This past year was the first full year that I spent entirely living in the Victoria area. This place now feels like home more than ever, so for my free inquiry I plan to scout out various locations around town and find the best spot to take in the sunset. This is something that I find relaxing, and it will also strengthen my sense of place.
For my learning plan, I will be looking at Youtube channels, various other blogs and other media to understand other people’s recommendations of places that I need to check out. I will also search freely on google maps to seek out places I find intriguing.
I will analyze the location with multiple categories to help bring a more critical analysis. Those being busyness, view, and comfort.
Photo by Michael Henry: Man riding paddleboard silhouette during golden hour photo – Free United states Image on Unsplash
Week 1: Mt. Doug
A classic in the Victoria area. MT. Doug is visible from many different parts of town, so it’s only natural that it was the first post on this blog. As seen in my personal picture below, it definitely lives up to its reputation.
Analysis:
View- 9/10– As such a prominent peak in the city, it’s tough to beat the views of the ocean from all sides mixed with the sight of all of Victoria.
Busyness- 4/10- With the close proximity to the city and easy accessibility comes a crowd. It would be very rare to have this spot to yourself. Had the area not been so big with different corners to explore and have to yourself, it could’ve been even lower.
Comfort- 7/10- Mt Doug has both natural features and a man-made structure to sit down and relax. While wind can be a factor, it has a bit more distance from the ocean in comparison to other spots so the wind is usually manageable.
Overall score: 20 points
Mt. Tolmie
A very popular hill tucked right into the neighborhoods surrounding UVic. This sunset is one the most accessible we will be covering. Another delightful stop on this sunset tour! Note that I took these photos while sitting a little downhill on the side of Mt Tolmie facing Richmond rd.
View: 6 out of 10- While the view is closer to downtown than Mt. Doug, it is still an over exaggeration to say that there is that much of a difference. Mt. Tolmie is also further away from the ocean. One bonus is you get a closer look at the Shelbourne area and get to see the inner works of the city at play close up. With that being said, it does feel more restricting than Mt. Doug
Busyness: 5 out of 10- While this spot is easily accessible and crowded at the top, there are ways to make the spot feel like a private hangout spot. Hiking up the mountain from Richmond rd and finding a spot before hitting the top parking lot is my favourite way to avoid the crowds
Comfort: 8 out of 10- Being further away from the water, you get even less wind here than pretty well any sunset spot that will likely be on this list. If you are okay with crowds you can snag a parking spot and relax from your car which can bring a new level of comfort. With that being said, watching from your car does inhibit the view often times.
*BONUS POINT*– Seeing wildlife! Seeing deer is not uncommon in the area (one point added)
Overall score: 20 points
George Terrace Lookout
Right overtop of the Pacific Ocean. George terrace is located in Farifield and overlooks popular Dallas rd., but with a bit more seclusion. Here is the picture from the view:
View: 9 out of 10- The close proximity combined with a little bit of elevation to provide a vantage point makes it tough to beat. The only thing that would have made this view any better would have been the position of the falling sun resting more over the water. This could be a seasonal thing, and is definitely worth checking out again.
Busyness: 7 out of 10- It is a small space so it could feel crowded quickly, but on this particular evening I was lucky and found the place to myself. It is encouraging to know that it’s possible. This usually isn’t possible at Mt. Doug, or the common spots of Tolmie. The parking lot for the area leads me to believe that it isn’t an uncommon spot, and it could feel crowded quickly. That is why the busyness scale isn’t higher.
Comfort: 6 out of 10- There are two viewpoints, one is shielded by a house which helps with the wind, it also has nice rocks for backrests. The other location is more wide open with less wind cover and less supports. The rocks of the area are some of the most comfortable to relax at, but this was the worst wind so far. The difference in options to protect against adverse wind keeps it above average.
Total score: 22 points
Clover point
A beautiful point that is situated right on the water in the popular Dallas rd area. A classic in the Victoria area with views into the Olympic Mountains of the US. HEre is the picture below.
View: 8 out of 10- The proximity to the water is obviously impossible to beat, and being situated on an extending point means that you have water views from every pretty well every direction. Seeing the ships in the ocean and the town of Port Angeles in the distance make this a great view.
Busyness: 2 out of 10- The proximity to the water and the prominent point landscape in a well known part of town makes this a busy spot. With parking available just steps behind your relaxing spot, it feels tough to really feel like you are getting away from things. The road and proximity to town is evident in the video seen below.
Comfort: 9 out of 10- The parking spots take away from the busyness scale of the score, but they add to the comfort. You can take in the sunset from your car, a modern bench, muskoka chairs, your average park bench, or lying on the well maintained grass in the area.
