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Victoria attractions - the Saanich Peninula on Vancouver Island
Victoria attractions on the Saanich Peninsula include the Butchart Gardens and Sidney. Southern Vancouver Island is a pleasant place for driving tours to these attractions as well as wineries, parks and beaches. They extend beyond the downtown area to the Saanich Peninsula, Oak Bay and Sidney. All are within a 25 minute drive of Gazebo Bed and Breakfast. Here are most outdoor recreations, golf, parks and beaches.
East of downtown is Oak Bay with its British influences. Interesting shops can be found in ‘Oak Bay Village’ and Oak Bay Avenue / Foul Bay Road. There are two tea shops of note: White Heather and The Blethering Place. Stroll along Willows Beach and the Oak Bay Marina.
10 attractions in 10 minutes drive.
Starting at Gazebo B&B you can visit 10 attractions in 10 minutes! Well, to be more precise there are ten attractons in a ten minute long drive:
View 10 attractions in 10 minutes in a larger map
From our gate you turn right to Starling Lane Winery then return past us and follow the pretty Old West Saanich Road until you see two wineries and a distillery very close together. Continue and then veer right onto West Saanich Road. Turn left at the lights to enter Butterfly Gardens. A few yards further is Church and State Winery where you can also see the wonderful Raptors demonstration. Continue along Benvenuto Avenue until it dips down and you go left onto Wallace Drive where after 400 yards is the easy hiking trail through Gowlland Tod Provincial Park to Tod Inlet. Return to the crossraods and go left to the Butchart Gardens. It's a little tour that could fill a very full and varied day. (The only place missed en route is the Centre of the Universe which is just to the west of us requiring a short detour.)
Butchart Gardens – remarkable gardens a short drive away from our B&B. Not to be missed!
The Centre of the Universe is the interpretive centre of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory at 5071 West Saanich Road, Victoria (250 363-8262). See spectacular views of both Victoria and the Cosmos! (It is the hill right behind our B&B.) Directions are on our Centre of the Universe map page.
Butterfly Gardens nearby at 1461 Benvenuto Avenue, Brentwood (1-877 722-0272) is a tropical paradise to stroll amongst hundreds of fluttering butterflies and moths. There are also over 60 birds, tortoises and Poison Dart Frogs too. Summer evenings after 1st May are illuminated, open until 9pm. See the Butterfly Gardens map for directions. Enjoy their video:
The Raptors at Church and State Winery (next to Butterfly Gardens) are a new display of birds of prey. Several demonstrations are held daily of eagles, oils, hawks and falcons. We thoroughly enjoyed this wonderful spectacle:
Images courtesy of Dan Eastabrook
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Sidney: a quiet town with an appealing selection of shops along Beacon Avenue, particularly well known for its eight book shops. The marina and wharf areas are good to potter around and children enjoy Mineral World. Sidney Museum explores the history of whales.
BC Aviation Museum adjoins Victoria International Airport - 1910 Norseman Road, Sidney, British Columbia (250 655-3300). It contains restored aircraft and artifacts related to the history of aviation in B.C.
See all area attractions.
Victoria's Country Retreat ... serenity near the Butchart Gardens
A Saanich Peninsula bed and breakfast near the Butchart Gardens
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