South Vancouver Island Guidebook
Food scene
Amazing people, coffee, baked goods (no waiting!) If you have more time, get the soup and sandwiches.
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Shirley Delicious
2794 Sheringham Point RdAmazing people, coffee, baked goods (no waiting!) If you have more time, get the soup and sandwiches.
The pizzas here are fantastic and the outdoor space is nice. Don't skip dessert: their hazelnut cheesecake is our favourite, but they are all delectable.
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Stoked Wood Fired Pizzeria and Market
2908 Tieulie PlThe pizzas here are fantastic and the outdoor space is nice. Don't skip dessert: their hazelnut cheesecake is our favourite, but they are all delectable.
If you are coming in from Victoria, stop at Tacofino for really great burritos. Their cookies are great; can be a little spicy for those who are sensitive.
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Tacofino
760 Pandora AveIf you are coming in from Victoria, stop at Tacofino for really great burritos. Their cookies are great; can be a little spicy for those who are sensitive.
This hotel is on the water, has colonial rooms, a nice quiet lobby, and a great restaurant with nice views. There's also a spa that takes short notice appointments!
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Prestige Oceanfront Resort
6929 W Coast RdThis hotel is on the water, has colonial rooms, a nice quiet lobby, and a great restaurant with nice views. There's also a spa that takes short notice appointments!
Great local coffee spot in Sooke. Has wifi if you need it in town.
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The Stick In The Mud Coffee House
6711 Eustace RdGreat local coffee spot in Sooke. Has wifi if you need it in town.
Beaches and Parks
Short hike down to a smaller beach with a small, pretty waterfall you can go behind. The hike down is a little steep but short.
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Sandcut Beach
11033 West Coast RoadShort hike down to a smaller beach with a small, pretty waterfall you can go behind. The hike down is a little steep but short.
This is one of my favourite beaches in the world. It's a ways out to drive to, the parking lot is always quite busy especially on weekends, and the walk down to the beach can be longer than expected if you are carrying surfboards and picnic things. But it's worth it. Surfing here is great and spread across 3 main breaks. At lower tides, the beach hike out to the secret waterfall (pictured) is magical.
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Sombrio Beach
This is one of my favourite beaches in the world. It's a ways out to drive to, the parking lot is always quite busy especially on weekends, and the walk down to the beach can be longer than expected if you are carrying surfboards and picnic things. But it's worth it. Surfing here is great and spread across 3 main breaks. At lower tides, the beach hike out to the secret waterfall (pictured) is magical.
China beach is just past Jordan River and has 2 different hiking trails (main parking area, and the campground trail) down to a beautiful big beach that you can picnic and have a little fire on (weather permitting). On rare occasions you can surf here. It's not as busy as Sombrio or Sandcut. Some people park here to start the Juan de Fuca trail hike.
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China Beach (Canada)
China beach is just past Jordan River and has 2 different hiking trails (main parking area, and the campground trail) down to a beautiful big beach that you can picnic and have a little fire on (weather permitting). On rare occasions you can surf here. It's not as busy as Sombrio or Sandcut. Some people park here to start the Juan de Fuca trail hike.
This park is a hidden gem. Unassuming park in town with a small parking lot, and the longest wooden bridge trail that leads down to the water to a long pier. A great easy walk where you won't get to muddy or dirty.
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Ed Macgregor Park
This park is a hidden gem. Unassuming park in town with a small parking lot, and the longest wooden bridge trail that leads down to the water to a long pier. A great easy walk where you won't get to muddy or dirty.
Whiffin spit makes for a great mellow walk though it seems to go on forever. Watch your step though, there can be animal poop on the trail.
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Whiffin Spit
Whiffin spit makes for a great mellow walk though it seems to go on forever. Watch your step though, there can be animal poop on the trail.
When the weather is hot, this is the best swimming hole in town. The water is really cold and refreshing!
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Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke River RoadWhen the weather is hot, this is the best swimming hole in town. The water is really cold and refreshing!
Shopping
Coffee truck, surf shop, bike shop and brewery. This little area has it all! Just check daily hours as they may vary. Come here if you need surf wax, surf clothing, candles, hipster mugs, etc.
Seek & Surf
5871 Sooke RdCoffee truck, surf shop, bike shop and brewery. This little area has it all! Just check daily hours as they may vary. Come here if you need surf wax, surf clothing, candles, hipster mugs, etc.
Playgrounds
Families - this place has a playground! Though sometimes the kids just want to play on the beach, the bridge, the grassy area surrounded by large trees... look for the families of otters sleeping in the water. Lots of great little intimate picnic and fire pit areas for group gatherings.
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Provinciaal Park French Beach
Families - this place has a playground! Though sometimes the kids just want to play on the beach, the bridge, the grassy area surrounded by large trees... look for the families of otters sleeping in the water. Lots of great little intimate picnic and fire pit areas for group gatherings.
Broom Hill Playground is the biggest playground where all the cool kids go to hang out. The playground is surrounded by a beautiful wooded area for kids to wander and play and create imaginary worlds.
Broom Hill
Broom Hill Playground is the biggest playground where all the cool kids go to hang out. The playground is surrounded by a beautiful wooded area for kids to wander and play and create imaginary worlds.
If it's raining, this is a great place for kids to burn off energy. Best for kids 4-5+.
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Flying Squirrel Victoria
808 Viewfield RoadIf it's raining, this is a great place for kids to burn off energy. Best for kids 4-5+.
Indoor Ideas
Gorgeous new library to read, browse, work, etc on a rainy day.
Vancouver Island Regional Library - Sooke Branch
6671 Anna Marie RdGorgeous new library to read, browse, work, etc on a rainy day.
Groceries
This is the last stop on your way out to Shirley to get groceries. The feta cheese buns from the bakery are excellent! Don't forget your Ketchup chips.
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Village Food Market
6661 Sooke RdThis is the last stop on your way out to Shirley to get groceries. The feta cheese buns from the bakery are excellent! Don't forget your Ketchup chips.
Western Foods is the other place in town to get groceries. Can be convenient as it's in the same plaza as the BC Liquor, Shoppers Drug Mart and Tim Hortons.
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Western Foods
6660 Sooke RdWestern Foods is the other place in town to get groceries. Can be convenient as it's in the same plaza as the BC Liquor, Shoppers Drug Mart and Tim Hortons.