Though a trip to another country may seem far away in theory, getting from L.A. to Victoria, B.C. — situated on the southernmost tip of Vancouver Island — is fairly quick and easy. By air to Vancouver is a mere two-plus hours, followed by a 13-minute flight to Victoria. Or, for the air/ sea experience, one can fly to Vancouver and ferry to Victoria; or fly to Seattle and enjoy the scenic two-hour and 45-minute water ride to Victoria on the eponymous Clipper.
Whatever your preference, a diverse destination awaits. Perched between the Salish Sea and coastal rainforests, Victoria’s unique geography and ecology makes it a year-round port of call.
“California is a big market for us. If you look at population and proximity, it’s a no-brainer,” says Rob Larocque, director of golf at Bear Mountain Resort. “It’s easy to get here from California; for the L.A. and San Diego markets, guests still get the West Coast vibe, but it’s a little more unique terrain, a bit more of a rugged feel up here. There’s a lot of vistas and natural space.”
Culturally, the endearing, immaculate (and, yes, romantic) downtown hub of Victoria matches horse-drawn carriages with the sentry stature of B.C.’s Parliament Building alongside the ever-strollable appeal of the city’s Inner Harbour. Explored on foot, Victoria boasts a plethora of bars, restaurants and eateries.
For golf guests, Greater Victoria’s outdoor bounty presents a full menu of play, with courses open all year long. Sporting 13 courses across a 155-mile spread of the Vancouver Island Golf Trail, Victoria itself features four courses within a 20-minute drive of downtown.
Between drinking, dining and hitting your driver, the pairing of sea, city and swing makes for a truly Instagram-able trip.
