Victoria, B.C.

Image: Brandon Godfrey

Victoria, B.C. is known as "The City of Gardens", boasting Spring blooms of cherry and plum blossoms, azaleas, early rhododendrons, daffodils, tulips and many more. Enjoy wandering through Butterfly Gardens, Butchart Gardens, Abkhazi Gardens and Government House (home of the Lieutenant Governor) to see these magnificent sights.

Victoria has been the capital of the province of British Columbia since 1871. Prior to 1871 this beautiful island area was a British Colony set up for west-coast trade via steamships. Many buildings and store fronts from that bygone era are still in use in downtown today.

Heritage architecture can be viewed not only in the downtown, but also by strolling through the early residential areas of James Bay and the Rockland District. Enjoy a self-guided tour through Craigdarroch Castle on your journey around town. One lesser known fact about the city, Victoria's Chinatown is the oldest in Canada and the second oldest in North America (second only to San Francisco).

Victoria's climate is like no other in Canada. It averages almost 2,200 hours of sunshine every year and receives an average yearly rainfall of only 26 inches. Victoria enjoys a temperate West-Coast climate with average temperatures of 10-13°C (50-55°F) in the month of March.

Image: HermannsJazz.com

Jazz is alive in Victoria! Along with the talented bands featured during the Exchange, there are many other local jazz bands. CanUS, Savvy 6, The Ragtime Quartet and The Flying Saucers, to name a few, are all local bands that can be seen playing throughout the year. Hermann's Jazz Club, a staple in the Victoria jazz scene, has been bringing in a variety of local live jazz music for the past 29 years. Music at Hermann's can be enjoyed throughout the week and every Sunday afternoon - come out and dance on the petite but sweet dance floor.