The Hood (Brief Intro to the Island)
Life is a delicate game of balance that Victoria knows how to play. The City of Gardens, tucked cozily on the 49th parallel, stands right between the Pacific Ocean below and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains that surround the horizon like protector-giants. There is a sense of harmony in this city nestled in the wilderness of Vancouver Island. Bald eagles soar above vibrant rainforests as killer whales cut through the waters offshore. The pace of life here reflects the environment, where it’s not so much where you’re going, but how you get there. And allowing the laidback vibe to guide you, the journey is truly an experience to behold.
There’s an old cliché that Victoria is for the newly wed and nearly dead. While the city does support the largest percentage of retirees in Canada and is known as a university town with a strong student population, Victoria has something for everybody. The city is a unique balance of West Coast flavour and British history, as the big red double-decker bus rolls past brightly coloured and expressive Aboriginal totem poles. The downtown area swells with seaside charm, as tourists fresh off the cruise ships wander alongside hand-clasped lovers, hippies, and businessmen.
Victoria is also known as a counter-cultural haven, where artistic types and nature-lovers escape the hectic pace of a big city like Vancouver to reconnect with the authentic aspects of life. The area itself, with its yearly moderate climate (the winters are rainy but it sure beats Albertan blizzards), promotes health and well being. Joggers zip by with their bounding dogs, swimmers slice ripples through the lakes, and yoga enthusiasts contort their bodies on park lawns. Victoria is rated the bike capital of North America and indeed the cyclists seem to dominate the roads. The cars here yield to them, a tip of the hat to those taking action to help the environment. Inhale a deep breath of some of the freshest air on the continent and let Victoria seduce you.
Belly Bulge (Good Eats)
On a wharf down by the floatplanes in what looks to be a renovated sea can that fell off a passing freight ship, you’ll find some of the tastiest ocean bites on the Island. The experience at Red Fish-Blue Fish is as surreal as its Seussian namesake suggests. Whether you have one or two, obscure selections like the BBQ Qualicum Bay Scallop Burger and Tempura-Battered Fried Dill Pickles will satiate even the most advanced pallet. Try the fish tacones, grilled tortilla hand rolls, filled with the freshest 100 per cent Ocean Wise ingredients, referring to the Vancouver Aquarium conservation program created to educate and empower consumers about the issues surrounding sustainable seafood. Going green these days is trendy, but at Red Fish-Blue Fish, head chef Kunal Ghose is as passionate about sustainability as he is about seafood.
“We’ve upcycled the building with sod on the roof to grow plants and all of the packaging is biodegradable,” he says. “Just chuck it in the reuse and recycle bins and have yourself a great day.” Ghose, who looks like he just walked off a Bollywood set, flashes a smile that fits right in with the ambience of his seafood taqueria.
It’s outdoor seating on plastic chairs, where harbour seals can be spotted lounging in the water alongside an old wooden ship. Don’t be shocked by the line-up, which on a sunny day can stretch far along the boardwalk. If you have the time, it’s worth it to experience this eclectic taste of Victoria.
1006 Wharf St.
(250) 298-6877
Trendsetter (Shopping)
The Bohemian vibe is strong in Victoria, and The Patch on Yates is the place to get decked out in the finest second-hand threads this side of the donation bin. Value Village is a rip-off and most thrift stores necessitate a thorough hunt through piles of grubby, unfashionable digs in order to find the odd treasure. Save yourself the trouble, and the musty stench, and come to a boutique that’s done the style hunting for you. Discovering the perfect missing piece to an outfit in a bargain rack is still highly rewarding. The space is large, with brick walls and tall ceilings, and guys and girls alike will find a huge selection of clothes handpicked out of the decades past as if The Patch borrowed a time machine.
Chicks love the dresses. Dudes love the shirts – and the chicks in the dresses. It’s where trendy young Victorians come to casually flip through this week’s latest shipments, mingle around the racks, and groove to the funky rhythms pumping out the speakers. With deals like, “Whatever You Can Stuff in This Bag for $25,” you really can’t go wrong if you’re looking for something unique.
As urban legend has it, The Patch holds one of the entrances to the Secret Tunnels that supposedly run beneath the city. “I can neither deny nor confirm those rumours,” says the dreadlocked looker behind the counter with a wink.
If you decide to go exploring Victoria’s mysterious underground, stop by The Patch first, and at least you’ll look great doing it.
719 Yates St.
(250) 384-7070
Activities (Things to Do)
People-watching is a serious hobby for many in the city, and with places like historic Bastion Square, where the public hangings were once held; Market Square, where fourteen factories once flourished in the legal production of opium; or Chinatown the oldest in Canada and still rich in Oriental mystique, it’s not hard to find a spot to watch the local human wildlife do what they do. You’ll discover characters you’d be hard-pressed to dream up.
The beaches in Victoria are among the best in the country. The pebbly, driftwood-strewn stretch of coastline along Dallas Road is a great spot for a picnic, where on windy days kite-surfers shred the churning waves offshore. After the sun sets, join in on one of the bonfires and lounge beneath the stars to the smoky sounds of acoustic guitars. The official party beach is in Gonzales Bay, where college kids play drinking games and practice their mating rituals. For the family, Willow Beach offers a sandy retreat with a playground for the young ones and a tearoom for the elders. There are also many hidden coves along the coast for that private romantic retreat. There’s something for everybody, so bring a blanket, some sunscreen, and a few cold beverages, and soak up the goodness.
Explore the Potential
In Victoria, a new renaissance is underway. The Victorian era in the second half of the nineteenth century, whose Queen’s namesake became British Columbia’s capital city, has been reborn. The art, social, and political movements that defined the Victorian era, thrive here in this eclectic city, while the prudishness and repression have been left to the history books. A veritable rainbow of people from all backgrounds have gathered here; indeed many feel they have been summoned. There is a magical quality to Victoria that you must experience to believe. Great minds are at work here and revolutionary ideas are brewing. You can feel it in the air.
Here on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, where anything seems possible, the future is being written. Come see for yourself. Explore the potential. Whatever you’re after, you’re sure to find. Whether it’s food, shopping, activities, or that delicate balance, Victoria provides.
