Junction Orchard & Cidery

Just minutes from downtown Victoria yet a world away in feel, Junction Orchard & Cidery spreads across eight rustic acres near Prospect Lake in Saanich. This is the kind of west-coast cider farm where you're encouraged to slow right down – sample a flight in the tasting room, then wander out into the orchard, sink into an Adirondack chair and let the afternoon unfold. The ciders are the draw, including barrel-aged releases among a rotating range, all best enjoyed in the easygoing surroundings the farm is built around. Families and dogs are genuinely welcome, and the big outdoor area comes loaded with picnic tables shaded by umbrellas plus lawn games like cornhole, jenga and ladder toss. When hunger strikes, there's Bicycle Pizza on site along with ice cream from 49 Below, snacks and board games – everything you need to settle in for a few hours. Once a month the farm really comes alive with its Orchard Markets, where 20 to 40 vendors set up alongside live music, food makers, artisans and crafters, turning a cider stop into a full community day out. The venue also hosts events and weddings, making the most of its photogenic, country-rustic setting. Open Friday through Sunday afternoons, Junction is one of the most relaxed and welcoming stops on a Saanich Peninsula tasting tour, ideal whether you're bringing the dog, the kids or just a group of friends looking to unwind. Bring a blanket, grab a flight and a pizza, claim a picnic table in the sun and stay a while. Check the schedule before you visit to catch an Orchard Market or live-music day, then settle in and enjoy cider the way it's meant to be – outdoors, in good company.