Hi Karen,

I don't have many personal recommendations for you, but will be interested in the suggestions you do get. Victoria/Vancouver Island is a favorite weekend destination for many of us in Western Washington....sometimes just as a day trip and other times staying a night or two.

In Victoria, there's a range of hotels. Low-to-midpriced hotels don't tend to be air-conditioned...you just open the windows. This can result in noise issues at many properties. I've stayed at the Best Western Inner Harbor and found the experience very acceptable..I like the convenient location because you can leave your car in their garage and walk all over the small city. The rooms are comfortable & come with a kitchenette, plus a free continental breakfast served in the atrium off the lobby.
Older properties tend to run heavy on chintz...some may say "charming", but it turns me off. A hotel I always wanted to stay at, but haven't, is the Laurel Point Inn..it looks very nice and has a great location at the entrance to the Inner Harbour. Want a bit more upscale? Check out Chateau Victoria and Executive House. And IMHO, the top of the line would be Victoria Regent, sitting right on the water in the heart of all the boat & seaplane activity as well as easily walkable to the downtown shopping area.
A popular B&B style property is Abigail's (and her sister property, who's name I've forgotten)...they're located on close-in residential streets & are sold out far in advance during the summer.

A bit outside of the downtown area, a property with a lot of character and interest is the Oak Bay Beach Hotel. I think it'd be a great place..Tudor style and each room is individually decorated - antiques & such.

As for the rest of the island...I can't be much help there.
The name "Sooke Harbor House" comes to mind..others will probably help me out with that. If I have the right place, their restaurant & kitchen garden have been featured on TV gardening & cooking programs.

How about sharing with us your list of gardens you plan to visit! I'm sure Butchart Gardens is at the top of the list and it's wonderful, even if most of the plant material is fairly "common". I'd suggest visiting on weekdays and in the mornings...the day trippers from WA and mainland BC tend to start arriving around noon. You may choose to spend the day (and evening for the lights) but by being there early you can enjoy the lack of crowds and get a chance to take photos with fewer people in them!

I've attached a link for Tourism BC, set to open at the Victoria & Vancouver Island page. See the index in the small box on the right.

Hope you greatly enjoy your trip.

Patrick

Here is a link that might be useful: Tourism BC

Thanks, Patrick! I've made copies of all your comments and will have fun checking out the sites. Here's the gardens we plan on visiting: Butchard (of course), Victoria Butterfly Gardens & Horticullture Centre, Beacon Hill Park, Gary Oak Meadow park, Abkhazi Gardens, Government House grounds, and Hatley Park Castle gardens (all in Victoria, I believe). Towards Qualicum Beach and north we want to see the Hazelwood Herb farm & the Milner Gardens and Woodland, the Filberg Heritage lodge and the Kitty Coleman Woodland Garden. We also want to go on and see the Tofino Botanical Garden and, if there's time, the Bernt Ronning Garden. (See why we need a week or two?). So if you know of any other gardens that are 'must sees', do let us know. Again, we'd be dlighted to return the favor for any folks heading to Michigan - we have some lovely gardens here too, although our climate is a tad more challenging (we're expeting 8-12" of snow in the next two days! Thanks again for your help!

Ok, its not a garden but you've got to go see Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, plus have high tea in the Empress Hotel and if you like cheesecake, the Cheesecake Cafe is fantastic, they have the best soup there!! (all in Victoria), If you have the time, and there is so much to see on the Island, try to get to Tofino for a day or two, and take in the Pacific Rim National Park. And the Sooke Harbour House is wonderful, Sooke is a pretty little place. The Royal Roads University is also supposed to be fantastic, tons of history and lovely gardens, and if you are going to Sooke, you go right past it I think. Salt Spring Island is another incredible place. In fact thinking about it, you'll need a month to see it all!! Have a great trip.

I haven't got much personal experience with lodging, but for food:

Up-island:

Mahle House (just south of Nanaimo): 250-722-3621
- it's 5 minutes from our house and we've been going there for 11 years. Casual fine dining, very west coast.

Bistro Taiyo (downtown Nanaimo): 250-716-8861
- relatively inexpensive Japanese food, very casual, great for lunch.

Delicado's (downtown Nanaimo):
http://www.delicados-deli.com/
- very fresh, very yummy southwestern food, for lunch. Outdoor patio. Very busy between noon and one, but not too bad outside that hour. There is a branch in north Nanaimo and another in Victoria, but as far as I'm concerned, they don't meet the quality of the original.

