Loris’s guidebook

Loris
Loris’s guidebook

Nearby Restaurants

Good menu and open late. They have a great brunch until 2 on the weekends. Less noisy on the patio.
51 habitants recommandent
Browns Socialhouse Langford
783 Goldstream Ave
51 habitants recommandent
Good menu and open late. They have a great brunch until 2 on the weekends. Less noisy on the patio.
Also open late. If you purchase a beverage after 9 pm, your meal is half price. Big portions, noisy restaurant. Outdoor patio dining.
144 habitants recommandent
Bin 4 Burger Lounge
144 habitants recommandent
Also open late. If you purchase a beverage after 9 pm, your meal is half price. Big portions, noisy restaurant. Outdoor patio dining.
A steakhouse with lots of other offerings. A restaurant on one side, a pub on the other.
15 habitants recommandent
MR MIKES SteakhouseCasual
985 Whirlaway Cres
15 habitants recommandent
A steakhouse with lots of other offerings. A restaurant on one side, a pub on the other.
Classic Canadian fare. Casual dining.
30 habitants recommandent
White Spot
941 Langford Pkwy
30 habitants recommandent
Classic Canadian fare. Casual dining.
Good spot for brunch. Casual dining.
9 habitants recommandent
MO:LÉ Restaurant
2345 Millstream Rd
9 habitants recommandent
Good spot for brunch. Casual dining.
21 habitants recommandent
Turmeric Indian Cuisine
777 Goldstream Ave
21 habitants recommandent
48 habitants recommandent
Sabhai Thai Restaurant
2800 Jacklin Rd
48 habitants recommandent
This restaurant is a little farther afield but I love this place for an evening out. Their 4 course Tuscan table is delicious and good value.
30 habitants recommandent
Med Grill Royal Oak
4512 W Saanich Rd
30 habitants recommandent
This restaurant is a little farther afield but I love this place for an evening out. Their 4 course Tuscan table is delicious and good value.
This is nice spot to sit on the patio for drinks and appys on a warm evening. There is also fine dining next door at Bella's Restaurant.
13 habitants recommandent
Masters Lounge
1999 Country Club Way
13 habitants recommandent
This is nice spot to sit on the patio for drinks and appys on a warm evening. There is also fine dining next door at Bella's Restaurant.
If you're downtown with kids at dinnertime, this is a good place to go for large servings and endless bread. My kids love it here.
20 habitants recommandent
The Old Spaghetti Factory
703 Douglas St
20 habitants recommandent
If you're downtown with kids at dinnertime, this is a good place to go for large servings and endless bread. My kids love it here.
There are a number of sushi restaurants in the Langford area. My favourite for a sit down meal is Akemi Sushi on Goldstream Road.
21 habitants recommandent
Sushi Langford
2455 Millstream Rd
21 habitants recommandent
There are a number of sushi restaurants in the Langford area. My favourite for a sit down meal is Akemi Sushi on Goldstream Road.
Hugely popular casual restaurant in Metchosin, about 25 minutes drive away. Big portions, tasty food, awesome desserts. There is a pizza restaurant and icecream parlour attached.
104 habitants recommandent
My Chosen Café
4492 Happy Valley Rd
104 habitants recommandent
Hugely popular casual restaurant in Metchosin, about 25 minutes drive away. Big portions, tasty food, awesome desserts. There is a pizza restaurant and icecream parlour attached.
This is my choice for take-out pizza in the area.
34 habitants recommandent
Romeo's
1703 Blanshard St
34 habitants recommandent
This is my choice for take-out pizza in the area.

