Things To Do
Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
If you're looking to take a dip in a memorable spot, the Sooke potholes is the spot. Bring your lifejackets if you're not comfortable swimming, there are lots of people but no lifeguards. Pack a picnic, and enjoy the water
East Sooke Regional Park
If you want to have a true ‘west coast’ experience – without going too far away from civilization, nothing beats East Sooke Park! East Sooke is the largest CRD Park, encompassing 1422 hectares ( 3512 acres) of natural and protected coastal landscape. Located less than a handful of steps from our front door, this park is where Kevin and I got engaged and spent many an afternoon hiking along the coast, or playing at the beach.
WildPlay Victoria
Fun for the kids and the grown-ups. Wildplay is a zipline and sky-high obstacle course way up in the trees.
Adrena LINE Zipline Adventure Tours
Located at the turn-off into East Sooke, Adrenaline looks like a time and a half. Consider it Zip lining on steroids.
Daniel's Market with Chevron Gas Station (Business of the Year Award Winner - Chamber of Commerce)
Beside Co-op, and Costco, Daniel's Market is the best and cheapest place to gas up in the area. It's less than a five minute drive past the Gillespie turn-off but the savings are worth it. In addition, great ice cream.
Hatley Castle
Brie's University and the filming location of many movies. While Brie studied at uni, Ryan Reynolds ran around campus in his Deadpool uniform for the 2nd film as Hatley castle is also Dr. X's School for Gifted Youngsters. The Japanese garden's are beautiful and peacocks can be found everywhere.
Beacon Hill Children's Farm
The Beacon Hill Petting Zoo is nothing shy of a delight. Visit in the morning or afternoon to witness the running of the goats. A definite kids favourite. Entry with donation.
Beacon Hill Park
There is no wrong direction in Beacon Hill Park. The playground is a fun pitstop if your kids need to release some of the ants in their pants.
Beacon Drive In Restaurant
Excellent soft-serve on a hot day. Close to the beach and across the road from the park/petting zoo. Brie's favourite order: licorice milkshake. Kevin's order: cheeseburger with onion rings.
Cold Comfort Ice Cream (HQ)
An absolute stand-out for ice cream sandwiches. Everything is made in house. If you want fun, well balanced flavours - this is the spot.
Parachute Ice Cream - Langford
There are three locations in town. I recommend Langford because it's a halfway point from downtown to East Sooke. Objectively, the best lemon meringue ice cream scoop I have ever had in my life. 10/10 I recommend.
Empress Gin
If you're looking for great gin- Empress is it. With their famous indigo colouring, you'll always know when it's Empress. Prepare for a sip or two during our reception.
Sheringham Distillery
Sheringham lemon, kelp, or rhubarb. You can't go wrong. Located along the drive to East Sooke, if you're partaking, it's worth the stop for a sip. Otherwise, give it a go at our reception.
Phillips Brewing & Malting Beer Shop
Great beer, stellar soda, excellent pretzels. Phillip's has become a staple in Victoria living and a must-visit spot along the Victoria Ale Trail
Hoyne Brewing Company
Famous for their Dark Matter. Hoyne Brewing is the purist of breweries in Victoria. Parachute Ice cream is a block's walk away.
Ile Sauvage Brewing Co.
Do you like sour beers? Well, Brie does. This is a must stop if you're a fan of sours. Located along the Ale Trail.
Jones Bar-B-Que Victoria
This is Kevin's favourite spot. The guy loves meat and boy, does Jones offer meat. Try the platter or the sandwiches. It's to DIE FOR. You can't go wrong. There are two locations- one in Langford and one along Cook. Both are near ice cream (Parachute and Cold Comfort). You know, if you're into that thing.
The Snug
Speaking of Lemon Meringue - the Snug Pub has the best view, truffle fries, and a special Lemon Meringue Martini that is simply the best. Check out the rest of the hotel, pool and spa facilities. The Oak Bay Beach Hotel is worth a visit if you have time.
Cadboro-Gyro Park
A hop, skip and a jump down from where Brie spent an awful lot of time as a kid, teen, and adult, you'll find Gyro Beach. This park is bomb. It's got a great playground that is absolutely worth the drive. The beach is a delight. Pepper Grocery Store has great sandwiches; but if you have the time, visit the Thai Lemon Grass restaurant and order the Cream Prawn Salad.
IL Covo Trattoria
A family favourite of the Jacobson's. Il Covo is located in an old Church in Downtown/James Bay. Plan to order the family style meal: salad, pasta, meat, and dessert. You'll need a reservation.
Barb's Fish & Chips
Kevin and Brie visit Barb's to share a three piece fish and chips and a 1lb of shrimp. The ice cream at the market is good; but there's better closer into town. Access via the parking lot- OR, make an adventure of it and take the water taxi's to get across the downtown core. Keep your eyes peeled for the water taxi ballet. It's fun for everyone to watch the logistical navigation.
Victoria Harbour Ferry
A fun way to get around the downtown area - connected to all sides of the harbour.
Fan Tan Alley
Famous for being extremely narrow, Fan Tan Alley has some fun shops to connect itself with China Town. Worth visiting if you're downtown- grab a bubble tea or some white rabbit candies from the Asian stores
John's Place Restaurant
Famous for it's Brunch - you can't go wrong with John's Place. It isn't on the menu anymore, but ask if they'll make a banana bread french toast. If you sit in a booth on the right side of the restaurant, you'll find our local Hockey celebrity and my Dad, Rob with his famous Victoria Cougar Hockey team. The guy doesn't like to draw attention to himself, but I always request his booth when I eat here and never fail to tell anyone who will listen, "hey, that's my dad."
Floyd's Diner
You'll find a few locations in town. Floyd's is world famous. If you're feeling risky, order the Mahoney and flip a coin to see if you win your meal or pay double. Expect a LONG lineup if you come here on a weekend.
Red Fish Blue Fish
You can almost be guaranteed there will always be a line-up; the food is just that good. Brie is partial to Barb's because the lineup is more bearable, but this one makes Kevin go back for seconds.
Jam Cafe
Like most brunch spots in Victoria, expect a line. Jam has great sweets, bowls, and benedicts.
5th St. Bar & Grill
Craving some chicken strips? This is the spot. Great woodfired pizza too; but we used to study here and grab a plate of strips while we worked. Fun music bingo in the evenings too- check their schedule.
Empire Donuts Cook Street Village
You can't go wrong with Empire. They do a great ice cream donut. If you visit later into the day and visit their instagram page, sometime they start selling off their donuts at discount until they run out to force an early close.
Artisan Bistro
The Salmon Gnocchi is Brie's favourite. The fried chicken sandwich is bomb. Great brunch. You can't go wrong if you're in the area.
Esquimalt Adventure Water Park
Great spot for the kids on a hot sunny day.
The Market Garden
If you're looking to visit a really cool shop that has such a wild array of goods, look no further than the Market Garden. Plus, it's beautiful.
Gyrosa - Admirals
If you're looking for quick and delicious greek food, Gyrosa is a great pitstop.
Butchart Gardens
In the summer months, Butchart gardens hosts fireworks and concerts inside their gardens. The summer bloom will be in show. It's worth the visit if you haven't been before.
The Farmer's Daughter
Love cheese? How about wine? How about wine paired with cheese. The Farmer's Daughter is a great stop in Sidney. You'll feel like you've been transported to Europe.
Sandcut Beach
Bit of a drive; the waterfalls are a solid pay off.
Sombrio Beach
A famous surf spot, RAD beach, it's a bit of a drive, make a day of it. Bring a picnic - there is limited to no service.
