Victoria (British Columbia)


 * For other places with this name, see Victoria.

Victoria is the capital of Canada's westernmost province; British Columbia, near the southern tip of Vancouver Island.

Victoria contains a perfect combination of the old and new Canada. Amidst the bustle of this little city, you can venture through the classical British architecture to the preserved Chinatown, or all the way back in time to the original First Nations (Indigenous) culture. The colourful gardens and paintings are worth admiring, while the natural beauty just a short distance away from the town is simply breathtaking.

For the purposes of this guide, Victoria includes the nearby municipalities of Oak Bay, Saanich, Esquimalt and Brentwood Bay.

Understand
First-time visitors stepping into Vancouver Island might be surprised by the very different atmosphere as opposed to the city of Vancouver just across the Strait of Georgia.

While the island is mainly quiet and laid back, Victoria is a step up as the largest city on the island, aided by the fact that all of British Columbia's governmental offices are here. The quaint skylines in the city centre meet with the genteel and natural design on the outskirts of the downtown, designating Victoria as a resort town for western British Columbia.

History
Victoria's prime location, right between the Canadian mainland and the Pacific Ocean, makes the area become perhaps one of the earliest modern developments of Canada. From its humble beginnings as a backup trade post for Fort Vancouver (at Vancouver in the USA's Washington State) erected by James Douglas in 1843, the city's ports have been a witness of historic events that brought influxes of people from all over the world to Canada: from the Gold Rush to opium trade between Asia and North America. The real estate boom after World War I however, is what gives the city its well-known character, with Edwardian skylines popping up in the city center that transitions to genteel civility in the suburbs. A trip to Victoria would not be complete without admiring its classic buildings and a trip to the park or the houses outside the city.

Victoria was named in honour of the ruling queen of England in 1843 and designated as the provincial capital of British Columbia in 1871.

Climate
Much like the whole coastal British Columbia, the winter is mild with temperatures averaging above freezing for all of the year and most of the year's worth of rain falling. The summer however is cool and comfortable enough to get outside as much as possible, and the sun doesn't set until 9PM! Compared with the Vancouver city however, the city is less wet and receives more sunshine as the mountains at the USA's Olympic Peninsula and the island mountains usually managed to block the heaviest precipitations. Snow, while infrequent, is not unheard-of at least every year.

The whole island is a casualty to at least one mild windstorm every year, which would usually blow after a rain shower. The wind can range from nuisance at best to damaging at worse. It is a good idea to check the weather forecast during your visit to get you prepared.

Main airport

 * Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal is served by BC Transit. Travel between Victoria and the airport involves the following bus routes, including transferring buses at McTavish Exchange:
 * Route 88 operates between the airport, McTavish Exchange, and downtown Sidney on a half hourly frequency from Monday to Friday, and an hourly frequency on Saturdays and Sundays. Travel between the airport and McTavish Exchange takes 4 to 6 minutes.
 * Route 70 operates between Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal and downtown Victoria via downtown Sidney and McTavish Exchange. It is a limited stop service, which is faster than route 72. Travel between McTavish Exchange and downtown Victoria takes 35 to 45 minutes.
 * Route 72 operates between Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal and downtown Victoria via downtown Sidney and McTavish Exchange. Travel between McTavish Exchange and downtown Victoria takes 45 to 60 minutes.
 * Route 72 operates between Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal and downtown Victoria via downtown Sidney and McTavish Exchange. Travel between McTavish Exchange and downtown Victoria takes 45 to 60 minutes.

Seaplanes

 * Victoria Inner Harbor is a much more convenient port of entry right at the heart of town that serves helicopters and floatplanes. There are daily departures from the harbour on the north side of Vancouver's downtown (35 minutes; $157), Vancouver International Airport (30 minutes; $135), and as far south as Seattle's Lake Union (55 minutes). Seasonal flights from Tofino (1 hour).

