The 5 Best Things About Esquimalt & Vic West

A Quick Overview

Esquimalt and Vic West are two of the most popular neighbourhoods in Victoria, BC. They offer a variety of activities and attractions for residents and visitors alike. They are both perfect oceanside communities conveniently located close to downtown Victoria. Yet, these neighbourhoods are often overlooked by newcomers moving here from out of town. Here are five of the best things about these two great neighbourhoods:

1. The Stunning Waterfront Views

Esquimalt and Vic West both have amazing views of the ocean, whether you’re looking out over the water or simply sitting beside it at one of the many parks. This includes a couple of the most stunning oceanside parks in all of Victoria, Macaulay Point, and Saxe Point. Macaulay point in particular features a number of walking trails cutting through old naval fortifications, as well as a boat launch and a free outdoor rock climbing wall. Both have stunning views of the ocean and the Olympic Mountains on the horizon.

2. The Vibrant Arts and Culture Scene

Being so close to downtown Victoria both Esquimalt and Vic West are nearby a number of art galleries, museums, and performance venues. There’s always something going on, whether it’s a live music show, an art exhibit, or a theatrical production. You can also visit the local studios and workshops to see firsthand how some of the art is made.One of my personal favourites is Legacy Art Gallery, a local glass blowing art studio where you can easily walk in and watch artists blowing glass art in front of your eyes. Living in Esquimalt or Vic West means you are only minutes away from countless events, whether you’re driving or biking. If you’re walking, Vic West is still only 20 minutes away (or less) from downtown, and esquimalt less than 40 minutes away for those who don’t mind a longer stroll.

3. The Outdoor Activities

With their proximity to the ocean, and abundance of parks Esquimalt and Vic West are great places for outdoor enthusiasts. A couple of local favourites include High Rock park, Banfield park, and the Vic West Skate park. High Rock park features a leisurely hillside stroll with a view of the city and surrounding area. Banfield park sits along the Gorge waterway and hosts trails, playgrounds, tennis courts, fields, a community centre and a community garden. Vic West Skate park also has plenty of green space and playgrounds, as well as a skateboarding park and lawn bowling space. In addition to many of the local activities you can find within these neighbourhoods, Esquimalt and Vic West also have some great walking and biking trails that provide convenient access to downtown and beyond. The Songhees Walkway, is an inner harbour and ocean side walking trail that takes you from Esquimalt’s West Bay into downtown Victoria. The E&N Rail Trail takes bikers and walkers from downtown into the interior of Esquimalt and continues onto View Royal, eventually connecting to the Galloping Goose trail in Colwood. Additionally, the other end of the Galloping Goose trail cuts through Vic West from downtown crossing over the Gorge Selkirk Trestle and taking bikers and walkers north toward Swan Lake and the Lochside trail (A trail that goes up to Sidney on the Saanich Peninsula). As with some other communities close to downtown Victoria, Esquimalt and Vic West are very biker friendly neighbourhoods.

4. Plenty of Food and Drink Options

As mentioned previously, Esquimalt and Vic West are both close to downtown Victoria which has the most per capita restaurants in all of Canada. These neighbourhoods also have some of their own great options, a couple of popular locations include Spinnakers Pub, and Boom + Batten Restaurant & Cafe. These are two fantastic options for an ocean side meal or simply coffee and a snack. Esquimalt is also home to Lighthouse Brewing, and Driftwood Brewing Company, a couple of the more popular breweries in Victoria. Vic West is also just across the Bay street bridge from three more local favourites, Moon Underwater Brewpub, Hoyne Brewing Company, and Phillips Brewing.

5. The Friendly, Welcoming Community

Perhaps the best thing about Esquimalt and Vic West is the sense of community that you feel here. Whether you’re a long-time resident or just visiting for a short while, everyone seems to make an effort to get to know one another and help out when they can. Both Esquimalt and Vic West have plenty of local events including neighbourhood block parties, Buccaneers Day, and more. This is truly a place where people care about their neighbours and work together to make it a great place to live. If you’re looking for a vibrant, fun neighborhood to call home, Esquimalt and Vic West are definitely worth checking out.

Whether you’re living in or visiting Victoria, there’s no denying that Esquimalt and Vic West are two of the best neighbourhoods in the city. With their stunning waterfront views, appealing amenities, and vibrant arts and culture.

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