Victoria
Victoria is Western Canada's oldest city, and is the capital of
British Columbia. Located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, Victoria has
Canada's mildest climate. It is accessible by ferry from mainland BC. The ferry
terminals are located at Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver and in
Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver. Ferries from Seattle and the Olympic
Peninsula offer access from the USA.
Famous for it's "British Heritage," Victoria was established by the
Hudson's Bay Company in 1843 as a British fur trading post. Many of the city's
buildings date back to the early years. The Inner Harbour area is an easy
stroll with many attractions including the Legislative Buildings, Royal British
Columbia Museum, the Empress Hotel and many others.
Public Transit makes other popular
attractions easily accessible. World famous Butchart Gardens and Craigdarroch
Castle are very popular, both are a short bus ride from the Inner Harbour
area.
Esquimalt
A
short drive west of Victoria is Esquimalt, which was originally established as
a British Naval Base in 1865. The current Naval Base is the second largest in
Canada.
Esquimalt features a naval museum,
several historic military sites, many parks overlooking the water, scenic
walking paths, and many award winning gardens.
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Oak
Bay
Oak
Bay is east of downtown and is Victoria's most "British" area. Many Tudor style
homes, parks, impeccable gardens, shops and tearooms.
Saanich
Saanich is a mixture of rural and urban
neighbourhoods. Parks such as Swan Lake, Christmas Hill Nature
Sanctuary, Mount Douglas Park and Elk/Beaver Lake Regional
Park offer hours of outdoor activities.
Sidney &
Saanich Peninsula.
Featuring forests, parks, beaches,
mountain paths, marinas and many small communities, the Saanich Peninsula has
something to offer for all visitors. Be sure to check out world famous
Butchart Gardens.
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West Shore
To
the west of Victoria is the Metchosen/Sooke/Colwood/Langford area. This area is
popular with the outdoor enthusiast. Hiking, whale watching and the Pacific
Ocean draw many people looking for an outdoor adventure.
Popular
attractions in the area include:
Fort Rodd Hill
Hatley Park at
Royal Roads University
Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites
Sooke Region Museum
Accommodations in the Victoria
area.
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