Hwy
17,
from the ferry terminal at Schwartz Bay to Victoria, is a busy paved highway
that passes the farmlands of the Saanich Peninsula, the Victoria Airport
and several communities on it's way to the province's capital city.
Sidney:
Sidney is located on the Saanich Peninsula near Schwartz Bay. The Washington
State Ferries terminal for San Juan Islands and Anacortes is located in
Sidney.
Sidney
Marine Historial Museum:
Visitors will find extensive exhibits on the ecology
of whales, seals, sea lions and sea otters. This museum is located near
the wharf
Sidney
Spit Provincial Marine Park:
Explore the park's beaches, meadows and forests which are home to wildlife
such as eagles, herons, waterfowl and fallow deer. Access is via a foot-passenger
ferry from the Sidney Island Beacon Street Marina.
Continuing
south along Hwy 17 towards Victoria, visitors will pass the exits to the
International Airport, provincial parks and historical sites.
Elk/Beaver
Lake Regional Park:
With its impressive beaches, great swimming and watersports this is the
easily the most popular park in the Greater Victoria area. There are good
walking trails. Visitors are often treated to rowing competitions and
training.
26km (16.1mi) south of Swartz Bay, is McKenzie Avenue, the Island's largest
interchange. Downtown Victoria start here. Just west leads to Hwy 1 (Island
Hwy). East takes you to Swan Lake and the University of Victoria (UVic).
University
of Victoria:
Tours of this beautiful university campus are available. Enjoy the walking
and jogging trails and flower gardens.
Scenic
Alternate Hwy 17A (Swartz Bay to Victoria):
Hwy 17A, also known as West Saanich Road is located near the ferry terminal.
Turn west at Wain Road; this 24km (15mile) drive takes you to Royal Oak
Drive, just north of Victoria, where Hwy 17A joins Hwy 17.
Patricia
Bay:
Along Hwy 17A is Patricia Bay where visitors may walk the beach and view
wildlife and waterfowl.
Continue
on past Brentwood Bay, a small, quaint community where you will find the
Brentwood-Mill Bay Ferry which crosses Saanich Inlet to Mill Bay.
Butchart
Gardens: One of BC's premiere attractions. This once limestone quarry
is now extensive gardens which attract tourists from around the world.
Overlooking Tod Inlet, the
gardens feature native flowers, exotic shrubs, trees and flowers.
Centre
of the Universe (Dominion Astrophysical Observatory)
Visit this observatory on a clear night; located on Little Saanich Mountain.
The following BC Adventure members would like to serve you:
Eagle Wing Whale Watching: Guided Whale Watching Tours & Wildlife Viewing.Trip Advisor's top-rated whale-watching experience in Victoria since 2007. Killer whales, Grey, Minke and Humpback whales, seals, sea lions & porpoise. As industry leaders, they go the extra mile (or 50!) to give... more
Fresh Adventures Wilderness Tours: Guided wilderness tours in BC and Alberta. Experience the highlights of Vancouver Island and the Canadian Rocky Mountains in a small group with a professional guide. more
Rocky Mountain Holidays: Rail Vacations in the Rocky Mountains & Western Canada! Rocky Mountain Holidays customize vacations that combine the romance of train travel with the magnificent scenery of Western Canada. more
Swartz
Bay to Victoria (Hwy 17)
