I’m in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Victoria this summer or fall. If you’ve been or live there, what’s a good time of year to go, the best area to stay in, unusual things to do, etc.? I’ll be traveling with my 72 year old mom, so strenuous hikes are probably out, although botanical garden walks are fine. Thanks so much in advance!
This former San Diegan now lives in the northwest corner of Washington. I’ve only been to Victoria once, though. I’ll need to go back, since I missed out on the Victoria Bug Zoo. We did go on a nice boat ride, though.
We went one June for a long weekend, after wrapping a friend’s film. It was pouring rain when we got there, but it was sunny for the boat ride. Summer in this area tends to be sunny with temperatures in the mid-70s to mid-to-upper-80s. But, as I’ve just mentioned, it can be variable. Autumn, it always seems like someone toggles a switch in September or October. ‘OK, It’s Autumn now. Rain on.’
Beautiful city. I have friends and family there. The gardens are a highlight, of course. I believe there are a few low-key bus tours that might be suitable for an older participant. That might be a good starting point for other adventures.
I’m a long-time Island resident. I bet your mom would enjoy high tea at the Empress. Come in the summer when the downtown is warm, beautiful and bustling with interesting things to see and do.
My mother liked the Butchart Gardens. I haven’t been, so I couldn’t tell you how much walking was involved.
Be sure to get a Nanaimo bar.
Entirely too sweet, but since you’re on the island…
Butchart Gardens is a must see, and it’s not very strenuous at all.
Have High Tea at the Empress Hotel.
Thanks so much for the suggestions, everyone! When I looked up Victoria, the 1st 2 things I saw were “Afternoon Tea” and “Castle” and I thought, “This is it!!” :D.
Besides the Empress, which seems a tad pricey, are there other places anyone could recommend to stay? Are there not-to-be-missed day excursions?
Getting there and back can be enjoyable too. Try the Blackball auto ferry Coho from Port Angeles to get there then return via a BC ferry to Vancouver - which is a beautiful sail through the Salish Sea & around many islands.
In Victoria, both the Royal BC Museum and the Maritime Museum are interesting.
Speaking based on living in seattle and not Vancouver Island
July and August should be almost guaranteed nice weather. September is probably good and as the summer rush slows down. October can be rainy. So, Sep would be my weather based recommendation.
FWIW, do NOT eat Chinese food in Vancouver Island. It’s about as westernized Chinese food as one could expect to find.
We visited Victoria last August. I can’t speak for other times of year, but the weather was great. Butchart Gardens is amazing. The Royal BC Museum looked really interesting, although sadly the kids were cranky and we had to pass on it.
We took a BC Ferry from Victoria to Vancouver and it was really great. Beautiful scenery, comfortable seating, pretty good food as well. Probably the most pleasant method of travel I’ve ever been on.
We ate Chinese food someplace in Chinatown.
I was not impressed.
Another vote for Butchart Gardens. It’s beautiful.
Victoria is a massive retirement community.
If she likes beer, go to a pub like the Swann.
You can also go on whale watching tours.
Yeah, you are almost guaranteed to see orcas. They fly spotter planes beforehand so they know exactly where the orca pods are located.
Craigdarroch Castle, definitely. The home of a true Robber Baron, later a hospital and school, if I recall correctly. And…it is haunted!
A word on whale watching out of Victoria.
If you take one of the zodiacs and the water is a bit choppy, you will get bounced around like crazy and freeze your petunias off in the resultant spray, even on a warm summer day. Not fun for an hour each way.
If you go whale watching, take one of the big, slow boats where you can walk around in shelter.
Just cruising back in to thank everyone again for their thoughtful suggestions - I really appreciate it!