Victoria short visit, August (buses, gardens, beach)

[bloom]

I will take short 2-3 day trip to Victoria in midAugust.

1. What is best way to arrive from Kirkland, WA? Ferry from Anacortes or other? (seems ferry dumps one in Sidney - how and how long to get to Victoria?)
2. Do I need car or just leave it in WA? My to do list is below.
3. Any modifications to list?

High priority
Royal BC Museum, Thunderbird Park totems
Butchart Gardens
Medium priority
Bike along Galloping Goose Regional Trail
Craigderrech Castle
Centre of the Universe observatory - very limited hours, check
Maybe
Goldstream Providence Park
Eagle Beach on Elk Lake
Tubing Cowichan River

[Zoisite]

I don't know how many ferries from how many different locations land at Sidney but Sidney is only about a 15 to 20 minute drive away from Victoria.

If you want to do all of the things you mentioned above you're probably better off to take your car to the island.

.

[bloom]

Originally Posted by Zoisite

I don't know how many ferries from how many different locations land at Sidney but Sidney is only about a 15 to 20 minute drive away from Victoria.

If you want to do all of the things you mentioned above you're probably better off to take your car to the island.

.

Thanks.
I narrow activities to:
Royal BC Museum, Thunderbird Park totems
Butchart Gardens
Bike along Galloping Goose Regional Trail
Tea time

[docwatson]

The ferry from Anacortes takes you to Sidney a 30-40 minute bus ride on public transit, or a 20 minute drive (outside of rush hour) to Victoria downtown. The ferry from Port Angeles, WA takes you directly to downtown Victoria.

If you don't want to bring a car, the quickest way to go will be via the Clipper from Seattle, direct to downtown Victoria in 3 hrs. For you new itinerary, you shouldn't need a car. Butchart Gardens is easily accessible by public transit and I would guess there may be tourist buses as well. Everything else is easily doable from downtown (the E&N Rail Trail is one good direct way to get from downtown to the Galloping Goose).