VICTORIA AND VANCOUVER ISLAND - British Columbia: Including the Alaska Highway - page 158

all the polished wood, stained-glass windows, Victorian-era furnishings, and the great city
views from upstairs.
Scenic Route to Oak Bay
This route starts south of the Inner Harbour and follows the coastline all the way to the
University of Victoria. If you have your own transportation, this is a “must-do” in Victoria;
if you don't, most city tours take in the sights along the route. You can take Douglas Street
south alongside Beacon Hill Park to access the coast, but it's possible to continue east along
the Inner Harbour to the mouth of Victoria Harbour proper, passing the Canadian Coast
Guard Base and the Ogden Point Breakwall, the official start of the Scenic Drive (marked
by blue signs). The breakwall is only 3 meters (10 feet) wide, but it extends for 800 meters
(0.5 mile) into the bay. It's a super-popular stroll, especially in the early morning.
For the first few kilometers beyond the breakwall, the Olympic Mountains in Wash-
ington State are clearly visible across the Strait of Georgia, and many lookouts allow you
to stop and take in the panorama, including Clover Point. A few hundred meters beyond
Clover Point, Ross Bay Cemetery is the final resting place of many of early Victoria's most
prominent residents. Volunteer hosts are on hand through summer to point out the graves of
Emily Carr; British Columbia's first governor, Sir James Douglas; members of the coal-bar-
on Dunsmuir family; and Billy Barker, of Gold Rush fame. The gates are open weekdays
during daylight hours.
Continuing east, Dallas Road takes you through quiet residential areas, past small pebble
beaches covered in driftwood, and into the ritzy mansion district east of downtown, where
the residents have grand houses, manicured gardens, and stunning water views.
Continue through the well-manicured fairways of Victoria Golf Club on Gonzales Point
to Cadboro Bay, home to the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. The University of Victoria lies
on a ridge above Cadboro Bay; from here head southwest along Cadboro Bay Road and
then Yates Street to get back downtown, or to go north take Sinclair Road and then Mack-
enzie Avenue to reach Highway 17, the main route north up the Saanich Peninsula toward
famous Butchart Gardens.
The Gorge Waterway
This natural canal leads north from the Inner Harbour to Portage Inlet, a small saltwater lake
beside Highway 1. The best way to see the Gorge is from sea level, aboard a Victoria Har-
bour Ferry (250/708-0201). This company runs funky little 12-passenger vessels (round-
trip tour adult $26, senior $24, child $14) to a turnaround point at Gorge Park by the Tillic-
um Road Bridge.