Planning Your Visit Planning Your Visit
From Washington
Passport?
US Citizen? You will need a valid U.S. Passport to travel to Canada by Air, Land, and Sea. For more information see http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
From Seattle, Washington
By Air
Kenmore Air offers direct scheduled flights from Lake Union and Kenmore terminals. They also offer charter flights direct to The Gardens marine entrance on Tod Inlet. Horizon Air offers flights from SeaTac International Airport (SEA) to Victoria International Airport (YYJ), located to our north.
By Car
You have 3 main choices to reach us. As we are on Vancouver Island, each choice involves travel by ferry. You may arrive via two points in Washington State: Port Angeles (84 miles from Seattle) and Anacortes (81 miles from Seattle), or one from Canada at Tsawwassen (135 miles from Seattle and south of Vancouver, near, but on the Canadian side of the border crossing.) Crossing from either U.S. point has the advantage of Customs & Immigration knowing, in advance, the volume of traffic and then staffing accordingly.
By Passenger only Ferry
The Victoria Clipper travels from downtown Seattle pier 69 to downtown Victoria year round. The trip takes about 2 hours 45 minutes, foot passengers only. The Clipper Combo package runs from April to October and includes pick up at the Clipper terminal, a city highlights tour en route to The Gardens, plus admission to The Gardens. (The Victoria Clipper also offers trips during our Magic of Christmas season.) Other options from Victoria are bus companies such as Gray Line West that regularly come out to The Gardens, as well as Public Transit.
From Port Angeles, Washington
By Ferry
COHO Ferry crossing time is 1.5 hours and the Victoria Express (passenger only) ferry crossing time is 1 hour.
Port Angeles is 84 miles from Seattle with a driving time of approximately 2.5 hours. (A ferry crossing from Edmonds to Kingston is required and ferry waits will affect travel time.) The alternative and longer routing (142 miles) is to take the I-5 going south and turn right onto Hwy 101.
After you disembark the COHO or Victoria Express ferry in Victoria, turn left onto Belleville Street. Follow it to Blanshard Street which will become Hwy 17 and leads to the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. You will pass Elk Lake, visible on your left. After passing the lake, you will go straight through a set of traffic lights. After these traffic lights, you have several kilometres to move into the left, inside lane. Eighteen kilometres (18 km/11 mi) from Victoria, turn left off Hwy 17 (Exit 18) onto Keating X Road. Continue straight along Keating X Road. You will pass through 4 sets of traffic lights. Keating X Road becomes Benvenuto Avenue and leads directly into The Gardens. Our street address is 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay.
For information on Coho Ferry schedules to Victoria.
For information on Victoria Express schedule and public transportation info.
From Anacortes, Washington
By Ferry
Schedule information on Anacortes Ferry . Ferry crossing time is 3 hours, 25 minutes. Anacortes is 1.5 hours (81 miles) north of Seattle.
By Foot
Exit the ferry terminal in Sidney by turning right on Fifth Street. Walk approximately 3.5 blocks (.31 miles) and cross the street at some point in your journey. You will find the bus stop on the opposite side of the street from Odyssia Pizza, on Fifth Street near Beacon Avenue. Board the 81 Brentwood. Click here to view the transit schedule.
Transit Schedule/Map for 81 Brentwood
By Car
After exiting the terminal, turn left. Proceed to stop sign and turn left onto Lochside Drive. Continue along the waterfront. Turn right on to McTavish Road and cross highway #17. When McTavish Rd. ends (you will have passed through one 4-way stop), turn left onto West Saanich Road (Hwy #17A). Continue along West Saanich Rd. for 8.5 km (5.5 mi) and at the second set of traffic lights turn right onto Benvenuto Ave. Benvenuto Ave. leads directly into The Gardens. Our street address is 800 Benvenuto Ave, Brentwood Bay.
By Bicycle
Follow the vehicles, then pick up the cycle route. MAP: To/From Swartz Bay ferry terminal (in printer friendly format)
From Bellingham, Washington
By Passenger only Ferry
The passenger only Victoria San Juan Cruises crossing time is 3 hours, arriving and departing from the Belleville Street terminal in Victoria's Inner Harbour.
For information on Victoria San Juan Cruises Ferry schedules to Victoria.
