re: Victoria Island

Victoria is well worth the trip. It is a beautiful little city with a great harbor with lot's of pubs and restaurants. If you want to get high falootin', then go stay at the Empress Hotel right on the water. The capitol buildings are all lit up at night, too. Buchart Gardens is impressive (never thought I'd be impressed by somebody's garden), as well.

Other nice harbor towns to go to for the day: Port Townsend, Paulsbo, or Friday Harbor. You can take a whale watching trip from Port Townsent to Friday Harbor, I believe.