my wife and I plan to spend the week after IMC sightseeing/hiking/relaxing in Vancouver & Victoria. Would like to stay in quaint B&B’s (not mainstream hotels). Suggestions/recommendations of places to stay, places to visit, things to see, etc.
Things I enjoyed in Victoria (all pretty standard tourist stuff)
Butchart Gardens
Rogers Chocolates
Provincial Museum
High Tea at the Empress Hotel
I’ve been told that the north end of Vancouver Island is quite nice in an unspoiled ‘back to raw nature’ sort of way, but I’ve never spent much time there myself.
I think most of the tourist stuff is overrated. There are apparently some awesome b&b’s out in Sooke, which is west of Victoria along the southern end of the island. I remember reading about one that is focused on making food from local ingredients. You can also head up north island to Nanaimo, which is not too far from Victoria. The Malahat is a very pretty drive. You could also head straight from Vancouver to Nanaimo on the Horseshoe Bay ferry (vs. the Tsawassen terminal for Victoria). Tofino is a bit of a drive (considering you are coming from Penticton and it is North AND West of Victoria), but it’s supposed to be unbelievable in the summer. You could also go to any of the Gulf Islands, which are spectacular. Salt Spring is always a favorite. There are ferries from Vancouver and Victoria. If you want quaint b&bs, that’s where you’ll definitely find them.
In terms of stuff to see, Goldstream Park, Thetis Lake, Elk Lake, Shawnigan Lake are all the things that I would like to see. Those are places to go walk around, maybe go for a swim, and just see pretty spectacular examples of the pacific northwest. If you like to do the tourist stuff, I can make some recommendations, but things like tea at the empress are kind of “meh” in my opinion. But, everyone is different.
White Rock has some right near the beach and all the action, great place to relax, walk, eat, ride and shop. Can offer some specifics if you contact me.