Favourite Tourist Spots

They have a big fireworks display on Saturday nights throughout the summer, and the gardens are spectacular.
388 habitants recommandent
Jardins Butchart
800 Benvenuto Ave
388 habitants recommandent
They have a big fireworks display on Saturday nights throughout the summer, and the gardens are spectacular.
We have a great, interactive museum which I loved as a kid and still do!
534 habitants recommandent
Musée royal de la Colombie-Britannique
675 Belleville St
534 habitants recommandent
We have a great, interactive museum which I loved as a kid and still do!
This is a Victoria landmark. It's fun to just wander through to the Convention Centre and look around. They also have a famous afternoon tea.
194 habitants recommandent
Hotel Fairmont Empress
721 Government St
194 habitants recommandent
This is a Victoria landmark. It's fun to just wander through to the Convention Centre and look around. They also have a famous afternoon tea.
A picturesque downtown wharf on the inner harbour with lots of houseboats and a great fish and chips store (Barb's).
255 habitants recommandent
Parc de Fisherman's Wharf
12 Erie St
255 habitants recommandent
A picturesque downtown wharf on the inner harbour with lots of houseboats and a great fish and chips store (Barb's).
This is a beautiful park downtown with lovely gardens, duck ponds, playground, a little golf spot and petting zoo. They run the goats twice a day which is fun to see.
503 habitants recommandent
Parc Beacon Hill
100 Cook St
503 habitants recommandent
This is a beautiful park downtown with lovely gardens, duck ponds, playground, a little golf spot and petting zoo. They run the goats twice a day which is fun to see.
See above.
47 habitants recommandent
Ferme pour enfants de Beacon Hill
815 Circle Dr
47 habitants recommandent
See above.

Scenic Drive around Victoria

It is a beautiful drive from Fisherman's Wharf along Dallas Road. You can take the coastal road all the way around to Cadboro Bay, past the Oak Bay Beach Hotel and Marina, Cattle Point, Willows Beach, through beautiful estate homes etc., then drive up through the University to get back to Langford.
Beautiful hotel with coffee shop, pub and restaurant. You can buy a day pass to use the spa facilities and soak in the mineral bath and hot tubs overlooking the ocean. Or just indulge and book yourself a spa treatment!
33 habitants recommandent
Oak Bay Beach Hotel
1175 Beach Dr
33 habitants recommandent
Beautiful hotel with coffee shop, pub and restaurant. You can buy a day pass to use the spa facilities and soak in the mineral bath and hot tubs overlooking the ocean. Or just indulge and book yourself a spa treatment!
Fine dining restaurant and coffee shop if you're ready to eat.
55 habitants recommandent
Oak Bay Marina
1327 Beach Dr
55 habitants recommandent
Fine dining restaurant and coffee shop if you're ready to eat.
On Beach Drive, just inside the stone gates of the Uplands, the park extends to Cattle Point where you can walk on the rocks and dip your feet in the water.
Cattle Point Urban Star Park
1 Scenic Dr
On Beach Drive, just inside the stone gates of the Uplands, the park extends to Cattle Point where you can walk on the rocks and dip your feet in the water.
Very picturesque, popular Beach with a playground and cafe. The sand is a little whiter here :). Note: If the guidebook shows amusement park rides at Willows, that only happens once a year during the Oak Bay Tea Party!
170 habitants recommandent
Plage Willows
Esplanade
170 habitants recommandent
Very picturesque, popular Beach with a playground and cafe. The sand is a little whiter here :). Note: If the guidebook shows amusement park rides at Willows, that only happens once a year during the Oak Bay Tea Party!
I haven't been in a while but they used to have these great structures for kids to play on.
89 habitants recommandent
Parc Cadboro-Gyro
Sinclair Road
89 habitants recommandent
I haven't been in a while but they used to have these great structures for kids to play on.
78 habitants recommandent
University of Victoria
3800 Finnerty Road
78 habitants recommandent

