Turkey Head Point

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The Oak Bay Marina, the Marina Restaurant, and Dockside Eatery are located at Turkey Head Point. Prior to its closing in 1991, an aquarian called Sealand of the Pacific was the main attraction at Turkey Head Point. All that remains today is a statue of an orca as a part of the Oak Bay Marina welcome sign.

The walkway at Turkey Head Point starts at Beach Drive and continues around the outside of the Oak Bay Marina parking lot, finishing at the restaurant. It provides numerous benches to enjoy the magnificent views of the ocean, mountains, boats and Mary Tod Island.

Dog Information:
Dogs are not allowed in this walkway.

Chinese Cemetery / Harling Point

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The cemetery lies beside the rocky shore of Harling Point, looking out towards the Olympic Mountains. Simple markers and a ceremonial altar are found among wildflowers in a setting selected according to the ancient concept of feng shui.

In 1903 the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association purchased 3.5 acres of land at Harling Point and established the Chinese Cemetery. Traditionally it was a sanctuary of temporary repose before final interment in China, a pattern which reflected the early aspirations of these immigrants to return to their homeland. After the Sino-Japanese war broke out in 1937, it was no longer possible to ship remains back to China. In 1961, bones of 849 Chinese pioneers whose return to China had been blocked since 1937 were finally laid to rest at Harling Point. At that time the cemetery became a memorial site in honour of Chinese-Canadian pioneers.

Harling Point also houses Harpooner rock, or Sahsima, to the Lekwungen First Nations, and falls on a meeting point of two geological plates. When the tide is low, you can see one side of the rock is grey and the other is green – someone says is shows a joining of cultures. It is a wonderful place to go and contemplate the world’s wonders.

In 1994 the Chinese Cemetery at Harling Point was designated a National Historic Site by the Government of Canada.

Trafalgar Park

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An undeveloped natural area (1.4 hectare) with waterfront access, steeply sloping to waterfront with a scenic viewpoint from the parking lot at the top of the hill. Some imperilled plant species and ecosystems are present in the park.

This park provides an easily accessible (from King George Terrace) scenic viewpoint, from which to enjoy beautiful views of the ocean, mountains, and the oceanfront landscapes, with trails across a rugged area sloping steeply to the waterfront and beach access.

Trails are steep and rugged and proper hiking footwear is recommended.

 

Dog Information: 
No dog restrictions.
Accessibility Information: 
No access for wheeled apparatus of any kind beyond the viewpoint parking lot.

Historic Sites

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Heritage designation is a method of conserving places. The effect of heritage designation is to preserve the key features of a building and/or land that give it a distinctive heritage character. A formally designated municipal heritage site will remain a legacy to be appreciated by present and future generations. In Oak Bay there are presently 28 heritage designated homes and 7 heritage designated properties. The great majority of designated sites are also listed in the Community Heritage Register.

Click here for a list of historic sites. 

Heritage Properties

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The Oak Bay Community Heritage Register is an official list of properties deemed to be of heritage value or character, as adopted by resolution of Oak Bay Municipal Council. It provides formal recognition for historic places and is a useful planning tool for other land use planning processes in the municipality. It does not offer heritage protection, and is not a formal designation.

Click for a list of heritage properties.

Walbran Park

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Often referred to by locals as “Gonzales Hill”

An undeveloped natural area (1.99 hectare) in a residential neighbourhood, accessible from Denison Road with limited roadside parking, with scenic views from a historical WWII lookout and from a historical marker cairn. There are unmaintained minor trails, not accessible by wheeled apparatus, and some imperilled ecosystems that are under threat from invasive species in the park.

This park provides viewpoints from which to enjoy magnificent views of ocean, mountain, and the surrounding urban and waterfront landscape, as well as opportunity to learn of the historical and conservation significance of the area via historical plaques provided by the Federal Government.

There is a short trail with steps to the marker cairn; otherwise the area is rugged and unsuitable for hiking.

