Road Trips & Rambles - Summer Outings & Fall/Winter Schedule

Shelley Brown
Parks & Recreation Programmer
Parks, Recreation & Facilities
City of Victoria

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the fabulous summer we are having. Some people asked if we could have some more outings in the summer so I’ve added one more and the description follows. To register, please call Crystal Pool & Fitness Centre (250-361-0732) or Esquimalt Rec Centre (250-412-8500), or register online for either location.

We (Victoria and Esquimalt) are making a wee change this session – you will be able to register for September to December trips in August and then in October/November you can register for January to March trips. This will help spread out the financial commitment and hopefully make it easier for people to sign up for programs later on if they miss the first registration deadline.

Please arrive 15 minutes prior to listed times to allow for check-in and boarding. All trips are scent free.

Summer Outings – Available for registration now for both locations!

The Roost & Sidney Market
We are off to North Saanich. First stop is the very popular Roost Vineyard, Bistro and Farm Bakery for dinner. After dinner we will head to Sidney for the Thursday night market. (Transportation included, meal is not.) Click here to see the menu: http://www.roostfarmcentre.com/vineyard-bistro/bistro-dinner-takeout/
$25
Thurs. Aug. 24 4:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Esq. 4:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Registration is open now in Esquimalt or August 15th for the City of Victoria or the following:

Kinsol Trestle History, Walk & Lunch
The Kinsol Trestle is one of eight trestles along the Cowichan Valley Trail route and by far the largest and most spectacular. The Kinsol Trestle is one of the tallest free-standing and most spectacular timber rail trestle structures in the world. Before we walk to the bridge, we will stop at the Shawnigan Lake Museum for a history lesson (and snacks) on the bridge and its restoration. After the 1+ km walk to and from the bridge we will go for a late lunch before returning home. (Museum donation included. Lunch at Bridgeman Bistro is not included.)
$50
54695 Thurs. Sept 7 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Esq. 10 a.m. – 4:30 pm

Saltspring Island – Part One
This tour is not for the faint of heart! We will visit a few of our favourite places and it will be busy!
Highlights include: Saltspring Cheese Company, Saltspring Wild Cider House, Ganges, Tuesday market, Saltspring Island Vineyard and did we mention shopping and food?? (Transportation and ferries included. Meals are extra.)
$74 BC Senior (65+yrs)/$80 Adult
54696 Tues. Sept 12 7:45 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Esq. 7:15 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Fort Langley & Afternoon Tea
Step back in time to the 1800’s and see where the Hudson’s Bay Company fur traders mingled with California gold prospectors and hear First Nations interpreters tell century–old tales. After our tour, we will walk over to the Little White House for Afternoon Tea. (Transportation, tour and Afternoon Tea included).
$157 adult/$140 BC Senior (65+ yrs)
54697 Mon. Sept 18 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Esq. 8:00 am – 9:30 pm

Chemainus – Jeeves Takes a Bow
Bertie Wooster has bitten off more of The Big Apple than he can chew. All attempts to inflict his charming ineptitude on America and break into show biz are foiled by a kooky childhood friend “Binky” and vengeful thug “Knuckles McCann”. Will his illustrious manservant Jeeves save the scene and the day? (British Comedy) (Transportation, gratuities, tickets and buffet lunch included.)
$125
54698 Wed. Sept. 27th 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Esq. 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Wildlife, History, Gardens & Spa Overnight
We’ll drive up Island stopping here and there to stretch our legs and have lunch. Our first official stop is at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre in Errington. Observe eagles, owls, falcons, hawks, ravens and black bears. After a relaxing tour in the park like setting we are off to Kingfisher Oceanside Resort & Spa. On Wednesday we head to Cumberland for an historic walking tour and lunch. Jumbo’s cabin may be all that is left standing from Cumberland’s once-bustling Chinatown, but the Old Townsites Walking Tour brings the old Chinese and Japanese settlements to life while walking through the majestic forests on the edge of town. Thursday we will stop for a garden tour and high tea at Milner Gardens. (Transportation, accommodation, tour and entrance fees and high tea included. All other meals and spa experiences extra.)
$432 shared accom. per person/$567 single accom. per person
54699 Tues.-Thurs. Oct. 3-5 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Esq. 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Art, Food & Wine
Start the tour off at painter Laurel Hibbert’s studio – colorful, illustrative art depicting the joys of daily life. Lunch at Craig Street Brew Pub in Duncan. Last stop is at Rocky Creek Vineyard for a wine tasting. (Transportation included and wine tasting included with fee. Meal is extra.)
$50/$55 w/wine tasting
54700 Thurs. Oct. 12 9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Esq. 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Chemainus – Silent Sky
Henrietta Leavitt sees greatness in the stars – if only others saw the brilliance in her. While many earthly complications stand in her way, her astonishing discoveries of astronomy, family, and love will change everyone’s (outer) worldly perspective. (Cosmic love story.) (Transportation, gratuities, tickets and buffet lunch included.)
$125
54702 Wed. Oct. 18 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Esq. 10:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Butterfly World & Lunch at Café Zanzibar
Enjoy the tropical world of butterflies, flamingos, ponds and plants of the world. Afterwards we will have lunch at the very popular Café Zanzibar. (Transportation and admission included. Meal is extra.)
$33 (65+yrs)/$37 adult
54703 Thurs. Nov. 9 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Esq. 10:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Sooke Museum & Mom’s Café
Start at the home-style oldies diner – Mom’s Café and after we will visit the Sooke Museum for a visit and talk with the local historian. (Transportation and donation included. Meal is extra.)
$25
54704 Tues. Nov. 21 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Esq. 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.