By ferry to Sidney
About half an hour drive north of Victoria, there are ferry services in Sidney.
 * Operates routes from:
 * Vancouver (Tsawwassen) ferry terminal (1 hour 35 minutes crossing. Adults $18; child (5-11) $8; vehicles $62)
 * Five of the larger Southern Gulf Islands.
 * Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal is served by BC Transit on several routes including
 * Route 70, a limited stop bus route connecting to downtown Victoria via Sidney. Travel time from the ferry terminal to downtown Victoria is around 45 to 55 minutes.
 * Route 72, a bus route connecting to downtown Victoria via Sidney. Travel time from the ferry terminal to downtown Victoria is around 55 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes
 * Route 70, a limited stop bus route connecting to downtown Victoria via Sidney. Travel time from the ferry terminal to downtown Victoria is around 45 to 55 minutes.
 * Route 72, a bus route connecting to downtown Victoria via Sidney. Travel time from the ferry terminal to downtown Victoria is around 55 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes



By recreational boat


Victoria is a popular destination for boaters from the U.S.A. as well as the Vancouver area. The trip is a long one; the leg across the Strait of San Juan de Fuca from Puget Sound is over 50 km. Because of frequent gales and small craft warnings, the boating trips may be rough, and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has a "no one turned away policy".



By cruise ship
Each year, from April through October, over 200 large cruise ships dock at the cruise ship terminal, with berths for three cruise ships and about 2.5 km southwest of the downtown inner harbor, and disembark more than one-third million visitors to the greater Victoria area. Ogden Point is a transit port for cruise ships, typically coming from or going to San Francisco or Seattle, i.e., no cruise ship is home ported at Victoria.

To get to downtown Victoria from Ogden Point, cruise ship visitors have many options: take a pleasant 30-minute walk through the James Bay residential area (Dallas St. along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, then north on Menzies St.), hop on ($2.25) the public bus #30 or #31 that runs along Dallas St., use the Ogden Point Bus and Marine Cruise shuttles at the terminal, or hail a taxi/limo lined up at the pier.

By car
There are two highways that reach Victoria:


 * Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) travels south from Nanaimo (Departure Bay) ferry terry terminal to Victoria. Only the portion from just before Langford to Victoria is a freeway.  In Langford there is an interchange with Highway 14 for travel from Port Renfrew and Sooke.  In Nanaimo, the highway intersects with Highway 19 for travel from areas north of Nanaimo.
 * Highway 17 (Pat Bay Highway) travels south in along the Saanich Peninsula from Victoria (Swartz Bay) ferry terminal just north of Sidney. This is the route to take if traveling from either of the two ferry terminals around Sidney or from Victoria International Airport. There are not many intersections along this highway though it is not a freeway.

Highway 1 and Highway 17 do not intersect. Instead, the easiest way to travel between the highways is via Mackenzie Ave.

By foot
Walking is an easy, free, and fun way to explore the entire downtown area. Make your way from hotel to museum to shops; stop for coffee; stroll along the harborside; grab a pint and some fish-n-chips - take it in!

By bike
Biking Victoria is one of the most bike-friendly cities in Canada, which may have something to do with the very mild winters. There are many places to rent bikes. One place is CycleBCRentals, at 685 Humboldt St. ( or toll-free ). Bike rentals start at $6 and they also rent scooters and motorbikes here.

