Photo Worthy Outdoor Adventures (that are close by!)

Vancouver Island is an outdoor lover's dream come true, with the beautiful hikes, beaches, parks, and flourishing variety of ecosystems and sights. Not every adventurer has access to a vehicle, or hours to spend navigating the transit systems, so we have got you covered with our favorite places around the downtown area to experience the best that nature has to offer (and all for free!).

Holland Point Park

This scenic park is located right near Beacon Hill park, and is just a 30 minute walk from the Inn. Learn more about rich local history with the several monument markers, and then make sure to pop down to walk along the locally beloved driftwood beaches. Along the entire coast of the James Bay neighborhood, you can find stunning driftwood covered shorelines, a perfect spot to capture some photos, and the best views of the sunset that downtown has to offer.

561 Dallas Road
beaconhillparkhistory.org/contents/appendix_C2.htm

Ross Bay Cemetery / Ross Bay Pebbles Beach

If you’re into the more unusual side of outdoor adventures, try strolling the beautiful Victorian-era landscapes of Ross Bay Cemetery! Boasting the oldest surviving landscape design in BC and an abundance of unusual trees and plantings, winding carriageways, graves with intriguing marble, sandstone and granite monuments, seeing this traditional territory of the Lekwungen People is truly a one of a kind experience. Just steps away from the cemetery is the gorgeous Ross Bay Pebbles Beach, where you can see spectacular views of the Juan de Fuca Strait, and stop to catch a beautiful sunset, or on a stormy day, this is the perfect beach to watch some crashing waves!

1495 Fairfield Road
oldcem.bc.ca/cem/cem_rb

Government House Gardens

These picturesque gardens offer a variety of scenery and little charming hideaways for you to explore- and all the gardens are fully wheelchair accessible! With over 13 different gardens to experience, this is a must see while in Victoria and is only a 30 minute walk from our front steps! The gardens are entirely free and open from 9am to sunset daily, so you have plenty of opportunities to visit.

1401 Rockland Avenue
fghgs.ca/discover-the-gardens/all-gardens

Willows Beach

If you’re looking for sand and swimming than Willows beach is the place around town for you, boasting the nicest beaches on the south of the island, it is an ideal spot to work on your tan and watch for otters! The beach is a short drive or bus ride away from the Inn, and during the summer months often has fantastic events happening! Stop by the Kiwanis Willows Beach Tea Room during the peak season months for a hot dog and an ice-cream, where all the proceeds go to various charity organisations.

Esplanade, Oak Bay
oakbay.ca/parks-recreation/parks-playgrounds/parks-listing/willows-park

Cattle Point

While we love the bustle of downtown Victoria, sometimes it’s nice to just relax and gaze up at the stars without the lights and sounds of the city interfering- that is where scenic Cattle Point comes in. This lesser known tourist attraction and local hideaway is conveniently near the downtown core, just a short bus ride away but still far enough away to truly illuminate the sky with stars at night. Cattle Point is one of the best places to see the original eco system of the island alive and thriving during the day, and has a picnic area so that you can relax and watch the waves crashing against the shore before setting up your telescope to hunt for constellations at night!

3040 Beach Drive
oakbaytourism.com/stakeholder/cattle-point