Victoria Evening Newcomers Club

Victoria Evening Newcomers Club Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Victoria Evening Newcomers Club, Nonprofit Organization, Oak Bay, BC.

VENC is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to engaging those who are new to the Victoria area by providing "insider" information about Victoria and organizing a variety of fun activities.

Another great VENC Brisk Walk last Saturday! We headed out through Oak Bay before heading up to the Gonzales Observatory...
09/04/2026

Another great VENC Brisk Walk last Saturday! We headed out through Oak Bay before heading up to the Gonzales Observatory --a pretty worthwhile climb for the views alone. The distinctive white-domed observatory has been sitting atop Gonzales Hill for more than a century. Opened in 1914, it was originally the Pacific Coast headquarters of the Dominion Meteorological Service. But they weren’t just keeping an eye on the weather. The station also recorded earthquakes, made astronomical observations and, in the days before GPS, helped provide the accurate time mariners needed to navigate. After taking in the views over Victoria, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic Mountains, we headed back to the Windsor Café for coffee and treats. Always a great way to kick off the weekend!
Huge thanks to Bernie for leading the walk, and to everyone who joined us!
To learn more about this and other VENC activities, visit our Activities page: https://www.victorianewcomers.ca/1723991

Last Sunday’s VENC Monthly Hike included one of the most awe-inspiring tails in Greater Victoria—along the Timberman Tra...
08/28/2026

Last Sunday’s VENC Monthly Hike included one of the most awe-inspiring tails in Greater Victoria—along the Timberman Trail to the Squally Reach Viewpoint in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park. It’s a good climb in places, but the payoff is worth it. The trail winds through classic West Coast forest before reaching the rocky viewpoint high above Squally Reach and Saanich Inlet, with sweeping views toward the Malahat. A great hike, some spectacular scenery, and another chance to discover a part of Vancouver Island that many of us might otherwise never get to see.

New to Greater Victoria? VENC’s walks and hikes are just some of the many ways to get out, explore the area and meet new people. Take a look at all the activities VENC has to offer at: https://www.victorianewcomers.ca/Activities

Saturday’s Brisk Walk started in Fernwood Square, and included a wonderful tour of one of Victoria’s oldest, funkiest an...
08/23/2026

Saturday’s Brisk Walk started in Fernwood Square, and included a wonderful tour of one of Victoria’s oldest, funkiest and most creative neighbourhoods. Fernwood has long had a wonderfully independent, artsy personality. Heritage homes sit alongside colourful murals, painted utility poles, community gardens, quirky little businesses and plenty of unexpected artistic touches.

Originally known as Spring Ridge because of the natural springs that provided Victoria's earliest drinking water. Fernwood supplied building materials (mostly sand and gravel) for Victoria’s growing construction industry in the 1900's -- much to the frustration of nearby residents. Tensions eased by 1912, when the present-day Victoria High School (the oldest public school in Western Canada) was built on part of the former pit site. After the walk, we treated ourselves to a brunch at the Fernwood Inn, where you can always count on a scrumptious meal.

Huge thanks to Cathy for leading the walk and sharing insights into local history, and to everyone who joined us.

If you're iterested in joining us for a future walk or learning more about the Victoria Evening Newcomers Club, just check us out at:
https://www.victorianewcomers.ca/About

Looking for a relaxed way to meet more VENC members? Pub Night is a casual monthly get-together where members and their ...
08/11/2026

Looking for a relaxed way to meet more VENC members? Pub Night is a casual monthly get-together where members and their partners can enjoy a drink, grab a bite, and spend an evening getting to know one another. This month, we gathered at The Loghouse Pub in Langford, a Westshore favourite that has been welcoming locals since 1989.

If you haven’t joined us for Pub Night yet, why not give the next one a try? Come on your own or bring your partner — it’s an easy, informal way to meet some new people and catch up with familiar faces. Keep an eye on the VENC calendar for details of our next Pub Night.

Stopping for a moment to enjoy the view. Last Saturday’s VENC Brisk Walk took us around Thetis Lake Regional Park, a fam...
08/10/2026

Stopping for a moment to enjoy the view. Last Saturday’s VENC Brisk Walk took us around Thetis Lake Regional Park, a familiar spot to many Victorians, but one with an interesting history.

Established in 1958, Thetis Lake was Canada’s first nature sanctuary west of the Rockies. The lakes also played an important role in Victoria’s early development, becoming part of the city’s first water-supply system in the 1860s.

