A Hidden Gem with a Big Heart!…read more We absolutely loved our ride on the Plover! For a very small price, you get a truly unique experience and a beautiful view of Blaine from the water. I went with my daughter and my young grandson--it was his very first time on a boat, and now he's totally hooked! The captain went out of his way to make it extra special for him, and I'm so grateful to the entire crew for making us feel so welcome. It's clear this little boat has a big heart. We'll definitely be riding again many times next summer! The ride between Semiahmoo and Blaine is smooth and scenic. It's just a short, easy walk to the resort and restaurant in Semiahmoo, and in Blaine, you're steps away from waterfront dining and charming shops. Don't miss this special experience. We love the Plover!

If you missed Disney's jungle cruise and wondered what a cannery themed one might be like, look no…read morefurther. This quaint water taxi is not fast, it's not got witty banter and it's not on rails but the captain and crew are kid friendly and there are seals and lots of birds. Take some time and enjoy a charming ferry ride.

Looks long and it is a long walk. Just a little over a mile in length but feels longer when the…read morewind is swirling. Hoodie good, hat not good. Did not make it to the lighthouse in fear of missing the ferry. Beautiful views.

This is a great place to visit if you are at the Victoria, British Columbia, Canada cruise port…read more It's walking distance from the ships to see the water and lighthouse. This is a great walking activity. Approximately 1 mile walk round-trip from the cruise terminal.

If you are looking for an usual experience on Orcas Island do not forego visiting this very special…read moreprivate museum that has over 800 works of art from 250 San Juan Island artists. It features the largest collection of HELEN Loggie's work and an extensive collection from James Hardman all in an exquisite architectural setting on the water with breathtaking views complete with follies. It is breathtaking and will provide you with inspiration and awe along with thanks that people like Leo Lambiel exist in this world.

Leo Lambiel's guided tour of his awesome home cum museum is awesome, and well worth the $20 fee per…read moreperson. His taste in art by San Juan Islands artists is eclectic -- inspiring, humorous, ironic, abstract, representational -- in a range of media. The house reflects his own craftsmanship in construction and decoration, and grew from its origins as a cabin to a mansion of many rooms, soaring ceilings, windowed walls, and outdoor stairways. Leo's folly is the grotto, which he continues to work on after 17 years. Wine also is his passion, and his wine room has patterned walls made of used corks. Altogether, a wonderful tour.

Fan Tan Alley, one of the narrowest streets in Canada and is only three to six feet wide and 240…read morefeet long, that runs between Fisgard Street and Pandora Avenue (formerly Cormorant Street). It came into being between 1885 and 1920 as Chinese and Western landowners initially constructed buildings fronting on Fisgard and Cormorant, then over time filled in the spaces behind with new building. "Fan Tan" is named after a game played in gambling dens above the alley. The lower storefronts housed opium dens, restaurants, and shops. Opium was legal in Canada until 1908, but gambling was not. Trap doors to second floors and locked gates at each end of the alley helped slow down police during raids on the illegal gambling dens. Today, Fan Tan Alley is a neat shopping street with several locally owned stores. The shops are small in size, but each offers something different. Products available in Fan Tan Alley range from ice cream and other treats to vintage records and trendy clothing. Another key feature of Fan Tan Alley is its architecture. A significant amount of the exterior has a brick finish. The old buildings appear extra tall thanks to the street's narrow width.

fan tan alley feels like a secret the city almost doesn't want you to find…read more you can wander through victoria's chinatown without noticing it, then suddenly there it is: an impossibly narrow passage wedged between old brick buildings. stepping in feels less like entering an alley and more like slipping behind the curtain of the city. its name comes from fan tan, a gambling game once played in hidden rooms nearby. a century ago, this alley was alive with apartments, businesses, clan halls, gambling dens, and opium rooms, all connected by stairways, courtyards, and passageways mostly invisible from the street. while some activity was secretive, the bigger story is the community that thrived here despite discrimination and exclusion. for generations of chinese immigrants, fan tan alley offered work, friendship, support, and a sense of belonging. the buildings and hidden courtyards weren't just functional, they were the backbone of a community carving out its own space in a world that often shut them out. the narrow alley, tiny doorways, upper windows, and unusual fractional addresses like "1/2" all hint at the dense, layered way life was lived here. today, fan tan alley hums with a quieter energy. independent shops, galleries, studios, and cafés occupy spaces that once hid games, meetings, and everyday life. the history isn't confined to plaques or museum displays, it lingers in the narrow passage, the hidden courtyards, and the oddly numbered doorways. for all the stories of gambling dens and opium rooms, what remains most striking is the sense that this was, above all, a place where people built lives. walking through it feels less like seeing a landmark and more like stumbling across a piece of history that never quite disappeared.