Things to Do

A great little town to hang out for an afternoon. It's on the water with pretty walkways, piers, impressive yachts etc. There is also an aquarium and lots of little shops. They have a big street market on Thursday evenings.
17 habitants recommandent
Sidney B.C. station
17 habitants recommandent
A great little town to hang out for an afternoon. It's on the water with pretty walkways, piers, impressive yachts etc. There is also an aquarium and lots of little shops. They have a big street market on Thursday evenings.
A good spot if you are wanting to go to a beach close by. There is a beach on one side of the spit and a nature sanctuary on the other. Very pretty. Fort Rod Hill is on the way and I'm pretty sure there is still public access if you are interested in seeing the old artillery bunkers and climbing inside the cute little lighthouse you can see from Esquimalt Lagoon.
131 habitants recommandent
Esquimalt Lagoon
131 habitants recommandent
A good spot if you are wanting to go to a beach close by. There is a beach on one side of the spit and a nature sanctuary on the other. Very pretty. Fort Rod Hill is on the way and I'm pretty sure there is still public access if you are interested in seeing the old artillery bunkers and climbing inside the cute little lighthouse you can see from Esquimalt Lagoon.
Just across the lake...pool with slide, gym, sauna, yoga classes etc.
19 habitants recommandent
YMCA-YWCA Westhills
1319 Westhills Dr
19 habitants recommandent
Just across the lake...pool with slide, gym, sauna, yoga classes etc.
This place is right across the lake near Westhills. Playzone, minigolf, dry floor arena, ice skating, bowling and more.
19 habitants recommandent
City Centre Park
1089 Langford Pkwy
19 habitants recommandent
This place is right across the lake near Westhills. Playzone, minigolf, dry floor arena, ice skating, bowling and more.
Bear Mountain has a few things to offer. Of course there is golf, but my favourite is the Westin's Sante Spa which has a mineral pool, sauna and steam room and a big lounge to relax in. The next hotel over has a beautiful, outdoor, rooftop, salt water pool that is open for public drop in. The North Langford Recreation website will have the pool times listed. There are also lots of dining options on Bear Mountain - sushi, pub, lounge, fine dining, cafe, poolside fare...
28 habitants recommandent
Bear Mountain Resort
1999 Country Club Way
28 habitants recommandent
Bear Mountain has a few things to offer. Of course there is golf, but my favourite is the Westin's Sante Spa which has a mineral pool, sauna and steam room and a big lounge to relax in. The next hotel over has a beautiful, outdoor, rooftop, salt water pool that is open for public drop in. The North Langford Recreation website will have the pool times listed. There are also lots of dining options on Bear Mountain - sushi, pub, lounge, fine dining, cafe, poolside fare...
Just down the road from us, Goldstream Park is known for the annual fall salmon runs in the Goldstream River, and the large numbers of bald eagles that congregate to feed at that time. It is also a nice spot to visit in the summer, with outdoor fire pits and a nature house.
Goldstream
Just down the road from us, Goldstream Park is known for the annual fall salmon runs in the Goldstream River, and the large numbers of bald eagles that congregate to feed at that time. It is also a nice spot to visit in the summer, with outdoor fire pits and a nature house.
Metchosin is a quaint little municipality with lots of picturesque farmland and roadside stands for jam, etc. I've heard the lavender farm is a good spot to stop, although I haven't been yet. MyChosen Cafe is a great place to eat for hearty portions of classic Canadian fare.
15 habitants recommandent
Metchosin
15 habitants recommandent
Metchosin is a quaint little municipality with lots of picturesque farmland and roadside stands for jam, etc. I've heard the lavender farm is a good spot to stop, although I haven't been yet. MyChosen Cafe is a great place to eat for hearty portions of classic Canadian fare.
My kids and I had lots of fun one day following the signs out of Metchosin to this development of high end condos and townhouses that are built right on the ocean. The views are spectacular! Hopefully the show room will be open for some time to come.
SookePoint Ocean Cottage Resort
1000 Sooke Point Pl
My kids and I had lots of fun one day following the signs out of Metchosin to this development of high end condos and townhouses that are built right on the ocean. The views are spectacular! Hopefully the show room will be open for some time to come.
There is a lovely trail that winds around half the lake. Just head down to the end of Lake Vista, turn left and cross the second board walk after the fairy garden. We often walk our dog here off-leash. Or head down to the dock and watch for wildlife. We have resident eagles, turtles, frogs, otter (who sometimes sunbathe on the dock), minks, ducks, heron and all manner of other creatures.
26 habitants recommandent
Langford Lake
26 habitants recommandent
There is a lovely trail that winds around half the lake. Just head down to the end of Lake Vista, turn left and cross the second board walk after the fairy garden. We often walk our dog here off-leash. Or head down to the dock and watch for wildlife. We have resident eagles, turtles, frogs, otter (who sometimes sunbathe on the dock), minks, ducks, heron and all manner of other creatures.

