View from the Top – Finding the Best Views on Vancouver Island

We’re lucky here on the West Coast with Septembers that are usually mild and sunny. And while the leaves may have started to change, the harbinger of the fast-approaching fall, the weather is still warm and dry. This is the perfect time to get out there and explore, enjoy the late summer breeze and find a few lookout locations to admire the view from. There are so many hills, mountains and lookout areas on Vancouver Island which can make it difficult to find your favourites so we’ve made a short list of our go-to spots to take in the scenery and have a peaceful moment in Vancouver Island’s natural beauty.  

Victoria 

Mt. Tolmie 

If you’re looking for an easy lookout spot, Mt. Tolmie should be at the top of your list. Perfect for anyone staying in Victoria, this is a spectacular spot to find gorgeous 360 degree views of Victoria, the Saanich Inlet and beyond. The best part about Mt. Tolmie? You can drive right to the summit so you don’t have to worry about taking on a hike, unless you want to! To make the most of the views, from the parking lot, head to the railing and enjoy the sweeping southern views of Victoria, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and on a clear day, the Olympic range. On the other side, you’ll find a few steps up that takes you to an area where you can enjoy panoramic views of Mount Douglas, the Saanich Peninsula, the Saanich Inlet and beyond.

Anderson Hill Park 

Tucked away in the picturesque neighbourhood of Oak Bay, you’ll find one of the city’s most stunning hidden gems. Anderson Hill Park features rocky outcrops, wildflowers and gnarled Gary oaks. Despite its size, this residential park has spectacular views. To the south you will see the Trial Island ecological reserve and have unobstructed views across McNeil Bay to the west.

Holland Point Park

At the edge of the water on Dallas Road, is the popular and beautiful Holland Point Park. This waterfront park is the perfect place for guests in downtown Victoria to stroll down and watch colourful kite surfers sail through the sky and sailboats skim over the sparkling ocean while the Olympic range shimmers in the distance. 

Sidney

Horth Hill

At the top of the Peninsula, you’ll find the lovely Horth Hill Regional Park. With numerous trails that wind through lush plants and colourful wildflowers, Horth Hill is one of those late summer hikes that are worth the effort. As you climb to the summit of Horth Hill, you can enjoy the beautiful sun speckled trails and marvel at the huge Douglas firs. At the summit, take a break and enjoy the view of Satellite Channel, the Saanich Inlet and the Salish Sea. 

John Dean Provincial Park 

To the south of Horth Hill you’ll find the lush, forested trails of John Dean Provincial Park, a great places to find incredible views. John Dean offers stunning panoramic views of the Saanich Inlet and the Salish Sea for anyone willing to brave the steep climb. 

Cowichan Valley

Malahat Skywalk

One of the newest attractions on Vancouver Island is the incredible Malahat SkyWalk. This stunning experience starts with a ten minute walk on a boardwalk through a beautiful arbutus forest leading to a gentle spiral ramp that takes you to the summit 32 metres (104 feet) up. At the summit, you’ll have unmatched panoramic views of Finlayson Arm, Saanich Peninsula, Mount Baker and the distant Coast Mountains. If you have the stomach for it, you can walk out onto the sturdy Adventure Net and look straight down to the ground below! Kids of all ages will love coming down from the tower on the 20 metre spiral slide or take a leisurely walk back down and enjoy the descent. 

Kinsol Trestle

Another great lookout point for guests in the Cowichan Valley and a worthwhile drive for anyone staying in Victoria is the amazing Kinsol Trestle that draws thousands of visitors every year. As one of the only free-standing timber trestles in the world, the Kinsol trestle stands at an impressive 44 metres high and offers visitors an incredible view of the Koksilah River as it winds its way through the valley. Being among the tops of the fir trees at this historic site is something you won’t want to miss! 

Nanaimo 

Peak Lookout Near Linley Valley

Linley Valley is one of the most popular hiking areas in Nanaimo to go and experience nature on the West Coast. This incredible park has a mix of wild meadows, hidden ponds and streams, lush forested areas and rocky outcrops, providing visitors a real sense of West Coast beauty all in one park. For spectacular, panoramic views of Nanaimo, Gabriola Island and the Strait of Georgia, the Peak Lookout is your best bet. 

Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park

While a beach may be a surprising addition to a list of incredible views, guests staying at an EMR Parksville property will be thrilled to discover that Rathtrevor is no ordinary beach. With a tide that recedes almost a kilometre from the shoreline and stretches five kilometres, this beach is a truly unique experience. Here, you can look out at the Strait of Georgia, across to Sechelt and watch the clouds roll over the Sunshine Coast in the distance, see the weather roll in and enjoy some big sky watching.   

Comox Valley

Cruikshank Canyon Lookout

This hike is as gorgeous as the view at the destination, Cruikshank Canyon should be your next outing. Starting at the trail access at Mt Washington, you’ll hike through immaculate sub-alpine terrain, past numerous crystal clear lakes, perfect for cooling off on a hot late summer day and lush alpine meadows strewn with wildflowers. At the summit you’ll find mind-blowing 180 degree views of the Comox Valley where you can watch the shadows of the clouds on the mountains as they move through the sky and hear nothing but the wind blowing through the valley. Friendly Whiskey Jacks will land on a steady, outstretched hand looking for seeds and other treats but be careful of the cliff edges, there are 100 foot drops that are as dangerous as they are awe-inspiring

Book with EMR and Find your Perfect View!

