The
town of Sidney, BC, on Vancouver Island, was developed as a farming
settlement when the Hudson's Bay Company offered 100 acre parcels
of land for a dollar an acre in 1858. In 1891, the Brethour family
donated 202 ha (500 acres) to be registered as the official Town.
Today, Sidney offers the charm and character of a seaside town
complete with a wonderful variety of shops, museums and interesting
outdoor activities.
Water
activities are particularly popular, with visitors trying crabbing,
shrimping and scuba-diving.
Another
popular pastime is to go "island hopping" on the BC
Ferries to the Gulf Islands
or take a Washington State Ferry to cruise the San Juan Islands
in US waters.
Nearby
Sidney Spit Marine Park offers hiking trails along the beach,
camping, picnicking and boat launch facilities.
Whether it is exploring Sidney's past at the Historical Artifacts
Society site, browsing through the shops in town or taking advantage
of the recreational opportunities the surrounding area provides,
Sydney has something to appeal to every visitor.
Accommodation/Adventure
Providers
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City
Information
Population:
10,082.
Elevation:
13 metres (43 ft.)
Access:
Sidney is 25 km (16 mi.) north of Victoria,
on Vancouver Island, on Highway 17. It is the terminus of the
Washington State Anacortes and San Juan Islands Ferry. The airport
is 3 km (2 mi.) east of Sidney. The area is also serviced by local
and national bus lines
Local
Attractions: Aviation Museum, Butchart Gardens, Mineral World,
Experimental Farm and Research Station, Institute of Ocean Sciences,
Sidney Marine Mammal and Historical Museum, Victoria Butterfly
Gardens, Sidney Spit Marine Park, Historical Artifacts Society
site in Central Saanich. July - Sidney Days August - Gigantic Picnic September - Jazz Festival
Accommodations:
Visitors to the Sidney area will enjoy a variety of tourist
services and lodging. Accommodations range from hotels and motels,
many of them directly on the ocean side, to nearby campsites at
McDonald Provincial Park.