Hiking Trails

I'm not a hiker so I do not have any personal recommendations for this section. Here is what I found on the site "10 of the Best Hikes near Victoria".
Trail Length: 1.2 km round-trip Elevation Gain: 45 m Mount Tolmie is a beautiful hike offering one of the best views of Victoria from the summit. There is a road that winds up the mountain leading almost all the way to the top and stopping at many different parking lots. Hikers can choose to climb the mountain starting from the very bottom or from various trailheads located by the parking lots at intervals up the mountain.
65 habitants recommandent
Mount Tolmie
65 habitants recommandent
Trail Length: 1.2 km round-trip Elevation Gain: 45 m Mount Tolmie is a beautiful hike offering one of the best views of Victoria from the summit. There is a road that winds up the mountain leading almost all the way to the top and stopping at many different parking lots. Hikers can choose to climb the mountain starting from the very bottom or from various trailheads located by the parking lots at intervals up the mountain.
Trail Length: 5 km round-trip Elevation Gain: 30 m Loop around two lakes along wide, flat trails, shaded by evergreen trees. Visitors can spend the day hiking and then cool off with a refreshing swim. Bring a picnic or a canoe to make it a full-day adventure.
109 habitants recommandent
Thetis Lake
109 habitants recommandent
Trail Length: 5 km round-trip Elevation Gain: 30 m Loop around two lakes along wide, flat trails, shaded by evergreen trees. Visitors can spend the day hiking and then cool off with a refreshing swim. Bring a picnic or a canoe to make it a full-day adventure.
Trail Length: 1.3 km round-trip Elevation Gain: 25 m Goldstream Provincial Park has something for everyone to enjoy. The main attraction of this park is BC’s very own Niagara Falls! This smaller version of the historic Niagara Falls in Ontario is an impressive 47.5 meters tall (but much less wide than its namesake). Further down the trail, hikers will reach Goldstream Trestle. It’s advised not to cross this trestle as there are no railings but it is still a beautiful sight that stretches right across Niagara Canyon.
Niagara Falls
Gold Mine Trail
Trail Length: 1.3 km round-trip Elevation Gain: 25 m Goldstream Provincial Park has something for everyone to enjoy. The main attraction of this park is BC’s very own Niagara Falls! This smaller version of the historic Niagara Falls in Ontario is an impressive 47.5 meters tall (but much less wide than its namesake). Further down the trail, hikers will reach Goldstream Trestle. It’s advised not to cross this trestle as there are no railings but it is still a beautiful sight that stretches right across Niagara Canyon.
This hike is very popular and just a few minutes down the road. My daughter, who does hike, tells me this trail is challenging. There are two routes up - one is easier than the other but still challenging! I personally would not take children up as accidents do occur. Trail Length: 4 km round-trip Elevation Gain: 410 m Mount Finlayson is a popular hike for those wishing to get a serious workout. On the way up, sweaty hikers will be shadowed by a large and lush forest canopy. It’s a steep mountain but the beautiful views of the surrounding Langford area make it all very worthwhile.
56 habitants recommandent
Mt Finlayson summit
56 habitants recommandent
This hike is very popular and just a few minutes down the road. My daughter, who does hike, tells me this trail is challenging. There are two routes up - one is easier than the other but still challenging! I personally would not take children up as accidents do occur. Trail Length: 4 km round-trip Elevation Gain: 410 m Mount Finlayson is a popular hike for those wishing to get a serious workout. On the way up, sweaty hikers will be shadowed by a large and lush forest canopy. It’s a steep mountain but the beautiful views of the surrounding Langford area make it all very worthwhile.
Trail Length: 1.7 km loop Elevation Gain: 18 m Durrance Lake is a popular and easy hiking area very close to Victoria. Durrance is the most accessible of three lakes in Mount Work Park and offers visitors an enchanting forest trail along with its refreshing waters. This lake is a popular swimming hole and fishing area.
27 habitants recommandent
Durrance Lake
27 habitants recommandent
Trail Length: 1.7 km loop Elevation Gain: 18 m Durrance Lake is a popular and easy hiking area very close to Victoria. Durrance is the most accessible of three lakes in Mount Work Park and offers visitors an enchanting forest trail along with its refreshing waters. This lake is a popular swimming hole and fishing area.

