Goldstream Provincial Park offers a real experience through the old-growth temperate rain forest with magnificent waterfalls, giant trees, and a winding river that meets the sea, flowers, birds, and fishes.
The park can be an inspiration for all kinds of visitors with different and exciting things that can be found every month of the year.
Annual fall salmon that runs in the Goldstream River and the numerous bald eagles that gather at the Goldstream Provincial Park for feeding at that time is one of the most exciting views.
Goldstream Provincial Park is an excellent place for hiking (short or long!) with multiple trails that pass through distinct vegetation zones. You can find 600-year-old Douglas fir trees and western red cedar mixed with red alder, western yew and hemlock, big leaf maple and black cottonwood. Also, flowering dogwood, lodgepole pine and arbutus are located on the drier ridges. Goldstream overflows with many-hued wildflowers, including the shade-loving western trillium and the calypso, a delicate orchid of the mossy forest glades, found in the spring and early summer.
Goldstream Provincial Park has 477 hectares (1178.69 acres) surface area and is just 17 km (10.5 miles) away from downtown Victoria, Vancouver Island.
Goldstream is also a part of the Nanaimo Lowlands Ecosection and the Coastal Douglas Fir Biogeoclimatic Zone.
Goldstream Provincial Park is a natural wonder with a diversity of flora and fauna.
Fish like Salmon, steelhead trout and steelhead, birds such as hummingbirds, turkey vultures, Bald eagles, ducks and gulls, and animals like Black bears, deer and cougars, beavers, raccoons, minks, Gray Douglas squirrels and otters can be found at Goldstream Provincial Park.
Small Garry oak meadows, 600-year-old Douglas fir trees and arbutus are placed at the park.
The park includes Goldstream Niagara Falls, which cascades 47.5 meters (155 ft) down a rock cliff into a transparent canyon pool below. Goldstream Falls, located in the park's southwest corner, close to the campground.
From Victoria:
The Fastest route from Victoria is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N Rd, which is only 19.2 km (12 miles) and takes about 19 minutes.
Head west on Pandora Ave toward Government St. After 99 m (324.8 ft), turn right onto Government St. Drive for one kilometre and slight right toward Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. After 72 m (236.2 ft), use any lane to turn left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N and drive for 18 km (11.1 miles) more to reach the Goldstream Provincial Park.
From Nanaimo:
Nanaimo's fastest route is via Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S, which is 92 km (57 miles) and takes about 1 hour and 9 minutes.
Head east on Wallace St toward Fraser St. After 350 m (1148.2 ft), the Wallace St turns slightly right and becomes Victoria Crescent. After 170 m (557.7 ft) turn left onto Esplanade. 36 m (118.1 ft) more and then turn right onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 S. Drive for 91.2 km (56.6 miles) and turn left onto Finlayson Arm Rd. After 28 m (91.8 ft) sharp left onto Trans-Canada Hwy/BC-1 N. Drive for 190 m (623.3 ft) to reach the Goldstream Provincial Park.
1. "Goldstream Trestle" is an out and back trail located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. This moderate trail has a 2.6 km (1.6 miles) length and 172 m (564.3 feet) elevation gain. Goldstream Trestle features a waterfall and is mostly used for hiking. The best time to use this trail is from May until October. You need to leash your dog while on the trail.
2. "Mount Finlayson Loop" is located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. This difficult trail has a height of 6.1 km (3.8 miles) and 431 meters (1414 feet). Mount Finlayson Loop features a great forest and is mainly used for hiking. The best time to use this trail is from May until October. Dogs must be kept on a leash.
3. "Gold Mine Trail" is an out and back trail located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. This easy trail has a 3.5 km (2.17 miles) length and 135 m (443 ft) elevation gain. It features a river and is mainly used for hiking, running, and nature trips. Please keep your dog on a leash.
4. "Mount Finlayson Trail" is an out and back moderate trail located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. The trail has a 3.1 km (1.9 miles) length and 373 m (1223 ft) elevation gain. Mount Finlayson features beautiful wildflowers and is mostly used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching. The best time to use this trail is from May until October. Dogs must be kept on a leash.
5. "Mount Finlayson backside Trail" is an out and back moderate trail located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. The trail has a 3.7 km (2.3 miles) length and 267 m (876 ft) elevation gain. It features a great forest and is mostly used for hiking and running. Dogs must be kept on a leash.
6. "Goldstream Falls via Gold Mine, Arbutus Ridge, Upper Goldstream, and Prospector's Trail Loop" is located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. This moderate trail has a 10.1 km (6.27 miles) length and 382 m (1253 ft) elevation gain. It features a great forest and is mostly used for hiking, walking, running, and nature trips. The best time to use this trail is from May until October. Keep your dog on a leash while you are using the trail.
