Pullman Kids: Geography: Canada: British Columbia: Victoria

Pullman Kids: Geography: Canada: British Columbia: Victoria contains pictures and descriptions of various places in Victoria, the capital city of the province of British Columbia, Canada.

Capital City: Victoria

Friday May 19, 2000: The rhododendrons and azelias are vivid blotches of bright colour everywhere. Most of the dogwood trees are still covered by their white flowers but the leaves are also on. It was breezy at Willows Beach today. A man in a wet suit was trying unsuccessfully to windsurf.

Wednesday May 17, 2000: The R.C.M.P. detachment on Millstream had an open house. The kids got to see hand-cuffs, barking police dogs, and a jail cell.

Monday May 15, 2000: We hiked the trail to the summit of Mount Doug. Coming down at 7:30 p.m., an owl swooped across the road in front of us. It sat on a short stub mid-height on a tall tree, just a round grey blob with white around its eyes. The small birds were going crazy because it was so close to their nests. They were chattering non-stop and buzzing the owl by flying past it to try to scare it away.

There's an old saying "All roads lead to Rome." In Victoria you could say, "All roads lead to the ocean." The eastern portion of Victoria is contained on the Saanich Peninsula. The northernmost section is the city of Sidney and near there are the ferries to Vancouver City and the airport to destinations unknown. The more southerly parts contain the neighbourhoods of Gordon Head, and Oak Bay. The University of Victoria and Camosun College also reside there. Central southwest Victoria contains the downtown surrounding the Inner Harbour. The west contains Royal Roads University, Metchosin, Sooke, and Colwood. North of there are famous hiking trails along the west coast. The island's north is approached via Goldstream Park. The tall trees push downwards as you pass through. The hills become mountains and soon you are on the Malahat Mountain where in winter you should have chains in the car trunk.

The best viewing sides of Victoria are the lookouts at the tops of Mount Douglas Park, and Mount Tolmie. Here is a list of some of the family activities and festivals which occur in Victoria.

Dragon Boat Races in the Inner Harbour
Heritage Boat Festival in the Inner Harbour
Butchart Gardens Fireworks show

Obon Japanese Festival of the Dead at the Ross Bay Cemetary
Emily Carr Festival at Emily Carr House

October

Chinese Lantern Festival at High School
Hallowe'en Farms
Salmon Spawning at Goldstream Park
High Tech show at Saanich Fairgrounds

December

Breakfast with Santa at the Cedar Hill Recreation Centre
Christmas Tuba Concert at Market Square
Skating with Santa at the Pearkes Recreation Centre
Hannukah Festival of Lights at the Jewish Community Centre

Whatever season of the year there is always something interesting to do in Victoria. Places to view animals are:

The petting zoo in Beacon Hill Park during the summer,
bunnies running around the UVIC campus,
and bunnies living in Mount Douglas Park.

The museum downtown has an excellent section on native history and culture.

Last modified February 1, 2007