Page Point Inn (between Nanaimo and Ladysmith): http://www.pagepointinn.com/home.html
- another of my favourites, for upscale lunch or dinner. Lunch on the deck overlooking Ladysmith harbour is divine on a nice summer's day.
- it's an inn, so they have lodging as well.

Crow and Gate Pub:
http://www.shift.to/crowandgate/
- my local. There's seating outside in a lovely garden with a view over the mountains. Traditional pub food, and it's very, very good.

The Old House (Courtney)
http://www.theoldhouse.ca/
- I don't know it personally, but "The Old House" has gotten good reviews from friends.

Kingfisher resort (just south of Courtney, near Union Bay)
http://www.kingfisherspa.com/
- it's been a few years since I've eaten there, but the food was good, and the location on the ocean is hard to beat.

Victoria:

Ferris' Oyster Bar and Grill
http://www.ferrisoysterbar.com/
- oysters, and much more. Patio out back. Pretty cheap.

Carden Street Cafe (not too far from Butchart Gardens, in Brentwood Bay): 250-544-1475
- the people used to run a restaurant of the same name on Carden Street in Guelph, where I went to university. Then they moved out here. The food is still fabulous. I don't know if they do lunch; dinner is for sure.

Malahat Mountain Inn:
http://www.malahatmountaininn.com/
- the food is usually dependable (casual fine dining), with a breathtaking view.
- it too has accomodation

Happy garden touring!

Sorry, forgot to say where the Malahat Inn is - it's on the drive between Victoria and Nanaimo, a little closer to Victoria.

Wow! Thanks for all the great tips. If you keep sending me lists of these tempting gardens, restaurants and inns I may just have to move there!

The Crow and Gate Pub is a great place!

Apparently the Crow & Gate Pub originally stood in Ireland. Exactly where I'm not sure. It was disassembled and moved to Cedar (South of Nanaimo).
There's a magnificent bar in the Pioneer House (Cowichan Bay) that once stood in Wyoming I believe. Again, it was purcased, disassembled and moved to it's Island location.
If you do go to Delicados, go to the downtown location. The North Nanaimo location pales in comparison. Better yet, go to Gina's Mexican Cafe for authenic comida Mexicana.
The Lighthouse on the Nanaimo harbor is nice and a short stroll down to the Protection Island Ferry is a must. This takes you to the Dinghy Dock Pub on Protection Island just a short 10 minute ferry ride away. Only a few Canadian Pesos for fare.
If your plans take you to the West side of the Island ( Tofino or Ucluelet) stop to see Cathedral Grove before Port Alberni. Old growth temperate forest is nothing but humbling in it's stunning beauty.
As for gardens, all the best ones are private and only accessable on invite.

Cheers, Barrie (Lantzville, Vancouver Island)

You might try the Surf Motel on Dallas Road, Victoria, ocean view from the rooms and very close to Beacon Hill, Abkhazi Gardens and Government House, James Bay is nice. http://www.surfmotel.net/
Food: try Brio, Brasserie L'ecole and Rebar in Victoria.
Up island, Rhodo gardens in Nanaimo's Bowen Park and Tofino and Uculet for more Rhodos. Be ready to move here, we did. :)

I think you will enjoy Vancouver Island. Cathedral Grove is definitely a highlight. You will be awed by the gigantic trees.
If you make it to Courtenay/Comox Valley, I have another suggestion for dinner. I do like the Old House, but I also enjoy "MONTE CHRISTO on THE RIVER", especially if you book outside right on the river....if it's a beautiful day. Our experience is to see River Otters and the odd boat passing by. And also tame ducks right at the dock. And maybe some kayakers. And if it's the right time of year, they have a beautiful blue Hibiscus blooming, which I am in awe of every year. I must buy myself one.
Our first time there I was surprised, the river was running one way and then after awhile the river was going the other way.....tide change. May I recommend the Curry Coconut Prawns or the Chicken Santa Fe Ravioli.

I think our island will sink if many more people move here so just come for an enjoyable holiday and don't tell anyone else about it! Happy Holidays.......Jan

Wow...I've got to save all these great suggestions to a "Vancouver Island" file! I've missed way too much in my brief visits of the past. The restaurant suggestions have my mouth watering...just came in from spending the afternoon gardening & I'm famished!