 

Dog Information:
No dog restrictions.

Windsor Park

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A developed multi-sports park area (4.31 hectares) with playing fields, a park pavilion, wheel chair accessible children’s’ play area, rose garden (heritage designation) and accessible scented garden.

Windsor Park is an active multi-sport and recreational park where children and adults enjoy the benefits of sport competition for a range of activities including soccer, rugby, cricket, field hockey, tennis, baseball, and softball on safe, well maintained fields and amenities.

In addition to its sports focus, the park also provides for more passive enjoyment by visitors with its picnic and play area, sitting areas, Rose and Scented Garden, and indoor meeting rooms in a completely rebuilt building on the original site. This new facility (2006) houses a children’s program room, a main hall, and change rooms all on the first floor. The bright multi purpose rooms on the second floor can be divided into 4 meeting rooms by means of movable walls or used as 2 larger rooms. In addition to municipal recreation programming, the facility is available for rentals by community sports and cultural groups and also for private functions.

Casual, unorganized use is allowed during times that the fields are not used by permit holders or closed for maintenance.

The tennis courts use is on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis and players must abide by the posted rules for play.

 

Dog Information:
Dogs are allowed to be off leash on the playing fields in the park if the field is not being used by permit holders and only during the following times:
  1. between sunrise and 9 o’clock a.m. on any day from July 1st to August 31st in any year; and
  2. between sunrise and 11 o’clock a.m. on any day from September 1st to June 30th provided, however, that the dog must nevertheless remain at all times under the full custody and control of a competent person.

Windsor Park is used by a very active and organized dog walking group that utilizes the fields in the early morning hours for off-leash exercise for dogs. This group has taken responsibility for assuring communication with other dog users of the park and created a website promoting responsible dog use of parks.

Dogs are not allowed in the Rose Garden, children’s play area, or in Windsor Pavilion at any time.

 

Accessibility Information: 
With the exception of personal assistance devices, wheeled apparatus are not allowed in the park. Except for municipal service vehicles, cars are not permitted in the park.
McNeil Bay, Oak Bay

Kitty Islet

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Kitty Islet is located right along the east side of McNeill Bay. Not your typical park, this natural waterfront park brings you closer to marine life and water vessels soaring by.

Enjoy peaceful views of Trial Island and the Olympic Mountains on the permanent wooden Adirondack chairs perched on the rocky bluffs, ideal for bird watching, fishing, and sea lion watching. The terrain is left untouched and its access can be impeded at times due to the tides.

Cattle Point

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Cattle Point is a part of Uplands Park and runs along the coastline of Oak Bay. This point gives spectacular vantage points of the beautiful natural area, providing magnificent water views in unique natural surroundings, where remnants of the original Garry Oak meadow ecosystem flourish and evolve.

There is ample parking, picnic tables and benches, a boat ramp located at Cattle Point, as well as a paved walkway down to Willows Beach. In the evenings, Cattle Point is renown for its starry sky views.

Oak Bay Tea Party

Oak Bay Tea Party

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For over 50 years, Oak Bay has celebrated the first weekend in June with the Oak Bay Tea Party. The parade kicks off early on the Saturday morning, and is led all through Oak Bay to its final destination, Willows Beach. Don’t miss the Mayor of Oak Bay, as he usually leads the parade (and tosses a couple of kilos of candy along the way).

Enjoy carnival rides throughout the whole weekend, an air show, ladies nail driving contest, Mayor’s floating teacup challenge, live bands, raffles, baron of beef, a kiddy coral, and much more for the whole family.

Why do we celebrate the Oak Bay Tea Party you ask? Because it’s fun! The event is a non-profit organization that fundraises for organizations such as Oak Bay Kiwanis, Lions, and community projects.

For more info about participating in the parade, sponsorships, event times, etc, please visit the Oak Bay Tea Party website for updates.

Come for the unique, Oak Bay experience!