Robin & Jim's guidebook
The Neighbourhood
In the Neighbourhood....many of the below amenities within a 20-25 minute walk!
*-Robin & Jim can arrange pick up at ferry or airport.
*-Robin gives MASSAGE, REFLEXOLOGY & REIKI right here on the premises (30 yrs experience).
*-We have a YOGA STUDIO on the premises for private/semi-private instruction (40 years experience).
Gorge-Tillicum is a lovely treed neighbourhood with all the things you might desire!
*Cuthbert Holmes Park, across the street from our property has a trail which leads to the mall.
-Many amenities including: Silver City Theatres, London Drugs, Walk-In Clinic, food court, restaurants, dollar store, Lowes Hardware, clothing stores, liquor store, credit union, TDbank, Winners, 2 Starbucks, Save On Foods & much more.
*Il Greco Restaurant (Greek & Italian neighbourhood restaurant)
*Health Essentials is a health food store
*Japanese Gardens & reversing falls under the Tillicum Bridge.
*Gorge Shopping Centre: Fairway Market, Shoppers Drugs (Canada Post), Liquor Store, Dollarama, Villages Pizza (very cheesy, yummmm)
*Admirals Walk: "A Kinder Cup" coffee shop, groceries, drug store liquour store.
Gorge -Tillicum Area
Gorge-Tillicum is a lovely treed neighbourhood with all the things you might desire!
*Cuthbert Holmes Park, across the street from our property has a trail which leads to the mall.
-Many amenities including: Silver City Theatres, London Drugs, Walk-In Clinic, food court, restaurants, dollar store, Lowes Hardware, clothing stores, liquor store, credit union, TDbank, Winners, 2 Starbucks, Save On Foods & much more.
*Il Greco Restaurant (Greek & Italian neighbourhood restaurant)
*Health Essentials is a health food store
*Japanese Gardens & reversing falls under the Tillicum Bridge.
*Gorge Shopping Centre: Fairway Market, Shoppers Drugs (Canada Post), Liquor Store, Dollarama, Villages Pizza (very cheesy, yummmm)
*Admirals Walk: "A Kinder Cup" coffee shop, groceries, drug store liquour store.
Across the street from our property takes you on a walk into the forest.
CUTHBERT HOLMES PARK is a favourite with bird watchers & nature lovers. It boasts forests, the Colquitz River and trails. Above picture is a baby owl in the park.
The Japanese Garden in Esquimalt Gorge Park was North America's 1st Japanese garden, established in 1907 . A 25 minute walk from The Boathouse Cottage.
While there, you can go under the Tillicum Bridge to see the "reversing falls". Depending on the tide, there may be rapids with a very strong current or, it may be calm. Nice spot for a picnic.
Japanese Gardens
The Japanese Garden in Esquimalt Gorge Park was North America's 1st Japanese garden, established in 1907 . A 25 minute walk from The Boathouse Cottage.
While there, you can go under the Tillicum Bridge to see the "reversing falls". Depending on the tide, there may be rapids with a very strong current or, it may be calm. Nice spot for a picnic.
Thrill of a lifetime activity
I've done this course many times & love the exhilarating feeling!
Platforms high above your head. Dozens of ziplines streaking through the trees. Gravity-powered plummets that make your heart race. More suspended ladders, bridges, nets, and obstacle games than you can count.
This is where adventure lives!
Activities:
Adventure Courses
Zipline Tour
What’s to Fear Jump
Axe Throwing
Hours of Operation
Summer:
Weekdays: 10am-8pm | Sat, Sun: 9am - 8pm
Fall:
Sept 7 - Dec 19 | Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon | 10am - 6pm
53 moradores locais recomendam
WildPlay Element Parks Victoria
1767 Island HwyI've done this course many times & love the exhilarating feeling!
Platforms high above your head. Dozens of ziplines streaking through the trees. Gravity-powered plummets that make your heart race. More suspended ladders, bridges, nets, and obstacle games than you can count.
This is where adventure lives!
