Victoria, BC in September

[Vics]

My wife and I are going up to Port Townsend for the Wooden Boat Festival in early September. After that we'll be a few days in the San Juan Islands, and we'll be in Victoria on the 12th and 13th. We're looking for suggestions for things to see, do, photograph and eat in the Provincial Capital. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[Don Parsons]

Butchart Gardens & Butterfly House are great. Victoria is my favorite city, I'd like to retire there.

 

[lawnpotter]

Afternoon tea at the fairmont empress hotel. Craigdarroch castle. Minature world. I have not done these but heard they are great from friends

 

[f16sunshine]

Iceberg point Monument on Lopez Island is worth a visit. The view of the Straight and Olympic mountains there is super nice.
If your on SanJuan Island try Cattle point for a similar view although at a beach setting rather than from a Rock Bluff.
Out on Vancouver Island I always recommend a trip on the west coast if you have time.
From Victoria, take a car out to Sooke for tea and then head west.
Jordan River is a cool stop right on the Straight and has some nice food now I understand.
Sort of a hippie/surfer vibe but still very local.
Further up is Port Renfrew and the cool park there for day trips is the Juan De Fucca trails most western end.
Once out on the "Beach" you are basically right were the Straight of Juan De Fuca meets the pacific.
The Beach life here can be a really fun to visit if the tide is low. The currents and surf can be really intense on big swell days.
If you went 17 miles at a heading of about 180 or so you would sail right into Neah Bay from here. You're right across the Straight from the very NW tip of the Continental United states.... Cape Flattery.

Just a few of hundreds of spots to check out. A few days is really short.

Enjoy your visit!

 

[segedi]

There's a cafe at The Malahat. Didn't look like much from the road, but the views from the back are outstanding. Then just north, can take the Mill Bay ferry to Brentwood Bay. Some good eats and drinks there too.

But, there's tons to see in Victoria as well.

 

[Glenn2]

Hi Vic. I've been living just north of Victoria for the past 36 years. You picked one of the best times of the year to visit. Weather is still warm and the summer crowds are back to work/school.

Will you be driving and do you have a Victoria hotel booked?
Knowing will help me suggest local stuff to see / photograph.
If you're coming from the San Juans the ferry docks in the town of Sidney about 20 miles north of Victoria. This is the area where I live. Sidney is known for its book stores and has quite a number for both new and used. A new TV series called Gracepoint was filming here recently, look for first shows this Fall.

For street stuff I like wandering China Town on Fizgard Street.
There's lots of unusual shops with produce piled on the sidewalk, very easy to imagine you're in parts of HongKong.

Don't miss Fantan Alley halfway down on the south side. It's right through the middle of the block and narrows down in places to where you can touch both sides. Notice the numbering on the doors, they use half numbers. Good place for an extreme wide angle if you have one. I like using my 21mm SA or 15mm CV here.

Fishermans Wharf is also close and a fun place to explore. It's a floating village comprised of boats, wharves and float homes.

There's fresh fish at the market and a fish and chips shop if you want to eat on the dock. Warning, the local seals hang out in the area to mooch from tourists and appear to do quite well near the chip shop.

I'll look in the papers coming events listing and see if there's anything special happening when you're here. Will PM you the info as I get it. Have a great trip.

Cheers, Glenn

 

[Vics]

Thanks, Glenn. We'll be staying at the Best Western Inner Harbor in Victoria. We won't be bringing the car with us when we ferry over from Port Angeles.

 

[Vics]

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. We leave this Friday for Port Townsend. I'll post some pics here when I get back.

 

[Tony Whitney]

I'd definitely check out Camera Traders on Johnson Street. It's the best used and collectable camera gear store I've ever encountered outside of Germany. Also, it's located in an area that's eminently photogenic. If you're in the Sidney area and depending on your interests, the air museum at Victoria International Airport is a great place to visit. The staff are very friendly and willing to show you round - I must have taken several thousand pictures there over the years. As has been stated, Brentwood Bay is great and there's hardly a better place in the region to sit outside with a beer than the Brentwood Bay pub. (The Rum Runner in Sidney runs a close second, but Victoria is littered with great watering holes) Have a great trip!...TW

 

[Glenn2]

Vic, I just checked for local events that might interest you while in Victoria.

On the 13th and 14th there is a chalk festival happening along Government street and at the BC museum (across from Empress hotel & parliament buildings) Should be lots of interesting art (some 3D) done in chalk on the sidewalks. Sounds like it might be good for some street photos of artists and onlookers. There is an admission to get into the museum which right now has a show on Vikings, but it's free to get in the Clifford Carl Hall for the chalk art.
http://www.victoriachalkfestival.com/

I'll probably go myself, so if you see and older photographer with an M4 it may be me.

On 12th-14 the local firefighters put on Esquimalt Ribfest a barbecue bonanza at Bullen Park to raise money for charity.
http://www.esquimaltribfest.com/

Rifflandia a mix of music, art and shenanigans runs from 11th-14. rifflandia.com $$

Victoria has a good selection of craft breweries, and some have attached restaurants. In the downtown area Swans, Spinakers,
and Canoe Brewpub are the closest. Spinakers is across the bridge and may be too far to walk, but I think the little harbour ferries may stop there. http://www.victoriaharbourferry.com/

The camera store mentioned is at Market Square right downtown. http://www.camera-traders.com/

Well that should keep you busy, have fun and expose some photo senstive surfaces to light. Victoria is a tourist town so people aren't overly camera shy.

Glenn

 

[Vics]

Thanks, Glenn! I'm leaving Victoria at 3PM, on the 13th, but I'll definitely check out what I can of the chalk festival. The link you posted was fascinating. I think that between that and Chinatown and general snooping we'll have as much fun as an elderly couple are allowed. I'll be the old guy with the M3. Thanks again!