After our walk, we headed to another local landmark, the Six Mile Pub, for coffee. Dating back to 1855, the Six Mile is one of the oldest pubs in British Columbia. Its name comes from its location roughly six miles from Victoria along the old route north, when it served as a stopping place for travellers making their way up Vancouver Island.

A little exercise, a little local history and, of course, coffee. Thanks to everyone who joined us for another great Saturday morning!

Many thanks to Edie for leading Saturday's Brisk Walk ... and to everyone who joined us! What started out as a rainy mor...
08/04/2026

Many thanks to Edie for leading Saturday's Brisk Walk ... and to everyone who joined us! What started out as a rainy morning quickly turned into a glorious day! The walk took us along Beach Drive to Cattle Point, where we were greeted by a flock of seagulls and a group of their fans.

Did you know... while the Victorian Cottage at 1512 Beach Drive is the oldest house on Beach Drive, Tod House on Heron Street (built in 1851 for Hudson's Bay Company fur trader John Tod) is the oldest house in Oak Bay. It's also recognized as the oldest continually occupied residence in Western Canada.
If you're new to Victoria and looking for a fun way to explore the area, we'd love to have you join us on a future walk! Check us out at VictoriaNewcomers.ca.

Saturday's Brisk Walk took us on one of Oak Bay's most awe-inspiring routes. We met up at De'lish Bakery & Café, headed ...
07/27/2026

Saturday's Brisk Walk took us on one of Oak Bay's most awe-inspiring routes. We met up at De'lish Bakery & Café, headed down to Beach Drive, past the Oak Bay Beach Hotel and around the Oak Bay Marina, then wandered back through Oak Bay's beautiful residential streets to De'lish for coffee.

Always a great way to kick off the weekend—catching up with friends and welcoming newcomers to some of the best things Victoria has to offer.

If you're new to Victoria and looking to meet people while exploring the city, we'd love to have you join us. Find out more about VENC and our upcoming activities at www.victorianewcomers.ca.

Many thanks to Mary for leading Saturday's VENC Brisk Walk! The group met at the Breakwater Café at Ogden Point before s...
07/12/2026

Many thanks to Mary for leading Saturday's VENC Brisk Walk! The group met at the Breakwater Café at Ogden Point before strolling through Fisherman's Wharf and joining the David Foster Harbour Pathway. From there, we followed the waterfront to Menzies Street, wandered through the beautiful gardens at the Legislature, and finished with a visit to the James Bay Market at Menzies and Superior.

To top off a wonderful morning, Mary welcomed everyone to her home for coffee and birthday cake—a perfect ending to a great walk.

If you're new to Victoria and enjoy getting active while meeting new people, we'd love to have you join us on a future Brisk Walk. Learn more about VENC and our activities at https://www.victorianewcomers.ca.

The VENC Happy Appy group enjoyed a great evening together at the Fireside Grill on Wednesday. Did you know ... the Fire...
07/12/2026

The VENC Happy Appy group enjoyed a great evening together at the Fireside Grill on Wednesday. Did you know ... the Fireside Grill operates out of a beautiful old Tudor estate originally built as the Royal Oak Inn in 1939. Today, it's known for its farm-to-table cuisine, but it's also one of Victoria's best-known local legends, with stories that the restaurant is haunted by its former owner, artist Katharine Maltwood.

Whether you come for the appetizers, insider insights or the company, the Happy Appy group is a great way to meet other newcomers and discover some of Greater Victoria's coolest places. We'd love to have you join us! Learn more at https://www.victorianewcomers.ca.

Last Saturday's Brisk Walk headed out from the Oak Bay Marina along Beach Drive. From there, walkers had a choice: tackl...
06/29/2026

Last Saturday's Brisk Walk headed out from the Oak Bay Marina along Beach Drive. From there, walkers had a choice: tackle the climb to King George Terrace for a breathtaking view of the Salish Sea, Olympic Mountains, and the Victoria coastline, or enjoy a more leisurely route down to the beach. Either way, it was a terrific morning of fresh air, great conversation, and truly spectacular coastal views.

If you're new to Victoria, we'd love to have you join us on a future walk. VENC offers a wide variety of activities throughout the month, with something for almost everyone. To learn more about VENC and explore upcoming activities, visit the VENC website at: victorianewcomers.ca

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