Gonzales is one of Victoria’s most coveted neighbourhoods, seamlessly blending coastal beauty with refined living. Bordered by the prestigious municipality of Oak Bay to the east and the charming Fairfield neighbourhood to the west, Gonzales stretches north to Oak Bay Avenue, with its southern edge graced by the tranquil curve of Gonzales Bay.
Dallas Road, famed for its sweeping ocean vistas and lined with multi-million-dollar oceanfront real estate, winds gracefully into Hollywood Crescent and circling the bay. Along this stretch lies Gonzales Beach – often hailed as the best beach in the city. Together with the surrounding Gonzales Park, the beach and bay form the heart of Gonzales, offering residents a rare blend of natural beauty and luxurious living.
Kick Back at Gonzales Beach
While Gonzales isn’t much of a hub for retail or commercial activity, Gonzales Beach attracts locals from all over the city. Gonzales Bay shelters the beach, making it calmer, warmer and very swimmable, while the wide stretches of sand on the beach are ideal for relaxing. Come here on any warm day in the summer and you’ll find friends and families packed in playing beach games, picnicking, and enjoying the water.
Gonzales Beach is also a great spot to launch your kayaks, canoes or paddleboards. The bay provides some natural protection, and the surrounding oceanfront homes in the neighbourhood are pretty awe-inspiring when observed from the water.
Enjoy Abkhazi Garden
Abkhazi Garden is a beautiful 1.4-acre sloping garden and heritage home in the heart of the Gonzales neighbourhood that’s been open to the public since 1946. Created by Prince and Princess Abkhazi, the gardens feature native rhododendrons and other flowers, native rocks, and tranquil ponds.
The Teahouse at Abkhazi Garden is also located on the property, serving traditional high tea, afternoon tea, and lunches. You can even host your wedding ceremony here, with full catering services available.
Schools in Gonzales
Despite the relatively small size of the neighbourhood, Gonzales is home to some top-quality schools, highlighted by Glenlyon Norfolk School. GNS is a well-known private school in Victoria that operates as a co-ed independent International Baccalaureate day and boarding school for grades K-12. Built in 1932, the Norfolk House Main Building centers the peaceful campus that provides a university-like feel, complete with a full-sized turf field.
As another option for younger kids, there’s Margaret Jenkins Elementary School. Margaret Jenkins is a public, dual-track English and French Immersion elementary school that was originally built in 1913. For very young kids, there’s Ross Bay Preschool on Earle Street, just minutes from the beach.
Christ Church Kindergarten School is the second private school in the Gonzales neighbourhood, which has been around since 1989. Christ Church roots its philosophy in the Anglican ethos, but warmly welcomes students of all faiths and socio-economic backgrounds. With the Grade School (up to Grade 8) downtown and the Kindergarten school in Gonzales, Christ Church is able to nurture the spiritual, social, physical and intellectual growth of every kid.
Gonzales Parks
Along with the beaches, the Gonzales neighbourhood is also home to a number of parks. These parks can be used for a number of purposes, whether you’re interested in playing sports, taking your kids somewhere to play, or just letting the dog run around.
Gonzales Hill Regional Park rises takes you up 66 meters through rock knolls and meadows of wildflowers and Garry oak trees. At the top, there are some pretty incredible views of the ocean and neighbourhood below. You’ll also find the Gonzales Observatory, which was a weather station for 75 years and is now a historical landmark.
In the southwestern part of the neighbourhood is Hollywood Park. Hollywood Park is a popular dog park as dogs are allowed off leash, plus there’s a playground for kids and tennis courts. And if your child is interested in playing baseball, Beacon Hill Little League and its beautiful ball diamond make their home in Hollywood Park.
Pemberton Park is located in central Gonzales at the corner of Gonzales Avenue and Richardson Street, right by Glenlyon Norfolk School. Besides being another popular off leash dog park, Pemberton Park is home to the Beacon Hill Glory Fastball team.
Finally, while it lays technically just outside of the Gonzales neighbourhood border, the Ross Bay Cemetery is right next door to the west between Dallas Road and Fairfield Road. One of Victoria’s most iconic cemeteries with awesome ocean views, Victoria celebrities like Emily Carr, Sir James Douglas and Billy Barker are buried here.
Nearby Conveniences
The Gonzales neighbourhood is ideal for a family that wants to live in a beautiful residential community without sacrificing access to shops, offices, and other conveniences. Downtown Victoria is just a couple of minutes away by car, providing all the comforts of a modern city. But you don’t have to go into the city to get everything you need.
On the northern edge of the neighbourhood you’ll find The Red Barn Market, a beloved local market that’s grown famous for their delicious wraps and sandwiches. There’s also a Thrifty Foods in the southeastern corner of the neighbourhood. Within the same shopping centre, you’ll also find a gas station, BC Liquor store, Ross Bay Pub, a barbershop, Home Hardware, and more.
