Fall in Victoria
Victoria boasts the mildest climate in Canada, located as it is on the southern tip of Vancouver Island in a temperate sub-Mediterranean climate zone. With moderate temperatures and an average of 308 days with sunshine, it is among the sunniest cities in Canada.
Fall usually arrives later in September, with fall colours off set by evergreen trees, lush lawns and golf courses, with average highs of 12 ºC.
Festivals & Activities
Intimate Apparel at the Belfry Theatre September 20 – October 16, 2022
A ‘rich, vivid portrait of turn-of-the-last-century New York; a feminist lament of intelligent, talented women defined and controlled by men; a soft-focus glimpse into the beating hearts behind the archives of African American life a century ago.” New York Times.
Royal Victoria Marathon October 9, 2022
Join us on October 9, 2022 for our marathon, half marathon, 8K and Thrifty Foods Kids Run in Victoria, BC. With incredible courses that loop through Beacon Hill Park and along the ocean waterfront, and a start and finish line in the Inner Harbour with the Parliament Buildings in the background, you will enjoy every aspect of your Royal Victoria Marathon experience. This Boston qualifier is a must-do event!
Beyond Van Goh – The Immersive Experience October 14 to December 31, 2022
Beyond Van Gogh is a rich and unique multimedia experience, taking the viewer on a journey through over 300 iconic artworks.
Carmen presented by Pacific Opera Victoria October 12-18, 2022
Instantly recognizable and utterly unforgettable, Carmen is the ultimate return to opera at a grand scale. Overflowing with audacious harmonies and irresistible melodies that have become an indelible part of popular culture, this opera is not to be missed!
Art of the Cocktail October 15, 2022
The biggest cocktail party in the city, this spirited night of tasting cocktails from the city’s finest awaits at Victoria Film Festival’s annual fundraiser.
Music that Goes Bump in the Night presented by Victoria Symphony October 29 & 30
A symphonic ‘spooktacular’ brings frights and delights with some of the most chilling compositions from the concert hall and silver screen.
Tours
Explore Songhees Thursday – Sunday at Ship Point
Welcome to Lekwungen Territory! Visit Songhees Tours, meet Indigenous artists and enjoy traditionally inspired snacks while surrounded by the beauty and buzz of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Take a Walking or Canoe tour to develop an understanding of culture and traditions through story telling and visiting historical sites.
Discover the Past Walking Tours
Best known for Ghostly Walks, Discover the Past also offers a range of fun and insightful History and Chinatown tours. John Adams, Victoria’s pre-eminent historian, leases a team of exceptional storytelling guides.
Magnolia’s Mobile Walking Tours
If you prefer to discover the city on your own, download one of our digital walking maps: Welcome to Victoria, Historical Victoria or Foodie Adventure.
Magnolia’s Curated Trails
Ask the Front Desk for one of our printed curated trails: Tapa Trail, Craft Brewery, Beautiful Boutiques for shopping, see the sights with Everything Victoria, discover Adventures, or check out Notable Dining. Explore a little further with our bikes and take one of our thee bike maps: Rockland & Cook St Village, Beacon Hill Park & James Bay or Bikes, Blooms & Brews. Runners can choose from a scenic 5.8km, 7.5km or 10.2km route.
Whale & Wildlife Tours
Kayak & SUP Tours & Rentals
The Pedaler offers a range of guided bike tours that showcase Victoria; its scenic views, its history, and its artisan food and drink.
Arts & Culture
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
With over 20,000 objects, the AGGV collection represents significant works produced in this region and art that represents our histories. Since its founding, we have been assembling work from around the Pacific Rim and have established one of the finest collections of Asian art in the world. COVID 19 information
The Royal BC Museum, founded in 1886, is one of Canada’s greatest cultural treasures.
Connect in nature, inspire our world. We promote the preservation and sustainability of the environment, and showcase nature-inspired artists, including Robert Bateman.
Built by coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, this legendary Victorian mansion was built 1887-1890. The architecture showcases the Romanesque revival taking place at the time, and has been meticulously restored, giving visitors a glimpse of privileged life in the 1890s.
Enjoy Fall Colours
With 55 acres of gardens, 900 bedding plant varieties, there is always beauty at Butchart Gardens. As warm days transition to crisp nights, a parade of red, russet and golden maples emerge at The Gardens. It’s the perfect time of year to visit the Japanese Garden before winter begins.
Tucked behind a hornbeam hedge, discover Prince & Princess Abkhazi’s garden that love built. Gardens flow around dramatic glaciated rocky slopes, magnificent native Garry oaks and gorgeous vistas. Drive, or borrow our Norco Cruiser bicycles.
Located about 40 minutes north of Victoria, the Malahat SkyWalk is an accessible 600 m TreeWalk through a beautiful arbutus forest leading to a spectacular gentle spiral ramp that takes you up 32m to a sightseeing lookout offering views of Finlayson Arm, Saanich Peninsula, Mount Baker and the distant Coast Mountains.
Victoria’s Inner Harbour
Take a stroll along Victoria’s beautiful inner harbour, just steps away, to watch ships, boats and seaplanes and harbour seals coming and going. This working harbour is part of the traditional lands of the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.
