Victoria is the beautiful capitol city of the western providence of British Columbia, Canada.  It's location on the southern tip of Vancouver Island makes it a tourist destination for many reasons.  It is clean, safe, historical, great for families with it's museums, IMAX, and parks and it's wineries and hip trendy restaurants make it great for couples too. Staying in the Inner Harbor area allows you to walk nearly everywhere, but no problem if you need to drive as parking is easy to find and pretty affordable.  There are a number of options for getting to Victoria depending on if you want to have your car with you or leave it at home.

Driving affords you the opportunity to explore the surrounding areas on your own.  Note that buses and tours are readily available to take you to all the popular attractions located outside of Victoria.  Victoria is a very walkable city so don't be afraid to arrive without a car.

Taking an auto ferry to Victoria:

• Leaving from Anacortes, WA - The Washington State Ferry system operates an Anacortes to Sidney, BC route seasonally (roughly from April 1st through the fall).  Sidney is about 30 minutes north of Victoria.  Reservations are highly recommended and I wouldn't try to catch this ferry without one.  There is only one run during the shoulder seasons and two runs during the summer.  The ferry stops at Friday Harbor making the entire crossing a 2.5 hour affair.  There is a small galley on board that serves drinks, snacks, beer, wine and limited food.  These ferries frequently run late making the journey even longer.  The ferry schedule can be found HERE and reservations can be made HERE.  This ferry is slightly less expensive than the other two options.
• Leaving from Tsawwassen (south of Vancouver, BC) - The BC Ferry System has ferries leaving multiple times a day from Tsawwassen to Sidney (and to many other islands).  These boats are huge and so nice!  Reservations are also recommended but since these boats are much larger and run many more times a day, it is much easier to get to Vancouver Island from the mainland on a BC Ferry.  Schedules can be found HERE and reservations can be found HERE.  While slightly more expensive than the Washington State Ferries, the shorter ride (1.5 hours), direct service and the cleanliness and beauty of the vessels definitely make up for it.  This is my preferred way of getting to Victoria with a car.
• Leaving from Port Angeles, WA (on the Olympic Peninsula) - The Black Ball Ferry brings you straight into Victoria's Inner Harbor allowing you to skip the drive from Sidney.  The ferry ride is 1.5 hours and costs about the same as taking the BC Ferry.  Reservations are required unless you get lucky and there is space available on a crossing.  They offer 2-3 runs back and forth per day depending on the season.  This is a good option if you are coming from the Olympic or Kitsap Peninsulas.  Schedules can be found HERE and reservations can be made HERE.

Other options to Victoria:

• Victoria Clipper is a passenger only ferry that runs from Seattle's waterfront to Victoria's Inner Harbor.  The trip takes 2 hours and 45 minutes and would be very scenic on a sunny day.  If you are traveling in the winter or on a day with high winds be aware that when they cancel sailings due to weather, they get you to or from Victoria via bus.  This happened to us twice during the winter season which didn't leave a good impression.  Book well in advance during peak season, this is a popular way to get to Victoria and to the San Juan Islands.
• Kenmore Air offers seaplane flights from their Kenmore location (the northern tip of Lake Washington near Seattle) to Victoria's Inner Harbor.  This is by far the quickest and most scenic way to arrive but also the most expensive.

We have stayed at several hotels in Victoria, including the Worldmark property, the famous Empress Hotel, Marriott's Ocean Pointe Resort and one of the many Bed & Breakfasts.  All have been great but our favorite BY FAR is Parkside Hotel and Spa.

Back when it was just my husband and I traveling together, a nice B&B or the Fairmont Empress were wonderful options.  With kids, it's nice to have more space than a standard size hotel room to relax in and separate beds for each child is a must.  The Parkside is a condo style hotel with separate bedrooms and living areas with either full kitchens or kitchenettes.  Here are some of the reasons the Parkside has become our favorite.

• Location - while not on the water, the Parkside is located two blocks in from the Inner Harbor, three blocks from Beacon Hill Park, two blocks from the Royal BC Museum and about 5 blocks from the best restaurants and boutique shopping area.  It is also across the street from St. Ann's Academy which is a beautiful old property with pretty gardens.
• Units - even the smallest one bedroom units with kitchenettes are far larger than standard hotel rooms and come with a living area, clean modern bathrooms and balconies.  On our last stay we booked a one bedroom unit and received a stunning two bedroom corner unit with a huge balcony, full kitchen and two full baths.  I believe all units have a sleeper sofa giving you a third bed when you book a two bedroom.
• Extras - the Parkside has a large, well kept indoor pool and hot tub, a nice fitness room and the plush bathrobes in each unit are a cozy way to get from your room to the pool.  The in-house FREE movie theater seats about 20 in oversized leather chairs and plays two movies an evening.  The 6pm show is suitable for all ages and the 9pm show is good for older kids or adults (depending on what is playing).  The movie schedule is posted in the elevators or you can call the hotel before your arrival and make a recommendation.  Borrowing the hotel bicycles can be a fun way to see the town.  Bikes are first come, first served at no charge and come with helmets and locks.  We like to ride the three blocks over to Beacon Hill Park and visit the Children's Farm there.  Care to roast marshmallows on the rooftop deck?  Supplies can be purchased at the front desk and you can relax the evening away on the rooftop.  If you have time for a spa visit (which I never have when traveling with my kids), they have a first class spa with many services.
• Hotel - the atrium at the Parkside features glass walls on two sides with koi ponds and a variety of sitting areas to enjoy this beautiful eco-friendly property.  While the Parkside doesn't have an on-site restaurant or room service (it does offer breakfast service), the coffee shop is open all day and serves lunch, dinner, beer and wine, and there are so many great restaurants within walking distance.
• Service - consistently welcoming and helpful, anything you need they can assist you with.  All the staff members I've encountered have been friendly and so helpful.

There are many hotels, condos and inns to choose from when staying in Victoria, and I'm sure there are many others that are also fabulous.  But once you've stayed at the Parkside you might not be interested in trying any of the others out.

Victoria really has a lot to offer for all ages.  I love taking the kids here but choose different things to do depending on their age.  If I was visiting with only adults I would do some wine tasting, visit some of the many art galleries, enjoy high tea, sample the delicious lunch menu at Butchart Gardens dining room and probably fit in some time at the spa.  With kids, I'd choose some of these things.

• Interactivity Board Game Cafe - one of our favorite places, come enjoy some great food and drinks and spend a few hours playing games.  Choose from over 500 board and card games, their friendly staff will teach you how to play any of them.  Not only for kids, there is a 19+ section that serves tasty cocktails.
• Hatley Castle & Park - located along the coast on the property of Royal Roads University, this beautiful Edwardian estate and gardens is definitely worth the 20 minute drive from downtown.  Well maintained gardens surround the castle and can be explored for free.  I recommend packing a picnic and enjoying a meal in the Japanese or Italian gardens.  Guided tours of the interior are available for a fee.  This would be a wonderful destination wedding location.
• Beacon Park - wonderful petting zoo, beautiful gardens, multiple playgrounds, bike and walking paths, ponds and so much more.  Walking distance to Cook Street Village with its outdoor cafes and cute shops, and only a few blocks from the Inner Harbour.