Within 5 – 10 Minutes of our Location
Butchart Gardens
World Class botanical garden with 55 acres of floral display and photo opportunities. The Gardens has welcomed visitors for over 100 years and in 2004 was designated as a Natural Historic Site of Canada.
Admission includes extensive walking paths through the flowers, light displays, fountains, entertainment and evening fireworks (Saturdays in July and August). Dining facilities are located on the grounds.
Butterfly Gardens
Indoor tropical paradise that offers viewings of hundreds of butterflies, tropical birds, fish and many different ornate plants including a spectacular orchid display.
Church and State Wines
A 25 acre award winning winery located on a hillside overlooking the farmland of the Saanich Peninsula. Daily wine tastings during spring and summer months.
Dominion Observatory
This world class observatory offers a star gazing program, a Gift Shop, tours, interactive exhibits, a Star Lab Planetarium and special theatre presentations. For information on programs visit:
Eurosa Farms
Both a farm market and a 125,000 square ft greenhouse operation offering a unique behind the scenes experience. A one hour tour includes viewing the cultivation of roses, gerberas, alstroemerias, peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers and complimentary tea and coffee.
Gowland Tod Provincial Nature Park
This 2400acre nature park offers superb walking and hiking trails; many of them overlooking the beautiful waters of Saanich Inlet.
Golfing
There are many courses suitable for all levels of play that are located throughout the Saanich Peninsula and Greater Victoria. Our mild climate makes golf possible almost year round.
Whale Watching, Eco Tours, Kayaking and Fishing
The Victoria region, including the Saanich Peninsula, has abundant sea life including orcas ( killer whales ), porpoises, seals, sea lions, otters, salmon, halibut and sea birds. For more information on whale watching and eco tours visit:
Restaurants and Spas
There are many fine dining establishments and day spas located nearby and in the Greater Victoria area.
Within 20 – 30 Minutes of our Location
Beacon Hill Park
A 200 acre park located near the waterfront along the south shore of Victoria. Park facilities include trails, petting zoo, wading pool, water fountains, picnic areas, a band pavilion and cultural features.
Craigdarroch Castle
A landmark Victoria mansion built in 1890 with 39 rooms, most of which are furnished in the 1890 – 1900s period with lavish woodwork, stonework, stained glass windows and antique furniture.
Maritime Museum of British Columbia
This attraction offers exhibits and artifacts that relate to British Columbia’s rich maritime history.
Royal British Columbia Museum
Has a vast collection of artifacts and specimens that tell the story of British Columbia’s past, present and future.
The museum also has many touring international exhibits (including the Titanic Artifact Exhibition from April 14th to October 14th, 2007). Also check out the Imax Theatre to take in a large-scale movie experience.
Sidney-by-the-Sea
This quaint little town offers the charm of a small community in a rural surrounding. It's seafront walk offers panoramic views across the strait and it's modern harbour with fishing pier is always colourful and busy.
The main street boasts broad sidewalks, great shopping, and a wide variety of coffee shops and restaurants. There is a summer market every Thursday evening; June - September. In addition, Sidney is Canada's only booktown with nine wonderful bookstores (all within walking distance) featuring modern, used, collectors, and antiquarian books.
Brentwood - Mill Bay Ferry
Departs five minutes away from our home (is known as Vancouver Island’s most beautiful shortcut) and takes you to the Cowichan Valley (also called Canada’s Provence and/or Napa of the North).
Here you can visit more wineries and farms then continue up the island to the beautiful villages of Chemainus with it’s world famous murals, lovely Ladysmith (Harrowsmith magazine names it as one of the top ten villages in Canada), Parksville and Qualicum with their stunningly sandy beaches and then continue on to Tofino and Ucuelet on the wild west coast of Vancouver Island. While in Tofino, stay at the Long Beach Lodge to storm watch and visit the rain forest.