The Saanich Peninsula is full of marine life, gorgeous views, festivities and chances for adventure. Here is a list of several summer must-dos to take it all in. For more ideas, see Black Press’ special publication 51 Things to See and Do.
Visit the iconic Sidney Street Market
This street market is a one-stop-shop for a variety of local and regional growers, producers, artists, musicians and creators. The market’s evening hours (5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings, June to September) make it a great after-work or hangout destination with shopping, live entertainment, and plenty of food options.
Spectacular Summer
Saturday evenings at the Butchart Gardens in July and August, bring a blanket or lawn chair to enjoy a world-class firework show included with admission. Along with the fireworks, there will be original aerial and ground displays choreographed to music and designed by Jennie Butchart’s great-grandson Christopher Ross. (Please note: the fireworks are dependent on environmental conditions based on consultations with Central Saanich Fire Department). Visit butchartgardens.com/summer/.
Picnic with a view
Walk the 0.6 km loop through old-growth woods in John Dean Provincial Park (North Saanich) to get to the spectacular viewpoint at Pickles’ Bluff. Or, try Island View Beach which has picnic shelters and an expansive beach. In Sidney, there’s Glass Beach or if you don’t mind grabbing the Sidney Spit Ferry, you can hit the famous sandbar at Sidney Spit Marine Park.
Now where to grab your picnic fare? Some suggestions in Brentwood: Order a charcuterie through The Local Picnic or get food to go at Brentwood Bay Village Empourium. Suggestions in Sidney: grab meats and cheeses at The Farmer’s Daughter or a grocer, sandwiches from a local shop, or fish and chips.
Go paddleboarding or kayaking
Explore the beautiful ocean from the vantage point of the water. Blue Dog Kayaking (bluedogkayaking.com), a paddling centre located in Port Sidney Marina, offers guided tours and training for kayakers and paddle boarders (SUP) plus guided kayak trips. Blue Jellyfish SUP (bluejellyfishsup.ca), located on Fifth Street in Sidney, offers training, Friday night social paddles, tours and multi-day adventures (including a Gulf Islands camping retreat).
Cheers on an ale trail
The peninsula is home to some of the finest craft breweries, each unique. Category 12 pays playful homage to science fiction, thanks to owner Michael Kuzyk who has a doctorate in microbiology and biochemistry. For literary lovers who’s happy place is books, Small Gods Brewing offers the perfect atmosphere. This literary-themed brewery has beers named after novels, and offers a storyteller series, writers’ group, book club and more. Beacon Brewing is a place for friends to gather, with plenty of fun activities like trivia nights, music bingo, a Vinyl night, comedy nights and live music.
Get some friends together and follow the BC Ale Trail, or this cycling route between breweries: bcaletrail.ca/cycling-between-three-breweries-on-the-saanich-peninsula.