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Bounded on three sides by the ocean, North Saanich covers the northern tip of the Saanich Peninsula. This pastoral municipality boasts 40kms of coastline encircling lovely rolling hills of agriculturally rich farmland, and is reputed one of the best rural residential areas in Canada. The municipality was first incorporated in 1905, and at the time included the townsite of Sidney, but a lack of population and tax base led to the dissolution of the fledgling municipality in 1911. In 1940 an air base was established on the site that now is home to the Victoria International Airport and the resulting influx of people stationed here led to the incorporation of the Town of Sidney in 1952. After the war many stayed and settled in the area and in 1956 the 2,865 residents of the North Saanich unorganized area requested that letters patent be issued to form the "North Saanich Fire Prevention District" with power to own property, to tax and to borrow. North Saanich as it exists today was eventually incorporated in 1965. Population at this time runs about 11,500. Fertile farmlands and a mild climate meant North Saanich developed as an agriculturally based district much as it continues today, with pockets of country residential homes and more than a few spectacular waterfront or waterview properties. Small farms with roadside produce and flower stands abound, and residents enjoy a bucolic lifestyle; quiet country living close to the quaint seaside town of Sidney, and a short drive south on the Pat Bay Highway to Victoria. Housing in North Saanich consists mostly of single family homes on larger lots, small acreages, hobby farms, and commercial farms. Neighborhoods include: • Airport; • Ardmore; • Bazan Bay; • Coles Bay; • Curteis Point; • Dean Park; • Deep Cove; • Landsend; • McDonald Park; • Sandown, and • Swartz Bay Policing for North Saanich is provided by the RCMP, and fire protection by the North Saanich Fire Department, composed of both career and volunteer firefighters. Some neighborhoods have municipal water and sewer services provided, but others rely on wells and septic tanks and fields. Garbage collection is via private contracter, but the Capital Regional District (CRD) offers a blue box recycling service, see their website for details. Sidney serves as the main business centre for North Saanich residents as the municipality has adopted a policy of supporting commercial uses compatible with the rural character of the community, such as: • Highway oriented uses adjacent to the Pat Bay Highway; • Hospitality services like restaurants, pubs and guest houses; • Agri-tourism; • Neighborhood commercial services; • Expansion of recreation uses particularly golf courses and the land-based uses associated with marinas, and • Home-based business activities. There are several institutional based industries located in North Saanich including the Centre for Plant Health, the Marine Technology Centre and the Institute of Ocean Sciences. As well, Greater Victoria’s two main transportation providers are located in North Saanich; the Victoria International Airport and the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. What North Saanich may lack in business-related amenities it more than makes up for opportunites for recreation, often outdoors. Of course when you’re just about surrounded by ocean, boating, fishing and beachcombing are de rigeur, and North Saanich boasts the largest concentration of marinas on Vancouver Island. If you like golf, there more choices that you can shake a stick (club?) at within a short distance, and with the mild climate you can hit the links throughout the year! There are parks and trail systems galore, including: John Dean Provincial Park – Straddling the border of North and Central Saanich on Mt. Newton is the first donated provincial park in British Columbia. In 1921 John Dean donated a 32.4 hectare property and subsequent donations have increased the park to its present 155 hectares. The trail names commemorate the generosity of those those who donated land. Legend has it that Lau Welnew, as the First Nations people call Mt. Newton, was the high point of land that allowed them to survive the great flood. The ancestors of todays Saanich people were able to anchor their canoe here using a giant cedar rope until floodwaters receded. The five main trails in the park provide hikes of varying degrees of difficulty within a forest of rare old growth Fir, Cedar, Garry Oak and Arbutus. There is a lily pond near the picnic area, and wildflowers including blue camas lily, red indian paintbrush and white fawn lilies can be found in spring or early summer. Horth Hill Regional Park – Located on the northern end of the Peninsula is a geological feature called a monadnock, containing some of the oldest rock on Vancouver Island. You can see grooves and polished surfaces left by retreating glaciers some 15,000 years ago! It’s a vigorous hike to the summit, but you can stop and enjoy many panoramic views of the Saanich Peninsula, Gulf Islands and San Juan Islands along the way. Coles Bay Regional Park – A small park (3.6 hectares) on the western shore of the Saanich Peninsula, featuring a mixed forest with woodland trails leading to a tranquil bay and barnacle encrusted beach. This sheltered site was a historic wintering home for the Saanich people. The Lochside Regional Trail – 29 kilometres of multi-use trail that stretches from Swartz Bay to Victoria. Popular with walkers, runners, bicyclers and horseback riders, it passes through farmland and wetlands, past beaches and beside suburban backyards. The trail surface is mostly flat, wide and gravel or paved. For more information about parks, trails and beach accesses in North Saanich visit the District of North Saanich website. North Saanich deserves its reputation as one of the best rural residential municipalities in Canada. The temperate climate, plethora of oceanfront and pastoral country properties and proximity to both small town atmosphere (Sidney) and big city amenities (Victoria) conspire to bestow on residents of North Saanich an enviable lifestyle. Geoff McLean is a realtor in Victoria BC who approaches his real estate vocation with honesty, integrity and straightforwardness. Geoff is also the primary author of a blog about his home city. Living in Victoria is a valuable source of information about the Greater Victoria area for those who are interested in moving to this beautiful city.
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