Saanich, Canada

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Saanich, Canada

Region: British Columbia

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Geographic Coordinates: 48.484000, -123.381000

Climate: Cold and wet in winter, mild and rainy in spring, warm and dry in summer, cool and rainy in fall.

Population: 114148

Language: English

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Saanich is a district municipality located on the southern tip of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. It covers an area of 103.8 square kilometers and is situated between Victoria and Sidney. The district has a population of over 114, 000 people and is home to several neighborhoods such as Cordova Bay, Cadboro Bay, Gordon Head, Broadmead and Royal Oak. Mount Douglas Park is one of the main attractions in Saanich which offers stunning views of Victoria and its surrounding areas.

The park spans over 450 acres with hiking trails leading to scenic viewpoints overlooking Haro Strait and Juan de Fuca Strait. Butchart Gardens is another popular destination in Saanich which attracts millions of visitors every year from all over the world. The gardens are home to a wide variety of plants including roses, Dahlias, Tulips that bloom throughout the year.

Saanich also boasts cultural institutions such as The Art Gallery at Cedar Hill showcasing local artists’ works through exhibitions throughout the year; Craigdarroch Castle built-in 1890 by Robert Dunsmuir who was one of Canada’s wealthiest citizens during his time; The Royal BC Museum housing artifacts related to British Columbia’s history including First Nations cultures.

For those interested in sports or outdoor activities there are plenty options available including golf courses like Cordova Bay Golf Course or Olympic View Golf Club; beaches such as Cadboro Bay Beach or Gyro Park Beach where you can go swimming or kayaking; parks like Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park where you can go hiking or biking along its many trails. In terms of education Saanich is home to several schools including the University of Victoria which offers undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields.

Overall, Saanich is a wonderful place to live or visit with its natural beauty, Cultural institutions recreational opportunities and excellent educational facilities making it an attractive location for many people.

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1. Butchart Gardens: A world-renowned garden with over 900 varieties of plants, flowers, and trees.
2. Mount Douglas Park: A beautiful park with hiking trails and scenic views of the city.
3. Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park: A popular destination for swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking.
4. Victoria Butterfly Gardens: An indoor tropical rainforest with hundreds of free-flying butterflies.
5. Dominion Astrophysical Observatory: A historic observatory that offers tours and stargazing events.
6. Saanich Commonwealth Place: An aquatic center with pools, water slides, and fitness facilities.
7. Craigdarroch Castle: A Victorian-era mansion that has been turned into a museum showcasing local history.
8. Cordova Bay Golf Course: One of the top golf courses in British Columbia with stunning ocean views.
9. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary: A nature reserve with walking trails and wildlife viewing opportunities.
10. Royal BC Museum in Victoria : The museum showcases natural history exhibits about British Columbia’s diverse ecosystems from the Ice Age to modern times

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1. Saanich, Canada boasts a diverse range of industries and businesses.
2. The area is home to numerous technology companies, including software development firms and hardware manufacturers.
3. The healthcare industry is also well-represented in Saanich, with hospitals, clinics, and medical research facilities scattered throughout the region.
4. Education is another thriving sector in Saanich, with several universities and colleges within its borders alongside public and private schools.
5. Tourists from around the world flock to Saanich for its beautiful parks and natural attractions making tourism an important industry.
6. The fertile soil in Saanich makes it an ideal location for agriculture-based businesses such as farms and nurseries.
7. Retail stores offering everything from clothing to electronics to groceries are plentiful throughout the area.
8. The construction industry is also thriving due to ongoing development projects across the region.
9. Several manufacturing companies operate in Saanich producing everything from food products to electronics components.

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1. The Saanich Treaty of 1852 established a respectful and cooperative relationship between the First Nations people of the Saanich Peninsula and the British Crown.
2. Victoria was declared the capital city of British Columbia in 1868, bringing significant growth and development to Saanich.
3. Craigflower Manor, a historic building constructed in 1856 by James Douglas, served as Governor of Vancouver Island and British Columbia.
4. Emily Carr, one of Canada’s most famous artists, drew inspiration from Saanich’s natural beauty during her time living there.
5. Mount Douglas Park is named after Sir James Douglas’ father-in-law John Dougalas and is a popular park within Saanich.
6. The University of Victoria was founded in 1963 on traditional Lekwungen territory within Saanich.
7. The Tsawout First Nation has a rich cultural history dating back thousands of years as one of several First Nations communities within Saanich.
8. Francis Rattenbury designed many iconic buildings throughout Canada including BC’s Parliament Buildings located in Victoria BC.
9. Butchart Gardens started by Jennie Butchart has become one of Canada’s national treasures as a world-renowned garden attraction.
10. Sidney Spit Marine Park located on Sidney Island near Swartz Bay ferry terminal provides sandy beaches, hiking trails & wildlife viewing opportunities making it a popular boating destination.

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1. The Royal BC Museum showcases the rich history and culture of British Columbia, featuring exhibits on Indigenous peoples, natural history, and modern life.
2. Craigdarroch Castle is a National Historic Site of Canada that offers guided tours of its opulent Victorian-era interior.
3. The Sidney Museum is a community museum that features exhibits on local history, including displays on First Nations culture, industry, and transportation.
4. The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria houses over 20,000 works from around the world, including contemporary art as well as historical pieces.
5. Butchart Gardens are a popular tourist attraction featuring stunning floral displays and scenic walking paths.
6. Saanich Commonwealth Place is a recreational facility that offers visitors access to swimming pools, fitness classes, sports courts and fields to enjoy.
7. Mount Douglas Park is a popular hiking destination with scenic views overlooking Victoria’s coastline.
8. Fort Rodd Hill National Historic Site was once a coastal artillery fort but has been turned into a national historic site that includes gun batteries for visitors to explore.
9. Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park is a large park with hiking trails around two lakes in Saanich for visitors to enjoy nature walks in the area.
10. Victoria Butterfly Gardens are an indoor tropical garden filled with butterflies from around the world – it’s an excellent place for visitors who love nature!

