Fall for Victoria this Fall
Fall in Victoria. Just when you think Victoria can’t get any more beautiful, the magic of fall comes along. Despite our days getting shorter, the energy of Victoria continues on from the summer through celebrations of the harvest season, vibrant forest-scapes, and fun activities that celebrate autumn’s beauty. Read on for 12 Victoria adventures as colourful as the treetops around you.
Reap the Rewards of Harvest Season
We’ve outlined a self-guided expedition, the Greater Victoria Flavour Trails, that will help you celebrate the richness of this region. From sampling handcrafted blends at Island Elixir Tea Company, 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.
Discover the fall palette at The Butchart Gardens
A National Historic Site, and widely recognized as one of the most beautiful gardens in the world, The Butchart Gardens dazzles in the fall season as a breathtaking sea of colour envelopes the garden. Whether you're strolling the rose garden, or crossing the stepping stones beneath Japanese maples, the colours of fall are on full display everywhere you look.
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.
Pedal Your Way to Local Pubs
A pub crawl in Victoria… on wheels? The Pedaler Cycling Tours and Rentals does it all, and more. This fall, you can enjoy the cooling air as you pedal your from brewery to brewery on a Hoppy Hour Guided Tour. It’s a great way to explore Victoria’s local craft beer scene while learning about the city, sharing great laughs, and even getting some light exercise in. If you’re hung up about summer ending or feeling any September scaries, The Pedaler 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. Whether you're looking for a coffee based latte or tea, Victoria has no shortage of Pacific Northwest Style coffee shops pouring up pumpkin spice this fall. A few of our favourites include Murchie's Coffee Shop, Milano Coffee, Caffe Fantastico, and Marina Dockside Eatery.
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.
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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