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Town of Sidney
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Town of Sidney
By Glenn Kohaly
Welcome to the seaside Town of Sidney where people still smile and say “hello” to passersby and where a sense of community is still paramount. This vibrant, coastal community embraces its small-town charm and character while enjoying world-class amenities such as an ocean-front resort hotel, fine dining, diverse arts, culture and entertainment and some of the best outdoor recreation on the Island.
Sidney’s moderate, Mediterranean-type climate of year-round mild temperatures and low rainfall make it a great destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Try your hand at crabbing, shrimping, kayaking, bird watching, hiking and scuba-diving. Set amidst the natural, unspoiled beauty of the Saanich Peninsula, Sidney is the gateway to the BC Gulf Islands National Park and the US San Juan Islands, lending itself to great days of island hopping and exploring. The waters off Sidney are home to three Southern resident pods of Orca Whales, Dahl porpoises, sea lions and seals. Sidney has the greatest concentration of marinas on Vancouver Island and is home to many of the coast’s finest marine repair, building yards and chandleries.
The Town of Sidney is a transportation hub and gateway to the Island. It is a short 20 km north of the Provincial Capital of Victoria and home to the Anacortes-Sidney Ferry Terminal to the San Juan Islands. The Victoria International Airport and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal to Vancouver and the lower mainland are only minutes away.
At the heart of Sidney is Beacon Avenue and the downtown core that provides an exciting shopping experience. Stroll along streets lined with boutiques, specialty shops, galleries, new and used book stores, coffee shops, pubs, bistros and fabulous restaurants.
A “must do” is the inspiring Sidney Seaside Sculpture Walk which begins in Beacon Park and extends along the 3.6 km picturesque, seaside promenade. The promenade passes the popular Sidney Fishing Pier and glass beach where you can find bits of smooth, colored glass, polished by years of ocean currents. The Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre offers visitors an “up-close and personal” look at the underwater life of the Salish Sea while every Thursday evening during the summer the Sidney Summer Market turns downtown Beacon Avenue into a festive fair; filled with fresh produce, music, food and handmade wares.
No matter what the time or season, Sidney is a place to come and relax, rejuvenate and enjoy Island life at its best.
Events:
July 1 Sidney Days