Patrick

If no has mentioned it yet, the university of Victoria (UVIC) has a very lovely free garden, well worth a visit. Can't think of the name off hand. I could spend hours there just lying about and watching the hummingbirds buzzing about. They have an incredibly huge collection of camellias but I have unfortuneatly not been able to visit when they are in bloom.
Have a good stay!!
Cheri
(aka hummymummy vancouver, b.c. canada z8)

Milner Gardens is probably my personal favourite on the island. Don't miss it! You may find Butchart crowded in summer and $$$. We have enjoyed visiting Butchart at night in the summer when it is all lit up however. Restaurant recommendations in Tofino include SOBO (now located at the Botanical Garden, try the fish tacos!!) and of course Schooner. There is less to choose from in Ucluelet, but Matterson House serves up huge breakfasts and Jigger's fish & chip truck is good for a quick lunch. For fine dining, its hard to beat the Boat Basin restaurant at Tauca Lea on Ucluelet inlet.

An excursion available out of Tofino is a boat trip to Cougar Annie's garden, perhaps the most out-of-the-way garden on Vancouver island. You may also be able to combine this trip with a soak at Hotsprings Cove. If you are interested in Big Trees, it is also possible to arrange transportation to Meares Island. The hike to the top of Lone Cone mountain traverses stupendous old growth.

If you are traveling to the west coast of the island this summer, book your accomodation now. Things fill up fast!!

Here is a link that might be useful: Cougar Annie

I will second Jan's recommend of Monte Christo in Courtenay as having wonderful food in an ever changing setting.
We move to the Comox Valley in April ( sorry to add to the sinking problem Jan [G] ) and I'm also going to save this thread for future 'day trips'.
Karen - if you'd like some *active involvement* rather than simply viewing, y'all can drop by and help us with the refurbishing of a pretty large garden. :-)))

Meares Island (in Clayaquot Sound north of Tofino) is a great destination for big trees. The biggest trees in Cathedral Grove blew down in '95, but if you never saw the place before then, it will still be awesome. If you decide to get a water taxi out of Tofino to hike on Meares, I have to encourage at least one night in the Vargas Island Inn (short water taxi hop)...it's a totally unique experience. Bring your own food (equipped kitchen available). Oh! And don't miss a great lunch stop in Coombs at the "Goat House" (can't miss the goats on the roof, and I don't recall the real name of the place). And if you decide to take only one break from garden hopping to enjoy a beach, Schooner's Cove between Ucluelet and Tofino would be the place to amble.

Besides Schooner Cove, other lesser-known hiking highlights include the Half Moon Bay trail at the south end of Pacific Rim National Park and the Wild Pacific Trail in Ucluelet. And don't forget to check the tides before you hit the beaches. Real estate prices are rising fast too in case you do decide to stay!

Don't forget your surf board if you're going to the west side of Vancouver Island. It's no longer the hidden treasure it once was for surfing.

Wow! I'm delighted with all of your recommendations. Thank you SO MUCh! My husband and I are in our early 60's, but are very active and like to hike and canoe, so a lot of your suggestions sound right up our alley. I'm not sure about the surf boarding, but we really love WATCHING boarders. Thanks again.

Karen, you are never too old to learn something new!! I just had the big 50, bought a motorcycle and learned how to ride, now my DH and I go all over the place every chance we get in the summer!!

There's a neat Chinese garden attatched to the Art Gallery of Victoria that I just discovered last fall. It's small, but quiet and quite interesting. Also, don't forget about the summer garden tours in various communities. I know about the Campbell River, Quadra Island and Denman Island ones.I would think the tourist info. bureaus of the various towns would know the dates, etc. They're inexpensive and worth taking in if you'd like to see some of the private gardens. Also, if you make it up to Campbell River and like Mexican food, there's a tiny (4 or 5 tables) restaurant on the main street called "Wacko Taco" run by a Mexican lady that has authentic and inexpensive food.

The suggestion of the Garden Tours would be most interesting for you. Perhaps if we know the exact dates of your visit we could tell you if there are any garden tours planned then. Our area usually has one in late May when the Rhodies are on and sometimes one later in the summer. They are wonderful! I am enjoying this thread and noting down the suggestions for when I will be a Tourist on my own Island.

