Many of Victoria's residential communities are full of charming Victorian and Edwardian houses, many centuries old.
Oak Bay Village, a 10-minute drive from downtown Victoria, contains charming streets containing an array of quaint and popular shops, as well as restaurants, cafes, and pubs to suit any budget and taste. You also have the option of taking a stroll through one of the many parks, gardens and beaches that surround the area.
James Bay is a five-minute walk south of downtown and has homes that were built by Victoria's founding families, and many have been perfectly preserved. Some of the more famous homes include the Emily Carr House and Helmcken House, as well as the Provincial Legislative Buildings and the Royal British Columbia Museum where you can explore more broad historical events that have taken place in the area. The Fairmont Express Hotel is the symbolic center of Victoria as it sits at the edge of the Inner Harbour. It is a local famous point along with Beacon Hill Park's gardens.
Rockland/Fairfield is a neighbourhood that showcases beautiful architectural homes with lush lawns. This neighbourhood has often been described as one of the most inspiring, as it contains some of the best ocean and mountain views in the entire city. It's home to the beautiful landscaped Ross Bay Cemetery, which is full of marble, sandstone and granite monuments to many famous locals. The Government House is also found here.
The Uploads are where you can find the most millionaires in Canada. This neighbourhood is only a 15 minute drive east of downtown Victoria and plays host to many stately mansions. The best way to view the local architecture is to walk through the area, as it is dotted with ornamental Edwardian street lights and monumental gate posts.
Other neighbourhoods in Victoria include Burnside, Downtown, Fernwood, Harris Green, North Jubilee, North Park, Oaklands, Rockland, South Jubilee, Victoria West, Chinatown, Rock Bay, Oak Bay, Songhees, and Selkirk.
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