Rockheights is a residential neighbourhood in the center of Esquimalt. Sitting above the municipality on a rocky hill (hence the name!), Rockheights offers single and multi-family homes as well as townhomes and condos with lovely views. In fact, the highest point of land in Esquimalt is in Highrock Cairn Park in the Rockheights neighbourhood where you can enjoy 360 degree views of downtown Victoria, the Sooke Hills, the Olympic Mountains and other parts of the Capital Regional District.
Located inside the municipality of Esquimalt, the Rockheights neighbourhood is just west of the Vic West neighbourhood, right below the sprawling Gorge Vale Golf Club. Rockheights Avenue cuts through the middle of the neighbourhood, parallel to Lampson Street, right between Highrock Cairn Park and Rockheights Middle School. Esquimalt Road runs adjacent to the south and Colville Road to the north.
Things to do around Rockheights
- Visit Highrock Cairn Park
Photo credit to Walks in Your Backyard
The highest point in Esquimalt, Highrock Cairn Park makes for a great little hike. Nearly 5 hectares of grassy rock and Garry Oak meadows, the hill reaches 68 meters high at its peak. At the top, enjoy stunning views of downtown Victoria, Esquimalt, Saanich, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Salish Sea and in the Olympic Mountains in nearby Washington State.
- Fly like a squirrel
Flying Squirrel is a spring-loaded urban playground covered in trampolines. As you can imagine, this trampoline park is a favourite destination for kids’ birthday parties. Walking distance from the Rockheights neighbourhood, Flying Squirrel is located at 808 Viewfield Road.
- Golf at Gorge Vale
Photo credit to All Square Golf
Gorge Vale Golf Club is the only course in the area, located just north of Colville Road. The course is 143 acres of park-like setting, complete with undulating fairways, rock outcroppings, and trees that are hundreds of years old. The club is dedicated to providing a well-maintained course for players at all levels.
- Re-fill on craft beer
Near the border separating Vic West from Esquimalt sits two of Victoria’s favourite breweries – Lighthouse Brewing and Driftwood Brewing Co. Since they’re just a stones throw distance apart, you might as well hit them both. Lighthouse has a great taproom, and Driftwood has a larger, pub-style atmosphere that offers food as well.
Schools in Rockheights
If you have promising hockey players in the family, Rockheights Middle School runs a high performance hockey academy program that allows focused athletes to combine their education with intense training. Perhaps we’ll see some future NHL or CWHL players come from Rockheights!
If you head east towards Vic West, there are plenty more school options, including Lampson, Victor-Brodeur (French immersion), Vic West Elementary, and Esquimalt High School.
Rockheights Community Links
