Highlights in OAK BAY Oakbay.ca/explore-oak-bay/festivals-events

This charming little enclave on Vancouver Island will have clients living like a local in no time, says charlotte Flach

Kick back at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel: Nestled on the shores of the Pacific Ocean near Victoria, BC, Oak Bay Beach Hotel provides the perfect base to explore the area. A home away from home, the property features modern comforts but with the added bonus of views across the rocky bay. A focus on wellness complements the property’s natural surroundings, with sunrise yoga sessions held in the garden and dips in the seaside mineral pools guaranteed to relax the mind. Clients can also pamper themselves at the Boathouse Spa and finish off with a sumptuous dinner at The Snug. Wine-paired dinners are held frequently. oakbaybeachhotel.com indulge in afternoon tea: Much like in the UK, afternoon tea is an event in Oak Bay. For a quintessentially British experience head to the White Heather Tea Room which offers the finest sweet treats, or sip a steaming cup amongst colourful blooms at Abkhazi Garden. There’s also freshly baked goods at Windsor Cafe to try or head to The Oaks Restaurant and Tea Room for a real locals experience. oaksrestaurant.ca

Take a tour of salish sea: A visit to Oak Bay isn’t complete without taking to the sparkling waters. Whether its kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing or a boat trip to a private beach, there’s a tour to suit all water enthusiasts. Ecosphere Tours offers a custom itinerary on a zero-emissions landing craft while Oak Bay Tours reveals the area’s history whilst looking for sea birds, seals, otters and playful sea lions. Keen angles can hook themselves halibut, salmon and maybe rockfish or lingcod on a fishing trip with King Size Adventures. oakbaytours.com

Head for the beach: From the craggy rocks of McNeill Bay to the sandy haven of Willows Beach, Oak Bay is blessed with accessible beaches year-round. Visitors can enjoy barefoot beach strolls, wildlife viewing, boating, fishing and gentle paddling along the shoreline or head to Oak Bay Marina to watch the boats come and go. As the sun begins to set grab some authentic fish and chips wrapped up in newspaper at Willows Galley and enjoy a dinner on the beach to a soundtrack of the waves. oceanriver.com

Meet the locals: Oak Bay may be small but it’s certainly not sleepy. Residents like to keep things lively with night markets, music nights, movie nights, picnics, festivals and more. Community events run throughout the year and offer the chance to share stories with the locals. In summer, visit the Oak Bay Night Markets where you’ll find treasures and treats, vibe to live music at Willow’s Beach, or drop in to Oak Bay Tea Party in June, complete with floating tea cup challenge. In winter, Hallowe’en on the

Avenue or Christmas in Oak Bay are seasonal favourites that draw the crowds.

Retail therapy: Shoppers on the hunt for a bargain can rely on Oak Bay’s two main shopping districts, featuring an eclectic mix of boutique shops, cafes and art galleries to browse. Head over to Oak Bay Avenue to grab a coffee and fuel up at Ottavio or Hide & Seek, then check out its galleries and shops. For antiques and nik naks, seek out the quaint shops at Estevan Village where you will find a treasure or two to bring home. oakbaytourism.com/shop admire the art: Creativity is celebrated in Oak Bay’s art galleries and throughout the community. See paintings, sculptors and glass and jewellery art on an Arts and Culture walking tour. Look out for art installations that are part of Arts Alive, an annual public art programme where artwork is selected to be displayed at outdoor sites for a year. You can also listen out for a tune on one of five outdoor painted pianos that are placed all around town as part of the public painted piano programme. ccpacanada.com go exploring: Oak Bay is steeped in rich history, which can be seen in its Tudor-style houses and historic sites. Wander the streets and admire heritage designated homes. Nature enthusiasts can hike around Anderson Hill Park for panoramic ocean views or explore Uplands Park which has one of the greatest concentrations of rare plant species in Canada. Other ways to explore include boat tours, walking tours, bicycle rides or cruising along on the Hop-on-Hop-Off bus. sightseeingvictoria.com sample culinary delights:

Oak Bay’s restaurants pride themselves on using fresh, local ingredients.

Vis-a-Vis on the Avenue offers a fine dining concept, while The Penny Farthing Public House serves up hearty pub grub and pints of local beer. Or maximise the seafront views over seafood or sushi at Marina Restaurant. Once a month from June to September a European-style street market has local produce and hot-n-ready street food. visavisoakbay.com expand your horizons: Oak Bay is less than 5km to the Inner Harbour in Victoria, where famous landmarks include the Legislative Buildings, the Empress Hotel and the Royal BC Museum. There’s also the chance to join whale watching tours, ride on float planes, or experience the iconic pickle boats. WildPlay Element Parks, with its gravity-defying high ropes courses and ziplines, is 11km away and the famous Butchart Gardens is just 20km away for a more relaxing encounter with nature. tourismvictoria.com