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North
Saanich
North Saanich is located on the Saanich Peninsula 28 km (17.5 miles)
north of Victoria on Hwy 17. North Saanich
is a neighbour to the communities of Sidney
and Central Saanich.
Ocean
Shoreline
The North Saanich community is surrounded by ocean on the west and
north sides, then on the east the shoreline is split up with Sidney
in the middle for a total of approximately 20 km (12.5 miles) of
shoreline. North Saanich is home to two of Vancouver Island's major
transportation infrastructures, BC Ferries Swartz Bay Terminal and
Victoria Airport.
Rural
Neighbourhood
North Saanich consists of mostly residential homes set in a rural
neighbourhood. There are some agriculture and small farms located
mostly on the west side near West Saanich Road with the main manufacturing,
aircraft service industry and commercial businesses located around
the Victoria Airport off of Mills, Canora or Willingdon Roads.
BC
Ferries
The easiest way of coming to North Saanich from the mainland of
British Columbia is to take a regular scheduled BC Ferries from
Tsawwassen into the terminal at Swartz Bay. Once unloaded off the
ferry, you can either take Lands End Road, Hwy 17A/Wain Road, west
on Beacon Avenue at Sidney or McTavish Road off Hwy 17 for access
into North Saanich.
Washington
State Ferries
If you are coming from other parts of Vancouver Island, take Hwy
17 or West Saanich Road north into North Saanich. There is also
a regular scheduled sailing offered from Washington State Ferries
that comes from Anacortes, Washington. The vehicle ferry berths
in a terminal in Sidney with North Saanich are easily accessible
from here.
Beautiful
Homes and Estates
North Saanich is home to a number of well-established residents
with a large percentage of beautiful homes and estates located throughout
the municipality. Many of these homes are situated on ocean waterfront
offering fabulous views of Saanich Inlet to the west, Saltspring
Island to the north across Satellite Channel or from Dean Park views
of Bazan Bay towards the San Juan Islands and Mount Baker in the
east.
Organic
Farming Practices
North Saanich also has a mix of small acreages made up of horse
ranches; small farms that specialize in organic growing practice
and architecturally designed dream homes. Many of these homes have
the ability to grow small vineyards and boast nice gardens and offer
organically grown local products for sale.
Sightseeing
Places to visit or sightsee in North Saanich include areas along
the ocean near Swartz Bay where there are interesting views of Piers
Island and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, the BC
Aviation Museum off Canora, the oceanfront at Patricia Bay,
hiking in John Dean Provincial Park or Horth Hill Regional Park
or beachcombing off Coles Bay Regional Park.
Pat
Bay
A favourite pastime in North Saanich is to take a visit and relax
at Patricia Bay or, fondly called, Pat Bay. Located near the intersection
of West Saanich Road and Mills Road, Pat Bay is where Canadian Coast
Guard - Pacific Region is stationed. Here you sit at the approach
of Victoria Airport watching aircraft but you can find a beautiful
westerly view across Saanich Inlet towards Cobble
Hill and Cowichan
Bay.
Gulf
Islands Boating
For boaters North Saanich is one place you might want to visit if
you're visiting this part of British Columbia. From here there is
close and easy access into the Gulf Islands or the San Juan Islands.
A couple of day trips include visiting Sidney
Spit Marine Park or cruising over to Saltspring
Island. There are a number of marinas located near the Swartz
Bay Ferry Terminal and Canoe Cove in North Saanich plus a large
number in Sidney.
Deep
Cove
There are no lakes in North Saanich but if you are brave to go swimming
in the ocean at Deep Cove situated on Madrona Drive you'll find
probably the warmest ocean water in the CRD region. Deep Cove also
has a small marina and dock present offering access to some fabulous
scuba diving areas and beaches nearby.
Places
to Eat
One place is called the Roost Farm Centre, situated at the corner
of McTavish and East Saanich Roads, which specializes in farm-style
bakery products and organic coffee the other is called Mary's Blue
Moon Café on Canora Road near the airport. Also there is
the Stonehouse Pub & Restaurant and Sofie's Café in Canoe
Cove. For the ultimate in dining experience, there is the Deep Cove
Chalet on Chalet Road.
Golf
For golf lovers, North Saanich has two courses from which to choose
with both courses located beside each other near McTavish Road and
West Saanich Road. Ardmore Golf Course is a 9-hole public course,
fairly flat and open fairways. Glen Meadows Golf & Country Club
is an 18-hole semi-private course that features curling, golf and
tennis plus a very nice clubhouse with two lounge areas.
Panorama
Recreation Centre
If you are travelling with kids or would like to burn off some steam,
try visiting the Panorama Recreation Centre located on East Saanich
Road situated near the border with Central Saanich. The centre features
pool, weight room, arena, rackets room and is home to the Peninsula
Panthers a VIJHL junior B hockey team.
Accommodation
There are a number of Bed & Breakfast outlets located throughout
the community; unfortunately, most of the motels and hotels are
situated in Sidney.
McDonald
Park
For RV camping there is only one campground in North Saanich called
McDonald Park part of the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve. The
park has 43 vehicle-accessible sites and is located on McDonald
Park Road conveniently situated just south off Hwy 17 coming from
the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
Information
on North Saanich
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