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8 of the Best Things to do in Sidney BC
The seaside town of Sidney BC, located just five minutes down the road from the Schwartz Bay Terminal on Vancouver Island, offers a surprising number of things to do. Judging by the stream of ferry traffic on the highway, most people give Sidney a pass and head straight for Victoria. But the town is worth a stop, especially in the summer.
My mother lived in Sidney BC for many years so I was a frequent visitor. Over the 10 year period I lived in Vancouver, I loved to drive over and spend the day with her checking out all the local nurseries in spring. On many occasions I brought my bike and did some terrific biking on the Lochside Trail and the back roads on the Saanich Peninsula. And wine tasting – though not of the calibre of the Okanagan, was and still is a fun thing to do.
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Here are 8 of the best things to do in and around Sidney BC
Walk the pretty main street in Sidney
The pretty main street in Sidney is ideal for walking. Park your car and walk from one end all the way down to the ocean and back again. Stop in one of the many bookstores (my Discover Canada book is for sale in Tanners) where you could easily lose yourself for an entire day.
Did you know that there are more bookstores per capita in Sidney than anywhere else in Canada? There are galleries to browse, chocolate stores to try as well as loads of locally owned retail shops to check out including the fantastic Muffet and Louisa, a great kitchen and bath kind of store.
Eat in some of the Sidney BC Restaurants
When you’re hungry, you’ll find numerous cafes and restaurants in town. Two I really like include Sabhai Thai and Haro’s Restaurant and Bar, located in the hotel by the water. And Beacon Landing Restaurant and Lounge offers good value.
Visit the local Fish Market on the pier
Don’t miss a stop at the Fish Market to see what the local catch is for the day. A restaurant on the pier – the Sidney Pier Bistro – is the perfect place to enjoy the views across the Georgia Strait. The seagulls will keep you entertained as well.
Rent a kayak and explore the nearby islands right from the wharf in Sidney.
Kayak for a day or a week. One of my favourite kayaking trips of all time included a few nights out on Rum Island overlooking Washington’s San Juan Islands. Just watch out for boat traffic, especially the Anacortes Ferry. In Sidney you can also sign up for a kayaking tour with A Paddle in the Park Kayaking.
Many people take the seasonal ferry over to Sidney Spit ($19 round trip) but you can easily kayak over and then spend many happy hours exploring. Sidney Spit is in the Gulf Islands National Park Reserve of Canada.
Walk for kilometres along the shoreline in Sidney.
Not only is it a pretty walk, but the bird life can be excellent. And don’t forget to check out Beacon Park for its sculptural pieces.
Visit the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre
The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre located in the Sidney Pier building, just up from the water. It’s an aquarium and marine education centre with a focus on the Salish Sea – an area between Vancouver and Washington State. It’s open daily at 10 AM – and there is a charge for admission.
Go whale watching out of Sidney
Go out with Sidney whale watching where the odds are high that you’ll see orca, grey, humpback, minke and occasionally fin whales. Dolphins and porpoises are also regularly sighted as are seals and sea lions.
Hop on the Lochside Trail and go for for a bike ride.
Sidney is located on the Lochside Trail, a 29 kilometre bike path that travels from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal to Victoria where it connects with the Galloping Goose Trail.
Rent bikes in Sidney and head off through farm country. There are some places where you must share the road with cars. (You can download my free guide to biking Victoria and the Gulf Islands.)
Visit the Butchart Gardens
Visit the Butchart Gardens at any time of the year to get inspired. Gardens are impeccably kept and change with the seasons. Enjoy high tea or a meal but it’s best to reserve ahead. They gardens are just an 18 minute drive from Sidney.
Where to stay in Sidney BC
If you’re looking to book a stay in Sidney I’d recommend these spots.
Sidney Pier Hotel and Spa Great location, excellent food at the onsite restaurant; have personally stayed here three times and love it.
Corbett Guest Suites – offers free bike and kayak rentals along with a very convenient location.
Travelodge by Wyndham Victoria Airport – A Booking.com bestseller.
