Guidebook for the Sooke area
Food Scene
It is the original Canadian-West-Coast locavore fine dining establishment (think Alice Waters and Chez Panisse); food sources are (almost) exclusively local, organic, and/or biodynamic. Salad greens, herbs, and edible flowers are grown just outside the windows. A recent addition is the more casual lunch-brunch-dinner spot, the Copper Room.
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Sooke Harbour House Hotel & Resort
1528 Whiffin Spit RdIt is the original Canadian-West-Coast locavore fine dining establishment (think Alice Waters and Chez Panisse); food sources are (almost) exclusively local, organic, and/or biodynamic. Salad greens, herbs, and edible flowers are grown just outside the windows. A recent addition is the more casual lunch-brunch-dinner spot, the Copper Room.
Fine European bakery right in downtown Sooke! Friendly welcome, lunch/brunch meals, and delicious pastries make this a good spot to try, especially on the sunny garden patio.
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Little Vienna Bakery, Cafe & Marketplace
6726 W Coast RdFine European bakery right in downtown Sooke! Friendly welcome, lunch/brunch meals, and delicious pastries make this a good spot to try, especially on the sunny garden patio.
This is our favourite local dining choice, among many outstanding contenders. It is a beautiful, historic out-of-the-way resort featuring a creative locavore-inspired menu for lunch and dinner. Tables have binoculars for better views of the coast and, if you're lucky, a whale siting. The food is comparable to the spectacular views. Arrive early for your reservation (strongly advised) or stay later for a walk down to the private beach of their breath-taking property (ask for code to get into security gate at the front desk).
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Point No Point Resort
10829 W Coast RdThis is our favourite local dining choice, among many outstanding contenders. It is a beautiful, historic out-of-the-way resort featuring a creative locavore-inspired menu for lunch and dinner. Tables have binoculars for better views of the coast and, if you're lucky, a whale siting. The food is comparable to the spectacular views. Arrive early for your reservation (strongly advised) or stay later for a walk down to the private beach of their breath-taking property (ask for code to get into security gate at the front desk).
This is the most fun - and truly delicious - destination around. Enjoy paninis, unusual soups, fine coffees, and a variety of treats in the funky space inside or - weather permitting - on the charming grounds. Or take your lunch as a picnic to stunning French Beach down the road. Staff and patrons alike groove to 1980s techno-funk and other high-energy music. Vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary options abound.
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Shirley Delicious
2794 Sheringham Point RdThis is the most fun - and truly delicious - destination around. Enjoy paninis, unusual soups, fine coffees, and a variety of treats in the funky space inside or - weather permitting - on the charming grounds. Or take your lunch as a picnic to stunning French Beach down the road. Staff and patrons alike groove to 1980s techno-funk and other high-energy music. Vegan, gluten-free, and other dietary options abound.
Great funky coffee-shop lunch-place surfer-shack with tasty sandwiches, baked goods, and topnotch coffee to get you ready for the next wave or whatever else you have in mind.
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Cold Shoulder Cafe
11950 W Coast Rd Great funky coffee-shop lunch-place surfer-shack with tasty sandwiches, baked goods, and topnotch coffee to get you ready for the next wave or whatever else you have in mind.
A dependable Sooke institution known for hearty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. You might need to share a meal if you want to save room for the delicious chocolate cream pie for dessert. Good local beers on tap, too.
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Mom's Cafe
2036 Sheilds RdA dependable Sooke institution known for hearty breakfasts, lunches, and dinners. You might need to share a meal if you want to save room for the delicious chocolate cream pie for dessert. Good local beers on tap, too.
Another west-coast locavore gem, this is only open for dinner - enjoy the creative cuisine in a charming heritage house near a pier. Don't miss the chocolate mousse (or get one to go, in a mason jar, for later...).
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WILD MOUNTAIN Food & Drink
1831 Maple Avenue SouthAnother west-coast locavore gem, this is only open for dinner - enjoy the creative cuisine in a charming heritage house near a pier. Don't miss the chocolate mousse (or get one to go, in a mason jar, for later...).
Great sushi, Japanese cuisine, and a few Korean dishes, served in a peaceful location.
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Hara Sushi
6661 Sooke Rd Great sushi, Japanese cuisine, and a few Korean dishes, served in a peaceful location.
Excellent Asian-fusion cuisine for discerning palates - beautifully presented and varied dishes. The California roll features REAL local rock crab!! Good service, but opt for a booth, if available, for a bit more privacy.
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The Beach Restaurant
6676 Sooke RdExcellent Asian-fusion cuisine for discerning palates - beautifully presented and varied dishes. The California roll features REAL local rock crab!! Good service, but opt for a booth, if available, for a bit more privacy.
Impressive menu for a bar-and-grill establishment, with creative cuisine - especially at dinner. Good value lunches and friendly, efficient service. A nice array of local and imported beer, even though the wine list has its limitations.
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Route 14 Sooke
6686 Sooke RdImpressive menu for a bar-and-grill establishment, with creative cuisine - especially at dinner. Good value lunches and friendly, efficient service. A nice array of local and imported beer, even though the wine list has its limitations.
