|
Central
Saanich
Central Saanich is located halfway up the Saanich Peninsula about
17 km (11 miles) north of Victoria. Central
Saanich is neighbours with North Saanich
in the north and Saanich in the south.
Ocean
Waterfront
Central Saanich is bordered by the ocean waterfront on the west
and east side with only around 8 km (5 miles) separating the two
coastlines. Mill Bay,
Bamberton and Hwy 1 are directly across Saanich Inlet to the west.
On the west side sits James Island, Haro Strait and the Gulf and
San Juan Islands.
Panoramic
Ocean Views
Central Saanich is comprised of a large rural area made up of small
hobby farms and acreages. Intermixed with farmland are pockets of
residential homes, near Tanner Ridge, many of them offering beautiful
panoramic ocean views of James and Sidney Islands in Haro Strait
and in Brentwood Bay, offering westerly views towards Bamberton
and Mill Bay.
Butchart
Gardens
Central Saanich is home to one of Vancouver Island's biggest attractions,
the - Butchart Gardens. Originally built out of a limestone quarry
starting with the Japanese Garden in 1908, the Butchart Gardens
offers the visitor a wide array of plants, water features, rockwork
and gardens. The staff are very helpful towards your needs and there
is ample parking for RV vehicles and buses. Butchart Gardens is
conveniently found by taking Hwy 17 to the Keating Cross Road exit
and travelling towards Brentwood Bay and continuing on to 800 Benvenuto
Avenue.
Island
View Beach
For beaches, try visiting Island View Beach which has easy accesses
onto Island View Road 3 km (2 miles) from Hwy 17. Great spot for
you to spend the day located on the east coast across Cordova Channel
from James Island. Walking, kiting, kayaking, boat launch, beachcombing,
RV Park and excellent and cruising opportunities, they're all here.
Marine
Parks
For close cruising or kayaking spots around the east coast near
Island View Beach, try either going to Sidney
Spit Marine Park or D'Arcy Island Provincial Marine Park. Sidney
Spit Marine Park, now part of the federally managed Gulf Islands
Park, has an excellent beach and campground area. You can also access
the ocean from Gowlland
Tod Provincial Park off Wallace Drive.
Business
and Commercial
There are three business and commercial centres in Central Saanich;
Saanichton which is situated near Mount Newton Cross Road and East
Saanich Roads; Brentwood Bay which is between West Saanich Road
and Saanich Inlet plus the Keating Cross Road corridor which is
made up of an industrial park, some cabinet manufacturers and a
warehouse district.
Prairie
Inn Neighbourhood Pub
There is a real favourite place to eat in Central Saanich that have
proven great food over time. The Prairie Inn Neighbourhood Pub has
been in operation since 1859 and is located in Saanichton at 7806
East Saanich Road, has a reputation for large plates. Good quality
food at a reasonable price with a helpful staff.
Brentwood
Bay Resort & Spa
Situated in Brentwood Bay is the newly restored and designed Brentwood
Bay Resort & Spa. Featuring a first-class array of service the
facility contains a spa, a waterfront pub featuring fine food, a
restaurant, moorage facilities and luxury accommodations.
Beachcomber
RV Park
One of the best private RV sites is also in Central Saanich at Beachcomber
RV Park. It has one of the next beaches besides the Regional Park
found at Island View Road. Reserve early so you can have access
to a waterfront site. A real treat is the mornings when you can
have a very relaxing coffee watching the sun rise over the ocean.
Michell's
Farm
When you travel on Island View Road, try and visit Michell's Farm
situated next to the Lochside Trail. A local favourite, Michell's
Farm, features fresh local fruits and vegetables for sale, along
with a display of other nourishing items from nearby farmers.
Lochside
Regional Trail
All of Central Saanich can be easily ridden by cycle using the local
bike network, especially if you use the Lochside
Regional Trail. Starting in Saanich by the new Uptown Development,
the Lochside Regional Trail is actually an extension of the Galloping
Goose Trail and Central Saanich can be reached starting at the Johnson
Street Bridge in Vic West.
Heritage
Acres
Heritage Acres is located off Island View Road and is sponsored
by the Saanich Historical Artifacts Society. Here you can find an
array of an eclectic assortment of antique and historical machinery.
During the year, various displays of farm equipment, trucks and
machinery are displayed to the public.
Saanich
First Nations
The Saanich First Nations have two main reserves in Central Saanich
- the Tsawout Band and the Tsartlip First Nations. The Tsawout Band
is located in East Saanich IR No. 2, off Mount Newton Cross Road
next to Sannichton Bay. Popeye's Campground is located here. Telephone:
(250) 652-6539. The Tsartlip First Nations are in Brentwood Bay
in South Saanich IR No. 2 which is off Stellys Cross Road on Tsartlip
Drive offers a convenient boat launch, reasonably priced with good
parking.
Brentwood
Bay - Mill Bay Ferry
If you would like to travel a relaxed, less-hurried route to up
Vancouver Island, take the BC Ferries at Brentwood Bay. This ferry
ride takes you across Saanich Inlet to Mill Bay and Bamberton. If
you happen to be on a cycling tour of the wineries near Cobble
Hill this makes a good alternate route to avoid going over the
pass on the Malahat Drive.
Information
on Central Saanich
Accommodation
|
