Introduction
After spending the winter RVing down south we headed back to Vancouver Island and picked a spot to stay for the summer. This year we chose Oceanside RV Resort near Victoria BC. We had stayed here for a week back when we started out as full timers. In fact Oceanside RV was our very first RV Park we visited with the brand new Keystone Cougar Fifth Wheel and the launch of our new fulltime RV lifestyle. I remember how nervous I was about towing the trailer and backing it up, so we made sure to get a nice big pull through spot. Well, what a difference the experience of 2 years traveling and towing makes, this time we have an almost 90 degree back in spot and I tucked the trailer into it on the first shot, smooth as silk. *grin*
Location
Oceanside RV Resort is located around 10 miles north of Victoria, British Columbia on the east side of what’s called the Saanich Peninsula. The location was a big reason we picked Oceanside. It’s located far enough out of Victoria that you feel you’re in the country but close enough to enjoy the amenities of a city. There are several parks and beaches very close by to enjoy and an abundance of nature. The varied bird life in and surrounding the RV Park is amazing, from hummingbirds right through to large bald eagles and dozens in between. Our neighbours have set up bird feeders and we delight at the comings and goings.
We are only 10 minutes from the town of Sidney motto: Sidney by the Sea. It’s a cute little community located near the tip of the peninsula right on the water. The town is super bike and walking friendly with multiple great paths, walkways and nice main street area. Anne has always loved the Sidney area and moors her 17 foot runabout power boot named Snoopy in the harbour. She can go from the RV to cruising the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve in Snoopy in less than 1/2 hour.
Oceanside is just 15-minutes from Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal (B.C. Ferries), 10 minutes from Washington State ferries (Sidney to Anacortes), 10 minutes to the Victoria Airport and 30 minutes from downtown Victoria. Situated along the eastern shore of the Saanich Peninsula, Oceanside offers an expansive, pristine beach, trees, and plenty of opportunities to see wildlife, including numerous bird varieties and orcas swimming by. – www.oceansideresortrv.com
RV Park Sites and Grounds
After staying in a couple hundred RV parks in the last two years I would rate Oceanside RV in the top 5%. The grounds are kept in immaculate condition and are a fulltime job for several workers. Every day they are out busily trimming, weeding and cutting the many gardens, lawns and trees. The roadways are nice and wide with plenty of room to maneuver a large rig. Every site has plants and shrubs on its borders and a nice layer of crushed gravel to park the rig on. Compared to most RV parks the sites here are quite spacious. There is plenty of room for the slides, awning and two vehicles. You don’t feel cramped in to close to the neighbors.
The hookups are among the best I’ve seen. The water, electric, cable fixtures are modern, clean and well maintained. Power is consistent and water pressure very good. The water here is very soft, which is great for the RV plumbing, fixtures and Hot Water heater after months in the desert where hard, mineral containing water is the norm. Each site has Cable TV Service to it and if your here for an extended stay you can sign up with the local cable company. We are able to get high-speed internet right to our site! YAY! What an absolute pleasure after months of sketchy campground WiFi or expensive Cell data. We even can enjoy the NetFlix service.
The bathrooms and laundry I rate very high as well, clean and well maintained. One perk I love is the laundry has set aside a washer and dryer specifically for pet blankets. This is so smart and I wish more RV Parks would include that. They have nice large garbage bins and several types of recycle containers.
Atmosphere
So far the park atmosphere has been very pleasant, friendly and relaxing. We have gotten to know several of our long-term neighbors, many fellow snowbirds like ourselves. Being away from the city and busy roadways and tucked inside a nature area the setting is peaceful and quiet. The loudest sounds are usually the birds singing. My favorite is the bald eagles calling from their nearby next high up in the Douglas Fir Trees near the beach. Speaking of the beach, a short walk through the marsh and dunes is a beautiful miles long beach with views out on to the Haro Strait and across to the Canadian Gulf and US San Juan Islands. Gorgeous!
Nearby attractions
Beyond the numerous beaches and parks there are plenty of terrific attractions to visit. Number one on the list for most and minutes away would be the world-famous Butchart Gardens. Others nearby include the Shaw Ocean Discovery Center, Butterfly Gardens, and the British Columbia Aviation Museum. Sidney is loaded with good restaurants, especially if you love seafood. Take a 30 minute drive and your right in the popular tourist areas of downtown Victoria. Look for more blog posts in the near future as I show you some of my favorite things to see and do in the Victoria area.
The Negatives
You can tell so far I love this RV Park but in fairness there are a few things I found to gripe about. Not many but here are a few:
- Lack of decent pet walking areas. There is a small area for the pets to do their business, but the trails and beach are for the most part off limits to pets. We are surrounded by a nature reserve and private First Nations reserve land so beyond the RV Park grounds for a good long dog walk we have to travel somewhere else.
- The road leading into the RV Park has some very low hanging branches. You have to really keep an eye up, as many stick out into the roadway and could damage the RV roof or siding.
- Security seems to be rather low. There is no main gate or fencing, so anyone can enter. I haven’t felt unsafe here though and the general area seems low crime.
- The cost is pricey at $650 a month plus taxes *sigh* with a minimum five month stay, however compared to other parks in the general area it’s a good deal.
Gallery – Oceanside RV Park and Area
Conclusion
I highly recommend Oceanside RV Resort near Victoria BC for your RV destination when visiting the area. Whether you’re staying a few days or many months I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. If you’re interested in visiting the Victoria and Vancouver Island be sure to sign up for my LoveYourRV.com monthly newsletter as I will have many more posts upcoming on our summer adventures in this gorgeous area.
If you enjoyed this post please like, tweet, +1 or share it, Thanks! – Ray