Can anyone recommend some less obvious destinations, i.e. neighborhoods, bars, restaurants, etc. or other things to do in Victoria that could provide me with some local color? Thank You!

Mattick's Farm in Cordova Bay, about 15 minutes from city center. Great little country market, with craft shops, a great restaurant, Adrienne's Tea Garden, ( okay, yes, I used to own it, but I don't anymore, and am just promoting it because it is still great) 18 hole public golf course, plus gorgeous par 3 course, plus wine store, etc, etc. It's a must stop if in Victoria. It's on the way to Butchart Gardens , which is also highly recommended , but very , very, busy. Cheers, Al

Mary: Take the Dallas Drive route along the James Bay to Oak Bay Village. Great drive with spectacular homes and sea views along the way. A fort you can tour (name escapes me, but you can't miss it right on the water's edge), several villages along the way and Oak Bay is very English with quaint shops, cafes and no tourists. We took a more direct route back which was not as scenic, but was very quick. Have a great trip.

Can't tell you too much about bars and restaurants, but the gardens at Royal Roads University are almost as lovely as Butchart Gardens and there's no admission charge. We were at Mattick's Farm this summer - it's OK, but mostly an upscale shopping centre patronized by retirees, perhaps because of the golf course. There is a mini-golf course there as well, and the food market was terrific, but I don't know about it as a tourist destination.

Hi Mary and To Al, previous post...Mattick's Wood is very quaint and charming, I agree. We fell in love with the area and new homes on golf course and are considering buying there. Cordova Bay is close to the ferry terminal. Vacationed one month in Oak Bay. It too, is very charming. Try the Oak Bay Marina Rest.for Sunday brunch. Wonderful, and it overlooks the tiny boat harbor.

We started walking one day without any destination in mind from our hotel in the inner harbour area. We wouund up in a wonderful park. I think it was called Beacon Hill Park. We happened upon a band concert. We walked along the waterfront back to the hotel. It was a great day!

I personally like Sooke and Royal Roads. My son graduated from Royal Roads a few years ago and we had the opportunity to tour the "castle" and grounds at length, play pool in the pool room, hear the stories of the haunting of the castle. Such a lovely place, beautiful gardens, incredible view. But I love all of Victoria. I could just go back over and over. Just walking along the waterfront and around Vic is amazing. Beautiful city.

During our stay in Victoria six years ago, we took a great day trip from Victoria along the west coast of the island to go "tide pooling". (At low tide, pools of water remain on the beach. These pools are full of wonderful sea creatures eg. star fish, etc. Wonderful to view up close in their natural habitat.) We first drove to Sooke where we stopped in at their "Museum and Travel Infocentre" (250-642-6351). They provided us with info re: the best tide pooling areas and tide schedules. They directed us to Port Renfrew (about 2 hours from Victoria). The tide pooling was a wonderful experience - fun and interesting for all ages - I highly recommend it. Along the way we stopped at "Point-No-Point" for a casual lunch. I will never forget the enjoyment of lunching on their wonderful salmon sandwiches while looking out over the Strait of Juan de Fuca - truly breathtaking.<BR><BR>Check out Point-No-Point at: victorialodging.com/pointnopoint/index<BR><BR>Also, if the Sooke Travel Infocentre still sells "Moss Cottage Blackberry Jelly", buy as many jars as you can carry - delicious!

Mary,<BR>I live here and am at a loss to know where to begin.<BR><BR>If you have wheels (car or rented bicycle), cruise through James Bay, Fairfield, or Oak Bay at a leisurely pace on side roads and admire the homes and gardens.<BR><BR>Go fly a kite at Clover point.<BR><BR>Stop by Oak Bay Marina, buy bait from the tackle shop and feed the 'wild' seals. Walk the piers and admire the boats that you do not really want.<BR><BR>Stop by Beacon Hill park, Government House, or Abkazi Gardens (entrance fee) to smell the roses and other flowers.<BR><BR>Stop at Cattle point to admire the view and feed seagulls (and ask why it is called Cattle Point).<BR><BR>I must stop now.<BR><BR>These are all things that locals do, not dwell on bars.<BR><BR>Generally, slow down, smell the air and get the feel for why people want to move here.<BR><BR>I have lived in Montreal and Toronto. This is where I have chosen to call home.<BR><BR><BR>