Posted by: cherylyoung | October 13, 2011
Sidney By The Sea is a true paradise on Vancouver Island
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With views of the ocean, the Olympic and Cascade
Mountain ranges.
Sidney is a tourist’s dream – a friendly port with
modern marinas and a multitude of unique galleries,
gift stores, antique shops, restaurants, bakeries and
coffee bars.
Sidney-by-the-Sea appeals to those who enjoy both
seafaring excursions and land-based adventures.
There are many inlets and nearby islands, 3 km of
public accessible waterfront – including many
beaches and great beachcombing – and several
interesting attractions in and around this pretty little
resort town.
Sidney enjoys a moderate Mediterranean type climate
with year-round mild temperatures, low rainfall and
very little snow.
Historically, Sidney was a small farming community
and the location of Vancouver Island’s first flour mill.
The heavily wooded forests of the region soon fostered
sawmills and a thriving lumber industry.
The Saanich People have lived on the Saanich
Peninsula for thousands of years prior to contact
with Europeans.
The Hudson’s Bay Company obtained large tracts of
forested lands from the Saanich People in 1852.
James Douglas purchased much of the land in North
Saanich in 1858, and one year later William and
Charles Reay became the first settlers on the northern
portion of the Saanich Peninsula when they purchased
land from the Hudson’s Bay Company.
Some of this land is now the town of Sidney,
incorporated as a village on 30th September 1952.
Sidney takes its name from nearby Sidney Channel
and Sidney Island, originally known as Sallas Island.
Captain Richards of the survey ship Plumper renamed i
t Sidney Island in 1859, after Fredrick William Sidney
(later captain), also a member of the Royal Navy.
The Saanich People knew the site as Tseteenus,
meaning ‘sticking out’.
Sidney is ideally situated close to all the major arrival
points to South Vancouver Island.
By Air, visitors arrive at Victoria International Airport,
which is only 5 minutes away.
BC Ferries provides year-round service to and from
Swartz Bay, immediately north of Sidney.
Sidney is also the departure point for pleasure craft
sailings and ferry traffic heading to the San Juan
Islands and Washington State in the United States.
Population: 11,849
Location: Sidney is located on the Saanich Peninsula
at the southern tip of Vancouver Island, just east of
the Pat Bay Highway 17, five minutes south of the
Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and just 16 miles (26 km)
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Sidney is known as Canada’s first Booktown – ten
unique bookstores all within easy walking distance
of each other, feature a browser’s bounty of new,
easy walking distance of each other, feature a
browser’s bounty of new, second-hand, antiquarian
and specialty books.
The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre Aquarium and
marine centre located on Vancouver
Island in Sidney.
The 10,000 square-foot marine centre was created to
provide local residents and visitors to the area an
opportunity to learn more about marine life and get
up close and personal with state-of-the-art aquatic
exhibits.
The centre features several fantastic exhibits
including the Gallery of the Drifters where visitors
will learn about jelly fish, algae and plankton and have
the opportunity to view them up-close with a video
microscope.
The Gallery of the Salish Sea is a complete marine
aquarium that recreates the ocean and provides an
underwater view complete with hundreds of types
of fish, invertebrates and plant life.
The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre provides touch
pools where visitors can interact live with sea stars and
urchins.
The Ocean’s Heartbeat is a complete wet lab and
classroom that is used to further educate visitors and
school groups about aquaitic life and the many
ecosystems that support our Earth.
Explore the B.C. Aviation Museum – packed with vintage
airplanes and equipment, including a reconstructed radio
control room.
Discover original and replica planes dating back to 1910.
Barnstorming bi-plane rides may be arranged.
The world-famous Butchart Gardens are located just a
short drive west of Sidney.
The influence of the neighbouring Butchart Gardens is
showcased in the community parklands and individual
gardens of Sidney businesses and residents.
Just south of Sidney on the Pat Bay Highway is the
Saanich Historical Artifacts Society, a 29-acre park
and large heritage museum, with many outdoor
displays, picnic tables, nature trails and a pond.
A beautiful destination with lots to see and do.
Stroll among hundreds of dazzling buttterflies in an
indoor tropical garden.
Butterfly Gardens, features the brilliant Blue Morpho,
the delicately pattened Giant Owl and the huge Atlas Moth.
Knowledgeable guides help you find well-hidden eggs,
caterpillars and pupae in the lush rain forest vegetation.
Rare South African Turocos and tropical ducks can also
be found.
Celebrate Canada’s birthday at Sidney Days on the
Canada Day weekend with activities and entertainment
for the whole family.
Come join us for the Sidney Summer Market every
Thursday evening from June to September, when
Beacon Avenue is closed to vehicle traffic between
5pm and 9pm.
Shopkeepers, businesses and pedestrians fill Beacon
Avenue, creating a
carnival atmosphere!
Experience the thrill of a guided whale watching tour.
The waters off Sidney are home to three Southern
resident pods of orca whales, Dahl porpoises, sea lions
and seals.
From Port Sidney Marina you will view the islands
from high speed boats that track the whale pods
and wildlife to ensure a memorable trip every time.
Tulista Park is a little gem of a seaside park and boat
launch at the very end of Lochside Drive, next to the
Washington State ferry terminal.
Sidney is a hub for saltwater fishing excursions.
Year-round salmon fishing is available, as well as
cod, snapper, halibut, sole, crab, prawns and shrimp
in local waters.
Landlubbers can cast off the Bevan Avenue fishing pier.
Diving: Sidney has a reputation as one of the most
sought after dive sites on Lower Vancouver Island.
Divers can explore the wrecks of the G.B. Church
and the HMCS Mackenzie, two sunken diving reefs
providing opportunity for some great underwater
exploration.
Graham’s Wall, Tozier Rock, The White Lady, Burial
Islet, Octopus Point, and other hot spots off the
peninsula’s coast are all accessible from Sidney,
either as day charters or liveaboards.
Kayakers will find the sheltered waters, secluded
coves, islands, and nearby marine parks ideal for
exploring.
Take a guided multi-day expedition to
Sidney is popular with the Northwest boating fraternity,
with boaters from California, Oregon, Washington
and Vancouver choosing Port Sidney as the best
destination marina on the west coast!
Take the little ferry to Sidney Spit Marine Park and spend the day beachcombing –
no stores or restaurants here, so pack a picnic lunch!
CHERYL C YOUNG, REALTOR
SAANICH PENINSULA REALTY
SIDNEY BC.
www.cherylyoung.ca for a slide presentation of Sidney
www.facebook.com/cherylcyoung
www.twitter.com/CherylCYoung
cbythesea@shaw.ca
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