See the location of Clover Point below:
Total score: 19 points
Hollydene Park
This beach tucked right in Gordon Head is sneaky convenient without the being as well known. The nice forest beach feel is seen in the photo below.
View: 4 out of 10- This viewpoint brings in some different views than we are used to seeing on this list. Staring into the San Juan Island and the more low-lying gulf islands. With that being said, the view is not as panoramic as other locations
Busyness: 6 out of 10- Small location, so even just a couple of people can make it seem like the spot is a bit more filled up especially when the sound travel is aided by the water. With that being said, this spot is not many people’s go to. So it would not be surprising to have it all to yourself.
Comfort: 8 out of 10- The clear strength of this spot is its true sandy beach. This has the best quality sand out of any beach that I have seen in this area. Even beating out places like caddy bay. With that being said, if the weather is colder, there’s no benches or anything of that nature to help you out. But that just means it’s that much better in the summer. This cove is usually more sheltered, so the wind is also less of a factor.
This video has subtitles available. Please find the viewed website in the video here
Total score: 18 points
BC Ferries- Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen
What would a Victoria blog be without a BC ferries reference. A common experience for Vancouver Islanders, so it’s worth talking about how we can take in a good sunset during this travel. It’s worth it for views like this.
View: 8 out of 10- The views of the more prominent lower mainland mountains fading into the ocean is no doubt a pretty sight. The ocean proximity couldn’t be any closer, only thing that could boost the score is being closer to the mountains we look at.
Busyness: 2 out of 10- This is the obvious downfall of BC ferries. You will almost never have a sunset to yourself on a busy route like this. If timing ever aligns and the sun is setting as you are approaching port, don’t be in a rush to get back down to your car as soon as that announcement goes, you have a bit more time then you think.
Comfort: 7 out of 10- While there are benches and walls to rest against, the wind on the ocean can be howling, and you have trouble getting a seat to yourself.
Despite the views, this is how dealing with BC Ferries makes me feel, so -1 point for that.
Total Score: 16 points
Parksville
An out of town appearance on the blog has been long overdue. Right across downtown Parksville sits this beautiful beach found below.
View: 6 out of 10- Views of the ranging mountains on the lower mainland and looking into the Sunshine Coast. Looking back away from the ocean you have a glimpse into the beginning of the mountains of Strathcona Park.
Busyness: 4 out of 10- While there is lots of room out there on the beach, you certainly won’t have the spot all to yourself if there is a sunset worth watching. The space does add a couple points as you can lounge around and find your little corner.
Comfort: 8 out of 10- With lots of choice for where you are going to relax, this brings a high score. Your choice between benches, sand, or logs to sit on is very beneficial. Only downside is you may not have as much space out there as you may like if it is indeed busy.
*Bonus point awarded for the massive tides that exist at this beach. A sunset walk at low tide would be tough to beat*
Total Score: 19 points
Tofino Reading Break Trip
A Vancouver Island classic. This specific location is at the new Browns restaurant in town. Absolutely breathtaking views that sit only 4 hours driving away from Victoria. Here is an easily accessible indoor view of the sunset.
View: 8 out of 10- Being that you are inside, your view is quite restricted, but what can you see is absolutely breathtaking. On this occasion we had strong colours, islands to contrast the water, and beach to see. The sun setting into the ocean with no obstructions is not possible for the Victoria area. Being out of the restuarant makes the view an easy 9-10/10.
Busyness: 3 out of 10- Being in restaurant does take away from the experience in some aspects. The amount of people there is one of them. From our table, we did have a bit of an obstructed view from people.
Comfort: 9 out of 10- It doesn’t get any more comfortable watching a sunset then what we had from the restaurant unless we were sitting on a comfy couch.
To learn more about tourism in Tofino, click here.
Total score: 20 points
Conclusions: the Best of the Best
Made with Microsoft AI image designer.
Best View winner: Mt. Doug and King George Terrace- both at 9/10
One winner is extremely well known, and one is less known. Both have their own pros with the proximity to the water on King George Terrace, to the sheer vantage point provided by the height of Mt. Doug
Least busy spot: King George Terrace 7/10
Being in the city, it is challenging to have a sunset all to yourself in one of the most beautiful spots in the city. That was the case at King George Terrace. Being that there is a small parking lot specifically for access to this lookout spot, I can’t see that always being the case, but it is a great option to catch a sunset with a bit more privacy then other common spots in the city.
The comfiest experience: Tofino
The newly added Browns restaurant in Tofino provides an easy accessible, relatively cheap restaurant with views of the west coast where you can see the sun dip into the ocean all while from the comfort of your chair or both. Tofino has tons of options for taking in a sunset in style. It is definitely worth a try to experience something different then you can experience in Victoria.
Thank going through this Journey with me! May some beautiful sunsets be in your future.
