Fairfield and Rockland
OVERVIEW
Located between Downtown Victoria and Oak Bay is the community of Fairfield/Rockland. Amongst its treasures are several historical attractions and parks as well as Victoria’s beloved Cook Street Village.
Fairfield and Rockland Condominium Benchmark Price: $483,222 (According to 2019 MLS ® stats)
Townhouse Benchmark Price: $798,861 (According to 2019 MLS ® stats)
Single Family Home Benchmark Price: $ 1,183,857 (According to 2019 MLS ® stats)
Fairfield and Rockland
Flanked by waterfront overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca, homeowners in the highly coveted Fairfield/Rockland area are a short stroll away from nearby beach access, parks, retail, schools, coffee shops, restaurants, and neighbourhood-centric amenities. The many small shops, grocers, cafes, salons, and dining located within Fairfield/Rockland, as well as its close proximity to even more amenities downtown, make it a very self-sustaining neighbourhood while also enjoying the convenience and accessibility of Victoria’s downtown core.
We recommend visiting Cook Street Village or Saturday’s Moss Street Market to experience the unique, artistic, outdoorsy, and friendly vibe the Fairfield/Rockland community is proud to be known for--and you will be too--when you find your perfect abode.
FAIRFIELD AND ROCKLAND LOCATION
Lifestyle
Outdoor Urbanite
75% city + 25% Island Life
This community features its own little retail districts and excellent cafes and dining, making it unnecessary, albeit easy, to make your way downtown for even more. Easy access to Downtown Victoria or neighbouring Oak Bay via public transit, bicycle, car or even on foot.
A beautiful mix of well cared for old and modern homes and apartment buildings. No matter where you live in Fairfield/Rockland, your home is only a short stroll away from large public parks and beaches. A very sociable and welcoming community. Running into neighbours and familiar faces on Dallas Road Trail or the busy Cook Street Village is the weekend norm.
Walkability and Bikeability
Fairfield has a Walkscore of 83, making it the 4th most walkable district of Victoria. Rockland has a Walkscore of 71, making it the 12th most walkable district of Victoria. Stroll or cycle to downtown Victoria via the paved Dallas Road Trail and the bike lanes on Fort Street.
Pet-Friendly
Several parks, trails, beaches and open spaces with designated on-leash and off-leash areas for dogs. Dallas Road Trail’s dog-off-leash area is a popular destination for dog owners from all areas of Victoria.
Senior-Friendly
Outdoor amenities and activities, from parks with paved walkways and outdoor seating, to public transit and the conveniently-accessible Cook Street Village and Fairfield Village grocery and retail districts. Much of the Fairfield/Rockland community features low-traffic neighbourhoods and paved sidewalks.
Family-Friendly
Access to parks, outdoor green space, designated areas for walking and bicycle riding, low-traffic neighbourhoods and nearby public schools make Fernwood an accommodating homestead for families.
Key Landmarks & Amenities
Parks & Outdoor Attractions
Fairfield/Rockland offers an immense variety of mixed outdoor space and activities, historical and cultural attractions, and modern amenities. Following are just a few of this coveted area’s noteworthy things to do, try and see:
While this paved and scenic waterfront trail spans a total length of 7.1-kilometres, and allows for dogs on-leash, the walkway and grassy areas of the portion that stretches from Douglas Street to Clover Point Park allows dogs to enjoy off-leash play while their humans relax on a bench or socialize with other dog walkers and joggers. Find out more!
Open to the public and accessible by foot, bicycle or car. Clover Point is a popular vantage point for storm watching in winter, witnessing the thrill and spills of kite surfing during the day, and admiring starlit skies and the moon reflecting on rolling waves on clear nights. Its grassy area also allows dogs to enjoy off-leash play. Find out more!
Nestled in a neighbourhood located at the South end of Foul Bay Road, the somewhat sheltered and sandy Gonzales Beach is a favourite destination for local sunbathers during the warmer months and beachcombers year round. From September through May, the beach allows off-leash play for dogs while the grassy area above the beach allows leashed-dogs year round. Find out more!
Located at the South end of Cook St, this stony-beach is a local favourite for quiet reflection, outdoor photography, and taking in the West Coast’s iconic oceanfront scenery. Find out more!