Hi Karen,

One more garden to visit...if you get to Hornby Island (you catch the ferry north of Nanaimo). There you will find Old Rose Nursery which has a wonderful garden..particularly in June as you might expect! If you are in Victoria in May the Victoria garden tour is for the weekend of May 7/8. Information can be found at www.vcm.bc.ca/garden.html

Food..For lunches..try the souvlaki at Eugenes on Broad Street,anything at John's Place on Pandora, Sam's Deli near the harbour. We always take out-of-town guests to The Beacon Drive In which is near the water across from Beacon Hill park. It is an institution in Victoria..has been here for 50 years and is one of a kind. The oyster burgers are amazing..also the prawn burgers.!

For Victoria I liked David5B's restaurant suggestions and would add the popular Pagliaccis on Broad Street for a low cost, and fun food. For more dollars I would recommend Paprika(reservations)in Oak Bay and Zambris downtown near London Drugs. The last is in a mall so the surroundings are not great but the interior is fine and once you are seated and eating in this restaurant you will not notice the view!!

That should keep you busy!

Judy

Thanks again for all your wonderful suggestions - I'm keeping a whole notebook of them. I can hardly wait!

Just remembered the name of the gardens at UVIC... Finnerty Gardens. If you go, bring a few carrots for all the bunnies that run about the campus grounds.
Gosh with all the wonderful suggestions you are getting, I'm going to get back there soon myself :Cheri
(aka hummymummy vancouver, b.c. canada z8)

If you make it to the 'Goat House' in Coombs, as Meare suggested, you might also consider trying the B and B, Thyme Again, which may be a kilometer (.6 of a mile) away. Just a beautiful spot and nice people. They can be found easily with a google search online.

also, if you're planning to travel up the east coast of the island through Parksville, Qualicum Beach, and Courtney, up to Campbell River, make sure you stick to the old 19A highway, not the main Inland highway. It's a beautiful, meandering drive along the shore. There are lots of pull offs onto beaches or, on the other side of the road, old logging roads that will take you up into the mountains where you will have incredible vistas looking out over the the islands to the mainland mountains. There are lots of little hotels and b and b's all along the way.

If you like to golf then you have to drive up into Qualicum Beach which has two golf courses smack dab in the middle of town...and there are lots of nice little restaurants as well.

Hope you have a fantastic visit here!! Welcome.

Marie

I echo the highway 19A recommendation from maryquitecontrary. You can always take the new highway one way if you're in a hurry, but the old highway is a must either going up or going back.

The Shady Rest in Qualicum Beach is a a pub & restaurant with pretty good (but not extraordinary) food, and their balconies are a lovely place to be on a sunny summer day - looking out across the straight and the mountains on the mainland.

Just curious, none of the locals have mentioned Wickinninish and The Point restarurant there.
I know it is expensive but it was a wonderful treat 4 years ago when we went there for our 25th Anniversary.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wickaninnish Inn

Karen, your travel brochures are in the mail as of Monday, March 7. You should get them by the end of the week or early next week.

Cheers, Barrie.

Hi, I live in Victoria. A must restaurant to see in Courtney is the OLD HOUSE, can't give you the direct directions but, it is down by the river. It's a really neat eclectic restaurant with beautiful Gardens. While you are in Victoria you will most likely be going to Butchart Gardens, it has several nice restaurants but, what few people know about is the little Jewel on the way to Butcharts. Once you get onto the road leading to butcharts (after West Saanich Road) make your first Right and follow the road down the hill. Turn Left and follow the road through until you see GORE NATURE PARK. It is just beautiful with all the natural flora and Fauna. A lovely little Garry Oak Meadow with Butterflies, Grasshoppers and all sorts of beautiful plants. Who knows, you might even see me there! A definate must.
Also, if you are going to Butcharts, follow the highway to Sidney and take the ferry over to Sidney Spit, it is Marine Park with Fallow Deer, beaches, nice places to swim and a path the cirucum navigates Sidnay Island. You might be able to talk one of the boaters into taking you for a short fish. If I'm there, I'll gladly take you.

Cheers and enjoy your trip to Van Isle!

If you are a fishy person, Campbell River has the best salmon. Go into the kayak rental place to ask the name. I've forgotten.

Try to get to Salt Spring Island. It really is a not to be missed trip. Great book store in Ganges called Sabines. Sat. Am market in Ganges.