7. "Goldstream to Finlayson Arm" is an out and back moderate trail located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. The trail has a 1.3 km (0.8 miles) length and 29 m (95.1 ft) elevation gain. Goldstream Trestle features a waterfall and is mostly used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching.
8. "Goldstream Falls from Goldstream Campground" is a moderate loop trail located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. The trail has a 5.5 km (3.4 miles) length and 114 m (374 ft) elevation gain. Goldstream Trestle features a waterfall and is mostly used for hiking, walking, camping, and nature trips. The best time to use this trail is from May until October. You need to keep your dogs on a leash.
9. "Seven Peaks" is a point-to-point trail located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. This moderate trail has a 33 km (20.5 miles) length and a 1,625 m (5331 ft) elevation gain. The best time to use this trail is from April until October. Dogs are allowed to use the trail.
10. "Mount Finlayson Extended Loop" is located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. It has a 6.8 km (4.2 miles) length and 429 m (1407 feet) elevation gain. This moderate trail features a lake and is mostly used for hiking. The best time to use this trail is from May until October. Please keep your dogs on a leash while you are on the trail.
11. "Prospector Trail to Viewpoint" is an out and back trail located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. This easy trail has a 2.7 km (1.6 miles) length and 123 m (403 ft) elevation gain. It features a great forest and is mostly used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching.
12. "Bridge Trail" is a loop located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. It has a 0.6 km (0.37 miles) length and 22 m (72 ft) elevation gain. This easy trail has scenic sights and is mostly used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching. The best time to use this trail is from May until September. Dogs are allowed to use the trail but must be kept on a leash.
13. "Arbutus Trail to Hidden Springs Lookout" is a loop located near Langford, British Columbia, Canada. This easy trail has a 4.8 km (3 miles) length and 136 m (446 ft) elevation gain. Arbutus Trail to Hidden Springs Lookout features beautiful wildflowers and is mostly used for hiking, walking, nature trips and bird-watching. You need to keep your dog on a leash.
Goldstream is placed on traditional fishing grounds of First Nations. The Goldstream River experienced a gold rush during the mid-19th century. Mining shafts and tunnels are all that relict from that period.
In 1985 the Greater Victoria Water Board gave the Goldstream Park area to the British Columbia people, and the rest lands were added through the Commonwealth Nature Legacy and Crown Land in 1994 and 1996.
All the marvel specifics turn this park into the magic place that will motivate you for hiking and cycling through the trails while enjoying the vegetation and the animals.
You can also find some sections of the Goldstream River near the campground that can be used for swimming.
The Freeman King Visitor Centre offers coffee and snacks, a gift shop, exhibits, programs and interpretive programming throughout the year. There is An open-air amphitheatre in the campground for the summer programs.
Although there is no fishing at the park, The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC has a practical program that teaches necessary fishing skills to youth under 16 years old.
Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was established to preserve intertidal and subtidal communities that became very rich due to strong tidal currents. It features marine mammals like whales, sea lions and seals, birds like ducks, cormorants, black oyster-catchers and bald eagles. Fish species, marine invertebrates, and animals like marine algae and seagrass are among other inhabitants.
If you are looking for a kid-friendly place in Victoria, Willows Park is an ideal option. The park has a stunning view of Mount Baker and features a lovely, soft, and sandy beach. Experience a great time swimming, sunbathing, reading books, picnicking, and kayaking. Walk, run, or relax on the sand and let your kids play on the beach or the playground nearby.
At the northwest shore of West of Shawnigan Lake, there is a dawn to dusk area, with a Douglas fir forest and a delightful beach known as Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park. Being there with your family and friends and spending your time swimming, canoeing, waterskiing, and windsurfing would refresh your body and soul. The park is a habitat for many animals.
Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park, with a wide variety of species of flora and fauna, features two lakes, a forest, a playground for kids, and picnicking area. That is why you can do lots of water-based and land-based activities. Among them are swimming, fishing, paddling, windsurfing, waterskiing, hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. This park is a birds' paradise.
Beacon Hill Park, a popular destination among locals and tourists, has spectacular views, charming woodlands, Rose Garden, roaming peacocks, many unique wooden sculptures, and facilities. It has four ponds famous for turtles, swans, ducks, blue herons, and Canada geese. River otters, raccoons, squirrels, and birds live here. A petting zoo, two playgrounds, two spray parks, and tennis courts are available.
Memory Island Provincial Park is one of the smallest parks in British Columbia. Its peaceful and beautiful nature makes it an excellent choice for picnicking. As it is placed in Shawnigan Lake, you can catch some fish like trout. Also, swimming, canoeing, and kayaking are possible. In addition, the park is home to various birds, small mammals, reptiles, amphibians, plants, and fungi.
