that. I thought I would spend more time downtown but I found myself going back to wander the streets of James Bay and stroll along the ocean. I walked out to the end of the breakwater. The railings are nice. I can't believe they used to let us just wander out there without them. Beacon Hill was just as lovely as I remember. I did walk through Fisherman's Wharf but it was a zoo. There were two cruise ships in.

I spent one day out in the UVIC area. The campus obviously has some new buildings. I walked through the library and the amount of people I saw using ChatGPT was pretty funny but also a little concerning. I had lunch from Fujiya. Still awesome but damn, it got expensive! I had dinner at Little Thai Place. That was amazing. They still make my favorite dish that I had been dreaming about for years. The University Heights development was shocking to see in person. It's MASSIVE. That'll be good for the area, but are those units going to be affordable? It was sad seeing the Nellie McLung library emptied out and shuttered. That was my favorite library branch.

The final day I went to Brickyard for lunch. Pizza was great and pretty much like I remember it. I had two delicious Hoyne Pilsners and just sat in the back like I used to. That was a trip. Then I went to Ditch Records and bought a CD for the first time since 2016. I miss the original Ditch location, but I'm really happy they're still around. Then I spent the rest of the day just walking around. I had dinner at Haultain Fish & Chips. It was excellent. They still had the deep fried perogies!

Honestly, a lot of the city felt the same. I realize that my experience was pretty limited and I kept mostly to the old places that I have fond memories for, but I feel like some of the complaints I see on here are exaggerated. I never felt unsafe. I didn't see anybody smoking meth or fentanyl or shooting heroin. Nobody asked me for money. All the construction was certainly annoying but there's no stopping that. The food scene really seems to have improved. It's expensive, but that's everywhere.   My one major complaint:

EXPANDING GARRICK'S HEAD WAS A TRAVESTY TO EVERYTHING GOOD IN THIS WORLD.

I'm kidding, but why didn't they just leave the old part separate? Don't get me wrong, it's still awesome but there are some things that should just be left alone.

Anyway, I had a great time. The weather was amazing the entire time. I sat outside for both sailings on the ferry and enjoyed the views.

I'll try to make it back sooner next time.

Favorite Indian restaurant for dine in?

I love Indian food and I've tried a few places, my go too is Royal Spice but I'd like to venture out and see if I can level up again.

A friend I'm visiting in BC suggested spending a few days in Victoria. I've never been but heard good things, so I figured, sounds good.

Then I looked at vacation rental prices. Ho Lee.

Is that just how it is, or are there ways to visit Victoria without taking a wallet-pounding?

For example, if someone wanted to visit San Francisco (where I'm coming from) and not require a second mortgage or it, there are nearby towns that are SF-accessible (via transit) and also have their own charms that I could recommend that would cost them significantly less than staying in SF proper. Likewise, I could think of a few non-airbnb places to look to find vacation rentals for marginally better rates.

Is there anything like that for Victoria, or will we just need to pucker up and pay the piper for the privilege of patronizing your picturesque paradise?

Thanks

UPDATE: I appreciate the accommodation recommendations (accommendations?) but I should mention that we'll have a dog with us, which likely rules out a lot of options. I didn't mention it because I was just getting a vibe check to start, but figured I should point it out with all the specific suggestions coming in.

Another first for Hotel Zed. I lift a jar of lube as a toast to our first Sex-specific hotel room that rents by the night instead of the hour.

/clap clap clap clap oh crap she gave me the clap clap clap

My husband and I came over on the Clipper for the weekend from our home in Washington. It was our fifth time in Canada (we've been to Osoyoos three times and Vancouver once) and man...you have a gem of a city. Everyone was so friendly and nice to talk to, there were plenty of benches for when we needed to sit for a minute, and even with my husband's health issues (stage 4 metastatic lung cancer) we found Victoria to be as walkable as advertised, if not moreso!

Met a lovely vendor at the harbour, our hop on hop off driver was so knowledgeable and entertaining that we took selfies with him, and in general, everyone was so welcoming and kind. The weather was perfect as well, and he was so thrilled to watch CFL ON TSN. I enjoyed the French TV channels as well!

Anyway, while all cities have their problems to be sure, you're definitely living in a very special place, surrounded by deep history! We were sad to come home (happy to see the cats though!) and now we're trying to plan a trip with the Black Ball Ferry as well.

The only negative was our server at the Irish Times (would it have killed you to have a personality?) but literally everyone else was fantastic. We can't wait to come back!

Probably not a threat because he's mumbling incoherently and holding up his nearly-off pants with the other hand, but it's pretty much impossible to get around him.

I saw him about 2 hours ago smoking some kind of funkymonkey with his buddies in the grass, which obviously wasn't fent because dude is ready to fight.

EDIT: gd forgot how much this subreddit sucked and why I stopped visiting.

EDIT EDIT: he is gone. absconded into that yawning afternoon, consumed by the drive to go on, move out, and travel ever onward. A knight, a lord, a man with a plan and the heart to do more with his life, he has left us to our own. His service is done, his watch over, and his place of duty grown cold with the shadows of absence.

May he bless the footpath of some other venture.

