Communities of Greater Victoria
Greater Victoria is an area located on southern Vancouver Island and has three regions: Victoria Core, Westshore Communities, and Saanich Peninsula. If you are looking to buy or sell a property in Greater Victoria, BC, you will find here a diverse selection of neighbourhoods and properties to match every preference and budget.
Victoria Core
The Victoria Core, according to Victoria Real Estate Board (VREB), consists of seven distinct districts: Victoria, Oak Bay, Saanich East, Saanich West, Esquimalt, Victoria West, and View Royal.
Victoria District
The Victoria district, according to VREB, is home to a diverse array of neighbourhoods, each with its own unique character. Here is the list of the 13 neighbourhoods that are part of the Victoria district: Burnside, Central Park, Downtown, Fairfield East, Fairfield West, Fernwood, Hillside, Jubilee, James Bay, Mayfair, Oaklands, Rock Bay, and Rockland.
Victoria, located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island, is the oldest city in Western Canada and serves as the capital of British Columbia. It enjoys the mildest climate in the country and offers stunning ocean and mountain vistas. The city is rich in economic, cultural, and recreational opportunities. The Inner Harbour, often considered the gateway to the “City of Gardens,” is the vibrant heart of Victoria. Here, you’ll find iconic landmarks like the Fairmont Empress Hotel, the world-renowned Royal British Columbia Museum, and the BC Parliament Buildings.
Oak Bay District
The VREB district of Oak Bay, located within the Core region, aligns with the municipal boundaries of the District of Oak Bay and is divided into six distinct neighbourhoods: Henderson, Estevan, Uplands, North Oak Bay, South Oak Bay, and Gonzalez.
Oak Bay is renowned for its picturesque coastline, offering stunning oceanfront views, and is home to a mix of luxury apartments and grand mansions. The architecture in Oak Bay ranges from the late 19th-century designs by notable architects like Francis Rattenbury and Samuel McLure to contemporary West Coast styles. The area features two prestigious golf courses, the Uplands Golf Club and the Victoria Golf Club, along with the Oak Bay Marina and the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Residents and visitors alike enjoy three recreation centres, while the main shopping districts on Oak Bay Avenue and Estevan provide a charming, village-like atmosphere. Oak Bay also shares educational institutions, including the University of Victoria and Camosun College, with its neighbouring municipality, Saanich.
Saanich East District
The VREB district of Saanich East, which forms part of the Core region, encompasses the eastern half of the District of Saanich and is divided into 19 neighbourhoods: Arbutus, Blenkinsop, Broadmead, Cadboro Bay, Camosun, Cedar Hill, Cordova Bay, Gordon Head, High Quadra, Lambrick Park, Lake Hill, Maplewood, Mt. Doug, Mt Tolmie, Quadra, Queenswood, Sunnymead, Swan Lake, and Ten Mile Point.
The eastern section of Saanich is significantly influenced by the presence of the University of Victoria, which plays a vital role in the local community’s life. Saanich boasts a unique landscape characterized by ecological diversity and ample recreational opportunities. With 170 municipal parks, three regional parks, and a comprehensive cycling network, Saanich offers the highest number of parks per capita in British Columbia. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy several courses in the area, including Blenkinsop Valley, Cedar Hill, Cordova Bay, and Prospect Lake.
Saanich West District
The VREB district of Saanich West, which is part of the Core region, covers the western half of the District of Saanich and includes 17 neighbourhoods: Beaver Lake, Elk Lake, Gateway, Glanford, Gorge, Granville, Interurban, Layritz, Marigold, Northridge, Portage Inlet, Prospect Lake, Royal Oak, Rudd Park, Strawberry Vale, Tillicum, and West Saanich.
A significant portion of Saanich West is characterised by its rural charm, featuring beautiful areas such as Elk and Beaver Lake Regional Park and the Prospect Lake region. The landscape is distinguished by its ecological diversity and recreational opportunities, with 170 municipal parks, three regional parks, and a well-developed cycling network. The Saanich Commonwealth Place, a world-class pool and fitness centre, adds to the area’s appeal. Saanich is known for having more parks per capita than any other municipality in British Columbia, and golf enthusiasts can enjoy various courses, including Blenkinsop Valley, Cedar Hill, Cordova Bay, and Prospect Lake.
Esquimalt District
The VREB district of Esquimalt, part of the Core region, aligns with the municipal Township of Esquimalt and is divided into six distinct neighbourhoods: Esquimalt Neighbourhood, Saxe Point, Rockheights, Old Esquimalt, Kinsmen Park, and Gorge Vale.
