SIDNEY
OVERVIEW
Sidney is a seaside town and suburban district located at the northern point of the Saanich Peninsula, just before Swartz Bay where ferry services to Vancouver and other nearby islands are located. Sidney is situated close enough to downtown Victoria via public transit or car, but far enough away from the downtown action to afford the serenity and safety that Sidney is known for.
Sidney Population: 11,672 (as of 2016, according to 2016 Census)
Condominium Benchmark Price: $489,200 (as of Dec 2018, according to MLS® Home Price Index)
Townhouse Benchmark Price:$585,800 (as of Dec 2018, according to MLS® Home Price Index)
Single Family Home Benchmark Price:$646,800 (as of Dec 2018, according to MLS® Home Price Index)
Sidney by the Sea
Due to its location, amenities, and ample moorage, Sidney was once a favourite district for seniors and yachters. While it’s still beloved by boaters and retirees, the ongoing development of the waterfront town of Sidney, including its year-round activities and rich outdoor recreation, have been attracting more snowbirds, young families and professionals. Residents of Sidney appreciate a more peaceful and laid back day-to-day island lifestyle while enjoying easy access to downtown Victoria, the airport and ferry terminal.
SIDNEY LOCATION
Lifestyle
West Coast Islander
15% CITY + 85% island Life
Have a boat or have your heart set on one? Sidney features several boat launches and moorage including the expansive and full-service Van Isle Marina.
Stroll the many boutique shops, cafes, and eateries lining Beacon Street, admire the moored watercraft while enjoying brunch at Sidney Marina, or take in the fresh West Coast ocean air with a leisurely stroll on Sidney Pier.
Avid gardener? Want a yard? Sidney features several ranch-style homes with sizeable yards and gardens.
Walkability and Bikeability
Sidney has a Walkscore of 64, deeming it somewhat walkable (some errands can be accomplished on foot), and Sidney’s dining & retail district, Beacon Avenue, has a Walkscore of 91, deeming it “a walker’s paradise” because all errands can easily be accomplished on foot.
If walkability is a top priority for you, consider one of the homes, townhouses or condos for sale along one of the streets surrounding Beacon Avenue.
Sidney also features several designated walking and biking trails, including the Lochside Trail which connects Sidney to Downtown Victoria.
Pet-Friendly
Many of Sidney’s parks and trails welcome dogs on-leash and several homes feature spacious and fenced yards. Peter Grant Park is Sidney’s only dog off-leash park that offers plenty of room for your fur-babies to run and play fetch.
Family-Friendly
Low-traffic neighbourhoods and cul de sacs, family homes with sizeable yards, proximity to schools, playgrounds, parks, amenities, and year-round community activities, make Sidney an ideal haven for raising your family.
It’s also worth mentioning that numerous public washrooms situated throughout the Town of Sidney make exploring the cafes, piers, and shops even more accommodating for families.
Senior-Friendly
Sidney’s safe and quiet streets, neighbourhoods, parks, beaches, and shopping district have made it one of the most preferred districts for seniors.
Key Landmarks & Amenities
Parks & Outdoor Attractions
Sidney features 28 public parks, green spaces, and beaches (including 17 with public access), as well as several designated cycling routes, playgrounds, walking trails, diving spots, kayak and boat launches, and piers. Following are a few of Sidney’s most notable parks and outdoor attractions:
Waterfront grassy area with paved walkway, benches, and a covered gazebo at the tip of Beacon Avenue, between Sidney Marina and Sidney Pier. Beacon Park is sometimes used to host community events and small concerts. Leashed-dogs are welcome. Find out more!
A 2.5-kilometre, flat and paved waterfront walkway featuring benches, picnic tables, lookout points, and breathtaking views of Mt. Baker and the San Juan Islands. Find out more!
One of Saanich Peninsula’s most beautiful parks, the waterfront Tulista Park features a large grassy area, a paved waterfront walkway that welcomes leashed dogs, a children’s playground and swings, public washrooms, picnic benches, a boat launch, skateboard park, volleyball court and more. Find out more!
A historical railway that’s been renovated into a 29-kilometer multi-surface walking and biking trail that starts at Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal and threads through the town of Sidney, past beaches, farmland, and suburban neighbourhoods and all the way to downtown Victoria. Find out more!
A 10-kilometre-long, designated biking/walking trail that connects the Town of Sidney with Victoria’s International Airport, complete with public washrooms and “hydration stations” at checkpoints along the trail. Find out more!
Cast your line or simply stroll the town of Sidney’s cherished fishing pier and enjoy a taste of seaside serenity from an ocean-facing bench or picnic table in the pier’s connected Eastview Park. Free onsite-parking. Leashed-dogs welcome. Find out more!
May through September, a short walk-on ferry ride will shuttle you to Sidney Spit: a large island/sandbar that features stretches of sandy beaches, campsites, picnic tables, a hiking trail, and mooring. Find out more!
Schools
Sidney is part of Greater Victoria School District No. 63 which includes 8 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 3 secondary schools that offer optional French Immersion and English as a Second Language (ESL) support. The following schools are located within the Sidney/Deep Cove area and include public schools as well as independent schools and programs:
Sidney Elementary: Public elementary school offering instruction to students from K to grade 5.
Sidney Preschool: Offering morning and afternoon preschool programs.
Acorntree Preschool: Offers 4-hour preschool programs that run on weekdays, from 9am - 1pm.
Parkland Secondary School: Public secondary school offering instruction to students from grade 9 - 12.
Sidney Community Music School: Offers private music instruction to children and young adults from age 3+.
North Saanich Middle School: Public middle school offering instruction to students from grade 6 - 8.
Discovery House Early Childhood Centre: Non-profit primary school offering instruction in English as well as optional French Immersion to children aged 3 - 5.
