FALL FOR FALL!
Reap the Rewards of Harvest Season
Fall is a time for dining on delicious farm-fresh bounty. According to Pick Your Own.org, apples, greens, herbs, pumpkins and squash are amongst the many crops ripe for the picking in British Columbia’s autumn season. Visitors and locals alike can’t get enough of our region’s bounty, and we’re always looking for the next hottest spot to enjoy organic, west-coast delights.
We’ve outlined a self-guided expedition, the Greater Victoria Flavour Trails, that will help you celebrate the richness of this region. From sampling small-batch cider at Tod Creek Cider, to exploring the beautiful vineyard of Church & State Wines, to ending the day with a delicious farm-to-table dinner at 10 Acres Bistro, we’ll guide you through our region’s freshest flavours.
Witness the Great Salmon Migration
Every autumn from mid-October to early December, you can witness the Salmon Run at Goldstream Provincial Park. Thousands of salmon return each year from the Coho, Chinook, Chum varieties to spawn and be laid to rest, carrying on the cycle of life. There to join in on the spectacle are flocks of bald eagles lining the treetops, hoping for an easy snack. Add this annual wildlife phenomenon to your Victoria bucket list!
Visit a Craft Cidery
Heritage cider apples are in season, so what better time than to visit a cidery for a cool, crisp glass? Merridale Cidery & Distillery is a merry choice (pardon our pun), allowing you to explore the apple orchard, attend a world-class cider tasting tour, stay in a yurt, and take a bite of their signature apple pies.
Another apple-of-our-eye is Sea Cider Farm & Ciderhouse, who’s seasonal offerings include limited edition ciders, Foodie Fridays, pop-up events and more. Sea Cider grows their apples organically and uses traditional fermentation processes to craft their ciders, ensuring that you can taste the quality in every sip.
Immerse Yourself in Van Gogh’s Art
Beyond Van Gogh is coming to Victoria this fall! This enchanting art exhibit will highlight the artist's iconic pieces using an interactive and immersive light display, held at Bayview Place. From November 11th to the end of December, stand under the twinkling starry night and walk through almond blossoms as cutting-edge projections and an original score breathes new life into over 300 of the artist's works. We can’t wait to Gogh!
Pedal Your Way to Local Pubs
A pub crawl in Victoria… on wheels? Victoria Pedal Tours does it all, and more. This fall, you can enjoy the cooling air as you pedal your way on a sixteen-seater bike (yes, sixteen!) to four local pubs in Victoria. It’s a great way to explore Victoria’s local pub scene while listening to great tunes, sharing great laughs, and even getting some light exercise in. If you’re hung up about summer ending or feeling any September Scaries, Victoria Pedal Tours may just be the cure
Zip Through Orange Treetops
Here, adventure is a way of life. If you’re looking for something more adventurous than jumping into leaf piles this fall – why not soar above them? WildPlay Element Parks will have you soaring above hues of crimson, orange, and gold through their six exhilarating zipline flights. They also have axethrowing, treetop adventure courses, and a daring “What’s To Fear Jump”. For adults, their seasonal events include Night Climbs, and for kids they hold Pro-D Day Anti-Gravity Camps.
Sip on a Pumpkin Spice Latte
Okay, we couldn’t have a fall blog without mentioning a PSL. It’s a classic! No matter how you feel about the spiced coffee flavour, you have to admit: cozying up in a café on a lazy autumn day with a warm beverage in hand is a wonderful feeling. If you’re looking for healthy, seasonal lunches and bright atmosphere, check out Hey Happy. If you’re after delicious pastries (a nod to their carrot cake!) and unparalleled breakfast sandwiches, go to Bubby Rose’s Bakery & Café. Check out the Roost Farm Bakery if you’re embarking on the Greater Victoria Flavour Trail, or if you’re seeking take-home lunch or bakery items. Each of these places will brew up a delicious cup of coffee, tea, hot cocoa to have you feeling peak fall vibes.
Go Whale Watching
Whale-watching season in Victoria is still going strong! Fortunately here in the Salish Sea, lots of species still frequent the region during autumn. Common species include Bigg’s orcas, which travel year-round and humpback whales, which migrate during the fall months. Seals, sea lions, and porpoise are other marine animals you may catch a glimpse of on your adventure.
Feast on Thanksgiving Dinner
Take the work out of Thanksgiving, and let our lovely local restaurants take care of your meal. Brentwood Bay Resort’s the Arbutus Room is hosting a locally inspired 3-course Thanksgiving Dinner menu that can be eaten at the restaurant, or taken home. Visit here for reservations. A second fantastic option is The Courtney Room, which is nestled in the Magnolia Hotel & Spa. Celebrate the comforts of harvest season with their 3-course $90 prix fixe menu, available October 9th and 10th. To reserve your spot, click here.
Enjoy Oktoberfest
Adorn your finest lederhosen and dig out your dirndls. Victoria’s 6th Annual Oktoberfest event, Stein and Dine, will be held on the eve of October 15th. Get your tickets and head over to the Victoria Public Market for your own branded stein, beer pong, a live accordion player, Oktoberfest dancers, and traditional Germanic food samples. This is a 19+ event!
Get Spooked with Haunted Victoria!
Have you heard of the ghost that runs through Fan Tan Alley? What about Begbie, the ‘Hanging Judge’ of Bastion Square? Learn about all the friendly ghosts and characters that make up Victoria by booking a Ghostly Walks tour. These 60-minute spine-tingling tours head to some of our most famous landmarks, bringing the dark history of Victoria to life. Be sure to check out FRS Clipper's 56 Hour Escape: Fall Getaway to Victoria itinerary, which ties in a Ghostly Walks tour into a comprehensive 3-Day fall itinerary.
Later in October, we will be sharing daily stories re-counting haunted tales of Victoria on our social media channels. If you’re dying to hear some of them now, head to our Top 10 Haunted Places in Victoria blog.
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