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Victoria
Victoria, British Columbia's capital city, is located at the southern
end of the Saanich Peninsula along Juan de Fuca Strait on Vancouver
Island. Victoria has served as the capital city for the province
of British Columbia since 1871 and is also one of British Columbia's
top retirement and tourism destination points offering you perhaps
Canada's mildest climate, especially in the winter time.
CRD
- Capital Regional District
Victoria belongs in the Capital Regional District and is neighbours
the communities of Oak Bay, Esquimalt
and Saanich. The city is very diverse
and is made up of a number of distinct neighbourhoods that include
downtown Victoria, Vic West, Fairfield, Fernwood, Quadra Village,
James Bay, Cook Street Village and the corridor along upper Douglas
Street.
'City
of Gardens'
Victoria is often referred to as the 'City of Gardens' and will
amaze you with so many beautiful gardens and green space available
throughout most parts of the community. There are several gardens
to visit in the city with a favourite being the Abkhazi Garden located
at 1964 Fairfield Road and Beacon Hill Park.
Beautiful
Garden Landscapes
All throughout Victoria you will be able to view these garden landscapes
in a variety of ways many offering incredible ocean views especially
along Dallas Road. The best way for you to see this beauty can vary
from classic car tours, guided bus tours, biking, walking and the
harbour ferry. A favourite method of transportation is taking the
horse and carriage tour throughout James Bay starting from the corner
of Menzies Street and Belleville Street near the wax museum.
Inner
Harbour
Many of the other tourist services are all conveniently located
within walking distance of the Inner Harbour near the Fairmont Empress
and the British Columbia Legislative Building. You can take the
boardwalk along the waterway or up above on Government Street and
view the action of people, performers and artist's displays along
the Inner Harbour on your way past the famous Fairmont Empress Hotel
to Bastion Square along Wharf Street.
Tourist
Attractions
Also located near the Fairmont Empress are a number of places for
you to visit. There are the Conference Centre, British Columbia
Museum including an IMAX Theatre, Parliament Buildings, Saint Ann's
Academy and Government Street which encompass coffee shops, pubs,
bistros, restaurants, shopping, whale watching, kayak or canoe rentals
and a variety of other tourist attractions.
Douglas
Street
Close by to Government Street to the east on Douglas and Quadra
Streets are a number of historical churches heritage buildings and
distinct period houses from Victoria's past dating back to the late
1800's. Douglas
Street also features a number of unique restaurants, cafés,
coffee shops, small stores and the Hudson's Bay department store.
Antique
Row - Fort Street
If you love collectables and antiques, please visit the portion
of Fort Street referred to as 'Antique Row.' Various shops and auction
houses are located throughout several blocks along Fort Street.
These stores feature a wide selection of fine furnishings, household
items and curios from the past. Antique Row starts on Fort Street
and Quadra and features a number of vendors on Fort all the way
east to Cook Street.
Chinatown
Victoria is also home to a large Chinese population dating back
to the late 1800's. Victoria's Chinatown has had a long history
and tradition in the settlement of the downtown core especially
along Fisgard Street. Located here you will find restaurants, grocery
stores, Chinese curios and collectables, produce merchants along
with the hustle and bustle of the crowds.
Craigdarroch
Castle
Other areas for you to discover besides the downtown core include
venturing to Craigdarroch Castle located just off Fort on Joan Crescent.
This is where you can view the home built in the 1890's for coal
baron coal baron, Robert Dunsmuir, who operated mines on Vancouver
Island notably at Cumberland.
Fabulous
Architecture and Gardens
There is also the Governor General's House which features fabulous
gardens located along Rockland Avenue and are able to view unbelievable
architecture and the stately residence. The grounds of the Governor
General's House are also open to the public and have played host
to a number of wedding photos, celebrations and other events.
Incredible
Range of Recreational Activities
When you visit Victoria you will find that there is never enough
time to experience the most incredible range of recreational activities
available. From sailing, boating, biking, kayaking, walking to gardening
the list is endless. If you want to golf, fish and go boating all
in the same day, it's definitely available.
The
Galloping Goose Trail
For people who enjoy cycling, Victoria is the start of the Capital
Regional District's hidden gem, The Galloping Goose Trail. Starting
on the west side of the Johnson Street Bridge near the Delta Ocean
Pointe Hotel, The Galloping Goose takes you along a 55-km (34-miles)
rail trail eventually out to the Sooke
Potholes or, with an option of branching off along the Lochside
Regional Trail all the way out to Sidney,
eventually to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal.
Port
Angeles Ferry
If you're coming from Port Angeles, Washington, aboard the Coho
ferry everything is close to where you'll dock with a good selection
of motels and hotels that are in the area. There is also a very
good selection and wide variety of eating establishments all at
your doorstep.
Destination
Point
When you do make Victoria a destination point don't disappoint yourself
and allow extra time for your visit. The areas to discover in the
rest of the immediate area called the Capital Regional District
(CRD) are incredible. The municipalities besides Victoria that make
up the CRD include Oak Bay, Saanich,
Esquimalt, View
Royal, Langford, Colwood,
Highlands, Metchosin,
Sooke, Central
Saanich, North Saanich and the
Town of Sidney.
Victoria
Information and Links
Includes; Travel, Recreation, Accommodation, Places to Eat, Pubs
and First Nations
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click map for larger image
Downtown Victoria
Dallas Road Waterfront
Inner Harbour
Fairmont Empress
St. Andrews Catholic
Church
Chinatown
Craigdarroch
Castle
Saint Ann's Academy
Dallas Road Beach
Government Street
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