OT - Anyone live in Victoria - some Questions

[Jo-Anne]

Hi - my DD and I are heading to Victoria in a couple of weeks for a skating competition at the Savon Center. We are staying at the Pacific Grand Hotel. I'm just wondering what kind of restaurants/coffee shops are around both the arena and hotel and if there are any grocery stores in vicinity? WE'll have a car, but for eating purposes would prefer something within walking distances. Also wondering about a few side trips (any sea lion sitings this time of the year)? I've been looking at the weather and it appears to be a bit above zero, but rainy - what type of jacket should I bring - winter or spring?

Thanks!

 

[gem21]

I can't help you, but just wanted to say have fun at Nationals! Is your daughter competing or are you just going to watch? I'm going through live skating withdrawals not going to any competitions this season after going to Skate America, Skate Canada and Canadian Nationals last season!

 

[coastgirl]

Don't live there any more, used to...there are a bunch of small places in the hotel area (it's known as James Bay, or the Inner Harbour). If the weather's nice you can go for fish and chips at Barb's on the wharf. James Bay Tea Room is a local institution for simple "tea time" food--think scones and sandwiches. If you've got the energy to walk up to Government st, there's more there.

Late January, it will be significantly milder than Ontario (unless there's a weird system, which you can't rule out these days) but still winter-ish. I`d take an insulated rain jacket or light winter coat. It's not nearly as rainy as Vancouver. My daughter`s birthday is Feb 17, she was born at Vic General. I tell her she was born in spring--cherry blossom time--but now her birthday is in winter. (We moved to NS.)

Have fun! Wish I were going!

 

[papertraveller]

I'm another ex-Victoria person. Can't speak for the local restaurants much any more, but I can tell you that my favourite thing to do there still is just go to the beach. And that includes stormy weather!

Drive along Beach Drive and stop wherever it looks interesting -- pull out at Clover Point and gaze across Puget Sound. You might find seals at the Oak Bay Marina (they sell frozen bait in the marina store). You could stop for a stroll at Willows Beach in Oak Bay, or carry along further to Cadboro Bay and go to Gyro Park. Take Sinclair Road up the hill to tour the university, and let your gps guide you back downtown.

 

[capitalmom]

I stayed at the Grand Pacific for a business trip in September. The food at the hotel was very expensive ($12 for oatmeal, and not great IMHO). Fortunately, there are lots of places within easy walking distance, just around the inner harbour. As someone else mentioned, the James Bay Tea Room is lovely and also open early for breakfast. The closest chain restaurant is a Milestones right on the waterfront - basic predictable food, but service was painfully slow, and there's also a large food court on the top floor of what used to be the Eaton Centre. If you're feeling more adventurous, we had an awesome meal at Rebar Modern Food at Bastion Square, and another at Spinnakers Brewpub, which requires a water taxi ride from downtown, followed by a short hike but the food and atmosphere were great. Other not to be missed sites in Victoria - Murchie's tea shop, Munro's bookstore and Rogers chocolates - all within easy walking distance as well Enjoy!

 

[Jo-Anne]

I can't help you, but just wanted to say have fun at Nationals! Is your daughter competing or are you just going to watch? I'm going through live skating withdrawals not going to any competitions this season after going to Skate America, Skate Canada and Canadian Nationals last season!

Hey Gem21 - my daughter is competing in Novice Dance - just hoping for clean and confident skates!

Thanks to everyone for your replies - I look forward to a bit milder temperatures and a change of scenery for a week!

 

[Colfireman]

Hi - my DD and I are heading to Victoria in a couple of weeks for a skating competition at the Savon Center. We are staying at the Pacific Grand Hotel. I'm just wondering what kind of restaurants/coffee shops are around both the arena and hotel and if there are any grocery stores in vicinity? WE'll have a car, but for eating purposes would prefer something within walking distances. Also wondering about a few side trips (any sea lion sitings this time of the year)? I've been looking at the weather and it appears to be a bit above zero, but rainy - what type of jacket should I bring - winter or spring?

Thanks!

You will be staying in the Inner harbour close to all of the tourist attractions. There is a grocery store about 4 blocks south at Simcoe and Menzies called Thrifty Foods. Victoria boasts hundred of coffee shops and restaurants in Victoria all within 15 minutes to where you are staying. It is currently just above freezing and raining so a rain jacket and umbrella is a must here. Depending on the type of food you are looking for I can recommend some "local" restaurants. The arena that you will be skating at is the Save on Foods Memorial Arena and it will be about 10-15 minutes away from where you are. It is located at Blanshard & Caledonia St.

Let me know what else you require and I hope i can help out. PM me and I can give you my e-mail



Greg

 

[ABCanada]

Do not live in Victoria but my daughter goes to school on the island and I occasionally rescue her from cafeteria food. Last trip we stayed at the Oswego hotel http://www.oswegovictoria.com/ which is just west of where you will be staying. The food in their lounge / restaurant, O Bistro, was great and I felt reasonably priced for the quality. We will definitely be going back.

Cannot comment on other specific restaurants in the area, we tend to go to Sidney, but have found that many of the restaurants that face the water cater to tourists and are quite expensive.

As for activities I enjoy walking along the waterfront there are lots of walking paths. One word of caution, the driving distances on Vancouver Island can be deceptive so check them on Mapquest or google maps before committing to an activity too far away.

You will be close to the Royal BC Museum (between the Empress and the BC Legislature). Definitely worth a visit. Great gift shop as well.

Victoria has had colder weather this year so I would bring winter wear including footwear that can withstand slush.

Enjoy your trip and good luck.

 

[BLAZEY]

There are lots of coffee shops/restaurants in DT Victoria. Definately check out the Thrifty Foods near your hotel for snack and food for the room. The weather has been colder than normal. It is a WET cold and chills to the bone. I was warmer in Calgary at -12 than at home in Victoria at +4 with rain. Layering is the best way to deal with the weather here. There is a White Spot Restaurant one block from the SOF Arena that is a reasonably priced chain. They have the best milkshakes. Best of luck to your DD. My MIL is working in the accounting room for the competition, and BIL used to compete in the ice dance as well.