Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
West
The closest camping to downtown is at
Westbay Marine Village
(453 Head St., Esquim-
alt, 250/385-1831 or 866/937-8229,
www.westbay.bc.ca
,
$42.50-49.50), across Victoria
Harbour from downtown. Facilities at this RV-only campground include full hookups and
a laundromat. It is part of a marina complex comprising floating residences and commer-
cial businesses, such as fishing charter operators and restaurants. Water taxis connect the
“village” to downtown. Rates range in price depending on the view (the most expensive
sites have unobstructed views across to the Inner Harbour).
Fort Victoria RV Park
(340 Island Hwy., 250/479-8112,
www.fortvictoria.ca
, $41) is
6 kilometers (3.7 miles) northwest of the city center on Highway 1A. This campground
provides full hookups (including cable TV), free showers, laundry facilities, wireless In-
ternet, and opportunities to join charter salmon-fishing trips.
North Along Highway 1
Continuing west from the campgrounds west of downtown, Highway 1 curves north
through
Goldstream Provincial Park
(19 kilometers/11 miles from downtown, $28) and
begins its up-island journey north. The southern end of the park holds 161 well-spaced
campsites scattered through an old-growth forest—it's one of the most beautiful settings
you could imagine close to a capital city. The campground offers free hot showers but
no hookups. The park's interpretive center is farther north along the highway, and many
trailsleadofffromthecampground,includinga10-minutewalktophotogenicGoldstream
Falls. The campground is also within walking distance of a grocery store.
In Malahat, 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) farther north along Highway 1, is
Victoria West
KOA
(250/478-3332 or 800/562-1732,
www.victoriakoa.com
, mid-May to mid-Sept., un-
serviced sites $39, hookups $41-48, cabins from $92 s or d). Facilities include free
showers, an outdoor pool, laundry room, store, and game room.
Saanich Peninsula
Halfway between downtown Victoria and Sidney, is
Island View Beach Regional Park
(Homathko Dr., 250/652-0548, mid-May to early Sept., $15-20, cash only), right on the
beach 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) east of Highway 17.
