Colwood, at 10 kilometres from Victoria is located on a series of hills sloping up from the sea allowing many locations excellent ocean views. Although largely a residential area, Colwood has a major commercial area and many excellent restaurants.  Walks along the beach are complete with resplendent city, ocean and snowcapped mountain backdrops.  Outdoor activities are abundant throughout the area.

Hiking, biking, swimming, fishing, and golfing all vie with team sports such as soccer and baseball for popularity, several being year round activities. Many parks provide a myriad of hiking trails from simple nature walks along the shore to challenging day hikes.

The Galloping Goose Trail, a 60 km former rail line, is a linear park running from downtown Victoria, through the West Shore, to the ghost town of Leechtown, a long abandoned gold mining community near Sooke.  " The Goose" is a walker or cyclist's dream, well-groomed and peaceful with nary a hill to climb.

Royal Roads University occupies the grounds of Hatley Park, the former estate of James Dunsmuir, the premier of British Columbia (1900-1902) The castle was completed in 1909 and contains three main types of gardens; Italian, Japanese and the 18th century English natural garden of the lower lakes area. Walking tours of the gardens are available. Other recreational activities include 18 hole championship golf as well as mini-golf. 

Fisgard Lighthouse and Museum, Canada's oldest west coast lighthouse can be viewed at Fort Rodd Hill, just off the Island Highway overlooking the Esquimalt Lagoon and the Naval Shipyards.  A Parks Canada National Historic Site.