Oak
Bay is blocked by Washington state's Olympic Mountains. The mountains
offer shelter from the rain and a climate able to support several
types of exotic plants, including more than a dozen species of
palm trees.
Nestled in the beauty of the Northwest, Oak Bay has four public
gardens.
The Abkhazi
Gardens feature glaciated rock and ponds. The gardens
also feature Garry oak trees, namesake to Oak Bay. Garry oaks are
a species native to western Canada, and grow almost exclusively
on southern Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
Abkhazi Gardens also has ornamental evergreens, rhododendrons
and azaleas. Rock and alpine plants, naturalized bulbs, Japanese
maples and weeping conifers fill the grounds. The garden, built
by royalty in 1947, was first open to the public in 1949.
The Lokier Gardens were built thanks to contributions made by
Thomas Lokier. It is a fenced, grassy space surrounded by shrubs
and flowers, with a triangular garden in the center.
In 1937, 500 roses, mostly of the hybrid tea family, were donated
by local resident Ada Beavan to establish a rose garden in Windsor
Park. In 1939, Beavan developed a native plant garden. At 1.4 acres,
this garden park features a small pond, rustic pathways and trees
for shade. A picnic table and benches offer a relaxing spot for
visitors.
Across the street from the Native Plant Garden are the waterfront
gardens at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel and Marine Resort. Meandering
pathways lined with colorful perennials, roses, shrubs and trees
frame a view of the ocean and Mt. Baker.
Oak Bay also offers walking tours of the city and sandy beaches.
In the marina, make arrangements for charter fishing trips.
Oak
Bay is named for the Garry oak tree, the single oak species native
to Western Canada, which grows almost exclusively on southern
Vancouver
Island and the Gulf Islands. The huge old trees are prevalent
along Beach Drive, through the Uplands and Cadboro Bay residential
areas.
Some of the local trees are at least 400 years old and have grown
to 33.5 metres in height. The Garry oak is a protected species.
The
community’s annual festival is called the “Oak Bay Tea
Party”. Its annual parade is led by two fictitious characters,
“Mr. and Mrs. Tweedie” in splendidly old fashioned
British garb.
Have
you ever fed wild seals, fished for salmon, gone whale watching
or chartered a boat? You can do it all, and more in Oak Bay. To
help make your visit as pleasant as possible, we've provided a wide
range of information on shops, restaurants and attractions in our
neighbourhood. And don't forget to visit our own family of eagles
who are permanent residents in a safe haven high above our fire
station. You can see them online via our Nature
webcam! |
