Victoria Evening Newcomers Club

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Victoria Evening Newcomers Club

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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.

10/16/2026

Great Company, Lively Conversation, and a World of Change!

What better way to kick off another season of VENC activities than with a fascinating look at the world around us? Our September 26 Welcome Back Luncheon at Victoria’s beautiful Union Club brought members together for an afternoon of good food, great company, and plenty to think about. Our guest speaker, Dr. Chris Kilford, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on Canada and the Changing World Order, exploring the shifting global landscape and what it could mean for Canada's future. A big thank you to Dr. Kilford for sharing his insights, and to everyone who joined us. It was wonderful to reconnect with familiar faces, welcome some new ones, and start another season of VENC activities together!

09/13/2026

Yesterday’s VENC Brisk Walk took us to one of the most beautiful corners of Greater Victoria — exploring Charlie’s Trail and the grounds of Hatley Castle at Royal Roads. Surrounded by towering trees, ocean views and some impressive history, it’s hard to beat Royal Roads for a great walk. Hatley Castle was completed in 1910 as the home of James and Laura Dunsmuir and was designed by renowned architect Samuel Maclure. At the time, it was the largest private residence on the West Coast. Movie fans may also recognize it — Hatley Castle has appeared in productions including X-Men, Deadpool and Arrow.

Another great VENC outing — fresh air, good exercise and, as always, great company. Many thanks to Barb for leading the walk and hosting the gang for coffee afterwards.

New to Victoria and looking for a way to meet people and explore your new home? VENC offers walks, hikes, dining groups, social events and plenty more. Come join us!

👉 Learn more about VENC activities: https://www.victorianewcomers.ca/1723991

09/09/2026

Last week’s VENC Brisk Walk featured a 90-minute walk along Elk Lake's beautiful wooded trails and shoreline—a great way to start the day, catch up, and get our steps in! A local treasure, Elk Lake served as Victoria's primary water source for about 30 years, offers approximately 15 km of trails, and is an important training ground for Canadian Olympic and World Championship rowers. As always, a brisk walk deserves a reward afterwards! This week we headed to Adrienne's Restaurant & Tea Garden at Mattick’s Farm. Many thanks to Denise for leading the walk, and to everyone who came out!

New to Victoria? VENC is a great way to explore the city, get outdoors and meet other newcomers. Check out our walks, hikes and other activities here: https://www.victorianewcomers.ca/1723991/

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

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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Oak Bay, BC

Website

https://www.victorianewcomers.ca/

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