Activities:
Adventure Courses
Zipline Tour
What’s to Fear Jump
Axe Throwing
Hours of Operation
Summer:
Weekdays: 10am-8pm | Sat, Sun: 9am - 8pm
Fall:
Sept 7 - Dec 19 | Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon | 10am - 6pm
Places to go
Touring & Entertainment
Tour the famous Butchart Gardens, discover beautiful Craigdarroch Castle, and feel the pulse of Canada’s oldest Chinatown. Victoria's Chinatown is the oldest in Canada and Fan Tan Alley is the narrowest street in Canada.
Or escape to the water with world-class whale watching, kayaking, fishing and sailing. There’s no shortage of ways to make your Victoria visit truly unforgettable.
Harbour ferries, Butterfly Gardens, whale watching, Wildplay Element Parks, double decker bus tours, High Tea at the Empress Hotel. The legendary Hermann's Jazz Club
230 moradores locais recomendam
Victoria
Tour the famous Butchart Gardens, discover beautiful Craigdarroch Castle, and feel the pulse of Canada’s oldest Chinatown. Victoria's Chinatown is the oldest in Canada and Fan Tan Alley is the narrowest street in Canada.
Or escape to the water with world-class whale watching, kayaking, fishing and sailing. There’s no shortage of ways to make your Victoria visit truly unforgettable.
Harbour ferries, Butterfly Gardens, whale watching, Wildplay Element Parks, double decker bus tours, High Tea at the Empress Hotel. The legendary Hermann's Jazz Club
Food scene
Casual restaurant. Lunchtime buffet. Great reviews!
https://mantrarestaurant.ca/
The Mantra Indian Cuisine
1951 B Tillicum RdCasual restaurant. Lunchtime buffet. Great reviews!
https://mantrarestaurant.ca/
Take out pizza in Gorge Shopping Centre. Very cheesy, yummm!
7 moradores locais recomendam
Villages Pizza
2016 Oak Bay AveTake out pizza in Gorge Shopping Centre. Very cheesy, yummm!
Great fish & chips at the Inner Harbour! Sunny & windy. Bring your hat & a sweater.
163 moradores locais recomendam
Red Fish Blue Fish
1006 Wharf StGreat fish & chips at the Inner Harbour! Sunny & windy. Bring your hat & a sweater.
J & J Wonton Noodle House
1012 Fort StOur favourite place for Chinese Food.
II Terrazzo
555 Johnson StFine Italian dining.
Klezmer to jazz music Sunday to Thursday. A fun lively place & good food. They do not take reservations. The lineup is part of the fun!
126 moradores locais recomendam
Pagliacci's
1011 Broad StKlezmer to jazz music Sunday to Thursday. A fun lively place & good food. They do not take reservations. The lineup is part of the fun!
95% organic plant-based food
Everything served is wheat, gluten,
dairy and processed sugar free.
We love the food here!
73 moradores locais recomendam
Be Love
1019 Blanshard St95% organic plant-based food
Everything served is wheat, gluten,
dairy and processed sugar free.
We love the food here!
10 Acres Bistro
611 Courtney StOur guests have recommended it!
Oldest brew pub in Canada. Great views.
148 moradores locais recomendam
Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub & GuestHouses
308 Catherine StOldest brew pub in Canada. Great views.
This absolutely amazing place is like going into Harrods of London... right here in Victoria!!!
14 moradores locais recomendam
The Market Garden
810 Catherine StThis absolutely amazing place is like going into Harrods of London... right here in Victoria!!!
Charming, locally owned bakery featuring artisanal pastries, breads & treats, with outdoor seating & nice views.
154 moradores locais recomendam
Fol Epi
398 Harbour RdCharming, locally owned bakery featuring artisanal pastries, breads & treats, with outdoor seating & nice views.
High quality organic coffees. Live entertainment. Funky decor & seating. Mike night Thursdays.
32 moradores locais recomendam
Spiral Cafe
418 Craigflower RdHigh quality organic coffees. Live entertainment. Funky decor & seating. Mike night Thursdays.
Neighbourhood Greek & Italian food. 25 minute walk from Boathouse Cottage.
