Hey, that's great! If this is your first time, I think you'll be surprised and happy to be here. July, August and September are our best months. And if you ever want some help with information before or while you're here, please email us, we'd be happy to help if we can. cryslerpacific@outlook.com
Oh good, we’re glad you like it. Thanks for watching. We’ve been focusing a bit too much south of the border and your comment encourages us to look closer to home for ideas. Thanks!
I'm happy you found this and hope it helps you when you arrive in BC. There are so many beautiful spots in BC to stay with in your van, we touched on just a few local ones. I hope your stay is everything you want it to be. Have fun, and thanks for watching and commenting.
I like how you drove past The Empress as if you'd just gotten off the Black Ball Ferry! We stayed in Fort Victoria for a week in May, and got a 15/water site Right across from the laundry/bathroom/shower and it was very reasonable price for Victoria. We have a 17ft trailer so we can squeeze into a cheap site! And we just dumped on our way out. Good job on the tour🏆👍‼️🇨🇦🙋♀️
Hi again. I'm happy you're watching these videos. You're the first person to tell me about a personal experience at Fort Victoria, thank you. I'm glad it worked out for you. And thanks for your message about the tour. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
There was a ferry route that you did not show on your map (making for a fifth way onto the island): the flat-bottoms out of Anacortes, going through the San Juan's, into Sydney. That is how the family first went to Vancouver Island so many, many years ago. Might be rather lengthy, but very beautiful trip.. enjoy you vid, as often and always.
Hi Tom. I'm glad you watched. Reading your comment makes me realize that I should have mentioned it, if only to clarify. I decided to leave it off because Washington State Ferries has discontinued this route. They haven't operated it since the beginning of Covid and recently made a statement that they won't be bringing it back until 2030. The Town of Sidney is trying to convince them to come back sooner. I should have included all of this. I agree, it's a lovely route, a preferred scenic route as you and your family enjoyed years ago. The terminal is within one mile from our home, so we'll keep an eye on it with hopes the ferry begins operating again soon. Thanks for your kind words about enjoying our videos. Good to have you along!
@Bridging Borders I thank you for the update. I must admit that my "long distance" traveling days are over so I don't do heavy research for trip planning purposes. With your "omission", I did look it up on Google Earth, which shows it still in place. (On a second trip to Victoria [late sixties], we took a ferry out of Seattle. Google showed it as now being a passenger only ferry, so I didn't mention it. On that trip, we left the island by way of Vancouver, so we stayed in Canada.) I hope they do restore it. I remember that landing quite well. Being a Southern California boy, I (and the family) had been to Tijuana many times (and Mexicali a few), but this was my first visit to a "foreign" country. After close to sixty years, I still remember that landing! And I do like your videos. Ever since I saw one where you stopped in Bishop, my current "hometown".
@@tommanion5504 Yes, Tom, the Anacortes to Sidney ferry route still shows up on various resources which I'm sure is confusing to people. The terminal in Sidney sits empty, weeds cropping up, it's kind of sad. We too hope it starts up again soon. The current Seattle to Victoria route is now a fast CAT and as you say, passengers only. It's a great service for Seattle and Victoria. It takes about 2 hours. Well, now you can picture where we live because of your memory of the ferry landing in Sidney (we live within a half a mile of the landing), and we can picture where you live, in beautiful Bishop. Your town is one of our favourite places along the 395, perhaps we'll cross paths there one day. Please stay well!
for the love of god, don't bring motorhomes above like 24ft into mcdonald park! don't even come here expecting much more than tent camping. it's not an RV park.
I love your comment because of your enthusiasm, and you're absolutely right, this campground is not designed as an RV park. Having said that, we have stayed here 11 times over the past 6 years, in 7 different sites that have accommodated our 30' diesel pusher nicely. While we may have looked out of place, Parks Canada identifies sites by appropriate size of camper and we've always been accepted by staff and fellow campers. It's an ideal spot for meeting up with our local families, especially our grandchildren who come to stay with us. I was trying in the video to describe it, ideally, for those who come off the ferry in rental Class C's, say 24', or tent campers or small trailers, who would like a pleasant place to stay while visiting Victoria. Your warning is probably best kept in place for most, but not to say larger RV's won't find this gem appealing. The footage itself would paint the right picture for most people with large rigs who may be contemplating this park. I'd say we are unusual using this park, we know what to expect, but other RVers with large rigs should pay attention to your words. Thanks for watching, and for your useful comment.
@@ThisOldRV2023 There's really only 3 or 4 sites that would fit a rig that size. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea. I live in SIdney and have been camping there since I was a kid. The last time I was there, 3 diesel trucks, two 27 foot trailers along with motorbikes and side by sides in more trailers pulled in and basically partied until dawn. it really ruined my visit. of course they showed up after the staff had left so nobody bothered to stop them. oh well.... guess i'll have to start camping further up island
I get what you are saying. I'd probably feel the same way with your childhood memories. We too live in Sidney and we love this campground largely for the memories with our grandkids and families. I think we want to protect it for the same reasons, so, I promise, I will not be promoting this campground further for anything other than what you've described it for. Hopefully, no more ruined visits.
Your comment caused me to replay this video critically and I am assuming you are referring to the the two gentlemen crossing the street in front of the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Victoria. I usually am courteous, I may have been a bit distracted trying to show things but no excuse - I understand what you mean. Thank you.
Thanks so much for this video! I’m hoping to come to Vancouver Island next summer!
Hey, that's great! If this is your first time, I think you'll be surprised and happy to be here. July, August and September are our best months. And if you ever want some help with information before or while you're here, please email us, we'd be happy to help if we can. cryslerpacific@outlook.com
Great tour of your beautiful area!
