A glance at the long list of monikers that Victoria
has acquired is an attestment to the eclectic and unique nature of British
Columbia's capital city. Located on the southern tip of Vancouver
Island, this historic city has been called everything from the official
pseudonym City of Gardens, to the Vacation Capital of Canada, to the tongue-in-cheek
nickname City of Newly-weds and Nearly-Deads (the city is equally well known
for its popularity as a honeymoon destination as for its large population of
retirees).
This multi-faceted reputation that Victoria has earned is an indication of
why the city is such an attraction to both locals and vacationers, who flock
to the city for its variety of sights and activities.
Boasting one of the mildest climates in all of Canada, access to one of the
best spots for scuba
diving in the world, an abundance of spectacular gardens, a breathtaking
natural setting home to rare marine wildlife, a lively arts scene and a reputation
for fine
cuisine, Victoria has plenty to offer visitors.
HISTORY AND CULTURE
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The
Parliament Buildings in Victoria |
While Canada's First Nations people have inhabited Vancouver Island for centuries,
leaving behind traces of their rich art and culture, the region wasn't discovered
by Europeans until British explorer Captain James Cook set foot on Nootka Island
on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island during the spring of 1778. The Spanish
later arrived at Nootka under the command of explorer Don Juan Francisco de
la Bodega y Quadra, and set up a base themselves. It was Captain George Vancouver
who arrived at the island to claim back the land under England's name, and fortunately
a territory dispute with Spain was avoided. A statue of Captain
Vancouver now watches over the harbour from the top of the parliament
buildings.
Settlement of Vancouver Island was delayed by the gradual progress of fur trade
companies towards the Pacific Coast. Fort Victoria, named in honour of the British
Queen, was founded by the Chief Factor of the Hudson's Bay Company James Douglas
on March 14, 1843, as a fur trading post and fort.
Victoria officially became the capital of British Columbia when the colonies
of Vancouver Island and British Columbia combined and joined the Canadian Confederation
in 1871. However, it wasn't until the Fraser
Valley Gold Rush of 1858 that the city transformed into an important
commercial centre when it became the main port of entry for thousands of miners
from around the world, attracted by the prospect of gold on the British Columbia
mainland.
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The
Empress Hotel overlooks Victoria's Inner Harbour |
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Today, Victoria is home to over 320,000 people. The city's British heritage
is still very much evident in the carefully tended gardens and flower pots that
decorate the city, the traditional high teas served at the Empress
Hotel and numerous other locations, and the double decker buses that
whisk visitors around the city. However, the culture of Victoria isn't just
limited to the sophisticated traditions inherited from Britain. The capital
is also a recreational and touristic centre, attracting many adventure-loving
visitors.
And while it's known as a choice location for senior citizens to retire, the
city has also gained a reputation for its three reputed educational institutions,
the University
of Victoria, Lester
B. Pearson College of the Pacific and the new Royal
Roads University. This high student population contributes to the lively
atmosphere of Victoria, and the city's abundance of pubs and live music venues
offer plenty of weekend activities for young people.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Yet another nickname bestowed upon Victoria is The Bed and Breakfast Capital
of British Columbia, a pseudonym which attests to the city's range of B&Bs,
all offering cozy accommodations
that provide visitors with that home-away-from-home feeling. However, a range
of hotels,
motels,
hostels
and campgrounds
are available for travellers with all types of accommodation preferences. And
chances are good that any type of accommodation that visitors choose will boast
a beautiful view of one of the island's natural splendours, whether it's a view
of the blue waters of the Pacific, or a setting amid one of the intricate gardens
that are the city's claim to fame.
CLIMATE
| |
|
Month |
Avg.
Daily Temperature |
Average
Rainfall |
|
Min |
Max |
| Jan
|
4°C
(39°F) |
7
(45°F) |
99
mm |
| Feb |
4°C
(39°F) |
8°C
(46°C) |
73
mm |
| Mar
|
5°C
(41°F) |
10°C
(50°F) |
51
mm |
| Apr |
6°C
(43°F) |
13°C
(55°F) |
36
mm |
| May
|
8°C
(46°F) |
16°C
(61°F) |
34
mm |
| Jun
|
10°C
(50°F) |
18°C
(65°F) |
26
mm |
| Jul |
11°C
(52°F) |
20°C
(68°F) |
16
mm |
|
Aug |
11°C
(52°F) |
20°C
(68°F) |
24
mm |
|
Sep |
10°C
(50°F) |
18°C
(64°F) |
26
mm |
|
Oct |
8°C
(46°F) |
13°C
(55°F) |
67
mm |
|
Nov |
6°C
(42°F) |
9°C
(48°F) |
130
mm |
|
Dec |
4°C
(39°F) |
7°C
(45°F) |
106
mm |
|
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Average
Daily Temperatures and Climate Data for Victoria |
Victoria boasts one of the mildest climates in Canada, with an average of 2,183
hours of sunshine a year, an eight-month frost free season and an average monthly
rainfall of 66.6 mm (2.6 in). Summers are warm, but cool offshore breezes keep
the city from getting uncomfortably hot.