Best Patios to Catch the Sunset

Summer on Vancouver Island is a special time of year for so many reasons. Paddleboard or kayak from one of the many beaches, get out into the water and search for marine life, spend a relaxing day on the beach, wander around downtown and browse the incredible local boutiques, visit heritage sites and learn more about Victoria’s history or spend the day hiking along the shoreline or through ancient forests in one of our many pristine parks – there is no end to the amount of activities that you can fill our sun-soaked days with. After a busy day, it is so nice to spend the warm summer evenings relaxing and what better way to relax than by watching the sunset over the water while you enjoy an incredible meal on a patio. There are lots of restaurant options here on the Lower Island, so we’ve made a handy list of the best ones to catch one of our stunning sunsets and taste some truly incredible cuisine. 

Sooke & Metchosin

Sooke Harbour House Restaurant 

1528 Whiffin Spit Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0T4

Located in one of the top-rated hotels on Vancouver Island, the Sooke Harbour House Hotel is one-of-a-kind. The dining room has an up-scale rustic west-coast design that is both cozy and refined. Here you can find fine dining service and elegant dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients that really give you the unique qualities of the West Coast on a plate. Located right on the edge of the water in Sooke, it’s one of the best places on Vancouver Island to catch the sunset. With unobstructed views that look right out onto the open ocean, the sunsets here are breathtaking. 

West Coast Grill

6929 W Coast Rd, Sooke, BC V9Z 0V1

This beautiful, waterfront restaurant, located in the Prestige Oceanfront Resort is West Coast elegance at its finest. Here guests can enjoy incredibly fresh, elevated seafood dishes on the terrace that overlooks the Sooke Basin and the shores of East Sooke. Sitting on the terrace, you can sip wine, dine on delicious food and watch the sun go down.  

Table Nineteen 

643 Latoria Rd, Victoria, BC V9C 3A3

At Olympic View Golf Club, you’ll find Table Nineteen, the highly anticipated expansion of the five star restaurant brand from Whistler. This stunning new addition to the Sooke dining scene provides guests with high-end, modern interior design, friendly, professional service and dishes made with thoughtfully selected, local, ethical ingredients and fun house-made twists that are approachable and delicious. With a patio that overlooks the beautiful course, you won’t have oceanfront seating, but you can certainly bask in peace and quiet, enjoy an incredible meal and watch the sky change colour. 

Victoria

Spinnakers

308 Catherine St, Victoria, BC V9A 3S8

Spinnakers is a long-time local favourite for good reason. This hardworking brewpub doesn’t just make some of the most amazing beer, it also serves up some of the best elevated pub classics in Victoria and is located right on the beautiful Songhees water way. While you’re staying downtown Victoria, if you’re looking for a laid back meal on a great patio to watch the sun go down, Spinnakers is a great option. From your front door, you can walk across the Johnson Street bridge right onto the Songhees walkway, a path that takes you along the water’s edge right to Spinnakers. It’s a gorgeous walk in the sun and stunning at night where you can see the Inner Harbour lit up across the water. 

Lure

100 Harbour Rd, Victoria, BC V9A 0G1

Located right on the water, this lovely restaurant has one of the best patios in the city, hands down. With elegant, laid back decor, and incredible menu items, extensive cocktail, wine and beer lists, and one of the best water views, if you’re looking for a way to end the day in style, Lure is a great option, especially if you are a guest at an EMR rental downtown Victoria. Just a ten-minute walk across the Johnson Street bridge will take you to this incredible restaurant and the walk back, through the warm peaceful downtown evening is a great way to finish a summer day in Victoria. 

AURA

680 Montreal St, Victoria, BC V8V 1Z8

On the edge of James Bay down a little pedestrian pathway right on the edge of the water you’ll find the upscale AURA restaurant. Specializing in small plates style dining, AURA focuses on sourcing “farm-direct” ingredients for their global-inspired dishes while offering unique cocktails, excellent wine lists and the best local beer. On this patio, you’ll have fun ordering plates to share, sipping cocktails and watching the sun set over the Inner Harbour.

Sidney

Seahorses Cafe

799 Verdier Ave, Central Saanich, BC V8M 1C5

For fun, casual food, panoramic views and incredibly friendly service, Seahorses Cafe should be your next stop near Sidney! Kick back on their waterfront patio and enjoy delicious comfort food like burgers, soups and salads, cafe classics and wraps. 

Arbutus Room 

849 Verdier Ave, Brentwood Bay, BC V8M 1C5

Located in the renowned Brentwood Bay Resort, this restaurant makes fine dining easy with their ever-changing menu. Using only the best local ingredients, the Arbutus Room provides guests with incredibly fresh and exciting dishes on their elegant waterfront patio. With the set menu, you simply choose your dishes, and sit back to sip your potable and watch the sailboats drift along the water.

Deep Cove Chalet

11190 Chalet Rd, North Saanich, BC V8L 5M1

For a special dining experience, you won’t find anything more elegant on the Peninsula than the highly celebrated Deep Cove Chalet. The French inspired cuisine made with high quality, fresh local ingredients is sure to impress even the most discerning of diners. With impeccable white linen clad tables on the patio that provide a stunning, front-row seat to the marvellous summer sunsets, this is the perfect place for a special evening. 

Book your EMR Vacation Today!