Thank you to all the wonderful folks willing to travel to Vancouver Island for our wedding!
Tourism Victoria has a ton of wonderful information here: www.tourismvictoria.com
To help streamline your travel plans, we have put together some resources and tips below.
For those of you coming from off island, you will most likely require taking the ferry to Vancouver Island.
The main route is Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay).
The sailing is an hour and a half, has beautiful views, quick bites to eat, and can be boarded as either car or walk on.
There are limited sailings in the fall, usually departing about every two hours or so.
Reservations are strongly recommended as weekends, early mornings, and late evenings can book up fairly quickly.
Additionally, reserving a sailing in advance some times allows you to score a "Saver Fares" discount!
If you are from off island and not up for taking the ferry, you can also fly to Vancouver Island.
https://yyj.ca/
The local airport code for Victoria is YYJ - the larger local airport YVR is Vancouver (which isn't on the island!).
https://harbourair.com/
Additionally, there is the Victoria Harbour Airport floating terminal for seaplane traveling.
We are currently looking into setting up courtesy rate at a hotel. Check back soon to see what we arrange!
In the meantime if you are eager to book, here's a list of places nearby on the Saanich Peninsula:
Brentwood Bay Resort (Adults only!) - https://brentwoodbayresort.com/
Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa (Dog friendly!) - https://www.sidneypier.com/
Best Western Plus Emerald Isle Hotel (Dog friendly!) - https://www.bwemeraldisle.com/
Quality Inn Waddling Dog (Dog friendly!) - https://www.qualityinnvictoria.com/
Holiday Inn Victoria-Elk Lake (Pet friendly!) - https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/victoria/yyjvc/hoteldetail
Additionally, there is a wide verity of Airbnbs available in the area. It's actually our favourite way to visit!
Kinu - https://www.kinuvictoria.ca/
Amazing Indian food with an amazing owner! Kinu is actually where we took our engagement photos :)
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub - https://www.spinnakers.com/
Go for their brunch! Good beer, good soda, good chocolate, and a wonderful view while you eat.
MeeT on Blanshard - https://eatmeet.ca/meet-on-blanshard/
An old classic for us. We originally fell in love the MeeT locations in Vancouver!
The Vicious Poodle - https://viciouspoodle.com/
It's a gay bar with good brunch and drag shows, need we say more?
Fiamo - https://fiamo.ca/
We are both big suckers for arancini and tiramisù.
Murchie's Fine Tea - https://www.murchies.com/
You want to visit specifically the downtown location on Government Street. The café is busy but wonderful!
Crust Bakery - https://www.crustbakery.ca/
The kind of bakery you want to press your nose up against the glass since everything looks so good!
Phillips Brewing & Malting Co. - https://www.phillipsbeer.com/tasting-room
Try a flight of either their beers or try out their sodas! Philips has been one of our favourites for years.
Big Wheel Burger - https://bigwheelburger.com/
Lilian's personal all time favourite. Get the cajun fries and thank me later.
Hoyne Brewing Co. - https://www.hoynebrewing.ca/
Xavier's personal all time favourite brewery, Helios being the go to beer!
Interactivity Board Game Cafe - https://www.ibgcafe.com/
One of our favourite places in the city! Grab a boozy milkshake and check out the massive selection of games.
Beacon Hill Park - https://www.victoria.ca/parks-recreation/parks-trails/our-parks/beacon-hill-park
A stunning garden filled park where you might even see peacocks! (We're not kidding, they roam free!)
Elk + Beaver Lake Regional Park - https://www.victoriatrails.com/trails/elk-beaver-lake/
Tons of wonderful sitting spots next to the water, beaches, and a 10km trail that loops around both lakes.
Galey Farms - https://galeyfarms.ca/
You're not officially enjoying autumn unless you've visited a farm! Highly recommend some pumpkin patch time.
Market Square - https://marketsquare.ca/
A shopping centre with hidden gems in the heart of downtown Victoria - home of the quirky Camera Traders!
Victoria’s Chinatown - https://chinatown.library.uvic.ca/
If anything, make sure you experience Fan Tan Alley! Rich with history and amazing to see.
Books & Shenanigans - https://www.booksandshenanigans.com/
An incredible source for knowledge and community, this tiny book shop is a need to know location.
Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea - https://www.salishseacentre.org/
We both love sea creatures! Even better, this aquarium is not-for-profit and highlights the Coast Salish people.
Royal BC Museum - https://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/
If you have a full day to kill, this museum is the place to go! And don't skip out on the IMAX.