When I left Victoria in '11, this building had just started to renovate. Now that is is finished I…read morespent a sunny Victoria lunch hour wandering the harbour and decided to peek in. The building holds a Starbuck, restaurant with bar and Robert Bateman Center Shop and Gallery upstairs. I loved that they stayed true to the original design of the building it is so beautiful.

Have you seen the drama "The Beachcombers". Yup it was filmed in Gibson Landing and that is what…read morethey are known today. The known restaurant Molly's Reach is operating in Gibsons. Well it was really a stage prop but the owner of Molly's Reach bought it many years (10 years or so I believe) after it was left abandoned and transformed it into a real restaurant. They also have the Persphone boat on site great for picture taking. The boat is beside or within walking distance from Molly's Reach. I actually came here in 2015. Surprised that I didn't write a review at that time. Today Gibsons Landing is a tourist attraction landmark. Not all restaurants are open during regular hours in the summer due to labour shortage (not sure if this is still the case but it was for many years). It is a really cute tiny town. You do need to take the ferry if you are coming from Vancouver (or you can drive the extra miles up Squamish, cross and back down). Yes it is not really an island and yes it is connect to the mainland. Also you need a car to sight-see.

I booked with non refundable hotel and then find out I can't go stay there. After communicating…read morewith owner they kindly offered to refund me. I appreciate it. Thank you

My friends and I stopped here for a pre-hike coffee and a treat. I don't have any photos of this…read morebut inside there are tons of other wonderful things. If you're looking for some handmade soap or some other crafty items this is a place for you. A wonderful place to find items to bring home if you need souvenirs for loved ones. I got a latte and two different squares. The coffee was very tasty and rich in flavor. I tried the lemon Square and the blueberry square. I have to say the lemon square was the winner. It had such a nice zest to it with the delicious lemon curd.

Coffee, snacks, and gifts galore! We took a small detour when we were hiking around Lynn Canyon and…read morefound ourselves here in need of an energy boost! I'm so glad we stopped by for coffee, energy drinks, and a restroom break. We also ended up finding several cute gifts for my nephew - they have an extensive kids section full of educational games and toys. The gals working here were friendly and helpful, too! The coffee was tasty and things were not overpriced as one might expect them to be in a neighborhood such as this!

I always thought Lafarge Lake lights would be the same every year! But I was wrong there's some new…read morestuff they add each time ^^ so it was refreshing to see, it's a cute date idea for free to do with friends or luved ones

We come here once a year. Usually during Christmas/holiday season it's super busy and hard to park…read moreat. This year we decided to go after the holiday season since the weather was nice. Way less people which made the whole thing more enjoyable. Love that they have lots of photo stations and that there are warming stations.

Having watched the 2010 Winter Olympics on television, I hoped then to someday get the chance to…read morevisit Vancouver to see it in person. Today was that day of a wish coming true. While it seemed more impressive on the tv screen back then, I nevertheless appreciated the moment.

This history with the 2010 Winter Olympics makes this thing seem cooler than it is. I saw some…read morepictures from back when it was lit up with flames and it is in fact pretty spectacular looking. Now it's only lit for special occasions. But besides that as a "landmark" it's just meh. Since I was in this part of Vancouver it was somewhat worth it to stop by just to see it. The big black LEGO dolphin nearby is much cooler.

Fun stop to breakup the drive Free activity Enjoy A little…read morestretch and enjoy the fresh air

We thought this place was going to be cheesy and dumb. But we were MISTAKEN, it was cool. You can…read morepick trails, you can walk it all, you can find birds, you can sit and talk, you have tons of photo ops. We loved it!!! We walked and talked. Enjoyed the beautiful weather.