Overview
The Saanich Peninsula is the stretch of land north of Victoria, made up of three municipalities: Sidney, North Saanich and Central Saanich. It has a slower, small-town feel, with farmland, beaches and marinas, but you are still about half an hour from downtown.
It’s also the gateway to everywhere else. Victoria International Airport is in North Saanich, and the Swartz Bay ferry terminal is at the northern tip, so trips to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands are easy.
Areas on the Peninsula
Sidney. A walkable seaside town with shops, restaurants and a waterfront walkway along Beacon Avenue and the harbour. Popular with downsizers who want everything close by.
North Saanich. Larger lots, acreages and waterfront homes, with areas like Deep Cove, Dean Park and Ardmore. Quiet and rural, but close to Sidney and the airport.
Central Saanich. Brentwood Bay on the Saanich Inlet, Saanichton and Keating. A mix of family neighbourhoods and working farmland.
Homes
Sidney has a good choice of condos and townhomes, many within walking distance of the water. North Saanich is mostly single family homes on larger lots, plus acreages and waterfront properties. Central Saanich has family homes in Brentwood Bay and Saanichton, and farm properties in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
Schools
The Peninsula is part of School District 63 (Saanich). Schools include Sidney, Deep Cove, ḰELSET, Brentwood and Keating elementary schools, North Saanich Middle and Bayside Middle, and two secondary schools: Parkland in North Saanich and Stelly’s in Central Saanich. Parkland offers the International Baccalaureate program. Always confirm catchment with the district for a specific address.
Parks and outdoors
Island View Beach in Central Saanich is a favourite for long walks and sunsets. John Dean Provincial Park in North Saanich has forest trails and views over the Peninsula. The Lochside Trail runs all the way from Swartz Bay to Victoria, and Brentwood Bay and Deep Cove are great for paddling.
Local favourites
A few of the places that make the Peninsula feel like home:
- The Sidney waterfront: a walk along the water, then coffee and a browse on Beacon Avenue.
- The Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea: Sidney’s aquarium, all about the local sea life.
- The Butchart Gardens: world famous, and right in Brentwood Bay.
- The Saanich Fair: a Labour Day weekend tradition at the Saanichton fairgrounds.
- Sidney Spit: a summer passenger ferry from Sidney takes you to its long sandy beaches.
Who the Peninsula suits
The Peninsula is a great fit if you want a quieter, small-town pace with the ocean and farm stands close by. It suits downsizers who want walkable Sidney, families who want space in Central or North Saanich, and anyone who travels often and likes being minutes from the airport and the ferry.
Saanich Peninsula FAQ
Is the Saanich Peninsula the same as Saanich?
No. Saanich is its own municipality closer to the city. The Peninsula is the three municipalities to the north: Sidney, North Saanich and Central Saanich.
How long is the drive to downtown Victoria?
About 30 minutes from Sidney outside rush hour, and less from Brentwood Bay or Saanichton.
How close is the ferry?
The Swartz Bay ferry terminal is about 10 minutes from Sidney, which makes trips to Vancouver and the Gulf Islands easy.