I realize it gets dark pretty late in the summer, but has anyone visited the gardens on a summer evening?
they don't close until 10:30.
It sound like it might be a way to avoid crowds, but i'm not sure.

thanks,
dina

I recall it being fairly busy at night, but not annoyingly so. People go to see the gardens lit up. Firework Saturdays are something else and crowds should be expected. The least busy time I remember was early morning, but that was some years back.

too bad. i think the only time we can it in is on a Sunday late afternoon or early evening.

unless we try to squeeze in a visit at 9am on Monday on our way to the Sidney ferry.
if we have a reservation for the 11:40 boat, maybe we can squeeze in a quick 1 hour visit?
do you know how far the ferry is from the gardens?

thanks again, april.

dina

Dina, when are you coming? I'm thinking it's July, is that right? If so, the schedule that's posted now for the WA State Ferry from Sidney is not necessarily the one that will be in effect after June 23. They may change it this year, but in prior years, the summer schedule (as opposed to the spring schedule) had two ferries a day to and from Sidney with only the later ferry stopping in Friday Harbor (the morning one goes non stop from Sidney to Anacortes). So you may end up having more time in Victoria than you are planning on (the whole day until late afternoon/early evening). I would call the number on the WA State Ferries website to check. If you're coming before June 23, however, never mind ;-).

And I have visited the gardens in the evening during summer and while not *uncrowded*, it's definitely less crowded than during the middle of the day. But early morning would probably be good as well--you want to go before or after the tour buses.

There are crowds at BG from June until September. However, they handle crowds very effectively so don't worry about it. It is a very large area and lots to see, so you won't notice it that much.
What we do quite frequently is to take a picnic supper (there are wonderful picnic areas in the parking lot...if you can believe!), go in the late afternoon, have supper, and then tour the grounds. WONDERFUL! Be sure to take a picnic blanket and jackets as it is cold in the evening.
From BG to the ferry is approx. 25 minutes. During summer, I highly recommend making reservations for the ferry. Go to www.bcferries.com.

Have fun....BG is one of our favourite spots!
Sue

NW -- i will definitely call the WA ferry #. i wasn't sure when they would post their summer schedule. We are definitely going in mid-july.

JuicyLucy -- That picnic idea sounds great. thanks for the tip.

thanks again,
dina

Do you mean an 11:40 sailing to the San Juans? Don't you have to be there something like 60-90 minutes beforehand?

I would just go on Sunday and enjoy a relaxed pace. If you stay long enough to see the gardens lit up, that's a bonus. Crowds or not, it's a spectacular place.

yes, but i thought if we had a reservation we could show up like 45 min before.
maybe i'm not understanding the ferry reservation system. i thought if you didn't have a reservation , you had to wait hours, but if you did, you had to get there 30 min advance (and no less than that, i know).
is that right??

That's for BC Ferries. WA State Ferries has a different system. Because you're crossing an international border, they require you to show up either 60 or 90 minutes in advance (I can't remember which it is but they tell you when you make the reservation).

Dina: Butchart's is worth not missing: if you can manage a late afternoon visit (and pack a dinner as earlier advised OR Butchart's sells a picnic dinner which is really good [had it a couple of times]) then you can enjoy both afternoon and evening. Butchart's by evening lights is quite magical. However, it is wonderful even if you can't stay for dark. Whatever fits it - just come back again!

NW-- oh, i see... maybe because of the passport/customs thing.

guardina -- i am doing everything i can to squeeze in a visit to the gardens.

thanks,
dina