Just 5 blocks from the inner harbour, Beacon Hill Park is 740,000 square meters of parkland. This park boasts manicured gardens, meandering footpaths, ponds, a Garry Oak ecosystem, and open vistas across the Strait of Juan De Fuca.
Government House is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor and the ceremonial home of all British Columbians. The grounds embrace 36 acres, including formal gardens and a rare Garry oak ecosystem.
Hatley Castle National Historic Park
Just 13km from downtown, you will find this fascinating Edwardian estate, with Japanese, Rose and Italian Gardens on 565 oceanfront acres with an amazing view of the majestic Olympic Mountains.
Shopping
Check at the front desk for a copy of our Beautiful Boutiques curated map.
Government Street
Take a walk down Government Street to view beautiful heritage buildings and quaint shops with handmade gifts. Peruse Munro’s Books, Rogers Chocolates, handcrafted jewellery, gift shops and designer boutiques. Stop for delicious snacks along the way.
Local boutiques, one-of-a-kind merchandise, dining, coffee & craft beer eatery all in a beautiful heritage square!
Lower Johnson Street has many independent boutiques and specialty shops, many with a fashion focus, situated amongst the colourful heritage buildings.
Canada’s oldest Chinatown is characterized by heritage buildings, beautiful Gate of Harmonious Interest, small shops and restaurants. Check out the little shops in Fan Tan Alley.
Peruse local artisans, farmers, butchers, bakers, cheese-makers and more! Dive into pasta or tacos, sip tea, or delight in a meat or fruit pie.
Bounty of the Harvest
For a true sense of place, taste! Engage all of your senses when you visit and taste at local farms, wineries, breweries, distilleries and more! See the front desk for our Saanich Flavour Trail or Cowichan Flavour Trail to explore the region at your own pace.
Breweries
Ask the front desk for our Craft Brewery Trail!
Inspiration through fermentation. See what some beer nerds can accomplish with creativity and a welding torch.
A tiny brewery with big ideas, we make small-batch, experimental beers with high quality ingredients in the heart of Downtown Victoria. Pick-up window, taproom, and patio are located on the courtyard level of historic Market Square.
French for “Wild Island” the name is a reference to the wilderness of Vancouver Island and our focus on Belgian-style wild ales and sour beers. We make use of Kveik, Lactobacillus, and Brettanomyces fermentation, as well as secondary fermentation with fruit.
Vancouver Island Brewery, Victoria
A craft brewery since 1984, we are committed to producing fun, authentic, sharable brews.
Cidery
Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, Saanichton
An award-wining farm-based cidery focused on producing traditional artisan ciders from organically grown apples.
Merridale Cidery & Distillery, Cowichan Valley
Merridale makes farm-crafted Cider, Spirits, and Fortified Ciders. Visit their Tasting Bar, Eatery and retail shop.
Wineries
Symphony Vineyard, Saanich
Wines true to the region, 100% Saanich grown. Patio is open Fridays & Saturdays to enjoy a bottle of wine, though tastings are not yet available.
Rathjen Cellars, Saanich
A farm-based winery committed to using 100% Vancouver Island fruit, we draw inspiration from Old World traditions to create wines that reflect our coastal climate and pair beautifully with our local food.
Averill Creek Vineyard, Cowichan Valley
Averill Creek is built into the side of Mt. Prevost, and our state-of-the-art facility incorporates three buildings structured together, allowing wine to flow down from one stage to the next without the need for pumps. This gravity flow method allows for gentle handling of delicate varietals – helping to retain their subtle characteristics.
Blue Grouse Winery, Cowichan Valley
Family-owned, sustainably-farmed Blue Grouse Estate Winery produces award winning wines. Reserve ahead for a tasting, they often have several experiences available!
Unsworth Vineyards, Cowichan Valley
Tradition meets artisanal wine-making in this family owned winery. Stop for a tasting or reserve for lunch or dinner in the restaurant.
Bike
Victoria is a cyclist’s dream, with many great places to ride. Bring your bike or borrow one of our bicycles and use one of our three curated bike maps to tour the city.
Hike
Hiking in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park
More than 25 kilometres of trails, varying in degree of difficulty, offer spectacular views, as well as the chance to view animals in their natural environment. In spring and early summer, the moss-covered rocky knolls come alive with a carpet of colourful, vibrant wildflowers.
188 hectares of forest and 21km of trails, take a leisurely stroll, explore the beach or hike to the summit.
Just 17 kilometers from downtown Victoria, Goldstream Provincial Park lies amid the splendour of an old-growth temperate rain forest. See massive trees, majestic waterfalls, a meandering river that meets the sea, and a world class salmon-spawning stream with thousands of Chum Salmon returning between October and December. Hike to the top of one of the highest points in Greater Victoria, Mt Finlayson. Another trail leads you to Niagara Falls, higher than its namesake – a truly exquisite discovery buried deep in Goldstream’s forests.
Golf
Boasting beautiful views of Washington State’s Olympic Mountains, Olympic View Golf Club is located just 20 minutes outside of downtown and is rated ‘Top 10 Best Public Golf Facility’ in British Columbia by ScoreGolf Magazine.
18 Championship Golf Course and 9 Hole Par 3 Ridge course with massive fairways, huge greens and a course for every level of player.