Welcome to Saanich West
Quite possibly the most unique and desirable trait about Saanich West can be found in its northernmost section. That is where you’ll discover West Saanich’s lush and sprawling country landscape.
Overview
Representing the west central portion of the municipality of Saanich, Saanich West is comprised of seventeen neighbourhoods, from rural and lakeside suburbs, to homes situated within a short distance to shopping centres and more urban amenities. These 17 neighbourhoods include: Saanich West, Prospect Lake, Elk Lake, Beaver Lake, Granville, Interurban, Layritz, Royal Oak, Northridge, Strawberry Vale, Portage Inlet, Marigold, Glanford, Gorge, Tillicum, Gateway, and Rudd Park.
Saanich West
Quite possibly the most unique and desirable trait about Saanich West can be found in its northernmost section. That is where you’ll discover West Saanich’s lush and sprawling country landscape. This means, you can choose a home in the country and still be within a short 20 to 30 minutes drive from downtown.
The central and southernmost sections of Saanich West feature suburbs that are conveniently located close to lakes, the Gorge Waterway, and parks, as well as retail districts, schools, and public transit routes.
With over 170 parks, beaches, and trails--many of which within the Saanich West area--Saanich as whole has the most parks, beaches and trails per capita than any other municipality in all of British Columbia. Not only does this make any part of Saanich a desirable place to live for outdoor enthusiasts and nature-lovers, but West Saanich goes a step beyond in also offering a unique, island-country homestead that’s as peaceful and perfect as it sounds.
Lifestyle
Rural Suburban Hybrid
25% COUNTRY + 20% CITY + 55% ISLAND LIFE
| Many suburban areas of West Saanich are surrounded by green space, farm land and/or forestry. Rural landscapes, homes on land, and low densification provide residents with plenty of breathing space, tranquility, and privacy. |
Avid gardener? Participate to one of Saanich’s community gardens. A bit of country, a bit of city, and a lot of West Coast island life while still living conveniently close to Downtown Victoria and other areas of the Capital Region. |
From refurbished farm houses on acreage, to suburban family homes, modern condo buildings, and everything in between. Plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails within a few minutes from your new home. |
Walkability and Bikeability
Saanich West has a Walkscore of 80, (very walkable and most errands can be accomplished on foot), but this ultimately depends on whereabouts in Saanich West your new home is located. Many new condos and townhouses for sale in Saanich West are positioned near shopping, public transit routes, and other amenities. More rural, suburban areas of Saanich West, typically require a reliance on public transit unless you have your own vehicle. You can bike to Sidney or Downtown Victoria via the Lochside and Galloping Goose Trails. |
Pet-Friendly
Many Saanich residents have pets--even backyard chickens or livestock! And most of Saanich West’s parks and trails welcome horses and leashed-dogs. That said, because Saanich parks are home to delicate wildlife habitats, at this time, they do not offer any official areas for dogs to play off-leash. More information on Saanich Park’s bylaws regarding dogs can be found here. |
Family-Friendly
The lower-density of Saanich West results in areas with quieter neighbourhoods and ample outdoor recreation. These elements, complemented by proximity to schools, parks, and key retail districts, make Saanich West neighbourhoods particularly appealing to families of all sizes. |
Senior-Friendly
The variety of lifestyles Saanich West accommodates, from homebuyers seeking a rural oasis, to those wanting a home that’s steps away from shops and recreation, makes Saanich West a popular area for independent seniors. |
KEY LANDMARKS & AMENITIES
PARKS & OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS
Located in a rural portion of the Saanich West neighbourhood, this 2.41-hectare park features a popular lake for swimming, boating, and fishing for rainbow trout, and includes a large soccer field and outdoor tennis courts.
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Located in the Tillicum neighbourhood of Saanich West, behind Pearkes Recreation Centre, this park is popular for bird watching, strolling, and dog-walking. Two foot-bridges cross over the Colquitz River that runs through the park. In September through December, the river's Fish Counting Fence (next to the Tillicum Shopping Centre parking lot) is a great spot for viewing salmon, trout, and herring as they make their quest upriver to spawn. The area is rich with West Coast wildlife including owls, hawks, nesting herons, otters and more.
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Located in the Gorge neighbourhood of Saanich West. The Gorge Waterway is a narrow, 7-kilometre salt water channel, and Gorge Waterway Park stretches along 1.7-kilometres of it, including a paved-walkway along the Gorge with spots to sit, green space to enjoy, a children's playground, and a kayak and boat launch. The Gorge walkway is a popular spot for strolling and dog walking. And the calm waters of the Gorge Waterway are ideal for kayaking, canoeing, and stand up paddle boarding.
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Located in the Saanich West neighbourhood. The Centre of the Universe represents the works of The Friends of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory, an organization comprised of staff and volunteers that hosts ongoing events, tours, and educational programs at the century-old, well-preserved Observatory. Their mission is to promote scientific literacy and appreciation for astronomy. They offer several fun, free, and informative programs and events for families and children, such as their seasonal, Saturday night “Star Parties,” which you can learn more about
here. A short, 20 minute hike to the top of Observatory Hill (on Little Saanich Mountain) offers exceptional views.
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Located at the northernmost tip of Saanich West, in the Elk Lake neighbourhood, this 49-hectare, hilltop park connects to Elk Lake and Beaver Lake Regional Park and is a popular hiking spot amongst outdoor enthusiasts and novice hikers. It has a relatively easy, well-marked trail, and according to
hikeinvictoria.com, a round trip hike of Bear Hill covers 1.9-kilometres and takes between 1-2 hours to complete, and between 20 - 30 minutes to summit its 146-metre elevation. Dogs and horseback riders are welcome on the trail.
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Located at the northeastern end of Saanich West, Elk Lake and Beaver Lake are two connected portions of the same freshwater lake that's popular for swimming, rowing, water-skiing, boating, stand up paddle boarding, fishing, and windsurfing. Elk Lake's Hamsterly Beach and Beaver Lake's Eagle Beach both feature children's playgrounds, public washrooms, and onsite parking. And Beaver Lake's Eagle Beach offers a sheltered area for large picnics. The 442.77-hectares of surrounding park boasts a 10-kilometre long walking and running trail that loops around both lakes, as well as other marked, multi-use trails for cycling, hiking, and horseback riding. Leashed-dogs are welcome on the trail and Beaver Lake features areas for retriever training as well as an Equestrian Centre.
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