15 Local Father's Day Ideas in Victoria, BC

15. Is your dad simply not a fan of ball games? Maybe nothing makes him boast quite as much as his seaside catch-of-the-day.  Book a tour with Adam’s Fishing Charters. Adam and his crew have been operating their business since 1989, and have logged more than 10,000 hours out at sea – earning the title of Victoria’s most experienced fishing charter. From salmon and halibut fishing, to crab, clam, and oyster tours, their crew will take you two to the best fishing spots between Sooke and Oak Bay. With so much time on the water, you can bet that Adam knows where all the good fish are!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!

The Adventure Dad

1) Thar be whales! Prince of Whales Whale & Marine Wildlife Adventures will be celebrating dads by offering a complimentary whale watching tour on their big boats! To enjoy the “father of all adventures”, there must be 1 dad per party of 2 minimum – in other words, a one for one dad-ratio. Show your dad how much you care by showing him the most majestic beasts of our seas. 

Photo: Prince of Whales Whale & Marine Wildlife Adventures

2. Make a splash with Victoria Kayak’s Father’s Day Kayak Tour. On June 19th, dads paddle free when accompanied by one or more of their friends or family! To book, call 250-597-3031 with a minimum of 24 hours notice, or use discount code GIVEDADAPADDLE if booking online. Bonus: this year, Victoria Kayak is happy to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Victoria and Area with their Father’s Day bookings, helping children from Sooke to Salt Spring Island. Now that’s something dad can be proud about.  

3. Pedal your heart out! Take a tour with The Pedaler to discover Victoria by bike. Their guided tours are designed to showcase the city’s top attractions, food and drink culture, and the vibrant neighbourhoods that make Victoria so enjoyable and unique – depending on which tour you select. We recommend their signature Castles, ‘Hoods and Legends tour – an 11km tour that guides you through Victoria’s top landmarks and hidden gems. An iconic castle, the tallest totem pole in the world, funky neighbourhoods, imposing mansions – this ride has it all!

Photo: The Pedaler by @ellsayhometeam (Instagram)

4. For the lumberjack dad in your life – or even if he is just cool, competitive, or quintessentially Canadian – take him to Axe & Grind. With axe throwing, knife throwing, various leagues he can sign up for, and expert guides to show him the way, Axe & Grind provides the opportunity to treat dad to a new experience. If your dad is a fan of darts, he will appreciate the upgrade!

The Gamer Dad

5. A quest is the best. Quest Reality Games is a premium interactive real-life escape room facility in Victoria, offering escape games, Cluetivity: an outdoor GPS adventure throughout Victoria and the one-of-a-kind live Case-Solving Investigators game. Find a new way to explore Victoria, and give an opportunity for dad to show off his clever clue-solving skills! 

Photo: Quest Reality Games

6. Game on! 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. Down from them is their almost-neighbour, Board with Friends Cafe, a new community-focused board game cafe offering a great range of games and snacks (with vegan-friendly and gluten-friendly options!). You will likely run into owners Nick and Alyssa while there – two self-proclaimed game and food nerds, so you know you’re in good hands.

The Brunch, Burger & Beers Dad

The three B’s that have dad buzzing! Seriously – we’ve never met a dad who doesn’t enjoy a burger. Read on for our top reccomendations on treating your foodie dad, from morning to night.

7. If your father’s eyes light up each time brunch is mentioned, take him to the haven of all things brunch: Fireside Grill. They are offering their award-winning Sunday Brunch buffet for a select few special dates only – and one of these is Father’s Day! Browse their extensive farm-to-table brunch menu, all offered in an elegant setting surrounded by numerous fireplaces, gardens, and age-old garry oak trees. Book your reservation as soon as you can, as their event tends to sell out!

8. It’s burger time! Sustainable as it is delicious, Big Wheel Burger is quintessentially Victorian and unanimously tasty for all. Their restaurant is Canada’s first carbon-neutral fast food restaurant, with their 100% compostable packaging and ingredients that are sourced within 100 miles of their restaurant locations. It’s fast food without the guilt trip! 

Another great dad-approved burger option is Bin 4 Burger Lounge. Celebrate dad with their all-day Happy Hour on June 19th, with their fries, some of their appetizers, and Bin 4 cocktails on at a great discount. Savings sure pair well with a delicious burger! 

9. Suds Crawl! Your beer-loving dad will love an afternoon exploring Victoria’s craft breweries and pubs. Here’s some inspiration for Craft Beer, Cider, Wine & Spirits and Bars & Pubs. Why not make a day of it, and cycle out to a local brewery for drinks? A perfect dad-approved brewery is Lighthouse Brewing Company, with a rustic tasting room located just a short 10 minute bike ride along the E&N Trail from downtown Victoria. Cheers to dad!

Photo: Irish Times Pub

10. Is your dad just not feeling the three B’s? Have no fear, and let surf and turf come to the rescue. No dad can refuse being treated to a great steak and seafood dinner! Our top picks in Victoria are Nautical Nellies Steak & Seafood House overlooking the inner harbour, and the ever-popular Keg Steak House + Bar. Bon appetit!

The History-Buff Dad

11. Prepare for take-off! Take your dad over to the BC Aviation Museum in Sidney, where he is sure to get absorbed in the incredible collection of civilian and military plane models.  Browse through artefacts, models, artwork, air crash relics, and war memorabilia. Dads get in for FREE on June 18th and 19th with a paying adult. How is that for a great on-the-fly gift?

The Sporty Dad

12. Does your dad love sports? Take him to a Victoria Harbourcats game! This Father’s Day weekend, the Victoria Harbourcats are playing a number of home games against the Coquitlam Angels. Buy dad some peanuts and Cracker Jacks, he won’t care if he never gets back!

13. If your dad prefers a different type of ball game, consider buying him a Pacific Football Club flex pack of tickets as his gift! Offering a 6-ticket or a 10-ticket bundle on their website, this is a great way to treat the soccer-fanatic in your family. 

14. For dads who love to golf, Victoria is the perfect place to enjoy a Father’s Day round. 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. A close-to-home local favourite is Cedar Hill Golf Course – a full facility 18-hole course featuring scenic views of Victoria and the Olympic Mountains.

15. Is your dad simply not a fan of ball games? Maybe nothing makes him boast quite as much as his seaside catch-of-the-day.  Book a tour with Adam’s Fishing Charters. Adam and his crew have been operating their business since 1989, and have logged more than 10,000 hours out at sea – earning the title of Victoria’s most experienced fishing charter. From salmon and halibut fishing, to crab, clam, and oyster tours, their crew will take you two to the best fishing spots between Sooke and Oak Bay. With so much time on the water, you can bet that Adam knows where all the good fish are!

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!