Kelset Elementary: Public elementary school offering instruction to students from K through grade 5.
Deep Cove Elementary: Public elementary school offering instruction to students from K through grade 5.
Peninsula Academy of Music Arts: Offers private music instruction in “all instruments, levels, and styles” to children, teens, and adults.
Victoria Flying Club: Private aviation instruction for adults that includes recreational, commercial, and career pilots training and licensing.
Quadra Marine Institute: Offers private training to adults seeking a trades career in boat and yacht building, maintenance, and repair.
Storyoga Kindergarten: Offering preschool instruction that combines yoga and children’s literature as well as camps, retreats, and workshops to children, teens, and adults.
DeRooy Dressage: Private equestrian training for children, teens, and adults.
Libraries & COMMUNITY CENTRES
Sidney branch
Public library serving the community of Sidney and the surrounding North Saanich area. Find out more!
mary winspear centre
Large and modern non-profit conference and events centre that includes a theatre and hosts regular events, shows, and craft fairs. Find out more!
Public fitness and recreation centre that includes a pool, ice rink, tennis courts, weight room, kindergym, party rental space, and offers several fitness, art, and community-centric programs to children, teens, and adults. Find out more!
Arts, Cultural Attractions & Festivals
Sidney hosts a variety of year-round community, cultural, and arts events which you can preview here. Following are a just a few of Sidney’s most popular attractions and festivities:
Hosts community and cultural events and offers activities and workshops for artists of all ages. Find out more.
Coinciding with Sidney’s annual ArtSea Festival and hosted at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre for 3 days, hundreds of carefully curated pieces are on display and available for purchase. Find out more.
Get up close and personal with local sea life and learn about the West Coast’s aquatic inhabitants without getting wet, at Sidney’s boutique family aquarium. Find out more.
Sidney’s own community movie theatre, complete with popcorn. The community visits Start Cinema’s website to vote on the new and upcoming movie releases they want Star Cinema to feature. Find out more.
In June through August, from 5:30 - 8:30 pm, every Thursday night, the town of Sidney’s main drag, Beacon Avenue, closes-off traffic to host a large and lively community street market. Admission is free and there’s something for everyone. Street kiosks host goods from Sidney retailers as well as local artists, makers, farmers, and crafters, complemented by a myriad of food trucks, live music, and more. Find out more.
Since 1971, Sidney Museum has been preserving and showcasing its permanent collection of interesting imagery and artifacts birthed from Sidney’s historical roots, along with rotating monthly displays. Admission is by donation. Find out more.
Retail, GROCERY & DINING
Sidney’s dining & retail district: Beacon Avenue and its surrounding side streets are where you’ll access three grocery chains, pharmacies, cafes, bakeries, bookstores, boutiques, and other major amenities serving Sidney’s suburban neighbourhoods.
Sidney features more than 50 dining establishments, most of which are concentrated in Sidney’s dining & retail district, and features everything from casual cafes and family restaurants, to fine dining with an ocean view at Haro’s Restaurant & Bar inside the beautiful Sidney Pier Hotel & Spa. Sidney’s dining and shopping district can be accessed by foot, bicycle, vehicle, or public transit from the residential areas surrounding it.
Accessibility
easy travel
Sidney has 9 public transit routes that offer service from Sidney to Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, Victoria International Airport, Downtown Victoria and surrounding areas. View the BC Transit map covering Sidney and Saanich Peninsula routes here.
Proximity
Within 15 minutes' drive to Victoria General Hospital and within 10 minutes drive to Royal Jubilee Hospital. | Within 30 minutes’ drive to Victoria Airport and Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. | Within 5 minutes’ drive to Seaplane and Clipper Ferry terminals.
Iconic Condo & Townhouse Communities
You won’t find high rise buildings in Sidney, but you will find plenty of ranch-style bungalows, multi-level family homes, cul de sacs, waterfront beach homes, townhouses, and condos. Following are just a few of Sidney’s most iconic condo and townhouse communities:
Within a 5-minute drive to downtown Sidney and offering spacious 2+ bedroom, pet-friendly suites with large kitchens and living areas for entertaining, oversized balconies and plenty of storage. Search our MLS® Victoria search engine for condos for sale in the Regatta Park building.
Located in Sidney’s charming dining & shopping district, this brand new, 19-unit building offers contemporary and stylishly outfitted 1, 2, and 3 bedroom, pet-friendly suites (as well as 3 suites which include live/work spaces). Search our MLS® Victoria search engine for condos for sale in The Quartet building.
Make your appearance in downtown Sidney! Roll out of bed, grab a coffee and take a stroll to the ocean from the very heart of picturesque Sidney, BC. Cameo, by Casman Properties, is every inch Sidney’s new star in a dramatic and modern 45 suite building featuring diverse floor plans and your very own Star Cinema, right downstairs. Pass the popcorn.
Want to view discover new pre-sale opportunities?
Check out our Developments Page!
Shop for a Home in
downtown Sidney
Considering a move to Sidney? Sidney is an exceptional choice for those looking forward to the tranquility of island living. Now is a great time to start looking for the ideal home, condo, townhouse or house for your family. Homes, condos and townhouses located within steps of the downtown core typically move fast, with many new buildings selling out before construction is even complete. Get started with your search today with a Real Estate Expert. Here are some tips and resources to help get you started with your search!
PROPERTY SEARCH TIPS
If you’re especially interested in living within a short walking distance to shops and amenities, when you use our MLS Victoria Search Engine to shop for properties in Sidney, also refer to the provided map for townhouses and condos for sale that are situated close to Beacon Street - Sidney’s shopping district. Beacon has a lot of small side streets that feature many of the newer condos for sale.
