Victoria Outdoors - Island Adventures

Our magical City of Victoria, on the west coast of Canada, rests at the southern tip of Vancouver Island. Outdoor adventures lure large numbers of visitors, some to play on world-class golf courses like Olympic View with its scenic fairways, and some to dive at local beaches, and still others to experience the wildlife both in the forests and the ocean. Vancouver Island is 451 kilometres (282 miles) long and home to a large variety of wildlife: cougar, wolves, bear, deer, elk and eagles make their homes in the many wilderness areas on the island. Take a daytrip and discover unique villages and breathtaking scenery, or ride the Galloping Goose trail. Explore our famous rainforests, stormy beaches and gentle tidal pools, or the fjord-like inlets and majestic mountains. You'll never be far from the ocean, where the sea-life includes whales, dolphins, otters, seals, salmon, sea lions, porpoises and otters, to mention just a few. Divers will find wonderful sea-life as close as a block away from our B&B. Take a trip on a whale-watching tour, or fishing charter, or even a kayak or canoe. If golf is more your style, there are enough fairways around Greater Victoria to keep you busy for as long as you wish.

DAY TRIPS

PORT RENFREW is a great day trip to explore tidal pools at the Botanical Beach. Plan your trip around low tide. 66 miles. web site

CHEMAINUS, the great little town with a great little theatre. Also the home of many murals, and only about 45 miles away. Take a self-guided tour and see the work of local artisans. Be sure to stop at the lookout on the Malahat Drive on your way there for a fabulous view of the Gulf Islands.

DUNCAN, city of totems. Visit this little town just 37 miles up island and get some great pictures of totem poles.

SOOKE and METCHOSIN Tour artists' studios June through September. The Stinking Fish Studio Tour is a "don't miss" for fans of original west coast art. Enjoy the work of 25 artists in 20 different nooks and crannies of Metchosin (which means "stinking fish") and East Sooke. The 14 different disciplines represented make this "art trail" a varied and interesting experience. Keep an eye on our events page for more.

TRAILS AND WALKING

With over 2000 hours of sunshine a year, there's always something to explore in Victoria. The gentle ocean breezes cool off our summers, and modify our winters resulting in a temperate Mediterranean climate without need for air conditioning. Cool summer evenings require a sweater, and comfortable walking shoes are a must for the many delightful pathways to stroll, or trails to follow.

Strolling is a way of life in Victoria, whether you're exploring downtown boutiques or taking the oceanfront boardwalk around the harbour. Many downtown attractions are within walking distance of each other. The oceanfront boardwalk at Westsong Walkway is spectacular, as it winds along the shoreline from West Bay Marina (across from the Empress) to the very heart of downtown. The Capital City of British Columbia, Victoria is a waterfront jewel bustling with life and activity, yet the pace is typically laid back as island life should be.

FLEMING BEACH PARK - Saxe Point. Boat launching site, rock-climbing (local bouldering favourite), and diving spot. One block from Lord Nelson B&B.

GALLOPING GOOSE TRAIL Starts close to Lord Nelson.  This 55 kilometre trail, once a railway track, wends its way from Victoria to Sooke to Sidney. Pack a lunch and grab a bike, or strap on those walking shoes and enjoy a section or the whole trek. There is parking at various points along the way. Keep your eyes open for bald eagles, great blue herons, quail and many other creatures. web site

WESTSONG WALKWAY is a local boardwalk from Lord Nelson's side of Victoria Harbour. It meanders along the scenic shoreline into downtown and captures the views of Victoria Harbour, the Inner Harbour and the Olympic Mountains.

WALKING TOURS

--West Bay, Fleming Beach and Saxe Point, Old Esquimalt Village, Memorial and Rock Parks, Gorge Park area, Fleming Beach/Buxton Green/Macaulay Point. All these are walking distance from Lord Nelson B&B, and give the real flavour of this area. website

--This non-profit society is dedicated to the preservation and appreciation of old cemeteries of Victoria. They offer guided walks. website

FOR THE BIRDING ENTHUSIAST

Birding enthusiasts have a field day in this climate, where over 250 types of birds migrate through our area during the year. Spring and fall are great times to catch glimpses of migrations, although many species reside here all year. Great blue heron, trumpeter swans and skylarks are but a sampling of the birds to be found around our diverse landscape, which includes tidal flats to alpine habitat. Bird-watching is a growing hobby, and our B&B is surrounded by its share of feathered friends. Golden eagles have a favourite tall tree on each side of our manor house! Goldstream Park, with its 600 year-old cedar trees, puts on a show from December to February with the largest concentration of bald eagles anywhere in Canada. It is also the place to hike to our version of Niagara Falls, and to see salmon spawning from October to December. Swan Lake, only minutes from our B&B is a great place to watch birds, also Esquimalt Lagoon and the Galloping Goose Trail.

PARKS TO EXPERIENCE AROUND GREATER VICTORIA

BEACON HILL PARK With 200 acres of parkland, and oceanfront driving tour, pathways and petting zoo, this park is beautiful. Horse-drawn carriages amble through, and events like the Luminara Latern festival are held here.

GOLDSTREAM PARK 16 km from downtown and Lord Nelson B&B, this park has massive old trees, majestic waterfalls, and fabulous trails. Witness the chum, coho and chinook salmon run from October to December. Until February, Gold Eagles are attracted to the dying salmon and their eggs, and gather here in great numbers at this time. Goldstream Park is home to black bears, cougars and deer, as well as numerous small animals like raccoons, minks, beavers, otters and Gray and Douglas squirrels. Salmon, trout and steelhead are found in the park's streams, and migratory and resident birds such as hummingbirds, Bald eagles, turkey vultures, ducks and gulls can be spotted throughout the park. website

FISGARD LIGHTHOUSE AND FORT RODD HILL The first lighthouse on the west coast, and one you can tour through. Fort Rodd Hill was an artillery fortress since 1878. Partially restored bunkers and buildings give a glimpse of life in earlier times of war. website

MACAULAY POINT PARK- Department of National Defence property, leased to the Municipality of Esquimalt. Has bunkers, gun emplacements, paths, spectacular views of Victoria, the Olympic mountains and Juan de Fuca Strait. One block from Lord Nelson B&B.

SAXE POINT PARK
Waterfront setting - pristine and dramatic. A great place on a sunny, warm afternoon, picnic in hand. Wonderful vistas across Juan de Fuca Strait towards Port Angeles and the Olympic Peninsula. Blocks from Lord Nelson B&B. No charge for admission.

WINERIES OF GREATER VICTORIA

VICTORIA ESTATE WINERY - 20 minutes away and close to Butchart Gardens. This winery has a scenic veranda restaurant and the only viticulture centre on Vancouver Island. Wine tours 12-4. website

MARLEY FARM WINERY. A boutique winery family owned and operated. website

CHALET ESTATE WINERY. Wine tours, music and dinner. website

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