Goldstream Provincial Park is an old-growth temperate rain forest with 600-year-old Douglas fir trees. It has magnificent waterfalls, giant trees, and a winding river, a perfect area for camping. Annual fall salmon that runs in the river and the bald eagles that gather at the park for feeding are some of the most exciting views. With a variety of trails, this park is an excellent place for hiking.
Mount Douglas Park is the largest and most fascinated park in the Saanich area, with breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the majestic mountain, island, and ocean. It is known for its age-friendly hiking trails lush with plenty of trees and wildflowers. Walking through its sandy beach and the tremendous forest lets you experience peace and enjoy the wildlife.
Answer the call of nature and step into breathtaking trails while watching wildlife. Excellent hiking trails on the beach with a fantastic ocean view will get you to East Sooke Regional Park. With its 1,435 hectares of natural and protected coastal landscape, feel the real nature at the west coast of Vancouver Island, where all attractions await visitors.
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Wear decent hiking boots for a moderate hiking trail near Sooke. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is an enjoyable trail that leads you to Grass Lake and featuring Monument Mountain makes it possible to have amazing views from the top. Doing the Grass Lake Trail overnight and camping by the lake turns it into a memorable trip. Enjoy the trail in warmer seasons and get a dip into the lake.
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It is time to put your heart into hiking and step into a moderate multi-use trail with some great views along the way and on top. Mount Manuel Quimper has a beautiful summit worth the climb, which gives you excellent vistas of Sooke Harbour and a chance to visit one of the last fire lookouts left on the island.
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Here is a highly recommended and well-marked trail for challenges enthusiasts. Hiking on Mount Empress from Sooke Potholes via Mary Vine and Todd Creek Trails offers you insane 360° views of the Sooke Basin, Victoria, and San Juan Islands.
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Hiking on the entire East Sooke Coastal Trail is an experience not to be missed! This beautiful trail is a mix of the fantastic coast and beautiful greenery. Hiking boots are required! The route takes you along bluffs and cliffs by the Pacific Ocean that worth it for the views. This well-marked trail can take full-day hiking in East Sooke Regional Park.
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The East Sooke Coast and Interior Trail Loop is a well-marked trail with beautiful scenery. It is a combination of an easy access road and a more challenging coastal pass, which offers you incredible viewpoints. This excellent trail is along the Pacific Ocean and allows you to see marine life such as whales from a distance.
Extraordinary opportunities to make your diving experience memorable in the heart of Greater Victoria, including high-ranked spots for diving. These spots provide you with inevitable diving opportunities which allow you to explore the alien underwater world of Victoria's waters saturated with magnificent creatures. Do not miss it for the world.
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Looking for a reliable place to go whale watching for the first time on Vancouver Island? Why not starting with Sidney North Saanich Yacht Club, one of the famous Yacht Clubs on the island. You will have the opportunity to observe these gigantic creatures and probably other sea creatures in the waters of the Salish Sea.
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Start your whale watching journey with Van Isle Marina, a critical marine zone on Vancouver Island, capable of serving 200 boats simultaneously, which has made it an ideal destination for the fans of whale watching. There is a high chance to observe other sea creatures other than whales.
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While exploring Sooke Area, if you happen o take a long calm walk on the Otter Point shoreline, you may see whales from the beach. Otter Point Park provided you with other activities, too, such as hiking, wildlife and birdwatching, and also a scenic nature to appreciate.
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As one of the best tourist attractions of Sooke and Vancouver Island, West Coast comprises many outdoor excitements that cannot be denied. You are provided with different wildlife to watch and various food to eat, not to mention that you observe a rare nature that is outstanding. So, chances are high to see different whales and other marine creatures.
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You would better plan a visit to Cabin Point Coastline between April-September. It is the best time for those preparing for Sooke Whale Watching in one of the famous coastlines for it in the Salish sea. You are given adequate opportunity to gaze upon these marvellous sea creatures.
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Beechey Head and its loop are two of the hot spots for whale watching in Sooke. In addition to fantastic opportunities for whale watching, Beechey Head is a hiking and nature trip location that offers you excellent activities, such as birdwatching.
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Spirit Bay has a rich community offering settlings for whale watching lovers beside incredible wildlife; therefore, it would be an excellent point to start your Sooke Whale Watching. Plus, it has a cute beach. You cannot get over the beauty of it and its scenic views.
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Featuring wildflowers and fantastic sceneries, Creyke Point Trail is a suitable spot for whale watching, bird watching, and nature trips with splendid beaches and forests. So if you are having a great time in Sooke, remember to stop by Creyke Point to have more fun.
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Located in the heart of Victoria and adjacent to many whale watching operators, Victoria Harbour Ferry is a starting point for your whale watching tour. Many visitors come here to watch whales annually; not only whale watching but open waterways of Salish make Victoria Harbour Ferry a remarkable place for anglers, wildlife followers and daily tourists.