16 moradores locais recomendam
Il Greco Restaurant
300 Tillicum RdNeighbourhood Greek & Italian food. 25 minute walk from Boathouse Cottage.
At the Admirals Walk Shopping Centre:
"An inclusive coffee shop, offering employment opportunities to adults with a developmental disability. Kindness is the theme; to others, to ourselves, and to our environment!"
A Kinder Cup
1503 Admirals RoadAt the Admirals Walk Shopping Centre:
"An inclusive coffee shop, offering employment opportunities to adults with a developmental disability. Kindness is the theme; to others, to ourselves, and to our environment!"
Rebar is for everyone – strict vegans, vegetarians (full and part-time!), and anyone looking for a delicious, fresh meal with a funky twist for lunch, dinner, and the city’s all-time favourite meal, weekend brunch. A 35 year old restaurant & juice bar in historical Bastion Square. An upbeat hip atmosphere with vibrant & tasty food.
55 moradores locais recomendam
Rebar
50 Bastion SquareRebar is for everyone – strict vegans, vegetarians (full and part-time!), and anyone looking for a delicious, fresh meal with a funky twist for lunch, dinner, and the city’s all-time favourite meal, weekend brunch. A 35 year old restaurant & juice bar in historical Bastion Square. An upbeat hip atmosphere with vibrant & tasty food.
Walking distance from your cottage through the park across the street. Friends highly recommend this place.
Toishan Kitchen - Chinese Restaurant - 台山小厨
Walking distance from your cottage through the park across the street. Friends highly recommend this place.
Entertainment, Outdoor Markets, Parks
Esquimalt Farmers Market
Hermann's Jazz Club
Butchart Gardens
Highrock Park
Playfair Park
Esquimalt Farmers Market
1200 Park PlLive jazz & blues in an intimate setting. Downtown Victoria.
Also the Upstairs Lounge, live music & dancing.
36 moradores locais recomendam
Hermann's Jazz Club
753 View StLive jazz & blues in an intimate setting. Downtown Victoria.
Also the Upstairs Lounge, live music & dancing.
Beautiful gardens all year round. Summer weekend evening entertainment at the Bandshell.
388 moradores locais recomendam
The Butchart Gardens
800 Benvenuto AveBeautiful gardens all year round. Summer weekend evening entertainment at the Bandshell.
Saturdays through the spring & summer.
Farm, food, artisan and craft vendors, live music
1330 Fairfield Road 10 am-2:00 pm
68 moradores locais recomendam
Moss Street Market
1330 Fairfield RdSaturdays through the spring & summer.
Farm, food, artisan and craft vendors, live music
1330 Fairfield Road 10 am-2:00 pm
Parks
Playfair Park is one of Victoria's best kept secrets. This park boasts a large grove of mature rhododendrons and azaleas with a Garry Oak meadow.
8 moradores locais recomendam
Playfair Park
1198 Rock StPlayfair Park is one of Victoria's best kept secrets. This park boasts a large grove of mature rhododendrons and azaleas with a Garry Oak meadow.
Another of Victoria's best kept secrets along with Playfair Park.
Lovely forested trail, the ocean & picnic area. Beautiful views of the Olympic Range.
51 moradores locais recomendam
Parque Saxe Point
Another of Victoria's best kept secrets along with Playfair Park.
Lovely forested trail, the ocean & picnic area. Beautiful views of the Olympic Range.
Highrock Park is the highest point of land in Esquimalt (71 metres). 360 degree views of downtown, the Sooke Hills and the Olympic Mountains.
14 moradores locais recomendam
Highrock Park
Highrock Park is the highest point of land in Esquimalt (71 metres). 360 degree views of downtown, the Sooke Hills and the Olympic Mountains.
Walk across the street & you're at this beautiful forested park!
8 moradores locais recomendam
Cuthbert Holmes Park
Trans-Canada HighwayWalk across the street & you're at this beautiful forested park!