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In Victoria, as in the rest of British Columbia, the most popular souvenirs are First Nations arts and crafts, which you can pick up at shops, galleries, street markets, and—in some cases—directly from artists' studios. Look for silver jewelry and cedar boxes carved with traditional images and, especially around Duncan (in the Cowichan Valley), the thick hand-knit sweaters made by the Cowichan people. BC wines, from shops in Victoria or directly from the wineries, make good souvenirs, as most are unavailable outside the province. Shopping in Victoria is easy: virtually everything is in the Downtown area on or near Government Street stretching north from the Fairmont Empress hotel.
Exotic fruits and vegetables, children's toys, wicker fans, fabric slippers, and other Chinese imports still give Fisgard Street a distinctive Asian flair, but increasingly lifestyle stores are adding a different feel, as in Scandinavian housewares and a schnitzel haus next to dim sum buffet. Fan Tan Alley, a narrow lane off Fisgard Street, has even more nouveau-hippie goods, with a record store and yoga studio tucked in among its tiny storefronts as well as a tiny museum on the area's Chinese-European influences.
There's lots of new development happening in this corner of Downtown and with it are conversions of heritage buildings into trendy apartments and new stores. Limey is in the heart of it, with British-centric—even eccentric—foodstuffs and treats. Oddities include Malty Biscuit aromatic tea and Marmite peanut butter.
This row of candy-color Victorian-era shopfronts in LoJo (Lower Johnson) is Victoria's hub for independent fashion boutiques. Storefronts—some closet size—are filled with local designers' wares, funky boutiques, and shops selling ecologically friendly clothes of hemp and organic cotton as well as outlets for BC's now-legal "bud" (marijuana); just don't take any purchases across the border. Market Square ( www.marketsquare.ca) is especially eclectic, particularly during the summer when the open courtyard fills with local vendors.
"Make it, bake it, or grow it" is the rule for vendors at this street market, held 10 to 2 on Saturday from May through October. The market continues November to April at Fairfield Community Centre ( 1335 Thurlow St.) making it a year-round affair, come rain or shine.
Music, jugglers, local crafts, and food vendors are spotlighted at this night market, held Friday and Saturday evening in summer on the Inner Harbour.
More than 100 vendors of food, arts, crafts, and more take over the main street of this town, a 30-minute drive north of Victoria, each Thursday evening from June through August. It's very much a festive family outing.
Tea aspires to new heights in this chic emporium at the edge of Chinatown. Shelves are stacked with more than 300 intriguing varieties; some you can enjoy in flights at an impressive tasting bar, and others have been restyled into aromatherapy remedies and spa treatments, including a green tea facial, which you can try out in the tiny spa downstairs. Or check out Silk Road's afternoon teas at Hotel Grand Pacific (reservations: 250/380–4458).
Representing only BC artists, many from Vancouver and the Gulf Islands, this contemporary gallery and gift store features everything from glass salmon statues, dogs made from driftwood, jewelry, metal sculptures of birds, watercolors, and oil paintings. The gallery also hosts book launches and themed exhibits.
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