Bites of James Bay: A Food and History Tour of Victoria’s Oldest Neighborhood

Victoria has more restaurants per capita than anywhere else in Canada and was voted one of the best foodie cities in the world. And some of the city’s best restaurants can be found in its oldest neighborhood, James Bay. On this walking tour, you’ll get insider knowledge on where to eat, what to order and the history behind the establishments. The tour starts outside Finest at Sea, a seafood market and food truck. From there you’ll trace part of the harbor before venturing into James Bay proper and ending outside For Good Measure, a grocery and coffee shop. Along the way, you’ll find hidden gardens and hear the stories behind this historical neighborhood. You’ll also see some of the city’s iconic landmarks like the Royal BC Museum and Legislative Assembly of British Columbia building as well as some lesser-known ones including the Victoria Cenotaph and the Knowledge Totem. I’ll provide you with behind-the-scenes information on Pendray Inn and Tea House, the James Bay Inn Hotel, and local institution, Barbs Fish & Chips. On this tour, you’ll have a chance to: • Stroll along Fisherman's Wharf and learn how it developed from mud flats to one of Victoria’s most visited free tourist attractions complete with floating restaurants • Find out why so many streets and buildings are called James Douglas, including James Bay • Discover which hotel is haunted by famous artist, Emily Carr • Get to know who designed the famous Legislature Building and why the locals despised the original one • Hear how the gold rush transformed Victoria from a small fur trading fort to a bustling city • Get local insider tips from a foodie expert on where to eat and what to order Visiting James Bay is a must-do activity when in Victoria and we’re going to show you our favorite foodie haunts, tell you the stories behind some of the most popular destinations, and entertain you with stories about the beginnings of our beautiful city. There’s a lot of ground to cover! We suggest wearing comfortable shoes, bringing along a water bottle, and allowing 2-3 hours to complete.

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