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Langford
Langford is located on southern Vancouver Island approximately 14.5
km (9 miles) west of downtown Victoria.
West
Shore
Langford is included in the Capital Regional District (CRD) and
is situated in an area called the Western Communities often referred
to as the West Shore. The West Shore is a commercial, business and
recreation association and includes the other communities of Colwood,
the Highlands, Metchosin
and View Royal.
Goldstream
Village
The downtown section of Langford is situated on Goldstream Avenue
near Veterans Memorial Parkway (Hwy 14). Here you can find beautiful
paved stone sidewalks, tree-lined streets, municipal offices, restaurants,
pubs and a number of coffee shops including Starbucks,
Tim Hortons and a few independent operators offering different roasts
and unique coffee blends.
New
Development
Langford is one of the fastest growing municipalities in the CRD
with vast areas being developed including new homes, condominiums
and large shopping centres. The community, through the future vision
of Mayor Stu Young, has gone through a number of building changes
that now include a Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Superstore, Canadian Tire,
Costco and a revitalized shopping mall, once named the Canwest Mall
now called Westshore Town Centre.
Millstream
Village Shopping Centre
There is also another shopping area separate from Goldstream Avenue
and the Westshore Town Centre called the Millstream Village Shopping
Centre. There are a number of great stores and restaurants situated
here including a Milestones Grill + Bar, Serious Coffee, Nando's
Chicken and a Valhalla Pure Outfitters store. The entrance to Millstream
Village is situated off Hwy 1 north of Thetis Lake Regional Park
on Millstream Road towards Costco.
Bear
Mountain
Also situated in Langford is a mountainside resort community called
Bear Mountain. This centres around a beautiful and challenging golf
course designed by Jack Nicklaus. Bear Mountain includes executive
homes, luxury condominiums, hotels, spas and first-class facilities.
Len
Barrie
Bear Mountain now one of the premier destination points on Vancouver
Island was developed by former NHL player, Len Barrie. Len Barrie
is also the President of the Victoria Grizzlies of the BCHL who
play at Bear Mountain Arena and was part owner of the Tampa Bay
Lightning of the NHL at one time.
Goldstream
Provincial Park
For parks in the Langford vicinity, you have to visit nearby Goldstream
Provincial Park located off the Trans-Canada Hwy 1 north of
Goldstream Avenue. This provincial park features a number of wildlife
viewing areas that highlight salmon returning to spawn and bald
eagles that nest in the park. Goldstream
Provincial Park also has a large campground and a number of
great hiking trails that go up Mount
Finlayson, explore old mines' viewpoints and a large estuary
at the head of Saanich Inlet.
Ma
Miller's
If you do visit Goldstream
Provincial Park, this part of Langford is home to a real old
pub called Ma Miller's located in the historic Goldstream Inn built
in 1864. Ma Miller's is across from the park gates at the corner
of Humpback Road and Sooke Lake Road. Ma Miller's features a pub,
liquor store and sometimes has live blues music on Saturday nights.
Langford
Lake
For nature walks around Langford, try using Ed Nixon Way which goes
part way around Langford Lake. This recreational trail starts near
the end of Goldstream Avenue by the Trans-Canada Hwy 1 and goes
over a beautiful boardwalk near the shoreline of Langford Lake.
Langford Lake features canoeing, fishing and swimming at one end.
Galloping
Goose
Other trails in Langford include the Galloping Goose regional trail
which takes you either east through Colwood,
View Royal through Saanich
to downtown Victoria or west through Metchosin
to the Sooke
Potholes.
Glen
and Florence Lakes
Besides Langford Lake, there are also two other small lakes, Glen
Lake and Florence Lake. Both offer small boat launches, some boardwalks
and areas to fish. Glen Lake has a small park and a couple of places
in which to swim.
Regional
Parks
Langford also borders two regional parks, Mount Wells and Thetis
Lake. Thetis Lake has excellent walking and biking paths plus great
swimming in the summer, some fishing and non-motorized boating opportunities.
Mount Wells Regional Park borders the Sooke Hills Wilderness Reserve
where there is a hike up to the Humpback Lake Reservoir.
Local
Entertainment and Eateries
Other entertainment and favourite places to eat and have refreshments
in Langford include the Loghouse Pub on Millstream, Waterwheel Pub
on Peatt Road near Goldstream Avenue, the Station House Pub and
the Basilico Ristorante & Lounge on Goldstream Avenue, and Smoken
Bones Cookshack on Station Road for real traditional home-style
southern barbeque and a long-time former Bastion Square favourite,
The Garlic Rose, now located on Jacklin Road near Goldstream.
Information
on Langford
Accommodation
RV
Camping
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