A longstanding attraction for locals and tourists alike, with a rich history starting in 1842. Beacon Hill Park features 62-acres of green space, gardens, and ponds, complete with a paved walkway and the cherished Children’s Farm and animal petting zoo. It’s the ideal location for picnicking or yoga in the park and is the official home of the Victoria Lawn Bowling Club. Find out more!
Otherwise known as Moss Rock Park, it rewards a short climb with exceptional views of the city and Juan de Fuca seascape. Find out more!
Schools
Fairfield and Rockland is part of Greater Victoria School District No. 61 which includes 27 elementary schools, 10 middle schools, and 7 secondary schools. The following schools are located within the Fairfield/Rockland area and include public schools as well as independent schools and programs:
Sir James Douglas Elementary: Public elementary school offering instruction in English as well as early French Immersion.
Sir James Douglas Out of School Care: Offers licensed, public preschool care to kids 3-5 and out-of-school care to kids 5-12.
Fairfield Out of School Care: Offers licensed before and/or after school care to children K+.
Margaret Jenkins Elementary: Public elementary school offering dual-track English and French Immersion.
Central Middle School: Public middle school offering instruction in both English and French Immersion.
Christ Church Cathedral Pre-School: Anglican private school offering childcare and Junior kindergarten.
Victoria Fine Art Academy: Community Art School.
Arabesque Dance Studio: Offers classical ballet instruction to children aged 4+ in a studio located in the St Matthias Church Hall.
CiiAT Art Therapy: Offers online courses and diplomas in art therapy to adult students.
Community Centres & facilities
Offering early childhood through adult recreational programs, events, activities, and facility rentals. Find out more!
Arts, Cultural Attractions & Festivals
The Fairfield/Rockland district hosts several attractions and events throughout the year. Following are just a few of their most popular:
is a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon, viewing the works of local artists, craftspeople, and makers; shopping for local produce and foodstuffs; and finding unique, handcrafted clothing, jewelry, journals, home-furnishings, and more. Their regular season runs every Saturday from 10am to 2pm, from May through October and their winter market runs every Saturday from 10am to noon, from November through April. (Just remember to bring reusable bags for carrying away all of the treasures you find). Find out more.
Boasting a large, permanent collection of works by acclaimed Canadian artist and writer, Emily Carr, and Canada’s second largest collection of Asian Art accented by a stunning Asian Garden complete with an authentic Japanese Shinto Shrine. Gallery of Greater Victoria also showcases seasonal exhibits and rotating collections from artists, including photographic displays, paintings, prints, sculptures, and ceramics. Find out more.
An exquisitely built and furnished, 20,000 square foot, 39-room mansion built in 1890 by Western Canada’s most affluent and influential families of that time: the Dunsmuirs. Craigdarroch Castle now offers walking tours through the castle’s luxuriously decorated interior as well as hosting seasonal events. Craigdarroch Castle also offers the ability to rent the castle and its surrounding gardens and grounds for weddings and other special occasions. Find out more.
Located in the Rockland neighbourhood and representing the official home and office of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Government House has quite the history. Like the legendary phoenix, Government house has risen from the ashes more than once. The current Government House was built in 1959, replicating the aesthetic design of the previous building which was built in 1903 before being destroyed by fire in 1957. Prior to it was the original Cary Castle, built in 1860 on 36-acres of what was traditionally Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations land. It too was destroyed by fire in 1899. Today, the Government house offers monthly tours of its 4-level, Tudor style interiors. It’s sprawling, surrounding gardens are open daily to the public, with free admission from dawn until dusk. Find out more.
located in the Rockland neighbourhood, Langham Court Theatre has been entertaining the Victoria community with live theatre since 1929, making it Western Canada’s longest operating community theatre. Find out more.
is a richly historical and lovingly maintained landmark located in Fairfield, just before and across the street from Fairfield Village Shopping Centre. Ross Bay Cemetery offers a flat and paved walking trail through 12-acres of old marble and stone decorated gravesites, mausoleums, and tombs of Victoria's earliest settlers, US civil war veterans, and notable families from the 1870s through 1900s. Find out more.
