Sidney

Waterfront promenade, Picture BC photo

North of Victoria and home to the BC Ferries Swartz Bay Terminal, civilized Sidney marries urban affability to a glorious seaside location and island-studded coast described as the "5th best cruising destination in the world." Come browse Sidney's boutiques and bookshops. Nights are for dining Pacific Northwest, Asian or European-style at the ocean's edge. But save the days for adventure touring, diving, fishing, golf, hiking, biking, kayaking, shopping, whale watching, wine tasting and exploring the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve.

Saanich Peninsula

Like most corners of Vancouver Island, the Saanich Peninsula was first occupied by Aboriginal peoples. In the Sidney area, the Salish First Nation had arrived as early as 10,000 years ago. Sidney's written history begins in 1859, when the northern end of the Saanich Peninsula was explored by the Royal Navy survey vessel, HMS Plumper.

By the turn of the 20th century, Sidney was a thriving farm community. Cannery buildings lined the early waterfront and processed millions of tons of oysters, clams and local blackberries, pears and peaches.

Heritage Sites

A portrait of pioneer life on the Saanich Peninsula comes together from buildings and artifacts on display at Heritage Acres on Lochside Drive in Saanichton. Relocated, restored and replica buildings constitute a typical farm village circa 1900. Bring a camera and take a hop back in time.

Easygoing Charm

Some observers call Sidney "the Banff of the Salish Sea." Never overdeveloped, never in a hurry, Sidney ranks as a bucolic seaside community with a distinct island sensibility. Its quality of life is plain to see in its friendly streets, low-rise architecture, public art, seaside promenade, walking trails, bike paths, sports fields, picnic areas and beaches. The people of Sidney believe they've found paradise. They're only too happy to share with newcomers.

Booktown Sidney

For all its sophistication, Sidney is a town, not a city, and has a population of only 11,300. Enjoy the gentle topography, the low-rise architecture, unique boutiques, galleries, international restaurants and conspicuously laid-back lifestyle. Sidney's status as a "Booktown" – 12 bookstores in a downtown radius of 4 blocks – speaks of an easygoing, literate populace.

Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre

Excitement gathers at the Sidney Pier Hotel, home of the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre. Welcome to Sidney's first bona fide tourist attraction, a modern aquarium in the tradition, if not scope, of the Vancouver and Monterey aquariums. Its inhabitants are everything that swims in the Salish Sea, the body of water between Vancouver Island and the mainland.

Sidney Dining

Sidney's burgeoning restaurant scene pirouettes from local fresh fish to an international kickline of Mexican, Swiss, Italian, Greek, Chinese, Japanese and Thai. Pacific Northwest weighs in at the classy Haro in the Sidney Pier Hotel, overlooking the Haro Strait. Signature dishes line up in the order of impeccably fresh wild BC salmon and halibut with spot prawn risotto. But stealing all culinary thunder is a west coast bouillabaisse in saffron tomato fennel broth with a dash of Pernod.

Sidney Summer Market

Every Thursday, from June until the end of August Beacon Avenuye transforms into the Sidney Summer Market. Strictly a pedestrian street, it boasts more than 200 vendors offering eats from fish to fruit, and crafts from prints to pottery, to 4,000 browsers. Plan to spend an hour or two strolling this sunny rendition of an Asian night market.