Victoria, BC: Planning Your Way to an Unforgettable Experience
When to Visit Victoria, BC
We live here, so we are certainly biased and think any time is a great time to visit. With Victoria’s mild climate and unlimited access to beaches, trails and attractions, it’s a great place to begin your visit to Vancouver Island. It really doesn’t rain here as often as everyone thinks, but January and February can be a little colder and gray. Spring, summer and fall are my personal favourites. If you are looking to experience a snowy Canadian winter you will need to find another holiday destination.
Getting There
Depending on where you are coming from you will need to take a 90-minute BC ferry from Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Swartz Bay, located near Sidney, BC and drive about 45 minutes to Victoria. Or you can arrive by air at the Victoria International Airport, also located near Sidney, and about a 40-minute drive from downtown Victoria, or by seaplane, which will have you making your descent right into the heart of Victoria’s inner harbour.
Location, Location, Location
There are a number of different neighborhoods to explore in and around Victoria so you may want to choose an accommodation that puts you closest to where you will spend your time.
Oak Bay – is an affluent neighbourhood known for its beautiful beaches and quaint main street with cafes, galleries and unique shops. One of our favourite places to stay in Victoria is the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, with its gorgeous ocean-front pools and spa. It’s also near Craigdarroch Castle and Abkhazi Gardens if those are on your list.
Downtown/Inner Harbour – this is a must-visit on your Victoria travel list with the waterfront, Parliament buildings, horse-drawn carriages, and some Victoria favourites like tea at Murchies, and a visit to China Town and Fan Tan Alley. There are some amazing restaurants, museums, spas and great accommodation options downtown, everything from the fancy Fairmont Empress to the modern Parkside Hotel and Spa. If you stay in this area you can explore the local attractions and restaurants on foot. It’s also near Beacon Hill Park, Fisherman’s Wharf and Ogden Point.
Victoria West/Esquimalt – hosts a number of waterfront accommodations and some great restaurants, and you can explore the inner harbour by water taxi.
Saanich – a little closer to the ferry terminal and airport and a great central spot if you are exploring the rest of the island on your holiday. It’s near the Saanich Peninsula and Butchart Gardens and has lots of local parks trails and restaurants to explore.
Day Trips
Once you are on the Island, there are so many great places to visit in addition to Victoria; however, Vancouver Island is much larger than it seems and many of our favourite island destinations (Tofino, Parksville, Strathcona Park, and Cape Scott Park) will take more than a day to see. There are still many closer options if you only have a day to explore, including Sooke and Port Renfrew or even a short drive up the island to take in the views from the Malahat Skywalk and enjoy Goldstream Park or a wine tour of the Cowichan Valley. A few of these are included in our post on the Top 12 Experiences on Victoria so you don’t miss a thing.
