Victoria, B.C., has long been known as Vancouver’s not-so-chic little sister. Not anymore.
A renaissance downtown has left in its wake stylish stores and trendsetting restaurants. Independent clothing boutiques like Still Life and Rebel Rebel boast contemporary designers from around the world. They flaunt their wares on Johnson, Government, Yates and Broad Streets, mingling with stores such as Onlyhuman — which specializes in design-centric tchotchkes — gallery-cum-event spaces and big-names like Mountain Equipment Co-op. A few blocks south in Bastion Square, among the relics of the 19th-century gold rush, is Charlie & Lee, which carries so many oft-requested, rarely-seen women’s fashion labels that the owners now also run an e-boutique.
If all the shopping makes you hungry, Red Fish Blue Fish on the pier is an outdoor taco shack that serves up tacones, slaw and fish and chips made with Vancouver Aquarium Ocean Wise sustainable seafood. Or try the homemade soups, sandwiches and salads at Picnic on Fort Street — both restaurants are testament to the modern attitude of this revitalized area.
GET THERE WITH AIR CANADA
Air Canada offers the most daily non-stop service to Victoria from Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver, with convenient connections from across Canada. Book your flight at aircanada.com.