Yu might want to check the Victoria Hort. Society - they have a website..See if their garden tour is on when you are visiting. You have a list of private gardens to visit.

Can't recommend The Surf Motel highly enough. Not fancy, but right on the water - Dallas Road. Quiet, lots of parking, walking, beach across the road, bus outside the door or a 15 min walk to downtown. Rooms have a kitchenette. No food service but neat cafe across the street at Ogden's Point.

Don't miss the goats at Coombs. Eco village near there too, if you are interested in straw bale/windmills, cobbing.

Horticulture Centre of the Pacific. Did anyone mention that.

Inanda

DH and I were just going through all your notes again, and realized that you good folks have really given us our itinery - from places to stay to things to do to things to eat. Thanks again for your wonderful help. Hope I can return the favor sometime!

I can't believe I neglected to mention this. You MUST go to the garden at the Barton Leier gallery just outside Nanaimo. It is a gorgeous, funky garden adjacent to an art gallery. The art is great, there's a lot of nifty garden stuff, and the garden is not to be missed. 3140 Decourcy Drive, Tel: 722-7140

Oh, and Hazelwood Herb Farm is not far from there, and their little garden is lovely.

Here is a link that might be useful: hazelwood

I just heard about the Barton Leier gallery from a customer of mine. It was highly recommended. I'll make a point of going there sometime since it's so close.

I know Richard and his wife at Hazelwood Herb Farm. They're great folks with lots of things on the go there.
They open for the season in April sometime.

Cheers, Barrie.

While you are up in Courtenay, (Comox Valley) there is great gardens at Woodlands Gardens, and southward in Qualicum there is one called Minto Gardens. These are both quite established and extensive. Beside the Tourist Office in Courtenay there is a rhododendrum garden of about 40 ormore bushes. Someone mentioned The Old House - yes, their flowers and herb gardens are very pleasant.

Inexpensive place to stay is a new hostel in Courtenay - Shantz Haus I think the spelling is. Google all this to get the websites. Enjoy your visit!
Alan

If you should be coming the weekend of May 7&8th, the Victoria Conservatory of Music has lined up 16 private gardens to visit for a nominal charge of $25. This event takes place every year and the gardens change every year. I have now attended three of these events, and most of these gardens are really superb, full of flair and innovation. I second Royal Rhodes garden (free), the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific gardens (small admission charge)and UVic's Finnerty Garden (free). Also, UVic has a wonderful facility to the north of the peninsula called Dunsmuir Lodge with breathtaking scenery from its dining room which features a fabulous buffet for lunch and a great menu for dinner. It also has accomodation and is just a bit north from the route you would take to Butterfly World and Butchard Gardens. It is a wonderfully quiet location, perched next door to John Dean Park with lots of hiking trails. Another restaurant no one has mentioned and one of my favourites for great cusine is Camille's in downtown Victoria. I believe the Carden Street Cafe was closed the last time I drove by.
On some of our little weekend get-aways, we have stayed at some absolutely wonderful B&Bs, and really recommend this as a great way to get information about things to do and places to go. If you are going to Tofino, the Wickaninnish Inn (if it is in your budget) is a truly wonderful experience. Each room has a private balcony where you enjoy the roar of the breaking waves on the beach and romantic sunsets. The dining room features all organic and unparalled cuisine, a wonderful private dining experience and the most impecable service. Enjoy your visit to the island..we did and moved here 13 years ago!

Some great suggestions been give already - for the lenght of time you will be here it looks like you will be very busy. Victoria is known for it gardens and it looks like most of them have been mentioned - however I would suggest for the Wickaninnish inn as a special retreat especially if you have a room with a beautiful ocean view - then stroll down to the town and check out a trip over to meares island - I must mention that its a fair distance from Victoria - approximately 4hrs drive. In Victoria there is a place called Ogden Point Cafe - which is located on Dallas Road - pleasant strolling areas also. Also Check out China Town - which is one of the oldest in Canada - maybe dim sum would be on the menu. As for other dining ideas - get a copy of the free magazine called Foodm - Hope you enjoy your trip. Chris

There is a brochure put out by the BC tourism body re gardens on Vancouver Island - just picked one up the other day at Hazelwood Herb Farm. Most of the gardens in it have been mentioned here, but a few haven't. Look for it!

Hi surf_grrl,

Tell us the name of the brochure you picked up. We can then contact BC Tourism and request a copy.

Thanks,

Patrick