Gorgeous sun-filled days, long walks along sandy beaches and dinners on the patio. Here in the Pacific Northwest, summertime is what we wait for all year and an excellent excuse to take time out for fun with your gals in tow. So now that warmer temps are here, grab your besties and follow our guide for planning the perfect 56-hour Victoria girls’ summer trip!

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Victoria Day 1

11:15 a.m.  –  Fairmont Empress

When visiting Victoria, you have a few great options. Stay in the downtown core and explore this historic gem of a city by foot (in this city you truly don’t need a car), or cozy up at a resort outside of town for ocean views and fabulous amenities. You can also experience the best of both worlds with a luxurious stay at the historic and newly renovated Fairmont Empress!

The grand dame of Victoria, the majestic property offers no shortage of striking views along with an iconic afternoon tea. Oh, and did we mention an award-winning spa that’s constantly ranked by Conde Nast as one of the best in Canada? These swoon-worthy digs may just be the perfect blend of melding classic architecture with modern amenities.

The historic Fairmont Empress is the cornerstone of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Credit: The Fairmont Empress
The historic Fairmont Empress is the cornerstone of Victoria’s Inner Harbour. Credit: The Fairmont Empress

11:45 a.m. – Jam Café

If the line outside doesn’t give it away, Jam Café is one of the city’s longtime favorite spots for breakfast comfort food, but trust us, the reward is well worth any wait you might face! If their creatively prepared meals (think reuben eggs benny or a pesto-y “green eggs and ham”) don’t have you coming back for more, the chance to eat dessert for breakfast certainly will. If the sweet side of the menu calls your name in the a.m., get yourself an order of the banana split French toast – sure to kick your trip off on the right note. And yes, they also have a full breakfast cocktail menu. Cheers, ladies!

The cozy, hipster scene inside Jam Cafe features plenty of memorabilia from years past. Credit: Nick Bentley

 1:00 p.m. – Johnson Street Shopping

Burn off brunch with a walk around the corner to the fashionistas’ paradise that is lower Johnson Street, affectionately known as “LoJo” to locals. With more than a handful of modern, trendy boutiques, it won’t take a lot of convincing to get you to say “yes” to a little retail therapy. Duck into Still Life for Her for on point and hard-to-find threads from brands such as Montreal’s Ursa Minor or Minimum all the way from Denmark.

While it’s hard not to tap out your budget on Johnson Street (though fortunately, the , there are more shops to check out on the neighboring Government Street. Pick up hand-crafted jewelry at Violette, or browse through cute clothes with local flair at Spank Clothing. Then venture three blocks up the street to the edge of Victoria’s Chinatown neighborhood to Smoking Lily for nature-inspired garments sewn by hand at the shop’s Wharf Street studio.

Johnson Street's trendy boutiques brim with an array of hand-crafted trinkets. Credit: Scott Meis
Johnson Street’s trendy boutiques brim with an array of hand-crafted trinkets. Credit: Scott Meis

6:30 p.m. – 10 Acres Bistro

After taking a little breather at the hotel, put on some stylish duds and head out to have a bite at the modern 10 Acres Bistro. Be sure to give their “fresh sheet” (which changes regularly depending on what is currently being produced at their farm) some serious consideration. Our favorite, the local salmon with arugula pesto, pairs perfectly with the restaurant’s excellent selection of BC wines.

9:15 p.m. – Little Jumbo, Clive’s Classic Lounge or The Churchill

Cap off your day by toasting to your sisterhood with cocktails all around! Sink into a plush leather chair at Clive’s Classic Lounge at the south end of town, or if you’re by the water, Little Jumbo is a can’t-miss spot for superb hand-crafted cocktails. If you’re a beer-drinking crew, head to The Drake for tons of taps from all around the Northwest.

Kick back and relax with a classic cocktail.
Kick back and relax with a classic cocktail.

Victoria Day 2

10:00 a.m. – Bear & Joey Cafe 

Rooted in seasonality and simplicity, Bear & Joey Café is a local favorite to relax and reset before starting your day. Tuck into a comforting bowl of porridge with poached pear, or opt for the bacon and egg breakfast sandwich is you woke up on the hungrier side. And if you feel the need for a little “hair of the dog” after your first night on the town, don’t overlook the “After 9 am Coffee” portion of the menu!