Here's the some of the best coffee on Vancouver Island (on a par with Cafe Fantistico in Victoria and Drumroaster in Cobble Hill to make my "big three" of coffee places, which roast their own beans), along with tasty baked goods in an eclectic milieu.
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The Stick In The Mud Coffee House
6711 Eustace RdHere's the some of the best coffee on Vancouver Island (on a par with Cafe Fantistico in Victoria and Drumroaster in Cobble Hill to make my "big three" of coffee places, which roast their own beans), along with tasty baked goods in an eclectic milieu.
Gorgeous views equaled by fine seafood-heavy menu (well, what else would you expect?). Funky decor, casual interior, and sunny oceanview deck make this a great destination, right next to East Sooke Provincial Park. Friendly competent service helps make a memorable experience.
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Smokin Tuna Cafe
241 Becher Bay RdGorgeous views equaled by fine seafood-heavy menu (well, what else would you expect?). Funky decor, casual interior, and sunny oceanview deck make this a great destination, right next to East Sooke Provincial Park. Friendly competent service helps make a memorable experience.
This solid bakery serves a number of items from the UK, e.g., sausage rolls (billed as "the best in the world"), Melton Mowbray pie, Dundee cake, and Bakewell tart. Have lunch in or take out for a picnic.
Jenny's Olde-Country Fare Ltd
6596 Sooke RdThis solid bakery serves a number of items from the UK, e.g., sausage rolls (billed as "the best in the world"), Melton Mowbray pie, Dundee cake, and Bakewell tart. Have lunch in or take out for a picnic.
A fun Thursday evening awaits you during the summer at the Sooke Museum, with an array of food vendors (dinner options and baked goods), artisans, and even a beer garden run by the friendly guys of SOB (Sooke Oceanside Brewing, that is) with a unique brew each market. This is a good destination for a casual Thursday night dinner al fresco, while shopping for Sooke-made souvenirs.
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Sooke Night Market
2070 Phillips RdA fun Thursday evening awaits you during the summer at the Sooke Museum, with an array of food vendors (dinner options and baked goods), artisans, and even a beer garden run by the friendly guys of SOB (Sooke Oceanside Brewing, that is) with a unique brew each market. This is a good destination for a casual Thursday night dinner al fresco, while shopping for Sooke-made souvenirs.
As the name indicates, this is a home-style place for baking, drinks, and sandwiches, including a tasty charbroiled hamburger - like one at a family cook-out, made by someone who knows how to grill. Tomi's also has good home-made soups.
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Tomi's Home Style Cooking
17152 Parkinson RdAs the name indicates, this is a home-style place for baking, drinks, and sandwiches, including a tasty charbroiled hamburger - like one at a family cook-out, made by someone who knows how to grill. Tomi's also has good home-made soups.
This pub is good for Vancouver Island brews, west-coast cuisine, and impressive outdoor seating, if you can grab a table on the deck. The seafood chowder, fish tacos, and burgers are all solid choices.
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The Renfrew Pub
17310 Parkinson RdThis pub is good for Vancouver Island brews, west-coast cuisine, and impressive outdoor seating, if you can grab a table on the deck. The seafood chowder, fish tacos, and burgers are all solid choices.
Outstanding wood-oven fired authentic Neapolitan-style pizza - great for a picnic on nearby French Beach or to enjoy on their sunny rooftop deck (or inside, at one of the handful of tables)
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Stoked Wood Fired Pizzeria and Market
2908 Tieulie PlOutstanding wood-oven fired authentic Neapolitan-style pizza - great for a picnic on nearby French Beach or to enjoy on their sunny rooftop deck (or inside, at one of the handful of tables)
Drinks & Nightlife
It is not just a meadery but also an "eco-musee", which explains the process of mead and apiculture. Unusual meads (akin to wines and fortified wines, rather than the sweet stuff you might have tried at a medieval fayre!!!). Warm welcome and charming agricultural setting make for a fine destination and place to stock up on alcoholic local products as well as honey.
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Tugwell Creek Honey Farm and Meadery
8750 W Coast RdIt is not just a meadery but also an "eco-musee", which explains the process of mead and apiculture. Unusual meads (akin to wines and fortified wines, rather than the sweet stuff you might have tried at a medieval fayre!!!). Warm welcome and charming agricultural setting make for a fine destination and place to stock up on alcoholic local products as well as honey.
A great spot for local craft beer - sample their five or so brews made onsite and buy a "growler" or a "grunt" of one of their beers to enjoy later. Friendly knowledgeable staff who are passionate about their brews.
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Sooke Oceanside Brewery
5871-A Sooke RoadA great spot for local craft beer - sample their five or so brews made onsite and buy a "growler" or a "grunt" of one of their beers to enjoy later. Friendly knowledgeable staff who are passionate about their brews.
