Scenic & Romantic
Winter Storm-Watch & Cocoa on Dallas Road
Victoria is famously mild in winter, except when it isn't. Dallas Road in a storm is something else entirely.
Dallas Road waterfront, James Bay
More infoScenic & Romantic
Victoria is famously mild in winter, except when it isn't. Dallas Road in a storm is something else entirely.
Dallas Road waterfront, James Bay
More infoVictoria spends most of winter pretending to be mild, which makes it especially gratifying when a proper storm rolls off the strait and Dallas Road drops the act. The waterfront turns wild: wind working on your hair and your resolve, surf slapping the rocks, the Olympic Mountains brooding across the water. You will press close for survival, mostly. Reward the drama with a hot chocolate and one windswept selfie.
Grab a hot chocolate to go from a James Bay or downtown café first (you'll want it), then park free along Dallas Rd near Douglas St by Holland Point. Walk the clifftop path with the wind at your backs and the Olympic Mountains filling the horizon across Juan de Fuca Strait, the lookout at Holland Point and the kite hill are the best vantage points, and the surf is biggest when a system's blowing in. Dress in real layers; this is a 'lean into each other' walk, not a fashion show. Don't miss carrying on to Clover Point for the full panorama. Short on time or too blustery? Just the Holland Point stretch delivers the drama in 20 minutes.
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