FOR
A DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF GREATER VICTORIA AREAS SEE BELOW
Victoria, British Columbia is situated at
the south end of Vancouver Island in the Province of British Columbia.
The Island can be reached by Ferry from Tswassen, (near Vancouver,
B.C.). The Ferry ride is approximately
26 kilometers and takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes. It travels
through the scenic Gulf Islands on the way to Swartz Bay, just 30
km north of Downtown Victoria. You can also fly to Victoria. The
flight is approximately 15 minutes from the Vancouver Airport. There
is also Harbour to Harbour service from Downtown Vancouver to downtown
Victoria. Ferries also service the Victoria area from Port Angeles,
Bellingham and from Anacortes, all in the State of Washington (USA).
Swimming to the Island takes considerably longer.
AREA
DESCRIPTIONS
SOOKE-MAP
AREA 5
Sooke is the gateway to the Wilderness of greater Victoria. This area
contains logging roads with isolated campgrounds and some of the
most beautiful and rugged beaches on the island. One end of the
West Coast Trail begins at Port Renfrew and can be reached through
Sooke on highway 14. A new hiking trail, the Juan de Fuca Trail
also has one end starting at Port Renfrew and extends back along
the rugged coast towards Victoria. Some of the finest Regional and
Provincial Parks are in the Sooke area. The Sooke town centre is
approximately 30 minutes from "downtown" Victoria.
THE
WEST SHORE -MAP AREA 4
The
West Shore includes the communities of Colwood, Langford, the Highlands
and Metchosin. The City of Colwood is an urban area located midway
between "downtown" and Sooke. Colwood borders some of
the Canadian Forces military lands surrounding Esquimalt Harbour
and contains Fort Rod Hill a National Historic Park. Metchosin is
a rural community full of parks, beaches and golf courses. Langford
is a mix of urban and rural properties and is the "gateway"
to the Island Highway, starting with the famous Malahat Drive. The
Highlands is a small rural area near the southern tip of Saanich
Inlet.
THE
SAANICH PENINSULA-MAP AREA 2
The
Saanich Peninsula is predominantly rural and is dotted with small
urban centres and the town of Sidney by the
Sea (gateway to the Gulf Islands). This peninsula is rich in
agricultural land and it has some great farm markets (fruits and
vegetables). The peninsula contains the airport and the Ferry Terminal
at Schwartz Bay and is home to the world famous Butchart
Gardens. You can also access the San Juan Islands (USA) by Ferry
from Sidney.
THE
DOWNTOWN AREA-MAP AREA 6
The
Downtown Area contains Victoria's "old town" and Victoria's
"China town". Accommodations include these areas as well
as James Bay and many parts of the City of Victoria. Beside
the inner harbour is the B.C. Government Legislative Buildings,
the Provincial Museum
and the world famous Empress Hotel. As well as being the shopping
hub of Greater Victoria, downtown also is rich in accommodations,
restaurants and activities.
THE
VICTORIA CORE-MAP AREA 3
The
Urban Core surrounds "down town" and consists of four
urban municipalities-the City of Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay and
Esquimalt. This is where the majority of the population reside (approximately
225,000 of the 325,000 people in the Greater Victoria region. Most
of the regions shopping malls are in the Urban Core and there is
an abundance of recreations facilities and services throughout this
area. Numerous parks, beaches, scenic lookouts and fine homes are
distributed in the urban core.
THE
GULF ISLANDS-MAP AREA 1
The
Gulf Islands are the jewel of the Greater
Victoria region. Everything you could ever want in a vacation is
somewhere out in the Gulf Islands, except major shopping. There
are craft persons galore, markets, beaches, hiking, water sports,
and much more. Getaways abound, throughout the Islands. The Islands
are connected to the Mainland and to Vancouver Island by B.C.
Ferries.
See Description of these areas above.