Officially done moving to Victoria, CA, and now wondering what’s next? Besides the typical unpacking, we know you want to head outdoors and tour the “The Garden City.” Victoria is guaranteed to become your home with an endless list of activities to do and places to explore. Here’s what you need to know about living in Victoria, CA.
Attractions
The first stop when touring your new city should really be the gorgeous British Columbia Parliament buildings (pictured above). After admiring the Renaissance Revival architecture of these historical and culturally significant buildings, you should really also consider visiting Victoria’s vast musical scene and art galleries. Victoria has art galleries galore, especially ones full of historical and cultural variety. Places to consider include: the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, the Royal Theatre, the Intrepid Theatre, and many more.
Your Biking Destination
Victoria is known as the cycling capital of Canada, with hundreds of kilometers of bicycle paths, bike lanes, and bike routes in the city. With places like the Galloping Goose Regional Trail and the Mount Work Regional Park, you will never run out of bike permitted areas.
Looking for new groups to join? The Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition (GVCC) and the Bike to Work Society are working to improve Victoria’s cycling infrastructure and facilities, and strive to make cycling a viable transportation alternative.
Outdoor Activities
Because of the temperate climate, outdoor activities are commonplace in Victoria. Many locals sail, kayak, fish, or play golf–even in the winter! Beaches are open to the public, and even residential areas have places allowing public access. Because Vancouver Island’s topography is so varied, you can basically choose your climate. In just a week you can enjoy skiing in the Mount Washington region, view the coastline sights from a tiny Victoria Harbour ferry, or play at one of Victoria’s sparkling coastal golf courses.
Good Eats
Fresh fish, locally made cheeses and wine, and organic vegetables are tastes to expect in the Victoria and Vancouver Island area. Vegetarians and vegans are well catered to in this very health-conscious town, and seafood choices go way beyond the traditional fish tacos, fish-and-chips, etc. Most interestingly, restaurants in the area are now beginning to create “ocean wise” menus–indicating that the particular restaurant is committed to serving only sustainably harvested seafood.
Finally, you may notice in your travels that the most popular venue is the most casual. Small pubs across Victoria serve some of the best food and brew fare. Looking for a teatime snack? Afternoon tea is an old Victoria tradition, as is good coffee. There are tons of fun local coffee purveyors in the area. Enjoy!
Just moved to Victoria, Canada? Share your experiences in the comments below!
Flickr: sonnysideup / Via Creative Commons