Weekend Getaways From Seattle | Victoria Edition

Seattle’s ideal location opens the door to an array of destinations from lush rain-forests to picturesque mountaintops, often only a few hours away. The easiest journey thus far, Victoria via the Sound’s waterways. Why?

  • Victoria boasts a walkability score of 99 out of 100. Hello to a weekend of no rental car arrangements, battling parking, and filling the tank.

  • Temperate Mediterranean-like climate all year and low rainfall

  • Our favorite part: Victoria’s culinary landscape flourishes as a foodie paradise with the most restaurants per capita in all of Canada.

We’re always keeping our sights on new food adventures, whether near or far. Next month, Victoria celebrates their 20th anniversary of Dine Around & Stay in Town! Starting January 26 through February 11, more than 40 participating restaurants curated a set three-course menu at accessible prices to celebrate the culinary breadth of Victoria.

The Food Scene

  • For those who yearn to learn about the city they dine in, take a food tour by Off the Eaten Track to see and taste all around Victoria. With our knowledgeable guide Brenda at the helm, we explored, learned about iconic historic sites dotting the harbor, and sampled decadents chocolates and pastries.

    470 Belleville St. Level 2, Victoria, BC V8W 1W9

  • Patio dining isn’t only for the summer. At Lure, they transformed their patio into a wintry wonderland. Shielding you from the winds, twinkling domes offer a cozy and incredibly warm atmosphere. Back inside, Lure mesmerizes with their gorgeous view of Inner Harbor. We’ve been wanting to try Beef Bourguignon after watching the movie Julie & Julia and theirs warmed our heart, just like the movie did.

    45 Songhees Road Victoria, BC V9A 6T3

  • Virtuous Pie thrives in dishing up mouthwatering pies. Little did we know, as we made our way through the garlicky knots, wonderfully balanced margherita pizza, and three different ice cream flavors, each bite came from plant based ingredients. Get your hands on their pints of ice cream. Seriously the creamiest, dreamiest ice cream we’ve had and a big win for the lactose-free crowd.

    30 Pandora Ave, Victoria, BC V8W 1N6

  • Fathom curates to the inquisitive and curious with flavors exploring the depths from their drinks to their cuisine. Under the vision of Chef Peter Kim, the courses dazzled our eyes and piqued our tastebuds. If there was an entrée to encapsulate the sea, their Scallop Risotto rose as the ultimate showstopper with an earthy risotto base and assortment of seaweed and even edible sand.

    463 Belleville Street Victoria, BC V8V 1X3

  • Visiting Victoria wouldn’t be complete without afternoon tea. Before hopping on the ferry back through the sound, located conveniently across the street from the clipper, Pendray Inn & Tea House offers delectable little bites to tide you over for the 3 hour return trip home.

    309 Belleville ST Victoria, BC V8V 1X2

The Stay

Victoria gives an old-world vibe with all the modern conveniences. From the beautiful and varied architecture cutting into the skyline to the calmness of the harbor, Victoria makes it easy to seek relaxation and exploration within a close range. One of our fondest memories from the trip involved taking a Water Taxi with Captain Ron — who is no stranger to the sea, who dove into the depths for more than 15 years, who lived in more than 40 years — to our stay at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort. On that day, we brought the sun from Seattle with us, causing waves to glint in the light as we sped towards the hotel.

Our room overlooked the harbor, giving a spectacular view from daybreak all through the night. The spacious room offered the comforts we sought, some we wouldn’t even get at home. The attention to detail in terms of cleanliness blew us away and the thoughtfulness of minor details, like the nightlight in the lavatory to discourage late-night tumbles.

100 Harbour Road Victoria, BC V9A 0G1

Tips:

✅ Upgrade to the Comfort level on the Clipper! You’ll have a beautiful view of the journey, 1 (one) free checked bag, and access to a bunch of complimentary snacks. Additional bonus: Clipper will hold your bags while you explore prior to boarding (each additional bag is $15/each).

✅ Get a Nexus pass. Going through customs will be a breeze, even better if everyone in your party has one.

A gracious thank you to Erin and Jodi at Destination Greater Victoria and Rebeckah NJF PR for hosting us on this memorable trip!

Teaira Lacsonweekend getaway