For decades, visitors have been coming to B.C’s capital city to experience "a bit of Britain on the West Coast." And they still do. Horse-drawn carriages are still one of the most pleasant ways to see the city, and double-decker buses are a familiar sight. Victoria’s beautiful formal gardens draw a growing number of admirers, and afternoon tea is practically an institution. However, Victoria has a wild side and has earned a reputation as a mecca for outdoor adventurers. Victoria’s mild climate means that kayaking, cycling, hiking, fishing, golfing, horseback riding, windsurfing, and diving are all pursued here year-round.
Originally established in 1843 by James Douglas as a fort for the Hudson’s Bay Company, Victoria has a fascinating history preserved in the city’s many museums and heritage buildings. Victoria’s historic Chinatown is must-see sight on a history tour. First established in the 1870’s, Victoria’s Chinatown was the largest Chinese community north of San Francisco, housing nearly 10,000 people who came to work in the coal mines, build the railway, and search for gold. Modern highlights include the Gate of 1-larmonious Interest and Fan Tan Alley, Canada’s narrowest street.
In addition to museums and heritage buildings, Victoria boasts a wealth of excellent family attractions, from world-renowned gardens to the history of the world in wax. For ideas, check out Attractions and Museums. Victoria’s picturesque Inner
Harbor is the hub of downtown activity and the location of Tourism Victoria’s Visitor Info Centre. The
harbor itself bustles with kayaks, yachts, whale watching boats, tour boats, and ferries arriving from points in Washington State. As well, floatplanes fly passengers between here and the mainland and on tours and excursions to remote B.C. destinations. A pedestrian pathway traces the horseshoe shape of the Inner
Harbor and is a recommended way to take in all the activity.
Oak Bay Because of its longstanding reputation for "Britishness," Oak Bay has endured the affectionate teasing of the rest of Greater Victoria for decades. Oak Bay’s reputation goes way back to the turn of the twentieth century when wealthy residents of British descent built their homes along this gorgeous stretch of seaside in order to keep well away from the smelly tidal mud flat that was then the Inner
Harbor. In keeping with Oak Bay’s reputation are the charming tea rooms where traditional afternoon tea is served daily. The Oak Bay Village is the main shopping district and is known for its exclusive shops, ranging from art and antiques to fashions, giftware, and British sweets. After tea, stop and smell the flowers in the impeccably manicured Windsor Park Rose Garden. Then, as a contrast, explore the untamed wilderness of Uplands Park or stroll along Willows Beach. A variety of adventure tours are offered from Oak Bay, including whale watching, cycling, kayaking, fishing, and hiking. And, because you won’t want to miss a thing, cycling and walking are the best ways to explore Oak Bay.
Esquimalt — Historic Esquimalt was first established in 1865 as a British naval base. In 1910, the British left and the Royal Canadian Navy took charge, developing residential and commercial areas around the base. Over the years, Esquimalt has grown into a diverse community, and Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt remains the second largest naval base and dockyard in Canada after Halifax. To get more details on Canadian military history, visit the Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt Museum and Archives, which is housed in a former naval hospital on the historic base, HMCS Naden; free guided bus tours are offered in the summer. Five historic walking tours of Esquimalt have been developed, and maps are available at the library in the Esquimalt Plaza. Waterside Saxe Point Park is another highlight and features lovely gardens and inspiring views. Capture the views from MacAulay Point and Fleming Beach, the locations of the now-abandoned military gun sites and observation points used in Esquimalt’s early days.
Saanich — The municipality of Saanich is a large, semi-rural
neighborhood that includes some very pleasant parks, including Swan Sanctuary, a family park with a
floating boardwalk that allows you to peer right into the lake’s eco-system; Mount Douglas Park, a forested park with hiking trails, a picnic area, and a summit viewpoint you can drive to; Elk and Beaver Lake Park, a recreation area popular with hikers, rowers, kayakers, swimmers, and windsurfers; and Gyro Beach, an ocean beach with a great children’s park. Saanich highlights include the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific, the Centre of the Universe, the University of Victoria, and Saanich Commonwealth Place, where Victoria proudly hosted the 1994 Commonwealth Games, the 1997 Indigenous Games, and the 2000 B.C. Summer Games.
View Royal View Royal was first settled in the early 1850’s by Dr. John Helmcken when he purchased 259 hectares of farmland from the Hudson’s Bay Company. At the foot of Helmcken Road, a concrete marker and bronze plaque commemorate the days when crews from passing ships replenished their water supplies from a spring that flows from a property on Bessborough Road. Modern-day 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 shortcut to Portage Inlet and Victoria
Harbor from Esquimalt Harbor and a lovely place to while away an afternoon. Thetis Lake Regional Park is a
favorite with families and has beaches, hiking trails, and a playground.
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