Chemainus – Cornwalls’ All-Inclusive Cancun Christmas
The Cornwalls are back for another great holiday season! More classic 80’s tunes, cornball antics, and big hair. Will Tommy find true love this year? Come and join their all-inclusive holiday yuletide cheer (comedy with music). (Transportation, gratuities, tickets and buffet lunch included.)
$127
54705 Sat. Nov. 25 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Esq. 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Butchart Garden Christmas Lights & Dinner
Walk through Butchart Gardens and enjoy the Magic of the Christmas season – Christmas lights, holiday wreaths, carolers and ice skating. Enjoy the traditions of the season with the 12 Days of Christmas displays placed throughout the gardens. After seeing the lights we’ll dine in the original Butchart family residence. (Transportation and entrance included, fine dining meal extra.)
$47
54706 Thurs. Dec 14 4:15 p.m. – 9:15 p.m.
Esq. 3:45 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.

Register starts November 28th at the Crystal Pool & Fitness Centre or October 22nd at Esquimalt Rec Centre for the following:

Sidney - Lunch at Spitfire Grill & Shopping in Sidney
Spitfire Grill, is a family restaurant serving freshly prepared good quality food. Enjoy views overlooking the west side of the Victoria International Airport. Watch planes arriving and departing as you enjoy our meal. After lunch we will head to Sidney for some free shopping time. (Transportation included. Lunch is extra.)
$20
54707 Tues. Jan 11 10:30 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Esq. 10:00 p.m. – 3:45 p.m.

CFB Esquimalt Naval & Military Museum & Lunch
The museum exhibits focus on four distinct military groups that have made an impact on Canada's history and left a lasting heritage: Canada’s Navy on the West Coast; The Canadian Women's Army Corps (CWAC); The Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service (WRCNS); The West Coast Defences. After our visit to the museum we will have lunch at Nelles Block Galley (Transportation and donation included, meal is not.)
$25
54708 Tues. Jan 23 9:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Esq. 10:15 a.m. – 1:45 p.m.
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Shipyard Restaurant & Pub – Maple Bay
Enjoy a scenic drive up to Maple Bay and then lunch in this landmark pub/restaurant that has been a staple of this community for many years. (Transportation included – lunch extra.)
$40
54709 Thurs. Feb 8 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Esq. 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Imax Theatre and Dinner at Nautical Nellies
Let’s catch an afternoon show (tba) and then head for a yummy steak or seafood dinner at Nautical Nellies. (Transportation and admission included. Meal extra.)
$30
54710 Thurs. Feb 22 3:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Esq. 3:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Fireside Grill & Shopping at Broadmead Village
Start off with some shopping and browsing at Broadmead Village with lunch after at this Tudor style restaurant. (Transportation included. Meal is extra)
$20
54711 Thurs. Mar 1 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Esq. 10:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Dinner and Theatre – St. Luke’s Players & The Keg
We’ll have dinner at The Keg and then go to St. Luke’s Players – Bedtime Stories. In a series of scenes connected by time and place and a most unusual radio broadcast, we follow inter-weaving characters in their comic struggle to find the meaning of love. (Transportation and play included. Meal is extra.)
$36
54712 Wed. Mar 14 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Esq. 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Chemainus 2018 Season to be announced Fall of 2017.

I look forward to seeing you soon.
If you have any questions, please do get in touch.

Shelley


Shelley Brown
Parks & Recreation Programmer
Parks, Recreation & Facilities
City of Victoria

Mailing Address: 1 Centennial Square, Victoria BC V8W 1P6
Office Address: 2275 Quadra Street, Victoria BC V8T 4C4

T 250.361.0705 F 250.361.0723