Snowbird Destination: Victoria BC

Mild temps and plenty of attractions make ‘The Garden City’ one of Canada’s top destinations during the winter months.

Story by Jennifer Leigh Hill

Most Canadian snowbirds think ‘south’ and ‘hot’ when planning winter RV destinations. Yet, in recent years  ‘west’ and ‘temperate’ have become the new buzz words when considering an extended destination in the colder months north of the border.  

More specifically, Victoria, which is currently my home base, is an ideal place to visit during the winter, especially given its mild temperatures and the uncertainty about travelling in what will be, hopefully, our first full snowbird season with travel restrictions fully lifted.

Weather

Victoria, the capital of BC, is in what is known as a ‘Sub-Mediterranean Weather Zone.’ According to www.worldatlas.com, January is the coldest month, however, the average low is only 5o C (41o F) and by April, the norm rises to a balmy 9.6o C (49o F). 

While winters can be ‘gloomy,’ there are, on average, only approximately eight rainfall days in December and January (the two wettest months), so it may not be as ‘glum’ as perceived by many. Yes, it can snow, but two to three days of snowfall in February are the norm, however, accumulation typically only amounts to 5.3 cm (2.09 in) or less. On a brighter note, 308 days out of 365 in Victoria are sunny. Although in January there’s only an average of nine hours of sunlight and by April it increases to 13.7 hours.

Travel Costs

Depending on where you live, travel costs may be less than heading south. However, to get to Victoria one must factor in the additional ferry costs from the mainland (see www.bcferries.com for routes, fares and schedules). 

RV resorts in BC are typically reasonably priced (especially for extended stays) and of course, there isn’t a costly U.S. currency exchange rate to always consider. A downtown RV park, right beside the ocean, can be as little as $1,350 CAD per month, but if you want to head up the island a few kilometres, the cost on Malahat Mountain is a mere $680 CAD per month.

In addition, health costs for extra insurance are far less for travel in Canada for Canadians compared to international travel insurance. From my experience, I am able to winter in Victoria relatively inexpensively as there are so many activities that I can do that are not excessively costly such as walking the waterfront and chowing down at the world-famous Barb’s Fish & Chips (www.barbsfishandchips.com).

Things to See/Do

There’s a plethora of information about ‘what’s going on’ in Victoria at www.victoria.ca and www.tourismvictoria.com. Travel and Leisure Magazine listed Victoria as the fourth-best city in Canada in 2020 and described the area as having “century-old architecture, windswept views, boutique shopping, and good-natured locals”. 

Some popular attractions include the Royal BC Museum located in the downtown district and Butchart Gardens, which is less than 20 km (12.3 mi) from downtown. Doesn’t make sense to me as it reads now) In the winter the gardens are a ‘gem’, not to be missed, and a whale watching tour should be another priority. Tours run daily from the inner harbour. One company I recommend is Eagle Wing Tours (www.eaglewingtours.ca). Although they don’t offer guaranteed sightings, they do report an exceptionally good chance of seeing whales even in the winter (i.e., in December there’s a 100 percent chance, January 67 percent, February 33 percent, March 77 percent and April 83 percent). 

Getting Around

While the city has an excellent public transit system with easy connections to the attractions, it should be noted that Victoria is known for having more cycling routes than any other Canadian city so bicycle rentals are widely available. 

Snowbirding in Victoria

There are a variety of RV resorts that are open all year in the Victoria vicinity. Only those with full services are included in the following list even though there are a few with no services open over the winter. It should be noted that all BC Provincial Parks, including those in the Victoria vicinity, such as Goldstream Provincial Park (www.goldstreampark.com) and Bamberton Provincial Park (https://bcparks.ca/explore/parkpgs/bamberton) are limited to stays of 14 days per calendar year).