Esquimalt presents a unique blend of lifestyles, featuring a wealth of parks, stunning foreshore views, and a marina. The area boasts a diverse range of high-quality residential properties, including desirable waterfront homes, alongside a vibrant business community supported by a light industrial district. Esquimalt has a rich community spirit, with services that have been well-established for many years. Among its most attractive residential areas are Saxe Point and Rockheights. Residents enjoy a comprehensive array of recreational facilities, such as a curling rink, an indoor swimming pool, and the highly regarded Gorge Vale Golf Club. Positioned at the western approaches from the sea, Esquimalt benefits from abundant sunshine. The community is also home to the Department of National Defence and serves as the headquarters for Canada’s Pacific Naval Fleet. Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt employs approximately 4,000 military personnel and 3,000 civilian workers, significantly contributing to Victoria’s economy.
Victoria West District
The VREB district of Victoria West (“Vic West”), part of the Core region, is that part of the City of Victoria on the west side of the Victoria harbour. We subdivide it into 2 neighbourhoods: Songhees and Vic West. Vic West offers its residents retail, traditional residential and multi-family housing options as well as scenic waterfront walkways. Vic West is home to new and innovative housing and commercial developments, including the Dockside Green sustainable development project which is built on former industrial land.
View Royal District
The VREB district of View Royal is located within the Core region and aligns with the municipal Town of View Royal. This district is divided into five distinct neighbourhoods: Glentana, Hospital, Prior Lake, Six Mile, and View Royal Neighbourhood. Residents of View Royal benefit from its beautiful natural surroundings, including access to parks, lakes, and waterfront areas, making it a desirable place to live. The town offers a mix of residential options and community amenities, creating a welcoming environment for families and individuals alike. Click a coloured area on the map for more details, zoom and drag the map to explore your area of interest, and use the controls above the map to share or enlarge. You can also view additional maps of the Greater Victoria area using the links on the right.
Westshore Communities
The Westshore region includes five VREB districts: Langford, Colwood, Sooke, Highlands, and Metchosin.
Langford District
The VREB district of Langford, situated in the Westshore region, encompasses the City of Langford and is divided into 17 distinct neighbourhoods: Atkins, Bear Mountain, Fairway, Florence Lake, Glen Lake, Goldstream, Happy Valley, Humpback, Jacklin, Langford Lake, Luxton, Mill Hill, Olympic View, Thetis Heights, Walfred, and Westhills.
Langford is known for its abundance of lakes and parks, providing a wide range of recreational opportunities. Notable lakes in the area include Thetis Lake, Langford Lake, Glen Lake, and Florence Lake, all of which are popular for swimming, kayaking, and picnicking. Goldstream Park, another local gem, features a provincial campground and is renowned for its annual salmon spawn, attracting visitors each year. In addition to its natural beauty, Langford is home to the Olympic View and Bear Mountain developments, which boast golf courses, a hotel and spa, and various residential housing options, making it a vibrant community for both residents and visitors.
Colwood District
The VREB district of Colwood, located within the Westshore region, corresponds to the municipal City of Colwood and is divided into 12 distinct neighbourhoods: Colwood Corners, Colwood Lake, Hatley Park, Lagoon, Latoria, Olympic View, Royal Bay, Royal Roads, Sun Ridge, Triangle, Wishart North, and Wishart South.
Colwood offers a diverse range of recreational activities. The Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre is renowned as one of the most comprehensive sports complexes in the province. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the Royal Colwood and Olympic View golf courses, alongside the nine-hole Juan de Fuca course. Nature lovers will appreciate the area’s nature reserve and beautiful beach, perfect for sunbathing, swimming, windsurfing, sailing, and walking. Visitors and residents alike are treated to stunning views of downtown Victoria and the American coast across the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Additionally, Colwood is home to Royal Roads University, adding to the vibrant community atmosphere.
Sooke District
The VREB district of Sooke, situated within the Westshore region, corresponds to the municipal District of Sooke and includes undeveloped areas to the west and north. It is divided into 21 distinct neighbourhoods: 17 Mile, Becher Bay, Billings Spit, Broomhill, Carmanah, East Sooke, French Beach, John Muir, Jordan River, Kemp Lake, Otter Point, Phillips North, Port Renfrew, Saseenos, Sheringham Point, Silver Spray, Sooke River, Sooke Village Core, Sun River, West Coast Rd, and Whiffin Spit.
