REGION History
“In 1790 the Spanish navigator and explorer Lieutenant Francisco de Eliza rebuilt a Spanish fort at Nootka Sound and subsequently explored the area between Nootka Sound and present day Victoria, BC. Logging of the Jordan River watershed dates back to the 1880s. The railroad has been long abandoned and replaced by log hauling trucks. Until 1912 Jordan River was only accessible by sea. That year the Old Otter Point Road was extended to the River Jordan, connecting the town of Jordan River by land to Sooke and Victoria.”
High
14
Low
4
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Temp. | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 4 |
High
57
Low
39
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average Temp. | 39 | 41 | 43 | 46 | 50 | 54 | 57 | 57 | 55 | 48 | 42 | 39 |
Places to Stay
This small community offers several campsites, a vacation home and a variety of inns and resorts. Many boast some of the best panoramic views of the strait and Olympic mountain ranges. Enjoy experiencing the many hiking trails amid the trees, Salmon fishing, scuba diving, and a diversity of wildlife all practically a step away.
Jordan River
Surfing
“Historically a logging camp, River Jordan has become a surfing town thanks to long wrapping rights known as The Point, Sewers, and Rock Piles[…]. Despite being somewhat inconsistent, these waves crank when it’s on, which is mid-winter, big W-NW swell and a NE wind. The Point at the river mouth can have very long rides (and some lefts back into the river), down the line speed walls and bowly barrel sections over the sand boulder mix.”
Swells
Winds
For Surfing,
Windsurfing & Kiteboarding
Winter
Best Surf
AS LOCAL AS LOCAL CAN BE
Most residents in Shirley and Jordan River are either self-employed (in the tourist industry, as artisans or with home based businesses, including contract and consulting work), retired, or commute daily to work in Sooke or Victoria. The largest employers in the community are Western Forest Products and the fifty year old Point-No-Point Resort. There are also four restaurants in the area and several B&B’s.
mystic Beach Vacation Home
Retreat Home
You can either choose to enjoy the panoramic ocean view from the master bedroom upstairs, or close the shutters to have your privacy from the main living space. The second bedroom upstairs hosts two twins that easily convert to a King bed if requested. Kids also really enjoy this room as there is a small climbing wall to add to the fun. On the ground floor is where the very private Queen bedroom with second bathroom adjacent to the studio/movie room is located. Enjoy the deep tubs in either of the bathrooms and the slate rain fall shower in the main bathroom.
China Beach
Camping
China Beach day-use area is a spectacular spot for family outings and day trips. The China Beach campground is a separate facility, located in a forested area with open understory just east of the China Beach day-use area and Juan de Fuca East trailhead. The China Beach campground is adjacent to Highway 14, just east of the China Beach day-use, thirty-five kilometres west of Sooke and thirty-six kilometres east of Port Renfrew. Take a Closer Look ›
Mystic Beach
Explore
The two kilometre trail to Mystic beach provides a good taste of what it would be like to hike the longer more rugged West coast trail. There are several spots on the beach that are very good photo opportunities. Look for the suspension bridges. There is a designated wilderness campsite here as well.
Take a Closer Look ›