Victoria, the capital city of British Columbia, Canada
Beautiful downtown Victoria, the capital of British Columbia

Living In Victoria

Victoria, the capital of British Columbia is located on Vancouver Island on Canada's Pacific Coast. Hydroxyl's corporate office is located in historic Bastion Square on the original site of the Hudson's Bay Company's Fort of Victoria. The office has a view overlooking Victoria's inner harbour and is located within easy walking distance of float plane access to Vancouver, BC, ferry access to Seattle, Washington, and many downtown amenities.

Victoria is one of Canada's most celebrated cities for its beautiful location on the west coast, easy access to numerous islands and parks, and scenic natural setting. Having one of the highest percentages in North America of bike routes and hiking trails, it is easy to travel by bicycle to and from work.

The Capital Region has numerous parks and islands
The Capital Region has numerous parks and islands

Victoria boasts the mildest climate in Canada. Summertime is reliably warm and sunny, with frequent ocean breezes. Temperatures reach average highs around 25°C (70-80°F). In winter, Victoria is the most temperate of all British Columbia (and Canada), with temperatures that rarely dip below 0°C (32°F).

When most people think of the Pacific Northwest, images of dripping temperate rainforests and flocks of umbrellas typically emerge. However, in a few areas such as within the British Columbia capital of Victoria, annual rainfall is low, even semiarid, accumulating less than most major American cities. In Victoria's southeastern corner, annual rainfall totals around 24 inches while about 20 miles west of downtown as much as 58 inches accumulates annually. In comparison, just outside the rainshadow zone, Seattle receives 37 inches and Vancouver, British Columbia, 46 inches.

Canada's West Coast
Canada's West Coast

Vancouver Island offers limitless outdoor activities throughout the Island, surrounding islands, and in the capital region of Victoria. Because of the temperate climate, outdoor activities take place year round, and many people sail, kayak, fish or play golf in January. Beaches are open to the public and even residential areas have corridors allowing public access. In a four hour drive from Victoria, you can enjoy skiing in the Mount Washington region or you can make a weekend trip to the world-renowned Whistler ski resort (hosting the 2010 Olympics).

For those interested in the bright lights/night life of a big city, Vancouver (population over 2 million) and Seattle (in the United States) are both a short ferry-ride away.

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