Sooke boasts a wide range of recreational activities that highlight its stunning natural surroundings. Residents and visitors can enjoy excellent fishing, boating, hunting, hiking, and horseback riding. The area is rich in lakes, parks, and nature trails, including the Galloping Goose Trail, East Sooke Park, Sooke Potholes, and Sooke Harbour. It is also home to the renowned West Coast and Juan de Fuca Trails, as well as Botanical Beach at Port Renfrew. For those seeking adventure, Sooke offers opportunities for surfing and whale watching, making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Highlands District
The VREB district of Highlands, situated within the Westshore region, aligns with the municipal District of Highlands and is divided into 3 neighbourhoods: Bear Mountain, Eastern Highlands, and Western Highlands. It is a sought-after area due to its rural charm and natural beauty.
The community encourages environmentally responsible construction practices, such as minimizing vegetation removal, using materials that blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, and positioning homes to maintain a low visual impact from roads and viewpoints. Mount Work Regional Park offers a range of outdoor activities, including swimming, fishing, and hiking through hilly terrain, and it features the highest peak on the Saanich Peninsula. Lone Tree Regional Park provides a two-kilometre trail that ascends to stunning views of the Highlands, Victoria, and the Olympic Mountains.
Metchosin District
The VREB district of Metchosin, located within the Westshore region, aligns with the municipal District of Metchosin. It consists of eights neighbourhoods: Albert Head, Kangaroo, Metchosin, Neild, Olympic View, Pedder Bay, Rocky Point, and William Head.
It is known for its rural charm, offering ample opportunities for horseback riding, exploring nature trails, and enjoying numerous parks. The district features several golf courses, while Matheson Lake is a favourite spot for swimming and hiking. Witty’s Lagoon provides oceanfront access for various sports and relaxation activities. Pedder Bay is renowned for its excellent fishing, and Metchosin is also home to Pearson College, an international school that attracts students from around the globe.
Saanich Peninsula
The Saanich Peninsula region includes three districts: Central Saanich, North Saanich, and Sidney.
Central Saanich District
The VREB district of Central Saanich, situated in the Peninsula region, encompasses the municipal District of Central Saanich and the Willis Point area of the Juan de Fuca Electoral Area. It is divided into 11 neighbourhoods: Brentwood Bay, Hawthorne, Inlet, Island View, Keating, Martindale, Oldfield, Saanichton, Tanner, Turgoose, and Willis Point. Agriculture is the predominant land use in Central Saanich, with a mix of housing options from hobby farms to townhouses scattered across the area. The community is served by two main commercial hubs in Brentwood Bay and Saanichton, complemented by the industrial and commercial zone along Keating X Road.
North Saanich District
The VREB district of North Saanich, located in the Peninsula region, corresponds to the municipal District of North Saanich and is divided into 11 neighbourhoods. The neighbourhoods in North Saanich include: Airport, Ardmore, Bazan Bay, Coles Bay, Curteis Point, Dean Park, Deep Cove, Lands End, McDonald Park, Sandown, and Swartz Bay. North Saanich primarily features agricultural, residential, and institutional land uses, with limited commercial or industrial activities, apart from the Victoria International Airport. The emphasis on agriculture and residential areas contributes to the district’s rural charm, with nearly all housing classified as single detached homes. Recreational opportunities abound with the Panorama Leisure Centre, which offers indoor tennis, an ice arena, a pool, and other amenities. Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the Glen Meadows Golf and Country Club and the Ardmore Golf Course.
Sidney District
The VREB district of Sidney, part of the Peninsula region, aligns with the municipal Town of Sidney and is divided into four neighbourhoods: Sidney North-East, Sidney North-West, Sidney South-East, and Sidney South-West. Affectionately known as “Sidney by the Sea,” this charming town is located about 20 kilometres north of Victoria. It boasts a temperate climate, natural beauty, and a welcoming community atmosphere. Sidney features extensive waterfront walkways, parks, marinas, and a variety of restaurants. The town is home to the Mary Winspear Community Centre, which includes Charlie White Theatre. Sidney, along with North Saanich and Central Saanich shares the nearby Panorama Leisure Centre, offering indoor tennis courts, two ice rinks, and a large indoor pool. The town provides daily ferry service to Anacortes, Washington, and is conveniently located less than two kilometres from the Victoria International Airport, a short distance from the B.C. Ferry Terminal to Vancouver, and just 25 minutes from downtown Victoria.