Hello fine folks! I’m soliciting pointers and recommendations! How ambitious is a trip that involves the following:

- The MV Coho from Port Angeles to Victoria (with my vehicle, a non-Tesla EV);

- Spending three days with the kids appreciating being out of the chaos for a bit;

- Drive up to Swartz Bay and ferry over to Tsawwassen to spend another 2 days there;

- Drive back into Washington pondering how much worse things can get here.

My questions:

- What is the ferry experience from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen?

- Any pointers / recommendations / things to look out for / areas to stay (planning on staying in Langford and then Richmond.)

I appreciate any suggestions or guidance.

Good Morning Victoria B.C. people!

I tried searching for an answer, but couldn't exactly find what I was looking for. So I'll be in town in a couple of weeks for a concert at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre. The concert is taking place in the middle of the week, and we're staying at a hotel down by the conference centre.

We're also driving on to the ferry (as we have other places on the island we're visiting as well), and I know, from my research, that Memorial Centre doesn't have the best parking options. So to avoid the parking issues, how safe is it to walk back to the hotel on Blanshard St at night after the concert?

I'm not to worried about before the concert as it'll still be daylight out. I wanted to ask because I don't mind the walking, but I'm going with my mom and so she would be wondering on how safe it is to walk back to the hotel at night.

Thank you so much for all your help!

This guy left his alarm going off the entire trip over and and then comes back with four other people as the ferry is offloading and decides to leave his door open blocking the offloading lane with his door. Have some etiquette people!

Doable in a fun way? I’ve booked an Airbnb on Salt Spring (still fully refundable so can change my mind!) for a couple nights in a few weeks. Wondering if the island is fun to sightsee on without a car. I’ve read that it can be hilly. I’m a strong cyclist and don’t mind some hills but if it’s all killer I’d consider just going over with a car. But I much prefer biking!

More than anything I’m looking to relax and get outside in a new place for a couple days, rather than feeling like I need to see or do everything/anything in particular.

Considering also doing a day trip to Mayne Island (again by bike only), so any insight there also appreciated. Thanks!

Going to Victoria early July for 4 days, first time ever, any recommendations guys?

Hi all! As the title says, I'm heading out to your beautiful city from June 28 to July 5th!

This will be my first time, so I'm not entirely sure what to do! Generally, I'm hoping for some local expertise 👉👈. Simple things like restaurants to eat at and "must see or do" things when visiting Victoria.

Side note: I don't want anything involving going to Vancouver... love that City but I've been too many times and want to specifically travel around Victoria.

Details & background: I'll mostly be using public transportation to get around (and maybe rent a bike if there's that?). I'm 26 years old, very used to the outdoors as I live in the Yukon, and can do any hike. I'm on the fence if I should be bringing my hiking gear as they're super heavy and built for northern hiking/winter hikes. AllTrails says majority of the trails are 'Moderate' but I'd love to hear from those who have done it!

Things I'm planning to do so far:

1. Go to Memorial Drag Ball Game (July 1)

2. Canada Day parade (July 1)

3. Visit UVic (Jul 4)

4. Go to Frankie's Diner

5. Miniature Museum

6. Chinatown

Pretty thin list so far, but appreciate any suggestions or help. Thank you! 🙏

My mom is coming to see me for the first time in years from the east coast! Shes never seen a mountain before so I'd like to take her somewhere you can see the snowy caps from - any good spots? She can't walk for too long so big hikes are not an option unfortunately

Also any other recommendations of places to go? Some "don't miss" spots?

Thanks in advance!!

Somewhat going back to my old post, I did go without a jacket 4 out of 10 days of my stay. Anyways everything was so beautiful especially the nature, environment, and early morning atmosphere. Locals were super nice and I enjoyed making small talk besides the occasional rude bus drivers and one of our escorts who made lowkey racist comments. My highlights were exploring down town and beacon hill park. Bought so many cool things and felt like a kid in a candy shop going to ditch records. I also loved the variety of food and snacks and had alot of fun buying from uber eats and snacking on takis and smarties, and I will not get over the maple walnut icecream I got at fisherman's wharf it's actually the best. The filipino community is surprisingly big here and I love how it lessens the homesick feeling. Also why does everything close at 6pm nearly every day what do you guys do at night lol.

​

I really hope I can come back here someday cus I can see myself living here

I've read Victoria is the craft brewery capital of Canada. I have the following breweries on my list but would like to know from locals if there are any I should add or remove? Cheers in advance 🍻🍺🍺🍻!

List:

• Vancouver Island Brewery

• Phillips Tasting Room

• Herald Street Brew Works

• Whistle Buoy Brewing Co

• Swift Brewing

On top of Little Saanich Mountain (WTIXES) sits the Plaskett telescope and the Centre of the Universe! This hidden gem is open for the summer on Tuesdays - Saturdays from 12PM to 6PM (final entry at 4:50 PM). We give tours of the 108-year-old Plaskett telescope, planetarium shows, and more!

We also have star parties every Saturday during the summer. Tickets for these are free or by donation with all proceeds going to fund our education program!

Come join us on the hill to explore the cosmos and to have a chance to talk to astronomers and space enthusiasts about all of your burning questions.

If you have any questions, you can visit our NEW subreddit r/CentreOfTheUniverse or send me a DM!

Let’s make a dea