Victoria BC Tourism

Lesson 5: Parks & Beaches

There is not a shortage of lovely areas to roam or get away from it all. The parks and beaches are what make Victoria extra special. As you go further away from downtown Victoria, there are an increasing number of beaches and parks.

Victoria

Please open the map of Downtown Victoria and the Victoria District Map

Beacon Hill Park
Photo by Howard Deutch of Garden Adventures

Beacon Hill Park
East of Douglas Street
Established as a park in 1882, this 75-hectare area is a place of tranquility from the bustle of the city. There are gardens, streams, duck ponds, and many activities for the kids like a petting zoo, playgrounds and wading pools. For a panoramic view, the Lookout gives a view of the Juan de Fuca Strait. This park is just a very short walk from the Inner Harbour.

Ogden Point Breakwater
199 Dallas Road
Built in 1917 to protect the Victoria harbour, this 1/4 mile breakwater juts into Juan de Fuca Strait. Visitors can walk out to the tip to the lighthouse. This is popular site for scuba diving and has been named one of the best in North America. The breakwater is a favourite place for fishing, jogging, walking and snorkeling. This is where the some of the ferries from Washington state berth as well as cruise ships.

Here is the route, I'm going to take you. Let's start with Victoria as the starting point. First we will head up north through the Saanich Peninsula and ending up at North Saanich. Second, back to Victoria as a starting point and go west through Esquimalt and end at Port Renfrew.