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Victoria - City of Gardens | |
| Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and consists of the municipalities
of Oak Bay, Saanich, View Royal and Esquimalt. Passenger and vehicle ferries
sailing between Victoria, Seattle, Bellingham and Port Angeles dock in Victoria's
Inner Harbour as well as many float planes and visiting boaters. Moorage can
be found near the Canada Customs wharf. Also located in the Inner Harbour is
the Tourism InfoCentre where hundreds of brochures, maps, etc. can be found as
well as regularly scheduled whale watching or fishing charters, harbour cruises
and nature safaris.
For those who prefer sightseeing on land, double-decker tour buses and horse-drawn carriage tours are available. The Royal British Columbia Museum traces the natural history of the province of British Columbia from pre-Ice Age to the present day. Also located at the Royal B.C. Museum is the National Geographic Theatre where you can experience the incredible world of IMAX. See our Calendar of Events for current attractions. Maritime history of the area is preserved in the Maritime Museum in Bastion Square. A great family attraction complete with pirates, shipwrecks, treasure maps and three floors of nautical exhibits. Visit the Legislative Buildings and be sure to see the buildings at night when they are outlined by thousands of tiny lights. Many specialty shops, can be found along Government Street, Antique Row on Fort Street and several interesting and unusual shops in Victoria's Chinatown along Fan Tan Alley, the narrowest street in Canada. Market Square features over 40 different shops and restaurants on two levels around an inner courtyard. Visit the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and other galleries displaying the works of local and internationally renowned artists. Government House on Rockland Avenue, east of downtown, is closed to the public; however, you may tour the gardens which have been maintained for over a hundred years. Also of interest are the many elegant mansions along Rockland Avenue, built in the 1880's and 1890's. Craigdarroch Castle, the 39-room mansion built by B.C.'s first millionaire, is open to the public for tours.  A short drive over the Johnson Street bridge leads to Esquimalt which features a naval museum, several
historic military sites and a number of scenic walking paths. Originally established as a British Naval
Base in 1865, modern Esquimalt has the second largest Canadian Forces Base in the country after
Halifax, Nova Scotia. Free guided bus tours are offered in the summer to visit the Canadian Forces Base
Museum and Archives.
Several areas in Esquimalt which feature lovely gardens and exceptional views are Saxe Point Park, MacAulay Point and Fleming Beach. James Bay, just south of downtown is bordered by water on three sides with Beacon Hill Park on the fourth. A short walk from Government Street, the park is beautifully landscaped and manicured with bridges, lakes and ponds, and an alpine and rock garden. It is home to numerous species of ducks, birds and wildlife. Peacocks roam freely through the park and there is a petting farm for children. From here, take a scenic drive along Dallas Road to Beach Drive, and through the Upland Estates, stopping at Cattle Point, then on to Ten Mile Point. Oak Bay, east of downtown, has a distinctly British personality with Tudor-style homes, impeccable landscaping, parks and a shopping sector known for its fine shops and tearooms. Willows Beach and the Oak Bay Marina are popular stops. The District of Saanich, north of downtown encompasses several residential areas and recreational parks. One of the most popular is Mount Douglas Park which offers a birds eye view of the city from its drive-to summit. The Francis/King Regional Park is located on Munn Road in Saanich and offers 6 miles (11 km) of secluded trails and is the ideal recreational spot for anyone using a wheelchair, walker or cane. The gentle Elsie King Trail has a convenient and pleasant cedar boardwalk. Swan Lake/Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary has two distinct ecological areas, walking trails and a floating boardwalk allowing close-up looks at the lake's ecosystem. To enjoy excellent public recreation facilities, visit the Saanich Commonwealth Place which offers a variety of programs and services for all ages. The Olympic-sized pool has water slides, a wave pool, a dive tank, steam rooms and sauna. Tour the universe from the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory on West Saanich Road. The visitors centre features interactive exhibits, Plantetarium and a gift shop. Cyclists challenging the steady 5-6% climb to the summit are rewarded with panoramic views of southern Vancouver Island.  Hartland Mountain Bike Park is accessed via Hartland Road in the Saanich northwest corner. Detailed
information and maps for this superb mountain bike park are available at most bike shops and also from
the South Island Mountain Biking Society.
The University of Victoria is located in Saanich, also the location of the Centre Auditorium where the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra and Victoria Symphony Orchestra frequently perform as well as the Phoenix Theatres, where a full season of excellent theatre and musical productions are staged. View Royal is a predominantly residential area overlooking Portage Inlet at the end of the Gorge Waterway, a meandering fiord popular with kayakers. Peaceful Portage Park is the location of a traditional Native shortcut to Portage Inlet and Victoria Harbour from Esquimalt Harbour and a lovely place to while away an afternoon. Thetis Lake Campground and RV Park provides tenting in a park-like setting, full hook-ups, showers, barbecues, and laundry facilities. Thetis Lake Regional Park has several well-marked hiking trails and sandy beaches providing a great swimming beach and a family playground. Paddlers with hand-carried boats can launch from the explore the many bays and islets that characterize Thetis Lake. Thetis Park connects to Mill Hill Park where a short walk to the summit provides excellent views of Victoria, Esquimalt Harbour and the Sooke Hills. Golf courses in the area include Cordova Bay Golf Course, Prospect Lake Golf Course, Mount Douglas Golf Course, and Cedar Hill Golf Course. Blenkinsop Valley Golf Centre adjacent to Mount Douglas Golf Course has a public golf driving range. Accommodations range from luxurious hotels, spa retreats, to 5 star bed and breakfast inns and everything in between. |