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1. Saanich Braves Hockey Club: The Saanich Braves Hockey Club is a junior ice hockey team that was founded in 1967. They play in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League and have won the league championship seven times.
2. Gorge Soccer Association: The Gorge Soccer Association is a non-profit organization that was established in 1953. It provides soccer programs for children and adults of all ages and skill levels.
3. Gordon Head Baseball Association: The Gordon Head Baseball Association is a community-based organization that offers baseball programs for youth aged 4-18 years old. It was founded in 1958.
4. Victoria Mariners Baseball Club: The Victoria Mariners Baseball Club is a competitive baseball club that was established in 1995. They offer programs for players aged 13-18 years old and have won numerous championships over the years.
5. Lambrick Park Secondary School Athletics: Lambrick Park Secondary School has a strong athletics program, offering sports such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, track and field, cross country running, tennis, golf, badminton, rugby and swimming to its students.
6. Mount Douglas Secondary School Football Team: Mount Douglas Secondary School has one of the most successful high school football programs in Canada with nine provincial championships since its inception in 1987.
7. UVic Vikes Athletics: The University of Victoria Vikes Athletics program offers varsity sports teams for both men’s and women’s basketball, cross-country running/track & field/cycling/mountain biking/rowing/soccer/rugby/swimming/volleyball/water polo/golf/hockey/field hockey/lacrosse (women only).

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1. Saanich Fair is an annual agricultural fair held in September. It features livestock shows, carnival rides, live music, and local food vendors.
2. First Nations Cultural Festival celebrates the culture and traditions of the local First Nations communities through dance performances, storytelling, and traditional crafts.
3. Strawberry Festival is held in June each year at Victoria Strawberry Farm. This festival features strawberry picking, live music, and a variety of strawberry-themed foods.
4. Gorge Canada Day Picnic is a popular community event held on July 1st each year at Gorge Park featuring live music performances by local artists along with food vendors.
5. Victoria Dragon Boat Festival is held annually in August at Elk Lake Park in Saanich. This festival features dragon boat races along with cultural performances and food vendors.
6. Sidney Street Market is a weekly outdoor market featuring local artisans selling handmade crafts & jewelry as well as fresh produce from local farms held every Thursday during summer months on Beacon Avenue in Sidney.
7. Oak Bay Tea Party is an annual community event held in June featuring carnival rides for children & adults alike along with a parade showcasing various floats decorated by locals businesses & organizations followed by fireworks display at nightfall.

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• Seafood – Saanich is located on Vancouver Island, which is known for its fresh seafood. Some popular seafood restaurants in Saanich include The Beach House Restaurant and The Blue Crab Seafood House.
• Sushi – There are many sushi restaurants in Saanich, including Sushi Field and Sen Zushi.
• Pub food – For casual dining and pub fare, try the Six Mile Pub or the Tudor House Neighborhood Pub.
• Indian cuisine – Spice Valley Indian Cuisine and Masala Bites serve authentic Indian dishes.
• Italian cuisine – Il Greco Restaurant offers traditional Italian dishes made with fresh ingredients.
• Breakfast/brunch – For a hearty breakfast or brunch, check out John’s Place or Shine Cafe.
• Craft breweries – Phillips Brewing Company is a must-visit for beer lovers with their extensive selection of craft beers on tap along with tours of their brewery facility available to visitors.
• Pizza – Pizzeria Prima Strada offers an authentic Neapolitan pizza experience while Romeo’s provides a wide range of pizza options to choose from.
• Vegan/Vegetarian- Green Cuisine Vegetarian Restaurant serves up delicious vegan & vegetarian options such as Vegan Mac n Cheese & Buddha Bowls
• Coffee shops – Caffe Fantastico serves up some of the best coffee in town along with baked goods while Origin Bakery specializes in gluten-free baked goods that are perfect for those that have dietary restrictions

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Parks and Recreation

1. Mount Douglas Park – offers hiking, picnicking, and bird watching opportunities.
2. Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park – perfect for swimming, fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding enthusiasts.
3. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary – ideal for nature walks and bird watching activities.
4. Cedar Hill Golf Course and Recreation Centre – provides golfing facilities along with tennis courts and fitness classes.
5. Gordon Head Recreation Centre – boasts a swimming pool and various fitness classes.
6. Saanich Commonwealth Place – features a swimming pool with waterslides and diving boards as well as gymnasiums for basketball and volleyball games.
7. Lochside Regional Trail – an excellent walking and cycling trail that runs through Saanich area.
8. Playfair Park- equipped with playgrounds and sports fields to cater to kids’ needs or people who enjoy sports activities.
9. Rithet’s Bog Conservation Area- offers walking trails to explore the natural beauty of the area.

Note: Due to COVID-19 regulations, some of these parks/facilities may have limited access or restrictions; it is recommended to check with the respective authorities before visiting them during this time period.

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Leave Footprints In The Sand.

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