1. The Butchart Gardens<\/h2>\n![\"Find](\"http:\/\/www.clippervacations.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/09\/Butchart-gardens-fall-819x1024.jpg\")
Find yourself in a fall fairytale with the Butchart Gardens. Credit: @sarira_ronaghi_photography<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nBrimming with hundreds of trees and plants in all shapes and sizes, the ever-stunning\u00a0<\/span>Butchart Gardens<\/span><\/a> is likely the first place that comes to mind for spotting Vancouver Island’s fall color, and for a good reason. Golden witch hazel, fiery red burning bush and thousands of chrysanthemums give The Gardens a glowing radiance as all 55 acres undergo the seasonal transition from summer to fall. The best way to get there from Seattle? You can save on your Clipper fast ferry with a Butchart Gardens overnight package<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n2. Beacon Hill Park<\/h2>\n![\"Capture](\"http:\/\/www.clippervacations.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/09\/beacon-hill-park.jpg\")
Capture the perfect shot at Beacon Hill. Credit: @k.doh<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nConveniently located just a hop, skip and jump away from Victoria’s busy downtown center, you’ll find, <\/span>Beacon Hill Park<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is rich with forest flora and fauna. Take a stroll among orange willows along the water or find a bench and admire the park’s Japanese maples bursting with crimson leaves.<\/span><\/p>\n3. Hatley Castle<\/h2>\n![\"Hues](\"http:\/\/www.clippervacations.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/09\/Hatley-castle.jpg\")
Hues of orange and fog make a trip to Hatley Castle the perfect Halloweentown inspired trip. Credit: @emcdesignstudio<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nSoak in the vibrant reds, oranges and golds of the autumnal color spectrum set against incredible Victorian architecture at <\/span>Hatley Castle<\/span><\/a>. The three gardens on the grounds are yours to explore, including the Japanese Garden, created in 1910 by Isaburo Kishida, designer of both the Butchart Gardens and Gorge Park.<\/span><\/p>\n4. Galloping Goose Trail<\/h2>\n![\"Pedal](\"http:\/\/www.clippervacations.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/09\/Galloping-goose-trail-1024x1024.jpg\")
Pedal through endless fall foliage at Galloping Goose Trail. Credit: @k888caldwell<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nJump on a bike and whiz through a kaleidoscopic blur of glowing leaves at the <\/span>Galloping Goose Trail<\/span><\/a>. This 55-kilometer former railway line winds its way from the urban back streets of Victoria, through hidden lakes and rocky outcrops of Langford and Sooke, to the ghost town of Leechtown.<\/span><\/p>\n5. Goldstream Park<\/h2>\n![\"Find](\"http:\/\/www.clippervacations.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/09\/Goldstream-provincial-park-1024x1024.jpg\")
Find peace and tranquility with the sound of the water and colors of autumn. Photo Credit: @memoriesdoor_photography<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nTransport yourself to the lush old-growth temperate rainforest within\u00a0<\/span>Goldstream Park<\/span><\/a>\u00a0as it transitions from green to a soft golden glow. Ancient evergreens sway overhead while returning salmon spawn in the crisp, calm waters.<\/span><\/p>\n6. Gorge Waterway<\/h2>\n![\"Gaze](\"http:\/\/www.clippervacations.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/09\/Gorge-waterfront-1024x576.jpg\")
Gaze out as the vibrant colors reflect off the waterway. Credit: @pacificphoto<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nWalk over the still, glassy surface of the Gorge Waterway<\/a> as you cross the Selkirk Trestle and immerse yourself in a landscape untouched by human hands. Dark green eelgrass and emerald sea lettuce add to the complex color palette here, while lighter yellows and deep merlots ashore indicate fall\u2019s arrival.<\/p>\n7. Lochside Trail<\/h2>\n![\"Leisurely](\"http:\/\/www.clippervacations.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/09\/Lochside-Trail-1024x1024.jpg\")
Leisurely stroll through Lochside trail. Credit: @julia_mcm_<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMeandering its way from Victoria to Swartz Bay, the Lochside Trail<\/a> is an\u00a0urban\u00a0alternative to its rural cousin, the Galloping Goose Trail. However, you can still expect to find plenty of fall colors inside the plant-filled corridors we\u2019ve coined as \u201ccolor tunnels,\u201d which are formed by intertwined, overhanging foliage encircling the path.<\/p>\n8. Cowichan Valley<\/h2>\n![\"Sip](\"http:\/\/www.clippervacations.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/09\/Cowichan-valley-1024x885.jpg\")
Sip while surrounded by stunning scenery at one of the wineries in Cowichan Valley. Credit: @half.knight<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nHead 30 minutes north of Victoria, and you\u2019ll find yourself in the heart of the rural\u00a0<\/span>Cowichan Valley<\/span><\/a>. Power down your phone, wander down any country road, and you\u2019ll be greeted by yellow and orange maples and maybe even a pumpkin patch. With countless wineries<\/a> and farms spread throughout the region, there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n9. University of Victoria Campus<\/h2>\n![\"Experiencing](\"http:\/\/www.clippervacations.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2017\/09\/University-of-victoria-820x1024.jpg\")