By public transit

 * Runs a bus network within Victoria, between Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula including Sidney, and between Victoria and cities to the west including Langford and Sooke. Regular fares are a flat $2.50. Children aged 5 and under are free. Bus tickets can be purchased in books of ten, and give a slight discount. Day passes are also available; they cost $5.00 cash, or two tickets. No transfers are available with a single cash fare -- buy a day pass instead. Victoria, along with Kelowna, Toronto and Ottawa, is one of only a few cities in North America which use double decker buses in their city transit systems. Some notable bus routes:
 * 50 - Frequent route between downtown Victoria and Langford. Travel time between Victoria and Langford is 45 to 50 minutes.
 * 61 - During morning and afternoon rush hours from Monday to Friday travels between downtown Victoria and Sooke. Outside of those hours, the route travels between Langford and Sooke (connects with route 50 in Langford during this time).
 * 70 - Limited stop route between downtown Victoria and Swartz Bay ferry terminal with a stop in Sidney. Travel time to downtown Victoria from Swartz Bay ferry terminal is about 50-55 minutes, from Sidney is 45-50 minutes, and from McTavish Exchange is 35-40 minutes.
 * 72 - Route between downtown Victoria and Swartz Bay ferry terminal with a stop in Sidney. Travel time between downtown Victoria and Swartz Bay ferry terminal is about 1 hour 15 minutes. Travel time to downtown Victoria from Swartz Bay ferry terminal is about 1 hour 15 minutes, from Sidney 1 hour, and from McTavish Exchange is 55 minutes.
 * 75 - Route between downtown Victoria and Saanichton Exchange with a stop at Butchart Gardens. Travel time between downtown Victoria and Butchart Gardens is 50 minutes.
 * 88 - Route between Sidney and Victoria International Airport with stops at McTavish Exchange and in downtown Sidney. Travel time between the airport and Sidney is 17 minutes. Travel time between the airport and McTavish Exchange is 4 minutes.
 * Bus routes:
 * 44 - Route between downtown Victoria and Duncan with a stop in Langford.  Travel time between Victoria and Duncan is 1.25 hours. Cost per trip is $10. Operates several trips on Saturdays.   As of September 3, 2023, these trips will be renumbered as route 66.
 * 66 - Route between downtown Victoria and Duncan with a stop in Langford.  Travel time between Victoria and Duncan is 1.25 hours. Cost per trip is $10. Trips from Monday to Friday leave Duncan in the morning before 6:30 am (before 9:30 am as of September 3, 2023), and leave Victoria in the afternoon.
 * 99 - Route between downtown Victoria and Shawnigan Lake. Operates Monday to Friday, consisting of early morning trips to Victoria and afternoon trips to Shawnigan Lake.
 * 99 - Route between downtown Victoria and Shawnigan Lake. Operates Monday to Friday, consisting of early morning trips to Victoria and afternoon trips to Shawnigan Lake.

See
Many of Victoria's attractions (and tourist activity) are in or around the Inner Harbour and downtown, including the Parliament Buildings, the Empress Hotel, the Royal BC Museum and Beacon Hill Park. If you're pressed for time, it would be hard to go wrong spending your time there. Beyond the harbour are a handful of attractions, including the renowned Butchart Gardens, and many parks and beaches with trails, views and fewer tourists.

The Inner Harbour and Downtown
The Inner Harbour and area is the focal point of many trips to Victoria. It has the bulk of the must-see tourist attractions, and the artists, buskers and other entertainers add to the atmosphere. Many find it fascinating to watch the float planes taking off and landing. In the springtime, the Inner Harbour is filled with many beautiful flowers.
 * British Columbia Parliament Buildings, Victoria (2012) - 31.JPG
 * Carr House 1863.jpg
 * Carr House 1863.jpg
 * Carr House 1863.jpg


 * Exterior of Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, British Columbia 01.jpg
 * Exterior of Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, British Columbia 01.jpg
 * Exterior of Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria, British Columbia 01.jpg

Other attractions

 * [[Image:Butchart Gardens 10515883.jpg|thumb|300px|Butchart Gardens]]
 * Craigdarroch Castle May 2011.jpg
 * [[Image:Butchart Gardens 10515883.jpg|thumb|300px|Butchart Gardens]]
 * Craigdarroch Castle May 2011.jpg
 * Craigdarroch Castle May 2011.jpg

Whale watching
Whale watching is a popular activity in Victoria. Three pods of orcas (killer whales) have feeding grounds between Victoria and the mainland, plus grey whales, humpback whales and minke whales migrate through the Georgia Strait at different times of the year. Some companies offer whale watching tours year-round, but the best time to see whales is considered April to October. Tours outside of those times focus less on whales and more on the other marine wildlife. Many of the companies offer whale guarantees, but they are seasonable and tend to have conditions, so careful consideration is advised if you are making a decision based on the whale guarantee.

