How to Experience Victoria's Iconic Cherry Blossom Season

Victoria boasts the mildest year-round climate in Canada, so it’s no surprise that we’re usually the first city to start blooming. If you’ve ever had the opportunity to visit Victoria between February and May, you may have stood in awe under an archway of cherry blossoms on Moss Street or walked along a pink petal covered road on View Street. A mature cherry or plum tree can boast anywhere from 250,000 to 750,000 blossoms and different streets experience different bloom times. Let the world wait and capture the best glimpse of these beautiful petals this spring in Victoria.

1. The Butchart Gardens

As a year-round destination to experience Victoria’s blooms, The Butchart Gardens offers exceptional cherry blossom viewing in the spring. Find pink hues throughout, from the sunken garden to the Japanese garden. Then indulge in their afternoon tea overlooking the gardens.

Image by @thebutchartgardens

2. View Street

One of the most well-known places to view spring blossoms is along View Street in the heart of Downtown Victoria. This street is usually the first to explode in a sea of pink flowers each February/March and the nearby architecture adds an undeniable je ne sais quoi to any photo!

Image by @dougclementphotography

3. Blanshard Street

Find bunches of colourful cherry and plum blossoms all along Blanshard Street, from Fort Street all the way to the Parkside Hotel & Spa near St. Ann’s Academy National Historic Site.

Image by @fortprop

4. Belleville Street at the Inner Harbour

Of course, the Inner Harbour is also home to blossoming trees and flowers this time of year. Find especially bright blooms outside the Hotel Grand Pacific on the south side of the Inner Harbour

Image by @matthewsmith

5. Hatley Castle & Gardens

A visit to Hatley Castle rewards year-round, but especially when their spring flowers begin peeking out.

Image by @pixbykoi

6. Government House

Located in the Rockland neighbourhood, find this National Historic Site open daily from dawn to dusk. Explore 36 acres of land from rose gardens to an alpine garden and everything in between. A 20-minute walk from downtown will reward you with cherry blossom-lined streets.

Image by Deddeda Stemler

7. Dallas Road

A short walk from the Inner Harbour leads you through cherry blossom-lined streets to Dallas Road. This time of year, you’ll find patches of daffodils all the way from Ogden Point Breakwater to Ross Bay Cemetery. With flowers on one side and unobstructed ocean views on the other, we highly recommend taking a stroll here.

Image by @robertwebbcreative

8. Fisgard Street in Chinatown

In Canada’s oldest Chinatown, find Sakura trees blooming along Fisgard!

Image by @kads_durks

9. James Bay

A short stroll from the Inner Harbour takes you to this quiet and quaint residential area where you can explore even more pink tones!

Image by @kaitythesuperfish

10. Fairfield and Rockland

Adjacent to downtown, Victoria’s historic Fairfield and Rockland neighbourhoods boast many heritage homes and streets lined with cherry and plum trees.

Image by @afrederia7

Image by @nathanphilps

11. Beacon Hill Park

Embrace the warm, sunny weather at Beacon Hill Park. From sprawling gardens, peacocks and baby goats at the Children’s Farm enclosure, this is the perfect spot in Victoria to see Spring in action.

Image by @travelbugs01

12. Oak Bay

Wander through Oak Bay and take in the beautiful blossoms. Enjoy the warmth of spring on the Vis a Vis patio over a latte and croissant or with a pint at Penny Farthing next door.

13. Drink the Blossoms (literally)

If you love cherry blossoms as much as we do, try Sheringham Distillery’s creation, Kazuki Gin, to taste the essence of the blossoms.

Find a map of the cherry blossoms here. Learn more about biking and walking tours in Victoria and don’t forget to share your photos with us using #ExploreVictoria.