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.

Right near the Port of Victoria, this is a perfect spot for soaking in beautiful views of the…read moresunset, sunrise, and basically any part of the day. You can see the open ocean and the mountains in the distance. If you're lucky you can see seals and other wildlife too! The walk stretches almost 800 meters/slightly over a mile into the Strait of Juan de Fuca and it's paved flat with fencing on either side, so you definitely feel safe walking here, although you want to secure your lighter belongings as the wind can be pretty strong blowing from across the ocean. You can also watch the cruise ships and other boats entering and exiting the port, or people watch if that's your thing. There were plenty of people visiting, but it wasn't crowded feeling at all. This is a great peaceful spot to spend some time at.

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.

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.

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.

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

I loved the ambiance and corner store vibes. Loved the coffee and pastries along with all the…read moreinteresting arts and crafts. Went back several times during our stay

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.

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

My last review had me proclaiming that this was goodbye to Yelp ... as far as 2023 was concerned…read more But I lied - here I am with one final review for this year. Hee! I was very impressed with the holiday display yesterday at the annual - Lights at Lafarge. The display surrounds the entire Lafarge Lake here in Coquitlam, not far from Coquitlam Centre Mall. Kudos to the team that put it all together! The light show was a step up from previous years & this is why I waited to do this review. An easy gentle walk around the lake, budget your time for 1 hour. Dress warm but mind you last night was a Global Warming climate comfortable experience at 10°C/50F with light rain & no breeze. I've experienced this same walk before & it had been quite chilly & heavy with rain. Lucked out too last night cause it was not crowded at all. I've tagged this event for Christmas next year. Rather than ohhhhhhhh & ahhhhhhh you with words, have a look at my pix! Cheers! Oh & did I mention that this was a completely free event? Free as in absolutely free! Come on down! Yahoooooo! Happy new year to all you Yelpies! Bear with me while I catch up with LIKES on your pages. I need to hire a Yelp assistant. Ha! SYOY-24!

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.

A beautiful day exploring the San Juan Islands Sculpture Park, wandering along the grassy trails…read moreand discovering unexpected treasures around every corner. Then I stumbled upon this handsome turquoise fellow sitting in the grass with a big grin on his face and a sign that read, "I've Been Kissed." I had to laugh. With those big golden eyes and that confident smile, he looked like he'd been quite the ladies' man. I wondered how many people had stopped to kiss him, hoping to turn an ordinary walk through the park into their own fairy tale!

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