Tours are usually around three hours and the style of boat can vary, from open-air Zodiacs to yachts with heated cabins. Zodiacs are fast and low to the water, but can be very wet (protective suits are usually supplied) are not recommended for young children (restrictions vary by company), and people with mobility issues or injuries.



Parks and trails
The Victoria area is an amazing place to explore if you're inclined towards natural spots. A couple of converted railbeds provide longer-range multi-use trails (the Galloping Goose and Lochside) that stretch from Victoria to Sooke (and beyond) and the Saanich Peninsula. North of Victoria is Saanich, which has many fine parks that are popular spots for hiking.
 * From the Inner Harbour you can walk along the water in either direction to the very popular local Dallas Road, or you can cross (the Johnson Street bridge) and end up on the Westsong Walkway into Esquimalt. Both have beautiful views of the Inner Harbour and even Port Angeles across the water.
 * is on the edge of Gordon Head neighbourhood. It features extensive walking trails and a beautiful view across farmland and Greater Victoria.
 * is actually just a small hill but the most popular place in Greater Victoria to see a view of the skyline and surrounding scenery. Drive up Mayfair Drive, and park your car at the summit where you can watch the most stunning sunsets in Victoria. Mount Tolmie is also somewhat accessible by bus, take the #14 UVIC, but get off at Cedar Avenue (along Richmond Road) and you can scramble up the hill from there.
 * is on the edge of Gordon Head neighbourhood. It features extensive walking trails and a beautiful view across farmland and Greater Victoria.
 * is actually just a small hill but the most popular place in Greater Victoria to see a view of the skyline and surrounding scenery. Drive up Mayfair Drive, and park your car at the summit where you can watch the most stunning sunsets in Victoria. Mount Tolmie is also somewhat accessible by bus, take the #14 UVIC, but get off at Cedar Avenue (along Richmond Road) and you can scramble up the hill from there.
 * is actually just a small hill but the most popular place in Greater Victoria to see a view of the skyline and surrounding scenery. Drive up Mayfair Drive, and park your car at the summit where you can watch the most stunning sunsets in Victoria. Mount Tolmie is also somewhat accessible by bus, take the #14 UVIC, but get off at Cedar Avenue (along Richmond Road) and you can scramble up the hill from there.

Other activities

 * Harbour tours Small harbour ferries (about six passengers) provide transport around and a view of the Selkirk Waterway and Inner Harbour.
 * Wine tasting There are five wineries within a 45-minute drive of Victoria, on the Saanich Peninsula, including some estate wineries. These wineries have a wide range of wines including those made from their own grapes, grapes grown elsewhere and fruit wines.

Learn
There are many different schools in Victoria including ESL & Language schools, films school, art school, private colleges and so on.




 * Royal Roads University is also in the area, see Langford.
 * Royal Roads University is also in the area, see Langford.
 * Royal Roads University is also in the area, see Langford.
 * Royal Roads University is also in the area, see Langford.

Buy
Victoria is full of little shops tucked away in every nook and cranny in the centre. Souvenir shops are all around the Inner Harbour. Although people generally think Victoria is a tourist destination only, there are more than just tourist shops.
 * Americans so inclined may want to take the opportunity to pick up a Cuban Cigar or two. Thanks to trade agreements with Cuba, you can import up to $100 worth of Cuban cigars into America.
 * Government Street, from the Inner Harbour up to Chinatown, is the biggest (and rather touristy) shopping drag. The best way to go is just to wander the streets but make sure you check out some little gems like, at the bottom of Johnson St. In the summertime there's live music here.
 * Munro's Books, Victoria (2012) - 4.JPGFort Street is otherwise known as Antique Row. From Blanshard to Cook Streets, Fort Street is lined with small antique shops and auction houses.
 * The Inner Harbour has artisans selling their crafts during the summer (and part of spring and fall as well sometimes), and (off of Government Street) often has a summer craft market as well.
 * LoJo or Lower Johnson Street has several higher-end fashion boutiques. It's a good place to find local and international designer clothes.