Glad you saw this Mark. We'd love to show you around in person, you're welcome anytime.
6:04 Great channel for Canadian travelers! Thanks for the local ideas.
Oh good, we’re glad you like it. Thanks for watching. We’ve been focusing a bit too much south of the border and your comment encourages us to look closer to home for ideas. Thanks!
Great video
We're really glad you liked it, thanks for telling us. It was fun to make and we learned a few things about our home town along the way. Thanks again!
Happened to see this recommend and glad I stopped by. I’ll be heading to bc this year with my tiny van.
I'm happy you found this and hope it helps you when you arrive in BC. There are so many beautiful spots in BC to stay with in your van, we touched on just a few local ones. I hope your stay is everything you want it to be. Have fun, and thanks for watching and commenting.
I like how you drove past The Empress as if you'd just gotten off the Black Ball Ferry! We stayed in Fort Victoria for a week in May, and got a 15/water site Right across from the laundry/bathroom/shower and it was very reasonable price for Victoria. We have a 17ft trailer so we can squeeze into a cheap site! And we just dumped on our way out. Good job on the tour🏆👍‼️🇨🇦🙋♀️
Hi again. I'm happy you're watching these videos. You're the first person to tell me about a personal experience at Fort Victoria, thank you. I'm glad it worked out for you. And thanks for your message about the tour. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
There was a ferry route that you did not show on your map (making for a fifth way onto the island): the flat-bottoms out of Anacortes, going through the San Juan's, into Sydney. That is how the family first went to Vancouver Island so many, many years ago. Might be rather lengthy, but very beautiful trip.. enjoy you vid, as often and always.
Hi Tom. I'm glad you watched. Reading your comment makes me realize that I should have mentioned it, if only to clarify. I decided to leave it off because Washington State Ferries has discontinued this route. They haven't operated it since the beginning of Covid and recently made a statement that they won't be bringing it back until 2030. The Town of Sidney is trying to convince them to come back sooner. I should have included all of this. I agree, it's a lovely route, a preferred scenic route as you and your family enjoyed years ago. The terminal is within one mile from our home, so we'll keep an eye on it with hopes the ferry begins operating again soon. Thanks for your kind words about enjoying our videos. Good to have you along!
@Bridging Borders I thank you for the update. I must admit that my "long distance" traveling days are over so I don't do heavy research for trip planning purposes. With your "omission", I did look it up on Google Earth, which shows it still in place. (On a second trip to Victoria [late sixties], we took a ferry out of Seattle. Google showed it as now being a passenger only ferry, so I didn't mention it. On that trip, we left the island by way of Vancouver, so we stayed in Canada.) I hope they do restore it. I remember that landing quite well. Being a Southern California boy, I (and the family) had been to Tijuana many times (and Mexicali a few), but this was my first visit to a "foreign" country. After close to sixty years, I still remember that landing!
And I do like your videos. Ever since I saw one where you stopped in Bishop, my current "hometown".
@@tommanion5504 Yes, Tom, the Anacortes to Sidney ferry route still shows up on various resources which I'm sure is confusing to people. The terminal in Sidney sits empty, weeds cropping up, it's kind of sad. We too hope it starts up again soon. The current Seattle to Victoria route is now a fast CAT and as you say, passengers only. It's a great service for Seattle and Victoria. It takes about 2 hours. Well, now you can picture where we live because of your memory of the ferry landing in Sidney (we live within a half a mile of the landing), and we can picture where you live, in beautiful Bishop. Your town is one of our favourite places along the 395, perhaps we'll cross paths there one day. Please stay well!
Nice!
You should come back, David. Still lots to see and I'm sure you guys would enjoy hiking East Sooke Park. Next time.
for the love of god, don't bring motorhomes above like 24ft into mcdonald park! don't even come here expecting much more than tent camping. it's not an RV park.
I love your comment because of your enthusiasm, and you're absolutely right, this campground is not designed as an RV park. Having said that, we have stayed here 11 times over the past 6 years, in 7 different sites that have accommodated our 30' diesel pusher nicely. While we may have looked out of place, Parks Canada identifies sites by appropriate size of camper and we've always been accepted by staff and fellow campers. It's an ideal spot for meeting up with our local families, especially our grandchildren who come to stay with us. I was trying in the video to describe it, ideally, for those who come off the ferry in rental Class C's, say 24', or tent campers or small trailers, who would like a pleasant place to stay while visiting Victoria. Your warning is probably best kept in place for most, but not to say larger RV's won't find this gem appealing. The footage itself would paint the right picture for most people with large rigs who may be contemplating this park. I'd say we are unusual using this park, we know what to expect, but other RVers with large rigs should pay attention to your words. Thanks for watching, and for your useful comment.
@@ThisOldRV2023 There's really only 3 or 4 sites that would fit a rig that size. I just don't want people to get the wrong idea. I live in SIdney and have been camping there since I was a kid. The last time I was there, 3 diesel trucks, two 27 foot trailers along with motorbikes and side by sides in more trailers pulled in and basically partied until dawn. it really ruined my visit. of course they showed up after the staff had left so nobody bothered to stop them. oh well.... guess i'll have to start camping further up island
I get what you are saying. I'd probably feel the same way with your childhood memories. We too live in Sidney and we love this campground largely for the memories with our grandkids and families. I think we want to protect it for the same reasons, so, I promise, I will not be promoting this campground further for anything other than what you've described it for. Hopefully, no more ruined visits.
You came in pretty hot toward that guy crossing the street. He was clearly concerned. You might want to consider being a little more courteous.
Your comment caused me to replay this video critically and I am assuming you are referring to the the two gentlemen crossing the street in front of the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Victoria. I usually am courteous, I may have been a bit distracted trying to show things but no excuse - I understand what you mean. Thank you.