Travel to Victoria, British Columbia – Episode 945

Hear about travel to Victoria, British Columbia, as Chris Christensen from Amateur Traveler talks about his recent visit to the capital of British Columbia.

Join Chris Christensen as he returns to one of the first cities he ever visited outside the U.S.—Victoria, British Columbia. In this solo episode, Chris recounts a week-long press trip to Vancouver Island’s picturesque capital. From kayaking and whale watching to historic Chinatown, local farms, and world-renowned gardens, discover why Victoria is more than just a pretty harbor town.

After arriving via Victoria International Airport, the trip kicks off with a walking tour of North America’s second-oldest Chinatown, led by Discover the Past. Chris explores the cultural legacy of Chinese-Canadians, visits the rare Tam Kung Temple, and strolls Fan Tan Alley, learning about the community’s resilience and spiritual heritage.

The adventure continues west of town along the Flavor Trail with visits to Aylard Farm for hiking and Woodside Farm for local agricultural flavor.

Outdoor activities feature prominently, including an exhilarating whale-watching excursion with Eagle Wing Tours that spans 100 nautical miles in search of orcas and a scenic kayaking tour through the Upper Harbor and Gorge with Ocean River Adventures. Chris also explores the forest canopy at the Malahat SkyWalk, cycles around Victoria’s scenic harbor with Cycle BC, and enjoys quiet moments on the Songhees Walkway. Each experience reveals a different aspect of the island, from sea life and tidal rapids to panoramic views of Mount Baker and lush coastal trails.

A guided tour of The Butchart Gardens offers insight into one of Canada’s most celebrated horticultural attractions. Chris explores the Sunken Garden and the Japanese and Italian Gardens and even uncovers the story behind the family’s dog and cat featured on the garden’s carousel. At the Royal BC Museum, he dives into recreated Victorian-era townscapes, Indigenous exhibits, and a touching photography installation about Japanese-Canadian history. The journey blends learning with leisure, pairing cultural insight with immersive storytelling.

Throughout the week, Chris samples some of the best dining in Victoria, from sea-to-table dishes at Red Fish Blue Fish and refined fare at House of Boateng, to farm-to-fork meals at 10 Acres Bistro and laid-back brunches at Boom + Batten. He stays at both the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort—offering sweeping views of the harbor—and the apartment-style Oswego Hotel near Fisherman’s Wharf. Through all these experiences, Chris shares why Victoria remains one of North America’s most charming and walkable cities—historic, scenic, and full of surprises.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Intro & personal history with Victoria
03:00 – Getting there: flights, ferries, and seaplanes
04:00 – Historic Chinatown walking tour with Discover the Past
09:00 – Visit to the Tam Kung Temple
13:00 – Fan Tan Alley & Chinese gambling history
14:00 – Afternoon flavor trail: Aylard Farm & Woodside Farm
15:00 – Whale watching with Eagle Wing Tours (Orca pod T18/T19, including Galliano and Spouter)
18:00 – Local school programs and ocean education
19:00 – Walking the Songhees Walkway
20:00 – Kayaking the Upper Harbor and Gorge with Ocean River Adventures
22:00 – Malahat SkyWalk & its sweeping forest and fjord views
25:00 – The Butchart Gardens tour: Sunken Garden, seasonal tips, and family legacy
32:00 – Royal BC Museum: Old Town, First Nations exhibits, and the new Hayashi photography studio
39:00 – Exploring Victoria by bike with Cycle BC
41:00 – Phillips Brewing tour and tasting
44:00 – Hotel stays: Delta Ocean Pointe and Oswego Hotel
45:00 – Breakfast & brunch spots (Lure, Boom + Batten, Caffe Fantastico)
47:00 – Lunches and dinners: Hide & Seek Food Truck, Red Fish Blue Fish, Drake Eatery, House of Boateng, Fathom, Rabbit Rabbit, 10 Acres Bistro, Finn’s
54:00 – Favorite spot, most surprising detail, and final thoughts

Top Tips

• Best photo spot: The Sunken Garden at Butchart Gardens
• Don’t miss: The Chinatown tour’s private Tam Kung Temple
• Best sunset dining: Finn’s on the Harbor
• Surprise fact: Orcas have the right of way on Victoria’s seaplane “runways”

Acknowledgments

Destination Greater Victoria sponsored this trip, which was supported by many local partners. Thanks for hosting a wonderful return to one of Chris’s first international destinations.

Sponsors

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Show Notes

Discover the Past Walking Tours (Chinatown Tour)
Tam Kung Temple (inside Yen Wo Society Building)
Fanan Alley (Chinatown attraction)
Woodside Farm
Aylard Farm / East Sooke Regional Park
Eagle Wing Tours (Whale Watching)
Ocean River Adventures (Kayaking Tour)
Songhees Walkway (Harbor Walk)
Malahat SkyWalk
The Butchart Gardens
Royal BC Museum
Cycle BC Rentals (Bike Rental)
Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.

Accomodations

Delta Hotels by Marriott Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort (see my Ocean Point Resort review)
LURE Restaurant & Bar (inside Delta Hotel)
The Oswego Hotel (see my Oswego Hotel review)
The Aegir Room (Oswego Hotel restaurant)

Restaurants

Caffe Fantastico
Boom + Batten
Hide + Seek Coffee & Food Truck
Red Fish Blue Fish (Seafood Shack)
The Drake Eatery
House of Boateng
Fathom Restaurant (inside Hotel Grand Pacific)
Rabbit Rabbit Wine Bar
10 Acres Bistro
Finn’s Seafood, Chops & Cocktails

Also Read

• Best Restaurants in Victoria, British Columbia
• Best Things to Do in Victoria, BC: A Personal and Practical Guide
• Exploring Victoria BC’s Chinatown: A Walk Through History, Culture, and Unexpected Discoveries

Community

On the episode Travel to Auckland, New Zealand – Episode 943

Several years ago, I started out my 3-week trip around New Zealand in Auckland. I spent several days in Auckland and really, really enjoyed it. I recommend taking the short ferry ride across the bay to Devonport. I spent a lovely morning there walking around the town with shops and cafes. The oldest movie theater in NZ is there. There are great views of Auckland looking back from Devonport and from the ferry. Another fun thing to do in Auckland is a short sailing trip on an America’s Cup style racing sailboat. They let folks take the wheel for a bit. You can find the racing boat across from the very nice Maritime Museum.
– Randy Rohrer

I just listened to it, and I should have said Peter Blake, not Roger Blake! Peter Blake was an NZ sailor famous for wearing red socks, winning the America’s Cup, and being killed by pirates in the Amazon.
– Jonty Crane

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