Must-Do Summer Activities on the Saanich PeninsulaMust-Do Summer Activities on the Saanich Peninsula The Saanich Peninsula boasts an abundance of marine life, stunning views, and thrilling adventures. To make the most of your summer, consider these top activities: 1. Visit the Iconic Sidney Street Market This vibrant market showcases local growers, artists, and artisans. Enjoy live entertainment, dine at one of the many restaurants, and browse unique goods, all while supporting the community. 2. Spectacular Summer Evenings at Butchart Gardens Witness breathtaking fireworks displays every Saturday evening in July and August at Butchart Gardens. Immerse yourself in aerial and ground performances choreographed to music, creating a magical and unforgettable experience. 3. Picnic with a View Indulge in a picnic with a stunning backdrop at Pickles’ Bluff lookout in John Dean Provincial Park, Island View Beach, Glass Beach in Sidney, or Sidney Spit Marine Park. Pack a charcuterie or takeout from local eateries in Brentwood or Sidney. 4. Go Paddle Boarding or Kayaking Explore the ocean’s beauty from a different perspective. Blue Dog Kayaking and Blue Jellyfish SUP offer guided tours and lessons, allowing you to glide through the water and discover the peninsula’s coastal wonders. 5. Cheers to a Beer Trail Embark on a craft beer adventure through the peninsula’s exceptional breweries. Category 12 delights with its science fiction theme, Small Gods Brewing enchants bibliophiles, and Beacon Brewing fosters a convivial atmosphere with its fun events. Whether you seek culinary experiences, breathtaking views, or outdoor adventures, the Saanich Peninsula promises an unforgettable summer filled with endless possibilities.
The Saanich Peninsula is full of marine life, beautiful views, festivities and opportunities for adventure. Here’s a list of several summer must-dos to help you experience it all. For more ideas, check out 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 makers. The market’s evening hours (5:30pm to 8:30pm on Thursday nights, June through September) make it a great after-work or hangout destination with shopping, live entertainment and plenty of dining options.
Fireworks at Butchart Gardens. . Courtesy of Butchart Gardens
Spectacular summer
On Saturday evenings in July and August, bring a blanket or lawn chair to Butchart Gardens to enjoy a world-class fireworks display included in the price of admission. In addition to the fireworks, there are original aerial and ground displays choreographed to music and designed by Jennie Butchart’s great-grandson Christopher Ross. (Please note: fireworks are subject to environmental conditions based on consultation with the Central Saanich Fire Department.) Visit butchartgardens.com/summer/.
A group of friends picnic at Glass Beach in Sidney. . Rachael Alexandra, courtesy of Sidney BIA
Picnic with a view
Hike the 0.6 km loop through old-growth forests in John Dean Provincial Park (North Saanich) to reach the spectacular Pickles’ Bluff lookout. Or try Island View Beach, with its picnic areas and expansive beach. In Sidney, there’s Glass Beach or, if you don’t mind taking the Sidney Spit Ferry, you can visit the famous sandbar at Sidney Spit Marine Park.
Where to get your picnic? Some suggestions in Brentwood: Order a charcuterie from The Local Picnic or grab takeout from Brentwood Bay Village Empourium. Suggestions in Sydney: Get meat and cheese from The Farmer’s Daughter or a grocer, sandwiches from a local shop or fish and chips.
Paddleboarding. . Thanks to Blue Jellyfish SUP Adventures
Go paddle boarding or kayaking
Discover the beautiful ocean from the vantage point of the water. Blue Dog Kayaking (bluedogkayaking.com), a paddling center in Port Sidney Marina, offers guided tours and training for kayakers and paddleboarders (SUP) plus guided kayak trips. Blue Jellyfish SUP (bluejellyfishsup.ca), located on Fifth Street in Sidney, offers training, social Friday night paddles, tours and multi-day adventures (including a camping retreat in the Gulf Islands).
Brewing Little Gods. Samantha Duerksen/Black Press Media
Cheers to a beer trail
The Peninsula is home to some of the best craft breweries, each one unique. Category 12 is a playful ode to science fiction, thanks to owner Michael Kuzyk, who has a PhD in microbiology and biochemistry. For literary lovers who love books, Small Gods Brewing offers the perfect atmosphere. This literary-themed brewery features beers named after novels and offers a storytelling series, writers’ group, book club, and more. Beacon Brewing is a place for friends to gather, with lots of fun activities like trivia nights, music bingo, vinyl night, comedy nights, and live music.
Grab some friends and take the BC Ale Trail, or this brewery-to-brewery bike trail: bcaletrail.ca/cycling-between-three-breweries-on-the-saanich-peninsula.
