Chels_E

My DH and I are planning a getaway now that our precious 3 little ones are old enough for us to be gone more than 1 or 2 nights.
We are planning on flying into Seattle and taking a ferry or flying over to Victoria, stay at a B&B in Victoria for 4 nights, then back to Seattle for a tiny bit of exploring and spend the night before flying home.
With our time being limited we don't think we'll be able to do Tofino or other areas of the island but we've never been to Victoria and are excited to explore it.
Do you recommend a ferry or plane from Seattle to Victoria?
Because of timing with work we can either go the second week of June or the second week of July. What do you recommend?
We really want to go whale watching! What time of the day is best? What company is best?
We want to see the B Gardens and the Museum. Can that be done in one combined day?
We would love to go hiking, are there any good trails around Victoria? We don't plan to rent a car so we can't drive a ways to get to a good hike.
Any hole-in-the-wall great restaurants?
Any really fun, great experience or awesome adventure type thing to do? We are fairly active and pretty adventurous.
Also, the one thing we have to do in Seattle? Fish market? The one place we have to eat?
TIA!

janisj

Just a quick note right now:

>>Do you recommend a ferry or plane from Seattle to Victoria?<<

I'd do both. depending on your flight time -- ferry over and seaplane back or vice versa.

Chels_E

Janisj, we just read your wonderful trip report of 4 days in Victoria. Really great! Thanks!
So the ferry is fun? Good scenery and worth it? Are the prices got the ferry and plane comparable?

sunbum1944

I recommend taking a seaplane at least one way. It lands in the harbor in Victoria so you should easily be able to catch a cab to B&B.
The only ferry from Seattle is the Victoria Clipper which is not a traditional ferry- only passengers, no cars. I have not taken it but I imagine it is not that scenic. The scenic routes take you through the San Juans and you would need a car to get to departure point.
I think seeing the museum and Butchart in one day would be too much.
Visiting in July would be preferable to visit because of weather but more tourists, especially this year.
Victoria is very walkable but not sure you would call it hiking. Beacon Hill Park has trails.
There are several paved paths along the ocean where you can walk for long distances that I enjoyed.

High tea at the Empress is over rated in my opinion. Instead we usually go in the evening for drinks and appetizers in the Bengal Room.

For high tea we go to the White Heather. It's kind of small and can get crowded but food was excellent.

Enjoy! It's a beautiful city!

sunbum1944

For adventure, check out a kayak trip.
Or a bike ride on the Galloping Goose Trail.

laurissamarion

Hi,

A plane would be faster, but the ferry ride to Victoria is kind of a classic and is absolutely stunning. It will likely be cheaper, too, and the Black Ball ferry line goes right downtown!

I think either of the weeks you have available would be great, although Canada Day is July 1st and I imagine lots could still be going on later in July as it is the big one five 'oh for us. Plus the weather will probably be warmer.

You can definitely do the Gardens and the Royal BC museum in one day! I would suggest doing the Museum first, and then going to the Butchart Gardens. In the evenings there is a fireworks show, so it would be perfect timing

There are SO many good trails around Victoria! I would go to Goldstream Provincial park and take the time to see Niagara Falls and the Goldstream Trestle. From that same park you can also access Mount Finlayson (quite the work out) and then there are plenty of others in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park as well... Check out www.victoriabc.ca/moderate-trails for some ideas if you like. They also have a ton of other information.

Victoria is actually considered to have one of the highest restaurants per capita... So there are plenty of places. I really enjoy Sult Pierogi Bar and I've heard Sally Bun is a great little find... Tacofino is great for fish tacos and Red Fish Blue Fish is a very unique-to-Victoria experience.

Fun adventures... There's a ziplining place called Adrena-Line just outside of Victoria. I'd really recommend just doing hikes though! There are some great trails with plenty of scenery and waterfalls. You could always try Stand Up Paddle Boarding too! There's a company in Victoria that will deliver the boards to you!

Hopefully this helps!

sunbum1944

Laurissamarion- the OP says that don't plan to rent a car so I think that will affect some of the recommendations you made.

laurissamarion

Sunbum1944 - my bad, I misread their post.

However, a lot of the activities can still be done. For example, Adrena-Line will pick you up from your hotel, and plenty of hikes are accessible by public transit. Hike Victoria also takes visitors on hikes in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park and will pick you up at your hotel.

The Hop on/Hop off bus is a good option to see everything and be able to get around.

Chels_E

Thank you all! This is giving us lots to think about/research.

Fodorite018

Another idea is to do Butchart Garden in the morning then do a float plane tour in the afternoon. We did that and loved it, especially flying over the garden that we saw earlier in the day. Really nice to see it from above. Our DD still talks about that, to give you an idea of how impressive it was.

goddesstogo

"High tea at the Empress is over rated in my opinion. Instead we usually go in the evening for drinks and appetizers in the Bengal Room."

I agree with your high tea sentiment and in fact, I think it's generally over-rated. Sadly, though, I think the Bengal Lounge closed a couple of years ago. I may be wrong (hope so) so it's worth a check. We had a wonderful evening there -- small but excellent buffet, jazz trio and excellent service.

I hope you get to go there.

goddesstogo

Alas:
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/lo...haul-1.2150741

sunbum1944

Oh my. Sorry if Bengal Room is closed. I loved that place!