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Whether you enjoy marine or land-based activities – and especially if you enjoy both – Sidney has a lot to offer you. It’s a saltwater fishing hotspot but great catches are common on its lakes and rivers, too. You can spend hours or days on the hiking trails in nearby parks and then grab some scuba gear and explore the ocean floor as well. The city is sometimes referred to as “Booktown” because 9 bookstores operate within a 4-block radius downtown. Thousands of shorebirds nest and rest at various places along the sometimes sandy, sometimes rocky coast. Other popular outdoor pursuits include golf, camping and whale watching. Indoor activities include visiting museums and heritage sites, attending a live theatre performance, boutique shopping and spa visits.
Passionate about golf, hiking, cycling or horseback riding? You can pursue all these and more 12 months a year in Sidney. Truly exceptional golfing experiences await you at Glen Meadows Golf and Country Club, which has hosted the BC Open, and Admore Golf Course which features immense, 1,000-year-old Douglas firs.
There are many walking and hiking trails in the area. Some, like Lochside Trail, Lochside Walkway and the Reay Creek trails, are accessible from town. Lochside Trail connects to the Galloping Goose portion of the Trans Canada Trail. Enjoy ocean views on the Lochside Walkway or cool woods and a boardwalk along a salmon stream at Reay Creek Trails in the surrounding area include those at Horth Hill (view of the Saanich Peninsula), Blue Heron Park (pedestrian/cyclist), Coles Bay Regional Park (beaches, picnic areas), John Dean Provincial Park (hilltop wilderness, views, picnic areas, meadow) and Island View Beach Regional Park (dunes, salt marsh, migratory bird staging area).
Camping options around the city include McDonald Campground, which lies between Sidney and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal; Sidney Spit, which is just a short ferry ride from town; and several private campgrounds that specialize in servicing RV campers.
If you love horses, there are plenty of scenic rides along forested coastal trails to choose from. Hire a guide and ride for anywhere from one hour to a couple of days with an overnight camp in between.
The Mary Winspear Community Cultural Centre features four, traditional, West Coast Salish house posts. Each one was carved from raw wood and represents a local Aboriginal band: Paquachin, Tseycum, Tsawout and Tsartlip.
Sidney is Canada's "Booktown." Despite its small size, it has 9 bookstores within a four-block radius. It's also a thriving arts centre. From painters to potters, creative types are everywhere and you can see many of them at work on a self-guided Studio Tour. If you visit in summer, make a point of attending the Gallery by the Sea event. Works by local artists are exhibited in public areas around the city - you can even vote for your favourite one! If you're interested in Aboriginal art, don't miss the Roy Vickers Gallery. Vickers' work is exhibited in museums around the world.
There are many interesting museums and heritage sites in the city. The Sidney Historical Museum chronicles the history of the Saanich Peninsula, with a particular emphasis on life in the pioneer era. The BC Aviation Museum has engines, photographs, models, artifacts and more than 30 aircraft on display. At Heritage Acres, you can discover what life was like for the pioneers by looking at a vast array of artifacts and touring period buildings. You can also take a mini-train ride around the 12-ha (29-ac) grounds.
Sidney is handy to some of the very best attractions on Vancouver Island. Butchart Gardens, the most famous by far, attracts more than a million visitors each year. They come to see floral displays and themed gardens on a scale rarely seen anywhere in the world. Visiting Victoria Butterfly Gardens is like stepping into a tropical rainforest. About 2,000 butterflies occupy the main area at any given time. In the "Emerging Room" you see the insects' entire life cycle, from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. Mineral World is a family-friendly, hands-on attraction where you can learn about rocks and minerals, pan for gold or sift through tropical shells and semi-precious stones until you find the perfect addition for your home collection.
Sidney is a super place to shop. If you're a reader, you'll appreciate "Booktown's" high concentration of bookstores (9 within a four-block radius). Head to the Thursday evening market for farm-fresh produce, gourmet fare, hand-made crafts and gift items. Sweet treats are always available in the city's many bakeries and ice cream parlours. Sidney also has a reputation for excellent boutiques (clothing, antiques, collectibles).
The Mary Winspear Centre at Sanscha presents plays and other live performances all year long. It also hosts craft fairs, fundraisers and other events.
Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada consists of 15 islands, small islets and reef areas in the waters that surround them. Sidney Spit on Sidney Island and McDonald Park are part of this relatively new national park. You can view shorebirds in large numbers at Sidney Spit.
John Dean Provincial Park, atop Mount Newton, protects one of the last stands of Garry Oak in the Saanich Peninsula. Visit in spring to see a variety of native wildflowers in bloom and anytime of year to enjoy sweeping views of the Saanich Peninsula, Gulf Islands and Cascade Mountains. You'll also find spring wildflowers and sweeping views (Satellite Channel, Saanich Peninsula, Gulf Islands) at Horth Hill Regional Park.
Sidney is the closest departure site for whale watching tours to the Haro Strait and San Juan Islands. Although Orcas (Killer Whales) can be sighted year round in local waters, whale numbers are highest during the May to November salmon spawning season. While you're out on the water, you may also see porpoises, sea lions, seals, Bald Eagles and various types of shorebirds. Visit the Marine Ecology Station to learn about all of these animals and study smaller marine life up close in open tanks.
The pace of life in Sidney is slow and easy. For many locals, a leisurely stroll along the waterfront walkway is a cherished daily ritual. From that bench-dotted path, you can see Sidney Island, the San Juan Islands and, on clear days, snow-capped Mt. Baker. The downtown area, with its charming shops and colourful hanging flower baskets, can be very restful if you enjoy browsing and café culture.
Of course, with so many miles of beautiful coastline so close at hand, you'll often be tempted to pack a towel and a picnic and head to the beach. Don't resist: both Island View Beach Regional Park and the Sidney Spit portion of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve have gorgeous beaches near easy walking trails.
Finally, spas in the area offer a wide range of relaxing and rejuvenating treatments.
Sidney has a number of well-equipped marinas and is a convenient launch point for fishing excursions in Saanich Inlet and the Gulf Islands. There's good line and trap fishing (salmon, Halibut, prawns, crabs) in the waters just offshore, too. You can even cast a line or drop a trap from the town pier. If you prefer freshwater fishing, head to one of the local lakes. They regularly yield good catches of trout and bass.
Scuba diving is a popular pastime for both visitors and locals in Sidney. For an easy dive in town, try the Artificial Reef under the pier on Bevan Avenue. It's inhabited by more than 90 species. There are also two wrecks within a 10-minute boat ride: the HMCS Mackenzie naval destroyer and the GB Church coastal freighter.
If you're an experienced kayaker, you're sure to enjoy the many inlets, bays and islands around Sidney. Tides and currents can be hazardous, however, so go with a guide if you're new to paddling. Other popular water activities include sailing (guided tours available), canoeing and whale watching.
If you're travelling to Sidney in winter, don't forget to pack your hiking boots, fishing rod, scuba gear and golf clubs. In fact, the season is mild enough for almost any outdoor activity. Indoors, you can play hockey on one of two rinks and swim and play tennis at the recreation centre.
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