Neighbourhood

Colwood, Royal Bay and the West Shore

Coastwoods sits between the established streets of Colwood and the new energy of Royal Bay and Latoria. Schools, groceries, trails and Esquimalt Lagoon are minutes away, and downtown Victoria is a straight run down the Old Island Highway.

The Map

What's nearby

Loading map

1Wishart Elementary SchoolSchoolAbout 20 min walk
2Royal Bay Secondary SchoolSchoolAbout 10 min walk
3Royal Bay shops & Quality FoodsShops4 min drive
4Latoria Walk shops & Red Barn MarketShops3 min drive
5Esquimalt Lagoon & Coburg PeninsulaBeach8 min drive
6Royal Bay BeachBeach6 min drive
7Havenwood Park trailsParksAbout 13 min walk
8Westshore Town CentreShops10 min drive
9Royal Roads University & Hatley CastleParks10 min drive
10Downtown VictoriaCommute25–30 min drive

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Times are approximate.

Beaches and waterfront

This is coastal Colwood. Royal Bay Beach and its shoreline park are at the bottom of the hill, Esquimalt Lagoon and the Coburg Peninsula are a seven-minute drive, and Witty's Lagoon is close behind. Long stretches of the Salish Sea, with the Victoria skyline and the Olympic Mountains across the water.

Aerial view of the Salish Sea shoreline at Royal Bay in Colwood, with the beach spit, the Victoria skyline and mountains on the horizon — The Salish Sea shoreline at Royal Bay, minutes from Coastwoods. Area amenity near the site, not part of the community.

Aerial view of the beach park at Royal Bay in Colwood, with sand volleyball courts and freighters anchored offshore — Royal Bay beach park, with volleyball courts and freighters offshore. Area amenity near the site, not part of the community.

Waterfront park on the West Shore with a picnic table and split rail fence above the ocean, Victoria in the distance — Waterfront park and walkway above the ocean, Victoria in the distance. Area amenity near the site, not part of the community.

Shopping and everyday errands

Royal Bay has become the West Shore's newest town centre: a Quality Foods grocery, a bank, cafés, restaurants and services, all within a five-minute drive of Wishart Road. Red Barn Market and the Latoria corridor cover the rest of the weekly list, from coffee and pharmacy to local produce.

Aerial view of the Royal Bay retail village in Colwood, with the grocery store, bank and restaurants — The Royal Bay retail village, a nearby amenity in Colwood. Area amenity near the site, not part of the community.

Red Barn Market storefront on the West Shore, with shopping carts and produce displays outside — Red Barn Market, one of several nearby grocers. Area amenity near the site, not part of the community.

Schools and recreation

Wishart Elementary is about a 12 minute walk from the Coastwoods driveway, with Dunsmuir Middle School and the newer Royal Bay Secondary a few minutes by car. Turf fields, a running track, courts and community recreation sit alongside the schools.

Exterior of Royal Bay Secondary School in Colwood at dusk, glass and metal facade under a pink sky — Royal Bay Secondary School, a nearby West Shore school. Area amenity near the site, not part of the community.

Aerial view of Royal Bay Secondary School in Colwood with its running track, turf field and surrounding homes — Royal Bay Secondary with its track and field, seen from above. Area amenity near the site, not part of the community.

Aerial view of West Shore sports fields and a running track in Colwood with wooded hills behind — Nearby sports fields and running track, with the hills behind. Area amenity near the site, not part of the community.

Parks and trails

Havenwood Park and the Olympic View Trail put forest walking minutes from the front door, and Latoria Creek Park adds trails and green space on the Colwood and Metchosin boundary. The Galloping Goose Regional Trail links the whole West Shore for cycling.

Havenwood Park trailhead sign in Colwood marking the Olympic View Trail, with a forest of tall trees behind — Havenwood Park trailhead in Colwood, a short drive away. Area amenity near the site, not part of the community.

Royal Roads and Hatley Castle

Royal Roads University sits just north toward Esquimalt Lagoon, with Hatley Castle, its gardens and public woodland trails open to walk. Camosun's Interurban campus is a straightforward drive up the highway.

Aerial view of Hatley Castle and the Royal Roads University campus and gardens in Colwood — Hatley Castle and Royal Roads University, north of the site. Area amenity near the site, not part of the community.

The community around the site

Downtown Victoria is roughly 25 to 30 minutes by car outside peak periods, with frequent BC Transit express service from the West Shore.

Wide aerial view of the Royal Bay community in Colwood showing the secondary school, running track and retail core — The Royal Bay community in Colwood, near Coastwoods. Area amenity near the site, not part of the community.