Our Favourite Daytrips - Victoria to Cowichan Valley

This is a beautiful drive. The view from the lookout on the Malahat is breathtaking and lots of the backroads in Cowichan Valley are picturesque. If you like wine, there are many vineyards. Averill Creek Vineyard has a pretty patio where you can eat a picnic lunch you have brought (I am fairly certain it is child friendly but you may wish to check first!). My favourite coffee shop is The Garage in Duncan (330 Duncan Street) and Bridgeman's Bistro (740 Hardy Street) is a great place to eat dinner overlooking the water. There is also a picturesque row of quaint stores, including a candy and icecream shop, at 1765 Cowichan Bay Road.
7 habitants recommandent
Malahat Lookout
812 Island Hwy
7 habitants recommandent
45 habitants recommandent
Averill Creek Vineyard
6552 N Rd
45 habitants recommandent
74 habitants recommandent
Bridgemans Bistro
740 Handy Rd
74 habitants recommandent
7 habitants recommandent
Udder Guys Ice Cream and Candy
1765 Cowichan Bay Rd
7 habitants recommandent

Our Favourite Daytrips - Victoria to Port Renfrew

There is beautiful rugged West Coast scenery along this route and lots of places to stop along the way. There is a great swimming hole called Sooke Pot Holes and we love stopping in at Tugwell Honey Farm just past Sooke. There are great beaches along the drive. French Beach is good for me because the access is right off the road, but I know many people who don't mind walking a ways go to Mystic Beach and China Beach. I also remember going to Botanical Beach as a child and loving it. There are many little tide pools full of sea life to investigate but you have to make sure you are going at low tide. Apparently Sheringham Point Lighthouse is a good stop too although I have never been.
This picture does not do it justice - I wish I knew how to upload one of mine! The place is stunning - lots of swimming holes with crystal clear mountain water to plunge into.
222 habitants recommandent
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke River Road
222 habitants recommandent
This picture does not do it justice - I wish I knew how to upload one of mine! The place is stunning - lots of swimming holes with crystal clear mountain water to plunge into.
33 habitants recommandent
Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery
8750 W Coast Rd
33 habitants recommandent
93 habitants recommandent
Parc provincial French Beach
93 habitants recommandent
97 habitants recommandent
Mystic Beach
97 habitants recommandent
The Juan de Fuca Marine trail connects the beaches along this route so I am sure there are lots of trails to explore: Trail Length: 47 km one-way Elevation Gain: 948 m (total combined) The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail traces the Pacific Ocean at the western edge of Vancouver Island. There are different trailheads, but hiking from China Beach to Botanical Beach makes for an epic multi-day trek. Just make sure to stay up to date on tidal information as there are times of day when high tide can be dangerous for adventurers.
24 habitants recommandent
China Beach Trailhead
47 Juan De Fuca Hwy
24 habitants recommandent
The Juan de Fuca Marine trail connects the beaches along this route so I am sure there are lots of trails to explore: Trail Length: 47 km one-way Elevation Gain: 948 m (total combined) The Juan de Fuca Marine Trail traces the Pacific Ocean at the western edge of Vancouver Island. There are different trailheads, but hiking from China Beach to Botanical Beach makes for an epic multi-day trek. Just make sure to stay up to date on tidal information as there are times of day when high tide can be dangerous for adventurers.
75 habitants recommandent
Botanical Beach
75 habitants recommandent
There is a little restaurant here with a great view if you need to stop for a bite. Again, the picture is not a good representation of the place - think cliffs and ocean.
48 habitants recommandent
Point No Point Resort
10829 W Coast Rd
48 habitants recommandent
There is a little restaurant here with a great view if you need to stop for a bite. Again, the picture is not a good representation of the place - think cliffs and ocean.
28 habitants recommandent
Sheringham Point Lighthouse
1 Sheringham Point Rd
28 habitants recommandent
52 habitants recommandent
Port Renfrew
6638 Deering Rd
52 habitants recommandent