Victoria Real Estate Blog

Which Water Activities in Victoria are Perfect for the Summer?

Sweet summertime is anticipated by all after a long winter. Victoria offers an abundance of water activities that are perfect for summer.

Pickle Pub Crawl

You will be intrigued when you listen to the funny jokes and tales being told while the Harbour Ferry Captains escort you to four unusual restaurants and pubs. 

All Around Town

Ride the Ferry and spend the day in Sooke. Visit Fisherman’s Wharf and the Gorge, or meet the seals with Coastal Sea Adventures.

Whale Watching

Victoria is the home of three killer whale families, harbour seals, and sea lions. You might see humpback whales which visit the area. 

Paddle Exploration

If you are into kayaking or stand-up paddle boarding then enjoy viewing local wildlife while getting a…

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Restaurant Spotlight: Hank's Untraditional BBQ

Do you love BBQ but traditional is not really your style? Well, Hank’s Untraditional BBQ is definitely the restaurant for you! With two different locations to suit your non-traditional BBQ fancy. Fellow BBQ Lovers Guy Fieri & Bobby Flay have said “Sometimes with BBQ, nothing goes better than a beer.”

Hank's is the alcohol-fuelled brainchild of Francois Pilon and Clark Deutscher. So, pairing alcohol, a variety of quality meats, with equally amazing sides & maybe a dessert or two, who could resist? Again, with two locations one in Victoria and the other in Ucluelet both open 7 days a week from 11am to 10pm.

What’s on the Menu?

Flat out Hank’s Untraditional BBQ serves up nothing but uniqueness; yet still manages to give you that home cooked…

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What can you Enjoy in WestShore?

There are plenty of activities found in the WestShore area for all to enjoy. Here's a look at a few of the best and most popular choices.

Biking and Hiking

This area near Victoria provides plenty of areas for biking and hiking. You can enjoy the Galloping Goose Trail, Matheson Lake area or even the Sooke Potholes. All of these areas provide plenty of fun with lush forests and plenty of great scenery.

Camping

Whether you prefer a tent or an RV for camping, you will find plenty of WestShore spots to enjoy. Thetis Lake provides spots nearby for tent camping, while Fort Victoria has a full service RV park. You can even spend the night at Fort Rodd Hill at oTENTik. These are heated tents with full beds and plenty of historic fun to enjoy.

…

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Restaurant Spotlight: Padella Italian Bistro

Padella Italian Bistro is a West Coast type of Italian restaurant with a modern twist. They provide housemade dishes with plenty of flavour and a casual atmosphere. With plenty of quality found throughout each dish, Padella provides incredible value for the dollar. Here's what you can expect at the restaurant.

The Menu

You will find plenty of classic Italian dishes on the menu, along with a few unique choices. Some of the favourites include:

• Warm Goat Cheese Flan
• Padella Caesar Salad
• Arancini
• Grilled Eggplant & Lamb Sausage Rigatoni
• Fettucine Verdura
• Spaghetti & Clams
• Finocchio Gnocchi
• Nona's Meatballs
• Cowichan Valley Chicken
• And More!

They also have a fish of the day, which varies depending on the season.…

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Upcoming Event: Aboriginal Cultural Festival

The 2015 Aboriginal Cultural Festival will be held on July 19th through the 21st in Victoria, British Columbia. The festival is free and affords anyone that attends the opportunity to celebrate the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

Performances

An outdoor theatre in Victoria is where you can see remarkable performances by two local Host Nations. It is interesting to be able to see native groups in cultural dress. What a learning experience for the whole family!

Shows from Aboriginal performers are also on the schedule and a special treat from Alex Wells, the three-time World Hoop Dancing Champion! For many, this is a once in a lifetime experience that is very enjoyable.

Artisans

Various artisans will be displaying original work and have…

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Restaurant Spotlight: Rebar Modern Food

Located at Bastion Square in Victoria, you will find an amazingly contemporary restaurant called Rebar Modern Food. Operating hours are Monday through Thursday from 11am to 9pm, Friday from 11am to 10pm, Saturday 9am to 10pm, and Sunday 9am to 9pm. They are closed on recognized holidays.

The owner’s vision for the restaurant was always to celebrate local freshness and flavour. After moving to Victoria in the 1980’s, she felt as though there was something missing. After much research to foster her vision, she opened a gravity bar on a store front on Johnson Street and the rest was history as the famous saying goes.

Rebar Modern Food prepares food for each customer as though it was being prepared for their own family. How do you cook for your…

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Restaurant Spotlight: Catalano Restaurant & Cicchetti Bar

The Catalano Restaurant and Cicchetti Bar are located inside of the Magnolia Hotel and Spa. It is only minutes away from the Inner Harbour of Victoria. Specializing in Mediterranean cuisine, Catalano prides themselves on getting the freshest ingredients from local vendors and farmers. Here’s what you will enjoy from Catalano Restaurant & Cicchetti Bar.

The Menu

You will experience a variety of flavours, including Italian and Spanish inspirations. Order the Venetian Tapas, while having a unique cocktail at the bar. They have a large variety of wines that pair up with menu options exquisitely.

They offer a gluten free menu, which has amazing options such as Braised Short Ribs on Gluten Free Penne, Fish Stew, Chicken Saltimbocca, and Moroccan…

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Upcoming Event: Victoria Ska Fest

The Victoria SKA Fest will be held on July 1st through July 5th. This festival will present many different genres of music. Music offerings include reggae, SKA, dub, jazz, dance hall and punk. Worldwide artist will be attending the event. This event is great for all ages, and is one of the oldest music events in North America.

What to Expect

You can visit the Victoria SKA Fest in a variety of downtown facilities throughout Victoria. This is a great chance for all ages to get involved and enjoy a diverse amount of music. There is an exciting schedule of artists, which includes The Debonaires, The Revivers, Planet Smashers, Sierra Leone Refugee Allstars, Chicago Afro Beat Project, Mad Caddies, The Resignators, The Ponderosas and lots more.

You…

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Restaurant Spotlight: Shine Café

The Shine Café (now in two locations in Victoria) is a family owned restaurant that specializes in breakfast and lunch. Open from morning to mid-afternoon seven days a week in both locations, this restaurant offers a traditional range of sandwiches, soups and salads, burgers, and breakfast classics.

Where the Shine Café excels is in making each offering unique. From the inclusion of yam into their Gobbler Wrap to the California roll inspired Pacific Omelette, each dish is superb. However, while you are visiting, make sure to try their fabulous Eggs Benedict offerings.

Eggs Benedict and its Cousins

The Shine Café offers 11 versions of the classic English muffin, poached egg, ham and hollandaise sauce dish. Spend two weeks sampling each variety…

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Upcoming Event: TD Victoria International Jazz Festival

Any music lover who has appreciation for jazz, blues, and world music should be sure to be at participating venues around Victoria, British Columbia from June 19-June 29, 2015 for the ten day long Victoria International Jazz Festival.

Artists

There will be several events throughout the festival and a total of three hundred acts. Some of the artists who will be in attendance for this year's International Jazz Festival include Naturally 7, Tower of Power, Pink Martini, Kenny Werner Trio, Freshly ground from South Africa, Troker from Mexico, Victorian Adonis Puentes from Cuba, GoGo Penguin, and Ester Rada. Of course, there are many more in the line-up. You can view the festival’s official website for a full line-up.

Venues

There will be…

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