Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse- Our West Coast Maritime History

A great park to explore, located near Victoria, BC, is Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site. This coast artillery fort, which was originally built in the late 1890's to defend Victoria and the Esquimalt Naval Base, is a wonderful and historic park with lots to see.

The main attraction is the beautiful Fisgard Lighthouse. Built in 1860, this lighthouse was the first on the west coast of Canada.

Fisgard Lighthouse

The lighthouse was draped in the Canadian flag for Canada Day celebrations this year.

Fort Rodd Hill also has beautiful viewpoints, and many interesting old military buildings to explore.

View Across the Water from the Top of Military Magazine

Head down the stairs to underground magazines and gun batteries more than 100 years old. 

Underground Magazine

Old Military Magazine and Supplies 

Explore some of the trails in the park, there are lots of places to picnic or to sit and looks at the views. Look for the Parks Canada red chairs!

Sit in the Red Chairs for the Best View 

Now head down to the beach for a walk. 

Driftwood Beaches

A short walk will lead you to Fisgard Lighthouse. 

Fisgard Lighthouse 

Enjoy this historic lighthouse and Fort Rodd Hill Park!

Happy Canada Day!

East Sooke Park- A Coastal Hike

A great place for day hikes near Victoria on Vancouver Island is East Sooke Regional Park.

The view across the water at East Sooke Park 

 About a 45 minute drive from downtown Victoria, this large park has many trails for whatever type of hike you are looking for, rugged or easy, coastal or rainforest, short or long.

An easy entry point with a large parking lot is at Aylard Farm.

Trail down to beach at Alyard Farm

Walk down the path about 5 minutes until you reach the sandy beach.

Flowering Meadows at Alyard Farm

Sun yourself on the beach and check out the hidden coves just over the rocks.

When you are ready, walk along the coastal trail. Make sure you have good shoes as the trail can be a little rugged. I walked as far as Alldridge Point and back to the parking lot, which was about one hour, but you could walk farther as there are many trails and entry points at this park.

Coastal views from the trail 

At Alldridge Point are some ancient petroglyphs carved into the rock. This is a provincial heritage site and shows some of the history of the Coast Salish people in this region.

Petroglyph 

Look for wildlife along your walk and check out the different types of trees along the coast. Many trees tend to be shaped interestingly by the wind and the likely strong storms that can pound the coast. There are also many colourful red arbutus trees.

Arbutus trees abound on the coast 

Once you are ready to turn back, go back along the coast for a bit, and then look for the trail on your left that will lead you back through the forest to the parking lot. This wide trail will take you through a bit of the coastal rain forest filled with lush ferns and salal.

Rainforest trail leads you back

There is lots to explore at East Sooke Park.

Playfair Park in Victoria, BC- Springtime Colour

Playfair Park, located in the area of Saanich, in the suburbs of Victoria, BC is a relatively small but beautiful park.

Playfair Park

 A great time to visit is in the spring, as there are many colourful rhododendrons.

Take your time and wander the many pathways with giant aged rhodos, some as large as trees.

There are also oak meadows, carefully being restored back to their natural state and freed from invasive weeds by many volunteer work parties. You can see the good work being done, and can enjoy the beautiful space filled with wild flowers in the spring. 

Oak Meadows With Camas Flowers 

Walk the many trails, it's easy to explore this hidden neighbourhood gem. 

Enjoy this quiet and peaceful place.

Walking Tour of Public Art in Victoria, BC- Favourite Murals and Sculptures

Victoria, BC has lots of great public art to check out, making a nice walk downtown. Here are some of my favourite ones. Start first in the parking lot for Capital Iron, on Store Street.

This one is a nice large-scale scenic mural covering the side of a retail building downtown. Now head up to Government Street and turn left at Fisgard, in Chinatown. There are a few great murals here. The first is between QV Bakery and Forum Restaurant. I love how this mural blends into the restaurant next door.

Beautiful Murals in Chinatown

Now go across the street towards the parkade to see another wonderful mural, this one of a family. Another few are around the corner too. 

Now go up Fisgard Street and cross over Douglas Street. At the corner of Douglas and Cormorant Street is another mural, this one depicting vintage cars and buildings.

Go up Cormorant Street and turn right on Blanshard Street. Walk up to the Ocean Island Hostel on the corner of Blanshard and Pandora. On the side of the building is the following mural, with a trompe l'oeil effect of the people in the windows.

Now keep heading down Blanshard Street towards Beacon Hill Park. One block past Blanshard and Belleville Street, you will see this public art.

I think this is a motto we can all live by. I also love the wittiness of the concrete bench below it, in the shape of a mattress.

Feeling Sleepy

Now head back on Douglas Street, and turn left on Belleville Street. Just past the Parliament Buildings, in the front of the Hotel Grand Pacific lies this public sculpture.

Avocados Anyone? 

If you really want to keep walking (or you can save this section of the walk for another time), head across the bridge to Vic West. At the Dockside Green development is this picture painted on a shipping container.

Head on the Galloping Goose Trail across the trestle bridge towards the Selkirk development. Just on the other side of the bridge, under the overpass is this colourful mural.

Now walk back across the wooden trestle bridge of the Galloping Goose trail and head over to Banfield Park. Cut across the park and head across the road to Pine Street and then left onto McCaskill Street. Here is a very cool mural the residents of this neighborhood did to help deter graffiti tagging and add art to their community. 

Colourful Mural on McCaskill Street in Vic West 

These are just some of my favourites here in Victoria, but there are many more to discover. Have fun finding the ones you like! 

Waterfront Stroll in Sidney- Boats and Breezes at All Bay

A short stroll to do on a sunny day is along the waterfront and coves in Sidney, BC starting near All Bay Marina. Park near the marina or near Resthaven Park and walk along Harbour Road to the end of All Bay Road. There are a few water access points and viewpoints with scenic vistas over the ocean.

Then head back towards Resthaven Park where there is a nice pathway to walk along the waterfront.

Check out the view of the boats at All Bay Marina and the other areas. This is a popular spot for boats as it is sheltered in this bay, yet close to a lot of the gulf islands for great sailing.

Walk along the waterfront to the point and back.

Enjoy the nautical atmosphere!

Walking Ogden Point Breakwater- To The Edge and Back

An easy and fun stroll is along the waterfront in Victoria. The breakwater, located along Dallas Road at Ogden Point is a favourite destination.

Ogden Point Breakwater

The breakwater is approximately 800 metres in length and is a great way to enjoy the waterfront. On a clear day you can see across to the Olympic mountains of Washington State, but it is a nice walk even when it's more cloudy too. 

Look for scuba divers on the the side of the walkway, as this area is a favourite dive spot in Victoria.

Keep an eye out for wildlife while walking. Quite often seals can be spotted in the sheltered waters of the breakwater, feeding on fish there. I saw two seals on my walk , a mother and a baby seal.

Seals Are Often Seen On Walk

Enjoy the beauty of the waterfront.