11:15 a.m. – Walk to Beacon Hill Park

An oasis in the middle of the city, Beacon Hill Park bursts into life each spring with a sea of purple crocuses and pale pink cherry blossoms. Keep your eye out for the resident free-roaming peacocks, snap some selfies in front of the beautifully manicured grounds by the fountain, and be sure to check out the view from atop the medieval stone footbridge. If you’re still trying to get some steps in after that, continue on south through the park (past the world’s tallest free-standing totem pole, who also calls the park home) to make your way to the coastline for sweeping coastal views.

1:30 p.m. –  Red Fish Blue Fish

Make your way across town to this cargo container-turned-eatery for a fresh, finger-licking good, sustainably-sourced seafood lunch at Red Fish Blue Fish. While you can’t go wrong with any of the items on the menu, the crispy tempura-battered fish and chips paired with a cup of creamy, coconut milk-based chowder are quintessential Victoria summer eats at their finest. (A little insider hint: This iconic eatery is only open from February to November, so be sure not to miss it!).
While you’re in the area, take some time to stroll around Fisherman’s Wharf to admire the colorful houseboats as they creak and bob with the tide. And keep an eye out for the friendly local harbor seals!

Nosh on everything from delicious fish tacones to jerk fish poutine. Credit: Quinn Dombrowski
Nosh on everything from delicious fish tacones to jerk fish poutine. Credit: Quinn Dombrowski

2:30 p.m. – Willow Stream Spa at the Fairmont Empress

From your first step inside the newly remodeled Willow Stream Spa you’ll can feel all your worries, concerns and stress slip away in a matter of minutes. Pick between three indulgent 60-minute spa treatments, PLUS a soothing soak in the spa’s Finnish-style mineral pool and sauna as well as a stop in the eucalyptus steam inhalation room. If these treatments don’t leave you and your most overworked, stressed-out friend (you know the one) blissed out, we don’t know what will.

5:45 p.m. – Café Brio

Score a coveted seat on the outdoor patio at the intimate Café Brio, and you will feel like you are dining on the vine-covered terrace of your friend’s Tuscan villa. A local foodie favorite, the restaurant serves up exquisite dishes made in-house using locally-sourced ingredients. To get a taste of all the deliciousness, opt for the Family Meal and share six of the chef’s choice-of-the-day plates between your gal pals.

7:00 p.m. – Evening Illuminations at The Butchart Gardens

Get your flower fix with a painter’s palette of colorful blooms sans crowds by heading to the world-renowned Butchart Gardens in the evening. When night falls, the evening illuminations display transforms the grounds into a magical fairyland. Gorgeous flowers combined with twinkling lights under a starlit sky? It doesn’t get any more breathtaking than this. Well, unless your visit falls on a fireworks Saturday that is!

Hidden lights transform the grounds of the famous Butchart Gardens into a fairyland. Credit: The Butchart Gardens

Victoria Day 3

8:00 a.m. – Blue Fox Cafe

A local favorite and Victoria’s first all-day breakfast spot, Blue Fox Cafe knows how to satisfy our taste buds. Once inside, don’t be surprised if you end up entering into a staring contest with your menu as you decide among 11 different types of Bennies!

9:45 a.m. – Cowichan Valley Wine Tour

Enjoy a wonderful day of sampling liquid perfection while someone else does all the driving with a trek to the heart of Vancouver Island’s wine country on the Cowichan Valley Wine Tour. Cruise through the stunning countryside on your way to three boutique wineries. Bask in the afternoon sun and reconnect with your girls as you sip your way through generous samples of fantastic local Pinot Gris, Ortega and Cabernet Franc.

Taste some of Vancouver Island’s finest wines at sprawling vineyards. Photo: Island Time Tours
Taste some of Vancouver Island’s finest wines at sprawling vineyards. Photo: Island Time Tours

5:00 p.m. – Clipper Victoria Terminal  

After a weekend away with the gals, it’s time to come on home aboard the Clipper, heads full of fond memories of your weekend escape. Whether you spent it relaxing and chatting in the spa’s mineral pool or reminiscing about old times over excellent food and fine wine, Victoria is the perfect spot for bonding with your girls. You’ll come back feeling refreshed and dreaming about your next adventure.

The sun dips behind the horizon in a blaze of yellows, oranges and pinks. Photo: Lucas Anderson
The sun dips behind the horizon in a blaze of yellows, oranges and pinks. Photo: Lucas Anderson

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Feature Photo: Heather Meier