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Buying A Home | 5 Posts
Homeowners | 1 Posts
July
21

Where to Watch Summer Sunsets Around Southern Vancouver Island | DFH Real Estate

Have you ever seen a sunset so spectacular that it stopped you dead in your tracks? Our real estate agents have.

Catching glimpses of vibrant sunsets over the water or beyond the mountains even impressed some of them enough to make sunset-watching part of their regular summer activities. Come along with us to these prime sunset-watching spots around Southern Vancouver Island.  

See Stunning Summer Sunsets at These Scenic Locations Around Southern Vancouver Island 

Mount Tolmie Park - Victoria, BC 

Address: 3492 Mayfair Drive, Victoria, BC V8P 1P8

Mount Tolmie Park is one of the most popular locations to see the city from above, and watching sunsets here makes that incredible view even more enchanting. You'll see the city skyline at your feet and the sun blazing in the distance, lighting up the sky behind the Olympic Mountains, Mount Douglas, and Mount Baker on its way out.  

Aside from some picnic areas and trails, this is mostly an undeveloped green space with few amenities. It's still quite busy, though, so get there early if you want one of the best spots high up on the rocks.  

PKOLS / Mount Douglas Park - Saanich, BC 

Address: 4500 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, BC V8X 3S8

PKOLS (also known as Mount Douglas Park) is home to the tallest peak near our Saanich homes for sale, making it an excellent spot for watching a sunset from a high vantage point.

You can usually drive up toward the peak after noon, when the road is open to vehicles, if you don't feel up to making the trek on foot. If you're ready for the challenge, though, many marked hiking trails can help you make your way up the hill. Any area at least halfway up the west side will get a pretty good view of the sunset and the Olympic Mountains on the horizon. 

There are also lots of other fun features here for you to check out, including: 

  • A beach where you can swim or stretch out on the sand 
  • Picnic areas with tables  
  • A playground for kids  
  • A large field where you can wander through the grass, relax in the fresh air, or enjoy some casual sports with friends 

Ogden Point Breakwater - Victoria, BC 

Address: 211 Dallas Road, Victoria, BC V8V 1A1

If you've always wondered what it would be like to walk out onto the sea, walking the Ogden Point Breakwater is the next best thing. This paved walking path near our Victoria homes for sale extends about 762 metres into the Salish Sea with unobstructed views of the water and the Olympic Mountains beyond.  

There are few amenities here aside from some benches, but the walk out to the end of the path is the main attraction anyway. Start your stroll just as the sun is going down, and you'll finish it with the stars twinkling bright above you.  

Clover Point / Dallas Road Waterfront - Victoria, BC 

Address: 1301 Dallas Road, Victoria, BC V8V 1C4

Clover Point is located on a small rocky outcrop along Victoria's Dallas Road, a long stretch of coastline facing the Strait of Juan de Fuca. Like at Ogden Point, you can see the Olympic Mountains on the horizon here too. It's a much shorter walk to reach the water's edge here, making this a better option if you're short on time. Other amenities and points of interest here include:  

  • Picnic tables and benches  
  • Public washrooms 
  • Old military fortifications from WWII  
  • A beautiful marble sculpture commemorating Canada's commitment to peace and cooperation in the new millennium 

Esquimalt Lagoon - Colwood, BC 

Address: Ocean Boulevard, Colwood, BC V9C 1W6 

The 2km sand spit that separates Esquimalt Lagoon from the rest of the Strait of Juan de Fuca is an incredible place to watch the sun go down. It's just a few minutes' drive from many of our Colwood homes for sale and within view of the Fisgard Lighthouse, a red-brick building with a classic white lighthouse tower rising from its side.

This spot is a federally protected migratory bird sanctuary, so there are often many birds, like herons and bald eagles, flying around. You might even see some seals offshore as nighttime falls. If you don't happen to spot any wildlife, you can always take a look at the many driftwood art sculptures on display here instead. As for amenities, the site has:  

  • Public washrooms 
  • Water fountains 
  • Picnic tables 

Cattle Point / Uplands Park - Oak Bay, BC 

Address: Beach Drive at Cattle Point, Oak Bay, BC 

Uplands Park is a 76-acre park of mostly untouched forests, meadows, and coastline near our Oak Bay homes for sale. The outcrop that extends furthest into the sea is called Cattle Point, and it's one of only two Urban Star Parks in Canada, a special designation that means it's a great place to view stars at night.  

Since the sun is a star, it's naturally just as good a location for sunset-watching. You'll watch the sun dip toward the western horizon in a blaze of orange and pink. Uplands Park also has: 

  • Two boat launches for canoes, kayaks, and small watercraft 
  • A winding network of hiking trails 
  • Benches and picnic tables 
  • A war memorial dedicated to Oak Bay service members who died in the First and Second World Wars

Frequently Asked Questions About Sunset-Watching Around Victoria

Where are the best places to watch the sunset near Victoria, BC?

Some of the best sunset-watching spots near Victoria include Mount Tolmie Park, PKOLS / Mount Douglas Park, Ogden Point Breakwater, Clover Point, Esquimalt Lagoon, and Cattle Point. These locations offer a mix of elevated city views, oceanfront paths, mountain backdrops, and wide-open sky.

Can you drive to the top of PKOLS / Mount Douglas Park?

You can usually drive up Churchill Drive toward the summit after noon, but access depends on weather, gate closures, and posted park rules. The road is closed to motorized vehicles before noon so pedestrians and cyclists can enjoy the route.

Is Cattle Point a good place for stargazing after sunset?

Yes. Cattle Point is a designated Urban Star Park and one of the best-known stargazing spots in the Victoria area. It is also part of Uplands Park, making it a scenic place to stay a little longer after sunset.

See Every Sunset in Style in Victoria, BC 

There are thousands more sunsets ahead of you. Wouldn't it be nice to see them light up the sky behind the sea and mountains as often as you like? Contact us today to discover our exciting lineup homes for sale and make the end of each day feel a little more magical. 

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