Travel

Discover the West Shore

Discover the West Shore

Minutes from downtown Victoria, explore this diverse community

  • Apr 22, 2020
The federal government announced Tuesday that Victoria International Airport, among eight airports across Canada, can reopen for international air travel effective Nov. 30. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria International Airport cleared for take-off on international travel

Cross-border trips cleared for Nov. 30, but it may take some time to see flights resume

The spawning season lasts from late October to early December. Black Press Media file photo

Where to see spawning salmon on Vancouver Island this year

The top spots for fall fish viewing, from Goldstream to Campbell River

Sooke Cedar House is tucked away off Sooke Road and overlooks English gardens complete with fountains, arbours, and ponds. (Contributed - Airbnb)

Vancouver Island Airbnb host ranked top in the province

Sooke Cedar House received the most positive reviews of any Airbnb in Canada

Alpina Restaurant at Villa Eyrie Resort on the Malahat was among seven eateries on the Island that made the opentable.com Top 100 best patios list. (OpenTable photo)

Seven Vancouver Island eateries crack national outdoor dining top 100 list

Diner-voted restaurants on Island range from Mill Bay to Oak Bay, Saanich to downtown Victoria

Alpina Restaurant at Villa Eyrie Resort on the Malahat was among seven eateries on the Island that made the opentable.com Top 100 best patios list. (OpenTable photo)
A Bigg’s killer whale seemingly defies gravity in the waters near Victoria. Photo by Paul Pudwell / Sooke Coastal Explorations

Nearly 30 Bigg’s orcas observed over long weekend in Salish Sea waters off Victoria

Annual sightings record set for transient orcas

A Bigg’s killer whale seemingly defies gravity in the waters near Victoria. Photo by Paul Pudwell / Sooke Coastal Explorations
Twa Dogs Brewery in Saanich, just outside Victoria. Photo courtesy BC Ale Trail

Sip and savour: Artisanal beers abound on Vancouver Island

When it comes to voting for the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery…

Twa Dogs Brewery in Saanich, just outside Victoria. Photo courtesy BC Ale Trail
Looking up at the ceiling in the interior foyer of 1515 Douglas Street. 1515 Douglas Street is a six-storey class AA LEED Platinum office and retail building located across from Victoria City Hall. Design by D’Ambrosio architecture and urbanism. Don Denton/Black Press Media

Victoria’s architecture steeped in history

Taking a look at some of the prominent names and places in the city’s architectural history

Looking up at the ceiling in the interior foyer of 1515 Douglas Street. 1515 Douglas Street is a six-storey class AA LEED Platinum office and retail building located across from Victoria City Hall. Design by D’Ambrosio architecture and urbanism. Don Denton/Black Press Media
With marine borders reopening between Canada and the US as of Sept. 7, Clipper Vacations will launch limited sailings between Victoria’s Bellville Street Terminal and Seattle beginning Sept. 17. (Clipper Vacations/Facebook)

Marine border opening to U.S. travellers a relief to Victoria ferry provider

Restrictions lift Sept. 7 for U.S. travellers but COVID-19 protocols still in place

With marine borders reopening between Canada and the US as of Sept. 7, Clipper Vacations will launch limited sailings between Victoria’s Bellville Street Terminal and Seattle beginning Sept. 17. (Clipper Vacations/Facebook)
Proceeds from the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s second annual online auction will support conservation initiatives around the province. BCWF photo.

Online gift, gear and getaway auction boosts BC fish and wildlife conservation

B.C. Wildlife Federation online auction supports conservation projects across the province

Proceeds from the B.C. Wildlife Federation’s second annual online auction will support conservation initiatives around the province. BCWF photo.
Sport fisherman hunting predator fish. Outdoor fishing in river during sunrise. Hunting and hobby sport.

Head outdoors this summer with Outdoors West!

New magazine shares the how-to and where-to of exploring Western Canada’s great outdoors

Sport fisherman hunting predator fish. Outdoor fishing in river during sunrise. Hunting and hobby sport.
Destination Greater Victoria has used Stats Canada data to confirm Victoria as the Canadian city with the most restaurants, eateries, pubs and bars per capita. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria leads Canadian cities in restaurants, pubs, bars per capita

Victoria’s 4.6 hospitality businesses per 1,000 residents tops Vancouver, Niagara Falls: Stats Can

Destination Greater Victoria has used Stats Canada data to confirm Victoria as the Canadian city with the most restaurants, eateries, pubs and bars per capita. (Black Press Media file photo)
Last year, Port Alberni’s Twin City Brewing earned the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery Experience award for the quality of its beer and food as well as the way it adapted to the pandemic.

Which BC brewery do you think offers the best overall experience?

Voting is underway for the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery Experience award

Last year, Port Alberni’s Twin City Brewing earned the BC Ale Trail’s Best Brewery Experience award for the quality of its beer and food as well as the way it adapted to the pandemic.
The Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps. Opening Aug. 14 at the Royal BC Museum, Hope Meets Action: Echoes Through the Black Continuum highlights the contributions of Black leaders whose actions echo across the centuries. Photo courtesy BC Archives

New Royal BC Museum pocket gallery exhibition reclaims BC Black history

At a time when many British Columbians are already re-examining the province’s…

  • Aug 4, 2021
The Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps. Opening Aug. 14 at the Royal BC Museum, Hope Meets Action: Echoes Through the Black Continuum highlights the contributions of Black leaders whose actions echo across the centuries. Photo courtesy BC Archives
Scott McMillan and fellow volunteers with the Esquimalt Firefighters Charitable Foundation hope to resume their fundraising through the Esquimalt Ribfest, scheduled for Sept. 10 to 12 in Bullen Park. (Black Press Media file photo)

Esquimalt Ribfest organizers licking their lips for September festival

Event chair cautiously optimistic popular outdoor event will happen Sept. 10 to 12

Scott McMillan and fellow volunteers with the Esquimalt Firefighters Charitable Foundation hope to resume their fundraising through the Esquimalt Ribfest, scheduled for Sept. 10 to 12 in Bullen Park. (Black Press Media file photo)
A humpback spotted just off Cortes Island breaches. This humpback breached several times, as it played by itself for nearly half an hour. Photo by Terry Farrell

PHOTOS: Humpbacks put on a show for visitors to Vancouver Island

Whale watching tour leaves participants in awe

A humpback spotted just off Cortes Island breaches. This humpback breached several times, as it played by itself for nearly half an hour. Photo by Terry Farrell
Left, Harold Mortimer Lamb, Emily Carr in her studio, c.1939 (1980.087.003). Right, Emily Carr, Totem Walk at Sitka, 1907 (1994.055.004)

New Art Gallery of Greater Victoria exhibition explores work of Emily Carr

Seeing and Being Seen continues through July 2022

Left, Harold Mortimer Lamb, Emily Carr in her studio, c.1939 (1980.087.003). Right, Emily Carr, Totem Walk at Sitka, 1907 (1994.055.004)
The WSANEC leadership council is in the beginning stages of setting up a program to monitor southern resident killer whales. (AP file photo/Elaine Thompson)

WSANEC leadership council announces orca monitoring program

Program hopes to build knowledge, restore traditional relationship with the whales

The WSANEC leadership council is in the beginning stages of setting up a program to monitor southern resident killer whales. (AP file photo/Elaine Thompson)
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Capture Summer Photo Contest

Photo Contest: How will you Capture Summer?

Share photos of your summer adventures to be entered to win up to $250 in grocery gift cards

Capture Summer Photo Contest