10 Dad-Approved Activities in Victoria, B.C.

Dads are hard to shop for, so let us help take the guesswork out of what to get him for Father’s Day this year. Whether your dad is into golf, hiking, museums, or kicking back with a craft beer and an epic view, we all know the one thing he really wants is to spend time with you.

1. Paddle Cowichan Bay

If your dad enjoys getting out on the water, gift an experience and take him for a 2-hour tour with Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre. The best part? When you book a tour on June 16, your father paddles for free! 

Insider tip: Use the code FD2019 when booking your tour online.

2. Get Your Hearts Racing

Kick Father’s Day up a notch with a lap around the Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit. The full-day experience will give hands-on instruction in positioning, control, ideal cornering, dynamic driving and more. Make sure you call ahead to get all the details and arrange your dad’s driving experience.

Image courtesy of Island Motorsport Circuit

3. Enjoy Pizza, Craft Cider and Live Music

Forget pizza and beer, Merridale takes the concept of pizza and cider to a whole new level. This Father’s Day, treat your dad to an evening on the back deck at Merridale Cidery & Distillery for live music and house-made, brick oven pizzas from the orchard cookhouse.

Insider Tip: Reserve your spot in advance, this is a popular evening!

Image by Deddeda Stemler

4. Take Him to Car Free YYJ 

Plan a family bike ride to Car Free YYJ for a full day celebration. Check out the five stages with live entertainment, all-ages licensed areas, a beer garden and more than 400 local artists and makers. 

Image via @carfreeyyj

5. Pedal for Your Pint

Possibly the most entertaining way to get around the city is The Rolling Barrel, Victoria’s pedal pub tour. Hop on the trolley with your dad and a group of other beer/bike enthusiasts, and pedal to three of Victoria’s iconic pubs. At each stop, you’ll enjoy discounted food and drinks, as well as free appetizers.

If you’d prefer less of a party and more ocean views, opt instead for a Pickle Pub Crawl with Victoria Harbour Ferry. They’ll whisk you across the harbour between several of Victoria’s finest waterfront pubs.

Image via @therollingbarrel

6. Enjoy Quality Time on the Course

For dads who love to golf, Victoria is the perfect place to enjoy a Father’s Day round. Head to Bear Mountain Golf Club & Academy for a challenging course with stunning views over the Olympic Mountain Range, or treat him to brunch and golf this weekend at Arbutus Ridge Golf Club, where you’ll get unbelievable views over the Satellite Channel and Salt Spring Island.

Image courtesy of Westin Bear Mountain

7. Challenge Each Other

With more than 700 board games to play or buy, Victoria’s Interactivity Board Game Cafe is a favourite with locals and a great way to spend quality time with your dad. Challenge one another to a game of wits or battle it out Risk-style; this place has got pretty much any board game you could hope to play.

It’s only $5 to play as many games as you want and stay as long as you like, plus there’s a great menu of snacks, sandwiches, candy and milkshakes to keep you going.

Image by Bob Hewitt Photography

8. Go Fishing

You could also opt for a day of sport fishing with SpringTide. It’s a great option whether your dad is a seasoned fisherman or just a guy who likes to get out on the water. You’ll get a professional guide and a four-rod set-up on a 46′ Sportfish Yacht, plus all the bait, tackle, cleaning, bagging and fishing gear that you’ll need for the trip. For even more guided options, check out these fishing tours around Greater Victoria.

If you and your dad are comfortable taking a boat out without a guide, rent a fishing or sightseeing boat from Pedder Bay RV Resort.

9. Visit a museum

What better way to celebrate family than with an exhibition all about families? Head to the Royal BC Museum to enjoy their brand new exhibit, Maya: The Great Jaguar Rises. It’s a super inclusive, interactive exhibit that uncovers the mysteries of the Ancient Maya culture.

This weekend (June 21-23) the Indigenous Cultural Festival will also be taking place just outside the Royal BC Museum. See live performances, shop from Indigenous artisans, and indulge in traditional Indigenous foods. 

10. Say Cheers! to Dad

This Father’s Day, enjoy a pint on the patio at The Drake Eatery, Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub or at Phillips Tasting Room.

You could also opt for a Victoria Craft Beer & Culinary Tour with Off the Eaten Track, where you’ll enjoy beer samples, food stops and lots of history about Victoria’s craft beer scene. If your dad is interested in the process of making beer as well as drinking it, check out a behind-the-scenes look at Victoria’s breweries with West Coast Brewery Tours.

Image via @canoebrewpub

There you have it! All the inspiration you need to enjoy a great Father’s Day. If you are still looking for more ideas, check out the see & do page or look at the event calendar to see what’s going on around the city.  

#ExploreVictoria