Oak Bay: Luxury Real Estate with Old World Elegance
This seaside district is one of the most desirable areas in Greater Victoria due to its long, scenic coastline and historic luxury properties. Oak Bay combines traditional English charm with the natural beauty of Vancouver Island to create a picture perfect community. Along its tree lined boulevards you will find historic Tudor Revival and Queen Anne estates sitting on meticulously manicured lots. Carriage Trade listings in Oak Bay include stately mansions and waterfront villas listed at over $1.5 million.
The Region
Oak Bay is located at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, nestled between the city of Victoria to the west and the Haro Strait to the east. It is one of the thirteen municipalities that makes up the Greater Victoria Region and is a member of the Capital Regional District.
Oak Bay is made up almost entirely of single-family residences so population growth is limited, only about 0.1% annually over the last 50 years. The municipality has placed restrictions on development and prides itself on preserving its history by taking great efforts to recognize and maintain its heritage buildings. Today, the district is home to 18,000 people and has an older population due to its excellent facilities for retirement living.
The Golf
The area’s mild climate creates excellent conditions for a round of golf throughout much of the year. With well over 2,000 hours of sunlight each year and an eight-month frost-free period, Oak Bay has one of the best golf seasons in all of Canada.
The exclusive Victoria Golf Club dates back to 1893 and embodies the British elegance of Oak Bay. This course bears the distinction of being the oldest golf course in Canada still at its original location, however it has added some modern twists over the year. Five of the course’s holes border the Pacific Ocean and virtually all of them feature stunning views of the water. Victoria Golf Club has been recognized as the best golf course on Vancouver Island by Canadian Golf Magazine and Golf Digest.
Many Oak Bay golfers are members of the prestigious Uplands Golf Club. Resting on a gorgeous 120-acre property this golf course will challenge both new and experienced players. This course lends itself to walking as there are no steep hills or valleys, and for many years has served as the Victoria stop on the Canadian PGA tour.
The Boating
Enjoy life on the water while boating in Oak Bay. The Royal Victoria Yacht Club promotes yachting, boating, and navigation through a variety of events, races, and equipment rentals. The club operates a marina on Cadboro Bay with 256 slips and many other services to support boat maintenance and storage.
The Oak Bay Marina has everything you need to explore the waters of the San Juan Island cruising grounds and beyond, including a full-service chandlery, gift shop, fuel dock, and ship repairs. The marina also provides moorage services for vessels up to 70 feet long in its safe and attractive cove. After spending an afternoon at sea, take in the view of Mount Baker and the Strait of Juan de Fuca while enjoying local, sustainable seafood at one the marina’s two restaurants.
The Schools
Oak Bay is home to Victoria’s renowned Glenlyon Norfolk School, a co-ed private school with classes from junior kindergarten to grade 12. The school uses the International Baccalaureate curriculum, designed to equip students with the skills they need to excel in their university studies. Learners benefit from a seven-to-one student to staff ratio and over 90% of graduates are accepted to the post secondary school of their choice.
Many families in Oak Bay choose to enroll their children at the nearby St. Michael’s University School. The school teaches students from kindergarten until university admission, and distinguishes itself by the large number of students who complete Advanced Placement courses. Graduates go on to study at some of the best Canadian and American universities with a large percentage earning a scholarship at their top choice.
The University of Victoria, consistently ranked as one of Canada’s top universities, is based on the edge of the Oak Bay neighbourhood. The university offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is known its strength in law, business, economics, political science, earth and ocean sciences, and engineering.
Getting In and Out
Victoria International Airport connects Oak Bay to several destinations in Canada and the Western US. There are almost hourly flights to Vancouver and multiple daily flights to Seattle allowing travellers to access two of the region’s busiest airports. Victoria International is about a 45-minute drive north from Oak Bay.
Residents and visitors can also get to and from continental North America by ferry or chartered boat service.
Carriage Trade Homes
For expert advice about luxury real estate in Oak Bay or buying and selling a Carriage Trade luxury property in the Greater Victoria Region, contact Royal LePage Coast Capital Realty.
