Stop #1: Fry’s Bakery (Highlight)
A perennial local favorite with lines out the door, this is the perfect stop for a wood-fired lunch pastry (sweet or savoury). I particularly enjoyed the vegetarian Breakfast in Bed, with eggs, potatoes and cheese for a light lunch.
Stop #2: Sooke Potholes Provincial Park (Highlight)
Tips: Park at Parking Lot #3 (parking for day use costs $2.25. Bring floats and swimwear to enjoy the water!
This stunning spot 1 hour from Victoria features captivating rock formations, forested trails, rushing rapids, and pebble beaches. It is a great place to camp, hike, swim, or picnic.
Those seeking quick and easy beach access can enjoy short, well-groomed trails that lead straight to the pebble beaches from each of this spot’s multiple parking lots. The water is unbelievably clear and cool in contrast to the summer heat. There were many swimmers diving in from the cliffs or wading in the more shallow water.
Stop #3: Botanical Beach (Highlight)
Tips: Choose the 2nd trail entrance coming in from the parking lot as it is shorter (1km vs 1.5km).
Located in Port Renfrew, a further 1 hour drive from Sooke, Botanical Beach is an atypical beach.
Rich tidal pools, a shoreline full of life, and geological features attract visitors to Botanical Beach, northwest of Victoria.
It provides a great chance to see up close intertidal marine creatures and plants on Vancouver Island, especially at low tide. Visitors can meander across flat sandstone and granite outcroppings to view tide pools filled like jewel boxes with brightly coloured marine animals.
The organisms that live here must be able to handle a wide range of conditions. When the tide is out, there are significant changes in temperature, predators, food sources and salinity. Each creature has adapted to handle these variable conditions.
When we visited in the afternoon, it was misty which added an additional layer of intrigue to the various elements of the beach.
Stop #4: Finest At Sea (Highlight)
Victoria seems to have a plethora of seafood, with its proximity to the coast. We had to return to this favorite to try their tasty deep fried halibut and chips, which were not greasy. The batter was delicious and crisp, and the 4oz fillet was very generous. I would say this is much better than a lot of fish and chips places I have tried in Vancouver.
