Guidebooks often group Victoria, Vancouver, and Seattle together as the
Pacific Northwest or as the Golden Triangle. Other guides hide Victoria in
their section on Vancouver Island or tuck it away as an afterthought in a
book on BC as a whole while Vancouver gets all the attention.
Luckily, Victoria is also a favourite among historians
and there are some great books on the city, its people, and its landmarks.
This page is my take on some of the many books about Victoria; they are
alphabetical by title.
- British Columbia, by lonely planet (1st ed. April 2001 -- ISBN 1864502207)
- Victoria is tucked into the section on Vancouver Island and gets 18 pages out
of the book's total of over 400. The info it gives is useful, if a bit over-selective
(I am not sure how they selected the three bookstores mentioned out of the dozens
in town). It's as up-to-date as any guidebook can be with Victoria's volatile food
and services sector.
- Island Treasures, by Carolyn Thomas and Jill Stewart (1986, Harbour Publishing -- ISBN 0920080790)
- Though frightfully out of date, this is my kind of guidebook. Little known insider
stuff that starts with "fun outings" and includes ideas like watching the cruise ships
come in (something which is still a sight to see!). This guidebook also covers popular
Vancouver Island destinations and the Gulf Islands.
- New Victoria Walking Guide, by Rosemary Neering (2001, Whitecap Books -- ISBN 1552851842)
- Victoria is a walkable city and this guide really proves it. Approximately 125 pages
dedicated to 8 tours of the most picturesque and historic walking areas: Old Town/Chinatown,
James Bay, Vic West/Selkirk Water, Beacon Hill/Fairfield, Rockland, Oak Bay, University of Victoria/Cadboro Bay,
and Sidney. Nice variety, a little history, and suggestions such as best places to view outdoor art or
contemplate life.
- Vancouver Island South Explorer, by Mark Zuehlke (1994, Whitecap Books -- ISBN 1551101416)
- Chapter three is devoted to the Victoria area -- 27 pages out of just over 200.
But it is a book on hiking, biking and paddling, so there is understandably more outside
the Capital area. However, Zuehlke does a good job of listing the parks, trails and
waterways available. Unfortunatley, the Galloping Goose trail was not completed at the
time this book was written, but otherwise the information is relatively complete.
- Victoria: Another view by Robert Amos (1993, Orca Publishers -- ISBN 1551430053)
- Amos' beautiful watercolours and rough sketches fill the pages of this book which is
equal parts guidebook, history lesson and keepsake. Most of the scenes pictured remain the
same. Amos has just released a second Victoria book: Victoria Sketchbook (2002,
Orca Publishers -- ISBN 1551431971)
- Victoria Guide Book, by Betty Campbell (1982, Campbell's Publishing -- ISBN 0920614108)
- This book is a fun historical read but should NOT be relied upon as a guidebook.
Being 20 years out of date, most of the buinesses have either gone under or moved --
the interesting thing is that some have actually remained.
- Victoria Secrets of the City, by Kevin Barefoot (2000, Arsenal Pulp Press -- ISBN 1551520850)
- This is a fabulous starting point for any traveller looking for something other than
the average attractions. Jam-packed with lesser-known facts and information it includes
such things as a list of every movie ever filmed in Victoria (up to publication of course),
an introduction to Victoria's literary and arts scenes, ghost stories, and lots of alternative
shopping and partying options. If you buy one guidebook, get this one! If you can't find
it where you live, contact the publisher: Arsenal Pulp Press.
Site designed and maintained by Cheryl DeWolfe.
All site contents and photos © 1997-2007 Cheryl DeWolfe unless otherwise noted.
