CAr in Victoria?
 

Plan to spend 2 nights in Victoria and then head out to Tofino etc. should I rent a car for my stay in Victoria?

In my opinion, no... you don't need a car while in Victoria. It's extremely walkable. If you were planning to go see the Butchart Gardens, those gardens are located about a 20 minute drive north of Victoria, but there should be a bus that goes there from Victoria as it's one of the main tourist areas in Greater Victoria.

Fred, everytime we do Victoria, we park the car and walk, walk, walk! That's one of the reasons we love the city so much! We walk everywhere, lots of great galleries, restaurants, museums all within walking distance of each other. Don't miss Cafe Brio for a great meal, or ReBar for a great healthy lunch or dinner! <BR>You will obviously need a car to head to Tofino, it is beautiful there, have a great time!

Yes, Robyn, buses do go to Butcharts. There are tours but the city bus costs only $2.50 each way.

Fred <BR>We have been doing a lot of research and planning for our holiday to Canada (once in lifetime visit so want to make sure we maximise the experience!), which includes 3 nights in Victoria. <BR> <BR>We have been planning our travels around the avoidance of hiring cars (particularly as this would be a "foreign" country for us where cars are driven on the opposite side of the road to us! <BR> <BR>As other threads will indicat, a lot depends on what your intended activities all are going to be. There are a large number of main attractions in close proximity of Inner Harbour area that would keep you occupied for any number of days. <BR> <BR>If you intend to move out of the Central area then that is a different proposition. <BR> <BR>We had been contemplating taking a public bus out to Butchart Gardens and Butterfly Park, but no where can I find any info that spells out just how close you get dropped to the entrances. <BR> <BR>I also am not keen to do a tour out to here as it would be too restricting on my enjoyment of having the freedom to enjoy as much or as little of the gardens as appeal to me. <BR> <BR>The end result is that we have decided that we will hire a car for one day to give us flexibility to explore more broadly on that day - Butchart, Oak Bay etc. <BR> <BR>There is never a right of wrong answer -it comes down to what you want to do, and sometimes mundane things like money! <BR> <BR>Hope you enjoy your time in Victoria. Our daughter visited there a couple of years ago and raves about it and keeps pushing for us to spend more time there. I would be interested to hear if you enjoyed as much as everyone seems it. <BR> <BR>

THANKS, EVERYONE!

A friend of mine who grew up in Tofino, lived in Victoria and now lives in Quebec City always goes from Victoria to Tofino on the bus; in fact, he does not OWN a car (there may be a change in Port Alberni). So, if one wanted to for a Vancouver/ <BR>Victoria/Tofino trip, it is possible that one would not have to rent a car at all.

Busing to Tofino would be a bit austere. You will want to stop and ogle along the way. Malahat summit, Rathtrevor beach, Cathedral grove. Besides the beauty of the west coast is not in the town, but just outside it. <BR>In Victoria the bus route 74 stops within 50 yards of both Butchart and the Butterfly Gardens. <BR>The 'scenic route' around Victoria can be done on bicycle or scooter(car licence only required) if you have energy. I see 60 year olds grinning like idiots on those scooters.

Lucy, last time I took the bus to Butchart's it stopped inside the gates right at the entrance, closer than you would be able to park a car. I don't know if this is still the case, but anyway your idea of renting a car for a day is a good one. <BR> <BR>Here is a suggested drive: Take West Saanich Road (and/or Old West Saanich & Oldfield Roads) to Butchart's. After visiting the gardens carry along West Saanich until you eventually get to or near the end of the peninsula not far from the ferry terminal. A map would be helpful. Take the highway back (perhaps stopping in the town of Sidney which would be a left turn off the highway as you head toward Victoria), then turn left at the traffic lights at Sayward Road, continue along Cordova Bay Road and maybe turn left into Mattick's Farm for tea, ice cream or a bit of shopping. Keep driving along Cordova Bay Road until you come to a four way stop. Don't go straight as would seem logical, but turn left so that you're still (oddly) on Cordova Bay Road. In Mt. Doug Park, drive to the top of the hill, park and, if walking uphill is not a problem, walk the very short distance to the lookout. <BR> <BR>Then wend your way to the Uplands neighbourhood and along the 'scenic waterfront drive' back to town.