Further reading about things to do on Vancouver Island
- 25 Things to Do on Vancouver Island
- Why You Should Visit Botanical Beach on Vancouver Island
- Biking the Galloping Goose Trail to Sooke
- Hiking in Victoria BC – A Couple of the Must Do Trails
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I always like your pictures! That ferry and that sunset, beautiful. I always like posts like these where the beauty of a lesser-known place is shown. I have never been to that part of the world unfortunately, but would love to for sure!
Looks like an amazing place for kayaking and hiking. The sunsets look superb. Definitely have shown there is more to Sidney than the opera house.
@Ted Wrong Sidney. Sidney, BC though is home to some a lovely local movie theater.
What a discovery! I love the sunset photos, and ideas for exploration off the beaten path. Am hoping to be in the region this summer, so will tuck away your restaurant recommendations for future reference.
@Anita You won’t be disappointed in the least – pleasantly surprised perhaps.
Hi Leigh,
What a gorgeous place to spend a few days or weeks! Your photos are inspiring, too. You are right — visitors should carve out time to spend in Sydney. So much to do and enjoy.
Josie
@Josie Thanks for stopping by my blog. There is definitely enough to keep you busy for several days in Sidney and the rural area with wineries, nurseries…if you were so inclined.
It’s easy to see that you love Sidney and I have a feeling we’d love it too! We really need to move Canada higher up on our travel priority list – you keep showing us so many lovely and fun areas to visit!
@Anita I keep hoping the Canadian Tourism Commission comes along with a dream job offer. That won’t happen but I”m always happy to show people all the great places I’ve enjoyed visiting in Canada.
Absolutely breathtaking photographs! The views look magical. Thanks for sharing.
@Lauren And thanks for stopping by.
Great reminder how lovely Sidney is. We were guests on a boat a few years ago and stayed a night at the Sidney Pier before heading out to explore the San Juan Islands. There was a fun local market that day, and great seafood at a restaurant near the Pier. I would love to try kayaking there.
@Shelley The kayaking to Sidney Spit for the day is definitely worthwhile but I think a longer, overnight trip to some of the other islands is even more worthwhile.
We really need to visit Sidney. I can’t believe we lived in Vancouver for 5 years and have never been.
@Nat Seriously – you never checked the place out. You’re definitely due for a visit.
What amazing photos. Sidney looks nearly as lovely as Sydney. Ok, I am biased but it does look stunning 🙂
@Paula Thank you.
Those photos! Such beautiful colours in the sunsets. I´ve travelled to many US States but never made it to Canada. This certainly is going on my travel to do list. thanks for the tips!
@Molly Add most of BC to your travel list as there is so much to do.
I would really enjoy walking here, given such beautiful views along the harbor!
@Aleah It’s a glorious place in good weather.
Looks very pretty. At first, I though it was about Sidney on the other side of Canada – in Nova Scotia… or perhaps that’s Sydney. Anyway, I’d like to see both the Sidneys 🙂
@Sophie Easy to get confused. This Sidney is on the Pacific Ocean side – only 30 minutes from Victoria.
Thanks for this, we’re heading through BC next month – OMG I hope we see one of those spectacular sunsets! Will add Sidney to our list 🙂
@Meg It was actually a sunrise I caught – a rare occurrence but such beauty in this part of the world.
Yes, ports do suffer from people coming in on a ferry and then heading straight out. But to linger awhile is definitely a great option. Especially, so it seems, in Sidney.
@Matthew Even more so if you get out in a kayak and explore nearby Sidney Spit.
Wonderful pictures Leigh! I saw some of BC when I lived in Canada for a winter season in 2009, but never made it to the coast (the snowy mountains kept me firmly inland!). Next time – and there will be a next time – I’ll have to remember to add this one to my itinerary 😉
Be sure to check out the Deep Cove Market up West Saanich Road from Sidney. It’s just past Patricia Bay. And stop at Pat Bay Pottery on the way! The whole area just sings!
… and when in Sidney, don’t forget the Aviation Museum !!
You didn’t mention one of the area’s best attractions: local farms selling fresh produce at the farm gate and numerous beach area and hiking areas in North Saanich which surrounds Sidney.
@Barbara You’re right and very good point. That is a great reason for visiting the Sidney area.