Experiencing the best fall colors in Victoria wouldn’t be complete without a trip to the University. Credit: @amamaigaard<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\nMore like a nature preserve than a college campus, the\u00a0<\/span>University of Victoria<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is home not only to students but also squirrels, rabbits, and deer. You’ll find great fall color along Ring Road or while strolling through Cunningham Woods, the university’s 1-acre forested area.<\/span><\/p>\nYou certainly aren’t strapped for choices when getting out into BC’s open wilderness to explore fall colors. The countless number of spectacular parks and gardens right in your backyard provide an easy outlet for you to escape the concrete jungle, soak in autumn’s vibrant hues, and enjoy the crunch of leaves underfoot.<\/p>\n
Brimming with hundreds of trees and plants in all shapes and sizes, the ever-stunning\u00a0<\/span>Butchart Gardens<\/span><\/a> is likely the first place that comes to mind for spotting Vancouver Island’s fall color, and for a good reason. Golden witch hazel, fiery red burning bush and thousands of chrysanthemums give The Gardens a glowing radiance as all 55 acres undergo the seasonal transition from summer to fall. The best way to get there from Seattle? You can save on your Clipper fast ferry with a Butchart Gardens overnight package<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Conveniently located just a hop, skip and jump away from Victoria’s busy downtown center, you’ll find, <\/span>Beacon Hill Park<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is rich with forest flora and fauna. Take a stroll among orange willows along the water or find a bench and admire the park’s Japanese maples bursting with crimson leaves.<\/span><\/p>\n Soak in the vibrant reds, oranges and golds of the autumnal color spectrum set against incredible Victorian architecture at <\/span>Hatley Castle<\/span><\/a>. The three gardens on the grounds are yours to explore, including the Japanese Garden, created in 1910 by Isaburo Kishida, designer of both the Butchart Gardens and Gorge Park.<\/span><\/p>\n Jump on a bike and whiz through a kaleidoscopic blur of glowing leaves at the <\/span>Galloping Goose Trail<\/span><\/a>. This 55-kilometer former railway line winds its way from the urban back streets of Victoria, through hidden lakes and rocky outcrops of Langford and Sooke, to the ghost town of Leechtown.<\/span><\/p>\n Transport yourself to the lush old-growth temperate rainforest within\u00a0<\/span>Goldstream Park<\/span><\/a>\u00a0as it transitions from green to a soft golden glow. Ancient evergreens sway overhead while returning salmon spawn in the crisp, calm waters.<\/span><\/p>\n Walk over the still, glassy surface of the Gorge Waterway<\/a> as you cross the Selkirk Trestle and immerse yourself in a landscape untouched by human hands. Dark green eelgrass and emerald sea lettuce add to the complex color palette here, while lighter yellows and deep merlots ashore indicate fall\u2019s arrival.<\/p>\n Meandering its way from Victoria to Swartz Bay, the Lochside Trail<\/a> is an\u00a0urban\u00a0alternative to its rural cousin, the Galloping Goose Trail. However, you can still expect to find plenty of fall colors inside the plant-filled corridors we\u2019ve coined as \u201ccolor tunnels,\u201d which are formed by intertwined, overhanging foliage encircling the path.<\/p>\n Head 30 minutes north of Victoria, and you\u2019ll find yourself in the heart of the rural\u00a0<\/span>Cowichan Valley<\/span><\/a>. Power down your phone, wander down any country road, and you\u2019ll be greeted by yellow and orange maples and maybe even a pumpkin patch. With countless wineries<\/a> and farms spread throughout the region, there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n More like a nature preserve than a college campus, the\u00a0<\/span>University of Victoria<\/span><\/a>\u00a0is home not only to students but also squirrels, rabbits, and deer. You’ll find great fall color along Ring Road or while strolling through Cunningham Woods, the university’s 1-acre forested area.<\/span><\/p>\n You certainly aren’t strapped for choices when getting out into BC’s open wilderness to explore fall colors. The countless number of spectacular parks and gardens right in your backyard provide an easy outlet for you to escape the concrete jungle, soak in autumn’s vibrant hues, and enjoy the crunch of leaves underfoot.<\/p>\n2. Beacon Hill Park<\/h2>\n
3. Hatley Castle<\/h2>\n
4. Galloping Goose Trail<\/h2>\n
5. Goldstream Park<\/h2>\n
6. Gorge Waterway<\/h2>\n
7. Lochside Trail<\/h2>\n
8. Cowichan Valley<\/h2>\n
9. University of Victoria Campus<\/h2>\n
![\"Book](\"https:\/\/www.clippervacations.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/10\/magazinebutton_victoria-2.png\")
<\/a><\/p>\n