For many visitors arriving on Vancouver Island, Sidney and the Saanich Peninsula are the first places they see. The gloriously green rolling hills and farmland, lush cool forests, and stunning ocean views create
lasting first impressions. Take your time and you make your way through this wonderful area — there are lots of great stops and
activities along the way.
Sidney — Good things come in small packages and there is no better evidence this than sunny Sidney-by-the-Sea. Just ask the boaters from all over the Pacific Northwest who have been docking at
Sidney’s marinas year after year. This little resort town also has a big reputation
among shoppers. All along Beacon
Avenue, Sidney’s Main Street, you can browse the multitude of shops and
boutiques for fashion, jewelry, gifts, an pottery, home decor, and books — especially books. Because of the number of bookshops in Sidney (nine at last count), Sidney has been given the title of Canada’s Booktown. For a great view of the ocean, take a stroll along the docks at Port Sidney Marina, or follow the beachside walkway along Lochside Drive. The Pier on Bevan is the place to watch sailboats plying the waves and seals bobbing for fish. For Sidney-area sights, see Museums and Attractions.
Brentwood Bay — South of Sidney, overlooking the Saanich Inlet, the waterside community of Brentwood Bay has some great restaurants and shops, a pretty marina, and a BC Ferries terminal providing service to Mill Bay in the Central Island region. The Butchart Gardens, Victoria Butterfly Gardens, and Victoria Estate Winery are Brentwood Bay’s most famous neighbours. |
Plan a Trip 