17 Mile House Pub
5126 Sooke RdThe newest (and closest) micro-brewery is just a five-minute drive from the suite in Otter Point. The beers have humourous names and are all worth sampling. They have picnic tables in a wooded tranquil location for your brew tasting, too,
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Bad Dog Brewing Company
7861 Tugwell RdThe newest (and closest) micro-brewery is just a five-minute drive from the suite in Otter Point. The beers have humourous names and are all worth sampling. They have picnic tables in a wooded tranquil location for your brew tasting, too,
This is a worth a visit, while in downtown Sooke, for its beautiful tasting room. Massive live-edged wooden tables allow you to savour their own brews in a typical west-coast setting. Friendly service and good beer have make this a new local institution - popular with residents and visitors alike.
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Sooke Brewing Company
2057 Otter Point RdThis is a worth a visit, while in downtown Sooke, for its beautiful tasting room. Massive live-edged wooden tables allow you to savour their own brews in a typical west-coast setting. Friendly service and good beer have make this a new local institution - popular with residents and visitors alike.
Parks & Nature
One of the most spectacular and accessible beaches on a spectacular coast. Great for a 45-minute walk in the fine sand, a day of tanning, or exploring tidal pools, full of local flora and fauna.
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French Beach Provincial Park
One of the most spectacular and accessible beaches on a spectacular coast. Great for a 45-minute walk in the fine sand, a day of tanning, or exploring tidal pools, full of local flora and fauna.
This is a superb 45-60-minute walk, close to the iconic Sooke Harbour House. There are many benches, a relatively flat walking trail, and charming beaches - a popular destination.
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Whiffin Spit
This is a superb 45-60-minute walk, close to the iconic Sooke Harbour House. There are many benches, a relatively flat walking trail, and charming beaches - a popular destination.
Spectacular views, hiking trails, petroglyphs, beaches, and wooded walks - a perfect spot with more options for exploring nature than just about anywhere nearby.
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East Sooke Regional Park
6807 East Sooke RoadSpectacular views, hiking trails, petroglyphs, beaches, and wooded walks - a perfect spot with more options for exploring nature than just about anywhere nearby.
Muir Creek
This gorgeous rocky beach is well worth exploring.
A unique riverside park, Sooke Potholes is popular with tourists and locals alike for swimming in the "potholes" themselves, hiking, photography (dramatic waterfalls and rainforest), picnics, and exploration of several hours or more. This is a must-see.
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Sooke Potholes Provincial Park
Sooke River RoadA unique riverside park, Sooke Potholes is popular with tourists and locals alike for swimming in the "potholes" themselves, hiking, photography (dramatic waterfalls and rainforest), picnics, and exploration of several hours or more. This is a must-see.
A six-minute drive from West Coast Beachview Suite, Ella Beach is a lesser-known but fine destination. It is quite pebbly and rocky - rather than sandy - yet is good for walking at low tide or for those who prefer fewer people. The views are exceptional and would complement nicely a beach picnic or day of tanning/playing in the water.
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Ella Beach
Ella Road A six-minute drive from West Coast Beachview Suite, Ella Beach is a lesser-known but fine destination. It is quite pebbly and rocky - rather than sandy - yet is good for walking at low tide or for those who prefer fewer people. The views are exceptional and would complement nicely a beach picnic or day of tanning/playing in the water.
An easy 10-minute walk through impossibly tall trees leads down to a long spectacular beach, perfect for wading, strolling, or hanging out to just watch the waves roll in.
Make sure you go to the China Beach/Mystic Beach day-use parking (the second one, coming from our suite) and turn to the left for China Beach parking.
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China Beach Trailhead
47 Juan De Fuca HwyAn easy 10-minute walk through impossibly tall trees leads down to a long spectacular beach, perfect for wading, strolling, or hanging out to just watch the waves roll in.
Make sure you go to the China Beach/Mystic Beach day-use parking (the second one, coming from our suite) and turn to the left for China Beach parking.
Mystic Beach is right next door to China Beach but has a much much longer walk/hike down to the shore. For a longer walk through the woods, Mystic is a good choice, especially with its suspension bridge and rustic paths. Plan on an hour each way for the hikes to/from the beach proper.
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Mystic Beach
Mystic Beach is right next door to China Beach but has a much much longer walk/hike down to the shore. For a longer walk through the woods, Mystic is a good choice, especially with its suspension bridge and rustic paths. Plan on an hour each way for the hikes to/from the beach proper.
Botany Bay and Botanical Beach are beautiful in natural diversity, often shrouded in fog and mist. They are well worth a few hours of exploration, from hiking trails in the woods to tidal pools, filled with marine life.
Botany Bay
Botany Bay and Botanical Beach are beautiful in natural diversity, often shrouded in fog and mist. They are well worth a few hours of exploration, from hiking trails in the woods to tidal pools, filled with marine life.
Botany Bay and Botanical Beach are beautiful in natural diversity, often shrouded in fog and mist. They are well worth a few hours of exploration, from hiking trails in the woods to tidal pools, filled with marine life.
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Botanical Beach
Botany Bay and Botanical Beach are beautiful in natural diversity, often shrouded in fog and mist. They are well worth a few hours of exploration, from hiking trails in the woods to tidal pools, filled with marine life.
Arts & Culture
Sooke Region Museum & Visitor Centre
2070 Phillips RdEssentials
Village Food Market
6661 Sooke RdShoppers Drug Mart
6660 Sooke Rd