Victoria BC Tourism

Lesson 5: Parks & Beaches

North Saanich

McDonald Provincial Park
McDonald Park Rd
Just a short distance from the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, this wooded park offers camping and picnic facilities. Though, there is little or no recreation facilities, this park is popular for campers who arrive on the late ferry or want to catch the first ferry in the morning. This park is near to the town of Sidney where there are many attractions to offer.

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Horth Hill Regional Park
Wain Road to Tatlow Road
This 29-hectare park is located on a hilltop west of the Swartz Bay Ferry terminal. The climb to the top of the hill is slightly strenuous and there are several scenic lookout points along the way. The breathtaking views include the Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands and the Saanich Peninsula. Picnic facilities are available at the base of the hill.

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Coles Bay Regional Park
Inverness Rd, off Armore Drive
On the western coast of Saanich Peninsula, this small park has a dense forest of fir, cedar and deciduous trees. This is a great place for a picnic and walking the trails. The beach is muddy but at low tide, there is an abundance of marine life in the tidal pools. Be sure to wear beach shoes due to the barnacles on the rocks. One of better times to see this beach is in the fall when the seals come close to the creek looking for salmon.

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John Dean Provincial Park
Dean Park Rd (2 km east of East Saanich Rd.)
Named after John Dean who donated the land in the early 1920s, this park includes Mount Newton. There are many trails through old growth forest and along the south and east face of Mount Newton. The view is fantastic from the summit and it is believed that it is the best place in British Columbia for viewing the sunset. There is no overnight camping, but there are picnic facilities.

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We are now at the northernmost point of the Saanich Peninsula. Set our starting point at Victoria again, then head westward.

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