I visited a Canadian province that felt like a dreamy, walkable mix of Europe and the Pacific Northwest

Molly O'BrienAug 28, 2024, 22:18 IST

I enjoyed visiting Victoria, the capital of British Columbia.benedek/Getty Images

I'm a Los Angeles resident who enjoyed visiting Victoria, Canada.
In the capital of British Columbia, the locals I encountered seemed very happy and friendly.

Photographs of Victoria make the city look like it's straight out of a fairy tale. And I, a Los Angeles resident, wasn't disappointed when I visited the capital of British Columbia for the first time.

It was immediately clear to me that Victoria was special. From its historic architecture to its well-manicured gardens, there were charming sites everywhere I looked.

Here's what my summertime visit to Victoria was like.

I went to Victoria, Canada, from Los Angeles.

I took a carbon-neutral seaplane from Whistler to Victoria.Molly O'Brien

I learned about the city's history by visiting different architectural sites and landmarks.

Visiting different buildings and landmarks was a great way to learn about Victoria's past.Molly O'Brien

Elements of Victoria reminded me of two very different places: the UK and Portland, Oregon.

There was an impressive mixture of cultures and landscapes in Victoria.Molly O'Brien

The locals seemed more upbeat and outgoing than the people I've met in Los Angeles.

Hotel Fairmont Empress offered a lavish spread for afternoon tea.Molly O'Brien

Downtown Victoria was very accessible by bike and on foot.

I felt safe walking and biking through Victoria's downtown area.Molly O'Brien

The city celebrated the arrival of summer by hanging hundreds of flower baskets around town.

The flower baskets marked the start of summer.Molly O'Brien

The logistics of traveling between the US and Canada were more straightforward than I expected.

I went whale watching during my trip to Victoria.Molly O'Brien

Victoria's restaurant and bar scene blew me away, and the prices were similar to what I would pay in Los Angeles.

I ordered a pizza at Spinnakers, Canada's oldest licensed brewpub.Molly O'Brien

I had to get used to using the international metric system during my trip.

Victoria is an adventure traveler's dream since there are so many outdoor activities.Molly O'Brien

Overall, I really enjoyed my first visit to Victoria and would love to return.

Victoria is on the southern tip of Vancouver Island.Molly O'Brien

I flew a big-name airline and a budget competitor across the Atlantic. The low-cost option is worth it if you follow the rules.

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