Located just north of the City of Victoria, the West Shore region of Greater Victoria includes the communities of View Royal, Langford, the Highlands, Colwood, Metchosin.
Langford, one of Canada’s fastest-growing municipalities, boasts a variety of shopping opportunities, three lakes, a provincial park and spectacular views of the Juan de Fuca Strait and the Olympic Mountains. Goldstream Avenue is Langford’s pedestrian and cyclist-friendly downtown, with a selection of shops, boutiques, and businesses.
Visit Bear Mountain for exceptional golf on two signature courses, dining, spa and an outdoor pool at the North Langford Recreation Centre. Discover additional golf options in nearby Colwood, View Royal and Metchosin.
Nature enthusiasts will love exploring Goldstream Provincial Park and its hidden gems, including the Goldstream Trestle and little Niagara Falls. If you’re visiting in the fall, this is the place to marvel at the lifecycle of the salmon who venture upstream to spawn.
Additional West Shore attractions include Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites, Hatley Park at Royal Roads University in Colwood and a thriving arts community.
Facts
- Langford is named after Edward Langford, a respected regional farm operator in the mid-1800s.
- Home to some of Canada’s biggest sports names and national teams
- Has Canada’s largest indoor/outdoor red clay tennis court
- Bear Mountain is home to the Canadian national mountain biking team
- Goldstream Provincial Park has nearly 1,180 acres of nature with old-growth trees, waterfalls, estuaries, and more.
Weather
The West Shore has a warm and temperate climate with rainfall primarily in the winter.
Destination BC is developing a new campaign to promote hyper-local travel where residents are “tourists-in-their own hometown,” while practising the COVID-19 safety protocols as recommended by the B.C. Provincial Health Officer. Many B.C. parks are now open, and national parks were to open as of June 1.
(Check this website for current details on travel.)
Getting here
Flying: The closest airport is Victoria International Airport which is just 33 kilometres (20 miles) north of the West Shore.
Ferries: BC Ferries’ Swartz Bay terminal is just 37.5 kilometres (23 miles) north.
Vehicle: Follow the Trans-Canada Highway 1 south. Patricia Bay Highway (BC Highway 17) travels south from Swartz Bay Terminal and transitions to Highway 1 as well.
For more visit WestCoastTraveller or Goldstream Gazette
Explore some of the West Coast’s most scenic hikes.