Beacon Hill Park Victoria-Play Tennis There if you Dare

Beacon Hill Park

Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

They call themselves the ‘Tennis Warriors’, and they hone their court skills outdoors 365 days a year.  You can drop in for free at Victoria’s Beacon Hill Park and challenge these warriors, or you can become one of them.  The Tennis Tourist checked out Beacon Hill Park on New Year’s day and found himself a rallying partner.

Beacon Hill Park Video

What to Do After the Game

Beacon Hill Park

The park is in Victoria’s historic James Bay neighborhood.  Beacon Hill sits right at Mile Zero of the legendary Trans-Canada highway.  It is Victoria’s main urban green space with over 190 acres(75 hectares) of park.  Located next to Victoria’s southern shore, it includes numerous playing fields, beautiful manicured gardens, exotic species of plants and animals such as wild peacocks.  There is a petting zoo for the kids.  The views of the Straight of Juan de Fuca and the Olympic mountain range are spectacular.  The sport of cricket has been played in Beacon Hill Park since the mid-nineteenth century.  During the summer there are outdoor concerts and festivals.  The park is surrounded by lovely old homes and you can take a horse and white carriage ride throught the park and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Where We Stayed

The EmpressHotel

This grand old hotel majestically overlooks Victoria’s scenic inner harbor.  It’s a treat to stay in the old rooms of this stately building which was built in 1908 and has been one of Canada’s favorite destinations for well over a century.

The pool stays open late, and is lots of fun after a day of tennis and sightseeing.  Having a fancy cocktail at the Bengal lounge in the hotel, and rubbing elbows with those who want to see and be seen is a Victoria tradition that’s great fun.  The curry buffet in the lounge is pricey but highly recommended.  

The Empress Hotel
Toll Free: 1 866 540 4429
721 Government Street
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Where is your Favorite Place to Play Tennis?

Fall Tennis on Vancouver Island, British Columbia

Fall Tennis on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada -Cenntennial Tennis Courts

Centennial Tennis Courts, Central Saanich Vancouver Island, British Columbia  

http://www.tennistourist.ca/Centennial_Tennis_Courts.html

When much of the northern hemisphere is preparing for winter and moving to indoor tennis, BC Canada’s west coast is ablaze with color and a great place to take in some tennis, beach combing and quaint inns.

Fresh country air and rural surroundings frame these new, well designed and well maintained courts in Central Saanich, just north of Victoria.  Three courts can be reserved by phone  250-544-4218 or you can walk on, but those with reservations can bump you if courts are full.  Coin boxes are used to pay a nominal charge for lights at night   

  

What to do After the Game

Ardmore and Central Saanich Beaches

A quiet and secluded part of the Saanich Penninsula of Vancouver Island, just north of Victoria.  A drive through farms and rural acreages will take you to beach accesses which open up to bays and coves, perfect for swimming, kayaking or strolling. Coles Bay Regional Park is a popular spot to picnic and enjoy a walk through the woods down to the beach. 

Where to Stay

Quality Inn Waddling Dog,
Saanichton, Vancouver Island, BC


Probably one of the quaintest Quality Inns you'll find.  Although it is on the busy Pat Bay highway which is the main route between Victoria and the airport and ferries, it stands out as a charming, tudor-style hotel with lovely gardens and a cosy pub, restaurant and patio.

The lobby and fireplace lounge are very popular with their old English atmosphere.  Rooms have antique style furnishings and decor.  

For more tennis destinations around the world go to:

tennistourist.ca