Visitors may want to bring an umbrella, especially during the winter, when
the average monthly rainfall is 50 mm (1.9 in). While it is blessed as being
one of the few Canadian cities without a large snowfall during the winter, it
is advisable for visitors to bring a warm jacket, especially from November to
March. A light sweater or warm jacket is recommended for the summer, when breezes
off the ocean cause the evenings to cool off.
TRANSPORTATION
Just as Victoria started out as a port of entry for prospectors during the
Fraser Valley Gold Rush, the city still remains the centre of a large and efficient
web of transportation.
Victoria
International Airport serves daily flights from Vancouver
and Seattle, as well as
direct flights from cities throughout Canada and the U.S.A.
The airport is located in Sidney,
about a half hour drive from downtown Victoria. There is an airport shuttle
available, which stops at most major hotels.
Frequent ferries
between Vancouver's ferry port Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, 30 minutes from downtown
Victoria, allow for a quick and easy trip between the mainland and the island.
Frequent buses are also available between Vancouver and Victoria (via the ferry),
from Swartz Bay to downtown Victoria and from Victoria to other Vancouver Island
destinations.
The transportation system within the city of Victoria is efficient and easy
to navigate. A transit guide with schedules and route information can be picked
up for free from merchants and information booths around the city.
Victoria is also a very pedestrian-friendly city, with many of its attractions
centrally located and within walking distance from each other. Many of the city's
gardens are located out of the downtown core, but there are tours available,
and direct routes are available via public transit. While visitors likely won't
have to worry about renting a car to get around Victoria, as most locations
are accesible by foot or public transportation, car
rentals are available, for those who want to take day trips to explore
nearby Island locations.
ATTRACTIONS
Victoria has plenty to offer visitors in the way of attractions
and activities.
Whether it's people-watching at the harbour, hunting for good buys in the shopping
districts, taking advantage of one of Victoria's many outdoor recreation opportunities,
taking a trip to the past in one of the city's museums,
or enjoying a traditional British tea in one of the immaculately tended gardens,
visitors of all ages and interests are sure to find something of interest.
Districts
Imagine a street scene packed with unique shops, pedestrians of all ages, buskers
entertaining passers-by, towering heritage buildings, brightly coloured flower
baskets hanging everywhere in sight, and a glistening harbour packed with multi-shaded
boats floating in the water.
This is Victoria's Inner
Harbour district—a pretty oceanfront area home to many of the historic
city's main attractions. By strolling along the cobblestone streets and pedestrian
friendly walkways (an ideal location for people-watching), it's possible to
see many of the city's highlights within this horseshoe-shaped harbour.
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The
Victoria Parliament Buildings |
Attractions in the Inner Harbour include
The Royal London Wax Museum (in the Madame Tussaud's tradition),
The
Royal British Columbia Museum, which houses a fascinating collection
of exhibits on the human and natural history of the province, Miniature
World, the Undersea
Gardens, the stunning Empress
Hotel (where taking a traditional British afternoon tea is an essential
part of the Victoria experience), The
Maritime Museum, the unusual yet fascinating Victoria
Bug Zoo, and the historic Parliament
Buildings.
This neighbourhood isn't the only one worth checking out in Victoria. Many
unique, historic districts close to the downtown provide a glimpse at the different
faces of the capital city.
Facing the Inner Harbour is Government
Street, a busy district known for its eclectic mix of shops. Leading
out of the downtown core from the Inner Harbour lies Fort
Street, commonly known as Antique Row. Antique collectors will be in
shoppers' heaven here, as they browse through shops devoted to rare china, silver,
toys, furniture and other unique finds.
Bastion
Square is the site where Fort Victoria was founded in 1843. Once the
location of a jail, a brothel and several hangings, today this attractive historic
area is home to a flurry of shops, restaurants, museums and offices. The district
is also home to Victoria's longest running festival, The
Bastion Square Arts Festival, which runs from April to October and consists
of some of B.C.'s top artists and artisans selling their handmade artwork.
First established in the 1870s, during the height of the Fraser Valley Gold
Rush, Victoria's Chinatown
is the oldest Chinese district in Canada, and the second oldest in all of North
America (after San Francisco). The neighbourhood originally housed nearly 10,000
people who came to hunt for gold, build the railway, or work in the coal mines.
Now the district isn't as large as it once was, but it is still home to a number
of fascinating historic sites, such as Fan
Tan Alley, Canada's narrowest street, which was once the site of opium
dens and gambling houses.
This bustling historic neighbourhood is also a good place to hunt for exotic
Asian imports or to sample some Chinese
cuisine. Other historic sites to check out include the Gates
of Harmonious Interest, which marks the entrance to Chinatown, and the
Chinese
Public School, built in 1909.
Gardens
Victoria is a haven for horticulturalists. From the 900 hanging flower baskets
displayed year round in the downtown core, to the intricate public gardens
scattered around the city, it's no wonder the capital is known as the City of
Gardens.
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Flowers
blooming in a Victoria garden |
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The most renowned public gardens in Victoria are the Butchart
Gardens, a 55-acre floral display of brilliant colours, scents and scenery.
