With so much to do in the Capital Regional District, your biggest challenge will be narrowing down your options. To help, here’s a list of favourites.
From “star” gazing (that’s sea stars!) and chasing butterflies to cooling off at the Potholes and stretching out at Sidney Spit. Hint: No matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong!
Roam Around at Fort Rodd Hill. Tour through secret bunkers, military command posts and original 19th century buildings at Fort Rodd Hill, a West Coast artillery fortress on active duty from 1895 to 1956. Learn the personal stories of soldiers and their families. Camp overnight in a group-friendly oTENTik. Grab the wheel as a “master mariner” at Fisgard Lighthouse, the oldest on the Canadian West Coast, and wander through a rare Garry Oak meadow. pc.gc.ca
Get Out in the Garden. Butchart Gardens welcomes guests to take solace in this beautiful space. You’ll find a sunken garden, rose garden, Japanese Garden, and Italian Garden along with Ross Fountain and Star Pond. butchartgardens.com
Play in the Park. Beacon Hill Park offers 200 acres to play in, just steps from downtown Victoria. Explore the trails meandering through meadows, gardens and trees, and the 18-hole putting green (bring your own clubs and balls), spray park and playground. Stroll past the duck ponds, over bridges, through gardens, and find what was once the world’s tallest free-standing totem pole. tourismvictoria.com
Gallop Along the Goose. The 60km partly paved Galloping Goose Trail winds from Victoria to Sooke with access points along the way. It also intersects with the E&N Rail Trail-Humpback Connector, the 17km cycling and pedestrian trail. gallopinggoosetrail.com
Loop Swan Lake. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary features both marshy lowlands and the rocky, oak-forested highlands of Christmas Hill. The 12,000-year-old lake is home to a variety of birds and wildlife including muskrats, river otters and mink. Circle the lake along a 2.5km trail and cross the floating walkway then stop in at the Nature House. swanlake.bc.ca
Stretch Out at Sidney Spit. Sidney Spit Marine Park is a great destination for a day trip. Explore the sandy spit at the northeast end or hike around the whole island. Walk-in camping is also available. sidneyspitferry.com
While Away the Day at Witty’s. Witty’s Lagoon Regional Park in Metchosin offers more than five kilometres of beautiful trails running through woodland, past lagoons and marshes. Watch for birds as you meander down to the sandy beach. The Nature House at the trailhead has some great displays. crd.bc.ca
Retreat to Roche Cove. Picnic at the protected cove after an easy walk from the parking area in East Sooke. Wander the seven kilometres of trails through cedar forest and along a cool creek or climb a mossy slope for hilltop views of Roche Cove and the Sooke Basin. crd.bc.ca
Ease into East Sooke Park. East Sooke Regional Park offers 50 kilometres of trails along the windswept rocky coast, over dry hilltops, through dark rainforest to sheltered coves. Aylard Farm is popular with picnickers and those looking for an easy excursion. A five-minute walk through open fields leads to a sandy beach. crd.bc.ca
Make a Splash at Thetis Lake. Hike scenic trails hugging Upper and Lower Thetis lakes. The beach area of Thetis Lake is perfect for a picnic or swim, although it tends to be crowded in summer. If you have a canoe, try an early-morning or evening paddle. crd.bc.ca
‘Star’ Gaze at The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea in Sidney is a state-of-the-art aquarium and marine education centre focused on the ecosystem of the Salish Sea. Spend a moment with calming, drifting jellies. Take a peek at invertebrates of all shapes and colours. salishseacentre.org
Fly by Butterfly Gardens. See thousands of exotic butterflies (up to 70 species) flying free in their own tropical rainforest environment at the Victoria Butterfly Gardens. Wander through the orchid exhibit or carnivorous plant section. You’ll also see colourful fish and tropical birds. butterflygardens.com
Seek Sun & Surf. Sure, the water is freezing, but Willows Beach is a beautiful sandy spot with the south-facing views and sunshine. It’s a great beach for skim boarding and splashing about in the shallow waters. It has all the amenities at hand: bathrooms, a tearoom for concessions, a playground and a sweeping sandy beach. There’s a grassy park for picnics and lots of trees for shade.
Cool Down at Sooke Potholes. Sooke Potholes are a series of deep fresh-water pools created by water falling over boulders in the Sooke River. Enjoy the views, explore the trails, camp under the stars, or take a refreshing dip on a hot summer day. crd.bc.ca
Love a Llama. Millstream Miniature Llamas offers a guided tour of the farm for families and small groups. The tour includes an explanation of why llamas are special, the history of the animal in North and South America, how they interact with people and with each other, a discussion of the uses of llamas today, a chance to meet them, experience a “llama kiss” and feel the fibre. millstream-minis.com
Behold the Bugs. Welcome to the amazing world of insects, arachnids, and their many-legged relatives. See live giant walking sticks, alien-eyed praying mantis, hairy tarantulas and glow-in-the-dark scorpions, to name a few. Discover roughly 50 fascinating species including Canada’s largest ant farm. victoriabugzoo.ca
Take Flight. At Wild Play Adventures, you can soar through the air on six exhilarating zipline flights that criss-cross through the treetops. A guide will attach your harness to each zipline along the way. Just lean back and enjoy the ride. wildplay.com
Visit the Farm. Enjoy the farm animal experience, from alpacas to miniature goats, tropical birds and miniature pigs at Beacon Hill Children’s Farm. The farm is home to all kinds of fuzzy, furry, feathered creatures and features a goat petting area and the famous goat stampedes. beaconhillchildrensfarm.ca
Appreciate Art. A visit to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is a one-of-a-kind experience. The diversity of exhibits and programs is welcoming for all and there’s always something new to discover. aggv.ca
Find Out About Flying. See airplanes, seaplanes, helicopters and more at the BC Aviation Museum. Learn about BC’s aviation history from early bush planes to bombers and beyond. bcam.net
