texasmaverick2012

Honeymoon trip from Dallas. 6 nights/7 days in early October. We'll be staying in seattle for 3 days, and in the city of victoria for 3. Fly in saturday night, fly out early friday.

In victoria, we're staying at one of the hotels in the northern part of the harbor. All I know so far is we're taking a whale tour one of those days...so we get a lot of water/ocean scenery on our trip.

But fiancee is also wanting to see/photograph some of the beautiful trees kinda scenery too.

If we take the amtrak train from Seattle-Vancouver and then ferry over to Victoria we get some good woodsy scenery I've heard.

But we were thinking, if we don't ride the train and just take the ferry from Seattle to victoria---that's more water/ocean photos...how can we experience the beauty of the forests and trees while in victoria?

Would it be worth renting a car for a day and driving around to see the mountains/trees? Or is there a good state park/scenic area within an hour or so drive of Victoria? Any routes you would recommend? Or could one just take one of the major roads out of Victoria and get a nice relaxing drive?

Sorry for so many questions.

Thanks!!!

Nelson

My wife and I visited the area last month and did a short hike in the John Dean Provincial Park, a 30-40 minutes drive from Victoria. The hiking/walking paths are gentle and you are quickly in the midst of big trees. It was a little tricky to find the park entrance, but not too bad.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/exp...pgs/john_dean/

Highly recommended in my book.

AndrewDavid

you might google the avatar grove in port renfrew. it's about a 2 hour drive up the west coast and also nearby is glorious botanical beach provincial park .

cheers
AndrewDavid

ps there are a scattering of big firs , cedars, giant sequia and redwoods in victoria proper

April

A nice drive is to follow the waterfront. Beginning on Dallas Road (fittingly) drive along Beach Drive through the Uplands to Cadboro Bay village. Turn left onto McKenzie Avenue (inland), pass the university, and eventually turn right onto Shelbourne which becomes Cordova Bay Road. Follow it into Mt. Doug Park. The road passes through the leafy green forest between the strait and the mountain. At the near end, on the left, is a road up to a viewpoint. I took some visitors through there recently and they thought it was very pretty. Cordova Bay Road continues to the right at the next intersection. You could drive out to Mattick's Farm or cross the highway and head to Butchart Gardens if that is in your plans.

Up the Island Highway 30 or 40 minutes away (try to avoid rush hour), just before the Malahat drive, is the old growth rain forest at Goldstream Park. It will be on your right heading up island.
http://www.goldstreampark.com/

immimi

Iwould highly recommend taking the road to Sooke and en
route spend some time in East Sooke Regional Park. The
park is a delightful blend of forest, meadow, beach and
headland.

traveller69

I agree with April regarding Goldstream Park. It is a lovely spot. If you have more time continue up over the Malahat there is a lookout spot where you can get the most amazing views of Mill Bay and the Saanich Peninsula. If you make a day of it continue on up just past Parksville on the way to Port Alberni Is McMillan park where you will see Cathedral Grove http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/exp...pgs/macmillan/

Do a google search of Cathedral Grove and you will find dozens of beautiful photos

It is just a little over 2 hours to drive there but of course you will have stops along the way. So if you have a day to spare it is very much worth it.

live42day

Also agree with April. the best bet. Cathedral grove is great but too far in my opinon based on how long you have there.

juliae_mei

Hello,

You don't need to take Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver and over to Victoria - it isn't a bad trip, but it is extra travel time. You can pop over to Victoria on the Victoria Clipper, car-free. If you had a car, I would definitely recommend the Seattle-Vancouver drive and across on the BC Ferries. No need to do that if you don't have a car. I would rent a car in downtown Victoria, most of the hotels on the Inner Harbour have downtown shuttle service. I would postpone your whale-watching and NOT go out of Victoria. Rent a car and head up the west coast of Vancouver Island through Sooke, towards Tofino and Ucluelet. Stay at the Wickannish Inn or the Middle Beach Lodge, depending on budget. Take your whale-watching adventure through Jamie's Whaling Station - owners Jamie and Nora are wonderful! Spend a few days on the powerful ocean and take the day to drive west towards Nanaimo. There will be lots of gorgeous trees after miles of gorgeous wild coast views. You can drive the Island Highway from Nanaimo to Victoria in a few hours or pop out to one of the Gulf Islands for more ocean/wilderness days. Return your car to Victoria.

Best Regards,
Julia