The
Urban Core surrounds "down town" and consists of four urban
municipalities-the City of Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay and Esquimalt.
This is where the majority of the population reside (approximately 225,000
of the 325,000 people in the Greater Victoria region). Most of the regions
shopping malls are in the Urban Core and there
is an abundance of recreation facilities
and services throughout this area. Numerous parks, beaches, scenic lookouts
and fine homes are distributed in the urban core. The core area is within
easy reach of downtown. You are never more than 5 to 20 minutes
of downtown from most hotels, motels
or bed and breakfasts in Saanich, Oak Bay,
Esquimalt or the City of Victoria. The core is full of trails,
pathways and walkways such as the waterfront stroll down Dallas Road,
the Galloping Goose trail through Saanich and Victoria, the Songhees
walk from downtown (blue bridge) to Esquimalt. In the core area,
you will be away from the hustle and bustle of downtown but never very
far away from anything.