Victoria is a golf destination that offers multitudes of activities that can take your Vancouver Island golf vacation from Great to Best Trip Ever! In addition to four incredible golf courses in Victoria, there are trails, whales and ales (or wines) awaiting your visit. Once you’ve completed your round for the day, here are some top tips to maximize a trip to play Golf Courses in Victoria BC:
Hike the Trails
Hiking is a popular activity around Victoria, and you can be on the trails within a few minutes from almost anywhere. Thetis Lake Regional Park offers a 5km loop around two lakes with ample shade for hot summer days, while the Niagara Fall Trail in Goldstream Provincial Park features a 47.5-metre tall waterfall and 1.3km trail. If you’re looking for a bit more of a challenge, Mount Finlayson features a 4km loop in lush forest canopy with beautiful views at the top – and is located right near a golf course in Victoria BC – Bear Mountain Resort. Another local favourite is the Historic Kinsol Trestle in the Cowichan Valley, one of eight trestles along the route and one of the tallest free-standing timber rail trestles in the world. If you’d prefer to stay closer to downtown, find the best views of the city from Mount Tolmie .
Mountain Biking Magic
Stow your clubs and hit the trails that connect immediately beside the hotel when you stay at Bear Mountain Resort . Chosen by Cycling Canada as the High-Performance Training Centre for the National Mountain Bike Team, explore a network of intermediate to advanced west coast single track, sweeping flow lines, and scenic climbs appropriate for all skill levels. Book your stay at the Fairways Hotel on the Mountain at Bear Mountain for quick and easy access to the trails, as well as 36-holes of some of the best golf in Canada.
Inside Tip: If flat and scenic is more your riding style, book a stay at the Royal Scot , where you’ll have quick and easy access to the Scenic Waterfront and City Loop along Victoria’s waterfront.
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Explore the BC Ale Trail
After a good hike or bike, nothing is more refreshing than a frosty beer. Luckily, you are perfectly poised to embark on a trail of a different sort – the BC Ale Trail . Here in the cradle of the craft beer revolution, you’ll find some of British Columbia’s most popular breweries, and you can take your time exploring the “Beer Mile,” featuring four brewpubs and four breweries all within Victoria’s inner harbour for an afternoon of craft discovery.
Insider Tip: If you happen to embark further along the Vancouver Golf Trail, don’t forget to try the Golf Trail Ale at select golf courses.
Whale Watching Tour
Victoria is one of BC’s top whale watching and wildlife viewing locations. Transient Orcas and Humpback whales making their way up the coastline between feeding and breeding grounds, while resident Orca pods, seals and seabirds are on display year-round. Prince of Whales Whale & Marine Wildlife Adventures offers a range of tours leaving right from Victoria’s inner harbour that include a whale sighting guarantee – if you don’t happen to spot a whale (95% of their tours do), you can join them on another whale watching tour. This guarantee is valid for a lifetime!
Insider Tip: A stay at accommodations in Victoria’s Inner Harbour, such as the Hotel Grand Pacific or the Inn at Laurel Point , will have you within walking distance of your tour, and you can watch the comings and goings from your hotel room!
Winery Tours
Nearby Saanich and Cowichan are quickly gaining recognition as the “Napa of the North” and are perfectly poised to pair with a Victoria golf trip. LA Limousines is the local’s pick to offer a unique wine tour experience with their luxury vehicles and knowledgeable, professional drivers. Take a tour in either of these terrific wine sub-regions or combine it with a whale-watching tour for the ultimate Vancouver Island vacation!
Insider Tip: Stay at the Arbutus Inn for quick access to the Saanich Peninsula, if you’d like to rent a car and explore at your leisure.
Exceptional Golf Courses in Victoria BC Await!
The golf courses in Victoria have a lot to offer and each course provides a distinct experience. At Bear Mountain Resort you’ll find a world-class golf resort and spa as well as two of Canada’s top golf courses with their Mountain and Valley golf courses – both Nicklaus Design courses. Nearby Highland Pacific Golf Course is carved into the majestic landscape with panoramic city, mountain, and water views. Finally, Olympic View Golf Course offers a relaxing and refreshing 18 holes of golf in a nature-reserve like atmosphere with a dozen lakes and two featured waterfalls.
Golf Vancouver Island partners with a number of hotels in Victoria and the surrounding regions. Discover a golf package to pair with your preferred apres-golf activity and start planning a Victoria golf getaway today! Even better, pair your visit to Victoria with a road trip to explore the rest of the Vancouver Island Golf Trail !
August 25, 2020, by: Golf Vancouver Island