If you are planning a trip to Victoria in July, then you’ve probably got questions like:
July is simply gorgeous here in the Pacific Northwest. Summer is in full gear, students are out of school, heading to camps, off to work or out to discover the world. It is exciting time with so many things to do and countless ways to spend long, warm summer days.
I grew up in a much hotter climate with terrible humidity and it seemed that we spent our time figuring out where the best air conditioning was. Not here in Victoria. Air conditioning is rarely needed and you can be outdoors enjoying a variety of activities without overheating almost every day in the summer.
July is similar to June as far as cruise ship arrivals with 53 scheduled to dock and over 135,000 passengers disembarking to discover our beauty.
July 1st is Canada Day - a national statutory holiday - and my favourite day of celebration of the entire year. Canada Day celebrates our birth as a nation - 153 years old in 2020 - and is a time for community activities and fireworks. Because it is a stat holiday, banks and government offices will be closed.
Two very popular activities are the Gorge Canada Day Picnic and the Coast Capital Savings Living Flag.
For the picnic, Gorge Road is closed between Tillicum and Admirals and vendors line the path along the banks of the Gorge. With no vehicular traffic, it creates a terrific opportunity for people to wander about, enjoy the festivities and support local small businesses and artisans.
For the living flag, there are two ways to participate. Either gather a group of 10 or more friends and you will be given priority placement in the flag, or get in the individual t-shirt lineup for your chance at a red or white t-shirt and a spot in the flag. Official photo is at 2:00 p.m on the lawns of the BC Legislature.
Victoria in July is perfection. Summer flowers still hold their vivid colours, the days are long, sunny and warm and the chance of rain is negligible. The average high temperature at this time of the year is nearly 24 degrees with lows between 12 and 13. The average precipitation is just 1 mm, making it the warmest and driest of any month.
The dog days of summer are here. Sleeveless or short-sleeved tops, shorts or capris and sandals are the clothing of choice in Victoria in July. Locals love the cooler evenings which are ideal for sleeping, but we do acknowledge that some visitors can find it a little chilly once the sun goes down. It never hurts to have a light jacket or sweater handy. You will also notice there is almost always a light ocean breeze so it can sometimes feel slightly cooler than the actual temperature, especially by the water.
Several of our local restaurants take full advantage of the abundant local seafood, meats, cheeses, breads, beers, wines and produce. In Victoria in July, we are experiencing a explosion of fresh fruits and veggies. Be sure to get to one of our local farmers markets for the best of what's in season.
Fruits & Veggies
Seafood & Herbs
July is definitely a time to get outside and enjoy the many activities happening around the region. From our very patriotic Canada Day celebrations to the artistic showcase of the Moss Street Paint-In, you'll love being in Victoria in July.
If you are interested in walking or going for a bike ride, we have a fantastic network of flat and accessible trails throughout the region.
The main trail is the Galloping Goose Trail which connects to the Lochside trail heading to Sidney and the E&N trail that goes through View Royal and Esquimalt. The entire network connects Sidney to Sooke.
You'll see families and people of all ages out and about on their scooters and bikes or walking or jogging.
The network of trails goes right through our downtown core and now includes easy access to our dedicated bike lanes.
There are several places to rent bikes if you want to join them. Check out our Adventure Tours Travel Guide for contact info.
Another great spot for a stroll in the downtown core is around the inner harbour and either on to the David Foster Walkway to the east or the West Song Walkway to the west.
Festivals and Events include: (to be updated with 2020 dates as soon as they are made available)
I truly hope you enjoy your visit to Victoria in July.
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