The following campgrounds all have special rates over the winter and are listed from nearest from downtown to the farthest: 

1. Salish Seaside RV Haven (www.salishseasidervhaven.com ) is only 3.4 km (2.1 mi) from City Hall. Described as “Western Canada’s Premier RV Motorhome Park,” it definitely lives up to its description. Most of the 36 sites are right on the waterfront and a majority are large enough to fit the largest of Class A rigs. Sites have 30/50-amp power, complimentary Wi-Fi and the amenities building has spacious laundry rooms and modern washrooms with some of the best showers I have ever experienced in an RV park. The clubhouse has a magnificent meeting area on its second floor complete with a fireplace and deck overlooking the harbour. 

2. Fort Victoria RV Park (www.fortvictoria.ca) is only 8.4  km (5.2 mi) from the centre of Victoria. This park has been in operation since 1961 and has 300 full-hookup sites (including both long-term and seasonal) with a choice of sunny or shaded locations. There’s 30/50 amp power, Wi-Fi and cable are free and easy access to public transit linking the park with the downtown core. The park also has an RV supply store and a small gift shop.  

3. Oceanside RV Resort (www.parkbridge.com/en-ca/rv-cottages/oceanside-resort/oceanside) is 21.2 km (13.2 mi) from downtown Victoria. However, it’s only 8.8 km (5.5 mi) from the seaside town of Sidney, which has all the services of a full-size metropolis (e.g., grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, etc.), including a first-rate hospital, which is only 2.7 km (1.7 mi) from the resort.  Aside from three laundromats and three washrooms (all with coin-operated showers), there are really no other facilities. Given that the shopping is so close and there is public transit nearby, there’s no need for an on-site store. There are more than 100 seasonal and 69 overnight sites, which are wide with beautiful landscaping and the gardens throughout the complex make this resort one of the most beautiful on the island. As I have spent five months at Oceanside after returning to Canada at the height of the CoVid outbreak in March 2020 as well as four months this past summer while travel restrictions were still in effect, I can certainly attest that Oceanside is a very comfortable place for extended stays. 

4. Weir’s Beach RV Resort Weir’s Beach RV Resort (www.weirsbeachrvresort.bc.ca) is 25.4 km (15.8 mi)  from Victoria but only 4.1 km (2.5 mi) from the community of Metchosin, which has an excellent grocery store (www.metchosinstore.com) and an award-winning café, My-Chosen Café and Pizzeria (https://www.mychosencafe.com). This RV resort is right on the ocean with an incredible beach that is a real attraction in the summer for a variety of water sports (as well as sandcastle building). In the winter, storm watching is the ‘sport’ as the area is known for dramatic ‘displays’ of nature. There are 60 fully-serviced sites,  20 of which face the ocean. There is also a laundromat as well as restrooms with coin-operated showers. Each of the sites has a small brick patio with a picnic table however there aren’t any (or ‘there are no’) hedges between sites, which means privacy is minimal. 

5. Pedder Bay RV Resort and Marina (www.pedderbay.com) is 28.2 km (17.5 mi) from Victoria, located right on the water and surrounded by dense forest. The only resort close to Victoria with marina facilities, it offers boat and kayak rentals (with or without fishing gear) and 78 fully serviced sites with monthly cable and Wi-Fi fees included.  The resort also has a small store that sells limited groceries as well as fishing gear. There’s even a coffee house and licensed snack bar. With all of the park amenities, being further from Victoria was not a real hindrance in my opinion and it was a joy to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Other Options: There are a couple of campsites close to Victoria up Malahat Drive, which is a windy road that extends from Victoria to Malahat Mountain and Mill Bay. Both are more primitive but they do offer long-term stays. Malahat Mountain Meadows RV Resort (www.victoriacampgrounds.com ) and Tunnel Hill Campground (www.tunnelhillcamp.com) are open during the winter. It’s important to note that snow is possible so winter tires are required. 

If you’re looking for a Canadian snowbirding destination, I personally can recommend these resorts. All are relatively close to downtown Victoria so you’ll have lots of chances to explore the area with access to services. Without a doubt, you’ll quickly realize that the ‘City of Gardens’ certainly lives up to its name. 

www.www.tourismvictoria.com