 The West Shore is what we would consider the backcountry of the Victoria region. There are long country roads exploring through forests, along coastlines, up on cliffs, through neighbourhoods, pass farm fields and over rivers. The roads lead to marinas, villages, sandy beaches and parks. Each West Shore community is unique.
Langford B.C. is one of the fastest growing communities in the Victoria area. Langford is a shopping and an activity destination. The village streets are lined with shops, boutiques, services, bistros and strip malls. On the outskirts of the community are a mixture of big box stores and industrial businesses.
Entering Langford there are two very popular activity and park destinations. Goldstream Park is a salmon spawning park with trails, information signs, picnic area and wildlife educational programs. Thetis Lake Park is a beach park with trails, a sandy beach and many opportunities for swimming.
Sooke, B.C. [more information on Sooke] is the largest of the West Shore communities. The village centre provides many services important to travelers like tours, restaurants, grocery store, gas station, banks, accommodations and more. The community is a tourism village with an especially high number of art galleries and bed and breakfasts.
East Sooke Park is a must see adventure destination when in the region filled many trails and natural attractions. The Galloping Goose Trail is a historic rail line now a recreation trail spanning over 60 kilometres connecting Sooke with Victoria.
Metchosin B.C. is an agricultural and wilderness destination in the Western Communities popular for hiking, sightseeing, farming and bird watching. Many in the community are involved with, agriculture, the environment and/or art.
Mostly farmland and forest, there are still some parks and wilderness areas in Metchosin. Witty's Lagoon and Albert Head Lagoon are popular birdwatching park destinations located in the Metchosin area. And Metchosin is also on the Galloping Goose Trail connecting to the City of Victoria.
Colwood B.C. is is a residential area with a growing commercial core and some impressive heritage attractions like the St. John Baptist Church, Fisgard Lighthouse and the Hartley Castle at the Royal Roads university.
View Royal is more of an urban friendly style residential neighbourhood with a large interest in the arts community. The community original comprised of four farms in the mid to late 1800s. Today, the Craigflower Manor is a heritage landmark and popular attraction dating back to the days of the four farms.
There are services important to travelers in View Royal like accommodations, restaurants, retail stores, coffee shops, banks, gas stations, grocery stores and the Victoria General Hospital. |
