Saanichton, sitting almost in the center of Central Saanich is a quaint community with historical significance. This village served as a commercial center to the agricultural community surrounding it since the 1800’s. At one time there was even a train station; when the Victoria and Sidney Railway (V&S) steamed through Saanichton between 1894 and 1919.
Today, Saanichton is a bustling village with shops, restaurants and other businesses at its heart, surrounded by single family and townhome residences, which are in turn surrounded largely by agricultural land, parks and rural properties.
Saanich is located inside the municipality of Central Saanich, just below North Saanich and northeast of Brentwood Bay. Following the highway north takes you to Sidney, the ferry terminal and the airport, while following it south takes you to downtown Victoria.
Saanichton is home to The Saanich Peninsula Hospital, the Saanich Pioneer Society’s Log Cabin Museum, and the popular Saanich Fall Fair, a historical agricultural event which has since relocated to a larger property on Stelly’s X Road.
While Saanichton is a more rural-feeling community removed from the hustle and bustle of Victoria, downtown is easily accessible thanks the proximity of the Patricia Bay Highway. The Pat Bay cuts through the eastern section of Saanichton, and can take you all the way into town in about 25 minutes.
Things to do in Saanichton
- Centennial Park
Centennial Park is a 18.42 hectare community park, located in the 7500 block of Wallace Drive, in Saanichton. It was built in 1958 to commemorate the establishment of British Columbia as a Crown Colony 100 years earlier. At the park there’s something for everyone, from horse back riding trails to tennis courts to pickle ball courts to lawn bowling.
- Saanich Fair
The Saanich Fall Fair is a widely popular event for people across the South Island. For 2022, the 155th fair featured preserved foods, and was a big success. If you’re in Saanichton during the first weekend of September, the fair is a must see. The fair has a lot going on – there are singing, dancing and musical performances, competitions, games, auctions, and much more.
- Prairie Inn Neighbourhood Pub
The Prairie Inn Neighbourhood Pub is located near the intersection of Wallace Drive and East Saanich Road, and was originally established in 1859. The pub is highly popular with locals, thanks to its unpretentious atmosphere, good prices, and hearty pub food.
- Log Cabin Museum
Photo credit to Times Colonist
The Saanich Pioneer Society is dedicated to the preservation of the historical records of the Saanich Peninsula. Their Log Cabin Museum is a great place to peruse collections from local pioneer families as well as First Nations artifacts. Bring the kids, and marvel in the stories and photographs form the Peninsula’s past.
Schools around Saanichton
The Saanichton community is a rather small one, but there are lots of school options just outside or nearby. Younger children have the option of Kelset Elementary in North Saanich, and Brentwood Bay Elementary or Keating Elementary to the south.
For older children, the nearest middle school is North Saanich Middle School to the north or Bayside Middle School to the south. For high schools, Stelly’s Secondary school is just a couple minutes away, making it by far the closest option. There’s also Parkland Secondary up in Sidney and Claremont Secondary further down the highway towards town.