Eat
Victoria has the second-highest number of restaurants per capita of all North American cities! The waterfront tourist area is home to a wide variety of restaurants and eateries, including several English-style pubs. Try the fish and chips or shepherds pie for a taste of England in Canada. For a more eclectic Victoria experience, check out the classy restaurants that surround Chinatown, offering interesting west-coast fusion and Asian dishes.

Drink
Because Victoria’s downtown is fairly small, most of the nightlife is within walking distance. Cabs aren’t too expensive and there isn’t too far to go to get from point A to B. Victoria's police force has an aggressive crackdown on drinking and driving, so take a cab, all you have to do is stumble to Douglas and eventually you will grab one before someone else. But if it’s a special night like Halloween or New Year’s Eve, expect a bit of a wait. Compared to clubs in larger cities, cover in Victoria is cheap, ranging from $3 to $10. Fridays and Saturdays: expect to pay $7 to get in the door and another $2 to check your coat. Compared to larger cities, Victoria's liquor is pretty pricey. There is a law in Victoria that requires all drinks to cost $3 at minimum for a serving of alcohol. Expect to pay at least $3 but most likely more for each drink. Beers and shots are about $5. Most bars have cash machines inside, and accept only cash as payment.



Sleep
There are a number of areas to stay in Victoria with the most popular location being downtown. Other options include Sidney, the West Shore and the Upper Harbour district.

Budget








Splurge




Stay safe
There is a drug presence among people living on the streets and in the bars. This means that panhandling can be a problem. Panhandlers are aggressive despite laws against this behaviour. You may wish to avoid Pandora Ave between Cook and Quadra as this is where a huge majority hang out. Do not walk around parks and grassy areas in sandals or bare feet as there are many needles discarded in these areas, city workers are quick to clean them up but it is always a good idea to be careful in these areas. However there is a strong police presence on downtown streets during the summer, especially on weekends at night. This problem is generally confined to the tourist area bounded by Blanshard Street.

Because all the bars and clubs are very close together, many drunken people spill into the streets at 2AM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night and are in fact more dangerous than the street people. If you are out and about at this time (or have your downtown hotel room window open) be prepared to deal with all that drunken idiots have to offer such as public urination, shouting and rude comments.

In the unlikely event of a major earthquake, duck and cover and stay where you are during the shaking, then go outside once the shaking stops. Buildings and other structures are unlikely to collapse. Your largest threats come from breaking windows and falling objects such as ceiling tiles and bookshelves. Try to get under a table, desk, or door jamb to reduce your exposure to these threats. You are more likely to be injured if you try to run during the shaking.

Connect
The area codes for Victoria, and British Columbia as a whole, are 250 and 778. Because their areas overlap, all numbers must be dialed with the area code, including local calls.

Go next
Victoria is only a starting place to explore Vancouver Island by bus, car or bike.

Five hours by car to the west, Tofino is famous for its surfing and nature. The small town of Comox and its neighbour Courtenay are cozy and full of beautiful beaches. Head to Shawnigan Lake for a really small town and hit the lake in a canoe or the trails by foot. Nearby Hornby, Denman and Salt Spring Island each have a distinct vibe and are worth the visit just to check out something a little different. There is a lot of hiking, biking and camping. And of course, for the more city-loving folk, ferries from Victoria take you to bustling Vancouver or Seattle.

Hitchhiking is relatively common on Vancouver Island and may be useful for getting around.