This small park offers stunning ocean views from the highest point of land (66m) on the south coast of Vancouver Island, and rocky knolls from which to appreciate them. The sunset views over downtown Victoria and the distant Sooke Hills are particularly spectacular.

The observatory, the distinctive building on Gonzales Hill built in 1914, was the headquarters of the Dominion Meteorological Services on the west coast.  It recorded weather data as well as astronomical and seismic data until it was abandoned in 1989, only to be reopened as part of a wilderness park in 1992 after the CRD purchased the 1.75 acres of land.  This small urban park offers some of the best scenic vistas of Victoria, Juan de Fuca Strait, the Olympic mountains and the Sooke Hills, and its rocky knolls provide habitat for California quail, rare wildflowers and Garry oak trees.

Related link: CRD Parks