Gonzales Hill Regional Park has amazing ocean views from the highest point (66 meters) on the south coast of Vancouver Island. Gonzales Observatory was a weather station for 75 years and is now a historical landmark. The park is home to rare wildflowers and beautiful Garry oak trees.

You can enjoy the sights from the rocky knolls. The sunsets over downtown Victoria and the Sooke Hills are especially beautiful. Visit in the spring to see wildflowers blooming in the Garry oak meadows.

Trail Rating: Easy
Size: 1.80 hectares
Location: Denison Road in Victoria/Oak Bay
Established: 1992
Hours: sunrise to sunset

To help preserve the park:

• Keep your dog under control or on a leash.
• Stay on marked trails and do not disturb plants or animals.
• Clean up after your dog and take all your trash with you.
• Smoking is not allowed in parks or on trails.
• Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not allowed.
• Camping, open fires, and alcohol are not allowed.

Features

• Unparalleled views of Victoria, Juan de Fuca Strait, the Olympic mountains and the Sooke Hills.
• Habitat for California quail, rare wildflowers and a stand of Garry oak trees.
• Gonzales Observatory, a weather station for 75 years, now a historical landmark.

Amenities

How to Get There

From Victoria, follow Fairfield Road, which turns into Beach Drive in Oak Bay Municipality. Turn right on Denison Road, which leads to the park entrance on the right. Allow approximately 10 minutes driving time from downtown Victoria.

• Map to Gonzales Hill Regional Park (PDF)
• Directions to parking lot

Public Transportation

Take BC Transit bus #7 to Fairfield Road at Foul Bay Road. The park is approximately a 1.5- kilometre walk from the bus stop. Contact BC Transit for schedule information.