Spiral Beach in Victoria is where the blue of the sea and sky and the Olympic Mountains at a distance is situated in a perfect picture. There are hills along the beach to stand on for a wide view. Walk on the sands and pebbles with the driftwoods around on the beach. Listen to the waves, walk on the shoreline, and have the storm watching pleasure in the fall and winter.
McNeill Bay has plenty of benches along the seawall to sit and enjoy the landscape of Trial Island, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and Olympic Mountain. Do exciting water activities on McNeill Bay Beach and experience its wonderful esplanade and photogenic scenery. It is considered one of the fantastic off-leash dog beaches in Victoria.
Langford is a city on the south coast of Vancouver Island and heaven for golfers. You can stay at lodgings and play at challenging hillside courses and enjoy yourself at luxurious advantages like the Amatista Spa. Beautiful parks surround the city, so go hiking through scenic forests or have peaceful moments beside lakes. Langford offers shops, family activities, sheep farms, and a bike park.
Gonzales Bay is a small scenic bay with a crescent-shaped beach. Its sandy beach is often quiet and peaceful. Walking on the Gonzales Bay beach near the ocean can help to release the world's anxiety. Lie on the beach and see the peaks of Olympic Mountain and enjoy the Mediterrane climate. Dogs are allowed off-leash on the beach from September through May.
A trail leads you to Fisgard Lighthouse NHS, the first lighthouse on the west coast of Canada. This historic lighthouse is still operating, but the entrance is not allowed. The keeper's house is open to the public which comprises wonderful exhibitions. There you can see shipwrecks, far-flung lights, storms, and the working equipment the lightkeepers used about a century ago.
Sooke is known as the Tall Tree Capital of Canada. The area's popularity is mainly based on tourists visiting the wilderness parks, hiking the West Coast Trail and the extremely popular Juan de Fuca Marine Trail. Sooke is also famous for its beaches and is a destination for cycling and mountain biking. The arts community of Sooke is vibrant and hosts the annual Sooke Fine Arts Festival.
Point Ellice House Museum and Gardens is a place for history enthusiasts and gardens and interior design lovers. It is a 19th-century Victorian home and garden full of everything nostalgic to you. As one of Victoria's oldest homes, it is located overlooking the scenic and historic Selkirk Water/Gorge Waterway. It includes vegetables, cut flowers, a small fruit orchard, and a greenhouse.
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria or AGGV is home to artworks from talented artists of Canada and Asia. The building complex of the gallery includes the Spencer Mansion and the exhibition galleries. It also has gardens with a Japanese Shinto shrine. The art gallery is kid-friendly, and the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. The gift shop has gorgeous merchandise.
Located in Victoria, the Royal BC Museum is one of Canada's most significant cultural and historical treasures. It showcases natural wonders and includes artifacts, documents, specimens, and everything slightly relevant to British Columbia's natural and human history. The museum also provides a dynamic forum and a safe space for discussion and reflection.
Miniature World is among the top ten attractions in Victoria. It is the World of Smallness, the World of Story Books, and the World of Fact, Fiction, and Fantasy. It presents villages with different themes such as Camelot or the World's Smallest Operational Sawmill or Space 2201 AD and Avian 1 Spaceship. Miniature World is so unique that you may want to visit it every time you're in Victoria.
If you are a fan of sun and beach, Victoria has the warmest weather in Canada to take a sunbath and swim, and Willows Beach is located in this area. This white sandy beach is south of Willows Park and has protected water suitable for a family vacation. Get the most out of your visit when you are at the park. Have a meal or drink in its cafe with a view of the sea.
Race Rocks Ecological Reserve was established to preserve intertidal and subtidal communities that became very rich due to strong tidal currents. It features marine mammals like whales, sea lions and seals, birds like ducks, cormorants, black oyster-catchers and bald eagles. Fish species, marine invertebrates, and animals like marine algae and seagrass are among other inhabitants.
Sitting Lady Falls or Witty's Lagoon Falls with a wonderful forest around, and the moss-covered rocks is a magical place, something out of a fairy tale but near Victoria. The waterfall with 100 m (328 ft) height is divided into two parts, like a fork, making a unique shape worth visiting. The good thing about Sitting Lady Falls is the variety of birds living in the area.
Gallery Merrick is home to many native artists. The purpose of the gallery is to appreciate beauty everywhere we look. The priority of the gallery is to help working artists who make their livings out of their art. Many artists from Vancouver Island, surrounding islands, and across the country exhibit their talents here.
You may have limitations for yourself, but if you are not a beginner at cave exploring, overcome your own limits. Find a hidden gem in Langford, somewhere that few people know. Florence Lake Cave is a mystery waiting to be discovered for professional cavers. Some believe that it is the largest cave in Greater Victoria. Don't waste your time hesitating and pack your bag for a challenge.