The blooms are beautiful throughout the year, and live entertainment and special
events take place every month. The
Victoria Butterfly Gardens, located just next door to the Butchart Gardens,
provide a rare opportunity to view butterflies as they flutter around the 1,000
square meters of gardens that serve as a conservatory for the creatures.
As a testament to their reputation as the garden capital of Canada and home
to the mildest winter in the country, Victorians have created their own unique
spring celebration, The Annual Flower Count. Every February, residents are encouraged
to report the number of blossoms in their flowerbeds or on city trees. When
the grand total of flowers is announced, it is celebrated as a farewell to winter
and a welcome to an early spring.
Arts and Entertainment
One of the many advantages of Victoria's mild climate is the city's ability
to host events and festivals
year round. The city is known for its large scale artistic and cultural events
that occur throughout the seasons. Some of the major annual festivals include
JazzFest
International, the Victoria
Flower and Garden Show, Victoria
Independent Film and Video Festival, Victoria
Dragon Boat Festival, Victoria
Fringe Theatre Festival and the Victoria
Christmas Festival.
Festivals aren't the only form of art and culture blossoming in the BC capital.
The city has plenty to offer the arts lover, from the many galleries,
exhibits and studios that dot downtown Victoria and Vancouver Island, to the
buskers and street performers that entertain visitors on the Inner Harbour boardwalk.
During the summer, visitors can bring their lawn chairs or blankets and watch
classic movies on an outdoor screen at the harbour boardwalk.
Victoria is also home to many reputed artistic and musical organizations such
as the Pacific
Opera Victoria and the Victoria
Symphony. A highlight of each summer is the August 1 celebration Symphony
Splash, which features a classical music performance by the orchestra
from a boat docked in the Inner Harbour. Crowds gather along the harbour to
hear the symphony sounds, a highlight of which is a performance of Tchaikovsky's
1812 Overture accompanied by the firing of cannons, ringing of bells and the
explosion of fireworks.
Activities
Globally recognized as having some of the best scuba
diving conditions in the world, the Pacific Ocean shores of Victoria
and the surrounding island were ranked by the Jacques Cousteau Society as the
second best location in the world, after the Red Sea in Egypt, for diversity
of marine life and water clarity.
These water conditions, the pleasant Victoria climate, and the presence of
a remarkable variety of rare marine life make for an ideal place for not only
diving, but a variety of outdoor sports, boat
tours and wildlife watching activities.
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A
killer whale near Victoria |
Plenty of companies in Victoria offer whale
watching tours, where visitors can opt to board high-speed Zodiacs or
more relaxing yacht cruises and sail among the orcas, or killer whales, that
live in the waters off of Vancouver Island, or that migrate through the area
every year. Vancouver Island, in fact, has the largest population of resident
killer whales in the world. The best time of year to catch a glimpse of the
impressive animals leaping out of the water is between May and October, during
the salmon spawning season. Other commonly sighted animals include birds,
otters, seals,
sea lions and dolphins.
Other popular activities include kayaking
and canoeing
tours. Victoria tour companies offer guided tours for paddlers with
any level of experience. Visitors can opt to take scenic two-hour paddles around
the harbour, or more adventurous multi-day trips.
A plethora of other outdoor activities await visitors, including exploring
the many hiking trails in the area, cycling or walking along the popular Galloping
Goose Trail, or golfing,
a favourite past-time of many Victoria residents. Even exploring all the historic
sites, museums, galleries and shops of the city is an interesting adventure
in itself. Visitors can choose from many unique modes of transportation as they
tour the city, from relaxing in a horse
drawn carriage, to watching from the roof of a double-decker bus.
First Nations Art and Culture
Archaeological evidence shows that complex First Nations cultures have existed
in British Columbia as long as 10,000 years ago. Now, the province is home to
over 150,000 Aboriginal people belonging to 40 major cultural groups.
Vancouver Island offers plenty of opportunities for learning about and participating
in this rich Aboriginal
heritage and culture.
A good place to start is the permanent First Peoples Gallery at the Royal
British Columbia Museum, featuring ancient totem poles and many artifacts.
Behind the museum, a series of totem poles are also on display. In the summer,
visitors can often observe First Nations artists carving totems.
Numerous First Nations art galleries and collections can also be found around
Victoria.
Restaurants
Outdoor activities aren't the only thing Victoria is widely acclaimed for.
The city's reputation as a location for fine cuisine is becoming increasingly
well known throughout Canada and internationally. The city, in fact, has the
second highest number of restaurants
per capita in North America. Its location on Vancouver Island allows access
to fresh seafood such as salmon and shellfish, and to a supply of fresh, seasonal
ingredients from the region's abundance of farms. The nearby Cowichan Valley
is home to the best growing conditions on the island, producing products such
as asparagus, salad greens, cheese, lamb, poultry, balsamic vinegar and fine
wines.
Visitors can savour all of these elements of so-called West Coast cuisine from
one of the Inner Harbour or downtown restaurants, or they can choose to sample
from the variety of international cuisine that the capital city also boasts,
including Chinese,
French,
Italian,
Mexican,
Greek,
Vietnamese,
Japanese
and East
Indian restaurants.
