Rockland & Gonzales
Rockland and Gonzales offer a slower pace than Downtown Victoria, known for their residential feel. These neighbourhoods are steeped in a rich history, known to be home to some of the city’s top cultural attractions, as well as their connection to nature, with gardens and beaches that are accessible year-round.
About Rockland & Gonzales
At a glance
You'll find Rockland and Gonzales tucked between the Victoria neighbourhood of Fairfield and the community of Oak Bay. Rockland is known for it's impressive arts and history scene, including historic manors and galleries. Gonzales, while every bit as historic as Rockland, hugs the coastline of the Salish Sea, offering a mix of manicured gardens and sprawling sand beaches. With a calm, relaxed vibe, these neighbourhoods feel a world away from the city, but are conveniently less than a 10-minute drive from downtown, letting you add a splash of escapism from the city energy to your trip whenever you crave it.
What it feels like to be here
Rockland and Gonzales feel like their own small coastal community. Rockland's historic architecture and bikeable streets make it a favourite for urban explorers looking to get beyond the Inner Harbour. Gonzales' wealth of parks and pocket beaches makes it a haven for outdoor lovers, perfect for catching morning sunrises. You'll want to slow down taking in small details, whether they be the brickwork in a castle, the brush strokes of a painting, or wildflowers blowing in a breeze.
When Rockland & Gonzales shine
Gonzales' beaches can't be beat for a summer sunrise, and offer a great way to embrace the afternoon heat - digging your toes into the sand or splashing in the waves. Rockland is best enjoyed throughout the day, when its historic attractions are open to the public, and ripe for exploring. The spring time offers blooms through parks, coastlines, and gardens, the fall sees warm fall foliage frame historic architecture, making for breathtaking photography opportunities.
Government House
Government House is the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor of BC. This National Historic Site of Canada sits atop 36 acres of land in Rockland. The space is known for it's beautiful public gardens, which are free to visit, and open 365 days a year. On the property, you'll also find Cary Castle Mews, a collection of 19th century wooden service buildings, and a Costume Museum, which showcases an array of period pieces, uniforms, and historical artifacts. Government House is also home to Rudi's Tea Room, a hidden-gem in Victoria's culinary scene serving lunch, sweets, and refreshments, using locally sourced ingredients - some of which come from Government Houses' own gardens.
Government House
What you’ll love doing
Craigdarroch Castle
Once the home of former coal baron Robert Dunsmuir, this historic house and museum has become one of Victoria's top historical attractions. Built between 1887 and 1890, this "bonanza castle", was a symbol of Victorian-era opulence, which remains on full display to this day. Take a tour through this beautiful museum exploring over 130 years of Victoria's history, and follow the story of Craigdarroch Castle and its many residents as it transitioned from a home to a military hospital to a college. Throughout the castle's "Richardsonian Romanesque" design, you'll find intricate wood work and one of North America's best collections of stained glass.
Craigdarroch Castle Historic House Museum
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria boasts British Columbia's largest public collection of art, with over 22,000 pieces. This warm and inviting cultural space features seven modern galleries, a historic 1889 mansion, and the only authentic Japanese Shinto Shrine in North America. Throughout the AGGV's galleries, you'll find works from their own collections plus a series of rotating exhibits featuring the works of artists from across Canada and around the globe. The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is well known for its Asian art collections, one of the important collections of its kind in Canada.
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Abkhazi Garden
Known as the "Garden that Love Built", Abkhazi Garden is a horticultural testament to a globe-spanning romance steeped in revolution and war. The world-famous garden has stood since 1946 and features a beautiful display or rhododendrons, Japanese maples, Gary oaks, heathers, irises, daylilies, and more. The Garden's teahouse is a tranquil and intimate setting to indulge in one of Victoria's most beloved traditions, afternoon tea, where you can choose to dine inside the heritage home of the Abkhazis or on the patio amongst the vibrant gardens.
Abkhazi GardenGonzales Beach
Soak up the sunshine on one of Victoria's favourite local sand beaches. Located at Gonzales Park at 1809 Crescent Road, Gonzales Beach is a sprawling urban beach with an unrivaled connection to the natural world. It's the perfect spot for morning yoga, an impromptu game of beach volleyball, a picnic, or even watching for wildlife. The beach features shallow waters which are perfect for wading in summer months; keep your eyes peeled for otters, eagles, harbour seals, and even passing sealions and orcas.
Gonzales Beach
What to do in Rockland & Gonzales
Rockland and Gonzales are neighbourhoods which are perfect for cultural exploration and enjoying calm outdoor spaces. They're neighbourhoods known for architectural history, lush green spaces, and stunning ocean views. From museums to beaches and gardens to galleries, this is a perfect spot for travellers looking to slow down and enjoy things a little more locally.
Local tips
Pack shoes you can slip on and off easily
Gonzales is known for its easy shoreline stops. You’ll want to move seamlessly between pavement, sand, and driftwood without fuss. Gonzales' beaches let you jump back and forth between nature and neighbourhood. If you're a traveller in search of sand between your toes, you've found your little slice of paradise in Gonzales.
Use Rockland as a walking neighbourhood
In Rockland, park near Government House or Craigdarroch Castle and explore on foot. The appeal here is slow streets and layered details, not hopping between sights. Rockland's big three attractions, Craigdarroch Castle, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, and Government House are just minutes from each other on foot.
Tides shape the experience at Gonzales
At low tide, the beach opens up and is more walkable. This is a perfect time for kite flying, frisbee playing, and sandcastle building. At high tide, it’s quieter and cozier but more limited for wandering. You'll notice that marine life is more comfortable coming into the bay at high tide - a great time for photographers.Where to eat
Rockland and Gonzales offer a regal dining scene. Think gardenside afternoon tea, Le Cordon Bleu level pastries in cozy spaces, and lunch served inside a National Historic Site. Rockland and Gonzales might not have the range of options as nearby neighbourhoods, but their dining scene offers an elevated experience in extraordinary settings.
Getting to Rockland & Gonzales and getting around
How to get to Rockland and Gonzales
Located east of Downtown Victoria, Rockland and Gonzales are less than a 10-minute drive from the city centre. This proximity to downtown makes it easily accessible from ferries arriving from Washington State and the harbour's seaplane terminal. Both neighbourhoods are well connected the city's regional transit system. Like much of Victoria, the neighbourhoods are bikeable, both less than a 20-minute bike ride from Downtown Victoria. For those travelling via BC Ferries, it's just a short 35-minute drive from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, or a 30-minute drive from Victoria International Airport for those arriving by plane.
Getting here
Getting around
Rockland and Gonzales are best enjoyed by bike or foot. Each neighbourhood is quite walkable on its own, but might be best enjoyed by bike if trying to enjoy both in one day. Rockland's three major attractions are all easily walkable, less than 10-minutes on foot from one another. The neighbourhoods are also well connected by transit.
Getting aroundWhere to stay
Rockland and Gonzales are residential in nature. We recommend staying in the nearby neighbourhoods of Fairfield and Oak Bay to best experience this historic part of Victoria. Both Fairfield and Oak Bay allow for easy access to Rockland and Gonzales by bike, foot, car, and public transit.
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