Retail, GROCERY & DINING
Fairfield and Rockland residents enjoy easy access to all the shops, restaurants and entertainment that awaits them downtown. That said, following are two examples of small, yet popular retail hubs located within the Fairfield and Rockland neighbourhoods.
Fairfield Village Shopping Centre: is Conveniently located in the Ross Bay area of Fairfield. This suburban strip mall offers plenty of storefront parking and neighbourhood-centric vendors including Thrifty Foods, Ross Bay Pub, Home Hardware, BC Liquor Store, Starbucks, Heart Pharmacy IDA, My Sister’s Closet consignment clothing, pizza, sushi, a vape shop, floral shop, nail salon, pet boutique, dry cleaners, dental clinic, and more.
Cook Street Village: Representing the heart of Fairfield, Cook Street Village is a popular hotspot for meeting with friends and people watching over coffee at Starbucks or Moka House; socializing over beer or wine at The Beagle Pub; or noshing on an authentic Tuscan-style pizza from Pizzeria Prima Strada. Carnivores will love the offerings at Big Wheel Burger. Then there’s the highly acclaimed Bubby’s Kitchen. Locals find organic and artisan foods at Lifestyle Markets and Mother Nature’s Market. And the Village is complete with Rexall Pharmacy, Cook St. Liquor, Oxford Foods, McLennan’s Island Meat & Seafood, and a cache of eclectic shops and vendors.
Accessibility
Village Life
Fairfield has a Public Transit Score of 65, and Rockland has a Public Transit Score of 60 (good public transportation). Plenty of public transit routes connect Fairfield/Rockland residents to other areas of the Greater Victoria area as well as the airport in Saanich and the ferry terminal in Sidney.
Proximity
Within 6-8 minutes' drive to Victoria’s downtown core. | Within 20 - 37 minutes walking or 8-12 minutes cycling distance to Victoria’s downtown core. | Within 7-9 minutes' drive to Victoria’s Jubilee Hospital. | Within 34 minutes’ drive to Victoria Airport and Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. | Within 4-7 minutes’ drive to Seaplane and Clipper Ferry terminals.
Iconic Condo & Townhouse Communities
Built by award-winning developer, Abstract Developments, the architecture of this modern 6-level, 75-unit condo building is a work of art that spares no details. Offers luxuriously-outfitted 1-2 bedroom, pet-friendly suites within close walking distance to popular boutiques and dining. Search our MLS Victoria search engine for condos for sale in the Black and White building.
An urban 4-level, 22-unit condo building just minutes away from Oak Bay Village. This modern, pet-friendly building, built by Abstract Developments, offers luxurious finishings and an ideal location. Search our MLS Victoria search engine for condos for sale in the Village Walk building.
This community of 3 buildings, two condo buildings, and one townhouse complex, prides itself on the natural setting of its surroundings. Offering 83 units of 1, 2, & 3 bedroom, deluxe homes. This development is conveniently placed in proximity to what Victoria has to offer while maintaining its connection with nature. Added bonus: the community is pet & rental friendly. Search our MLS Victoria search engine for condos for sale in the Bellewood Park building.
Just as its name suggests, this building features 8 private residences on the border of Beacon Hill Park and within walking distance to Cook Street Village. Another beautifully designed building by Abstract Developments, these condos boast modern finishes , coordinated storage areas, and spacious living. Search our MLS Victoria search engine for condos for sale in the 8 On The Park building.
Want to view discover new pre-sale opportunities?
Check out our Developments Page!
Shop for a Home in
FAIRFIELD AND ROCKLAND
Considering a move to Fairfield/Rockland? Due to the area’s hip appeal and popularity, Townhouses, homes, and condos for sale in the Fairfield/Rockland district are scooped up soon after they’re listed. Thus, it’s never too early to start looking for your new home. Get started with your search today with a Condo Expert. Here are some tips and resources to help get you started with your search!
PROPERTY SEARCH TIPS
If you’re seeking a home that is steps away from shops and dining, when you use our MLS Victoria Search Engine to shop for properties in the Fairfield and Rockland area, also refer to the provided map. Look for townhouses and condos for sale which are situated close to Cook Street Village and Fairfield Village Shopping Centre.
Enjoy shopping and shortlisting your favourite ones, and when you’re ready, give us a call at (250) 382-6636 to arrange a viewing.
