Dean Park is an exclusive residential neighbourhood bordering the expansive John Dean Provincial Park. Nestled along the park’s western edge, the community straddles the boundary between Central Saanich and North Saanich. Tucked between West Saanich Road and the Patricia Bay Highway, Dean Park is uniquely positioned with ocean on either side, offering both seclusion and proximity to natural beauty.
Characterized by serene, winding roads, generous lots, and a canopy of mature trees, the neighbourhood offers a sense of privacy and prestige. With its abundance of cul-de-sacs and quiet crescents, Dean Park is a haven of tranquility, ideal for those seeking a refined lifestyle surrounded by nature.
Explore the Park
John Dean Provincial Park is a park surrounded by greenspace, forests and other parks, and is centred around Mt. Newton. Aside from being a popular hiking spot, Mt. Newton is historically significant to local First Nations, who were able to survive the great flood by fleeing to the high point of Mt. Newton. The park is also one of the last areas of old-growth Douglas fir and Garry oak on the Saanich Peninsula.
The park is home to numerous hiking trails of varying difficulty. If you make it to the summit of Mt. Newton, you’ll experience panoramic views of the Saanich Peninsula, Gulf Islands, and Cascade Mountains.
In the spring, the park blooms to life. Colourful wildflowers native to BC sprout out of the forest floor including camas lilies, red paintbrush, sea blush and shooting stars. The park is also a popular hangout spot for local airborne wildlife like ravens, hawks, eagles and turkey vultures.
Panorama Rec Centre
Heading north up East Saanich Road, the Panorama Recreation Centre can be reached within minutes from the Dean Park neighbourhood. Panorama is a pillar in the community, providing recreational facilities, programs and activities for people living in North Saanich, Central Saanich and Sidney.
Panorama has court space for a range of sports like tennis, pickleball, squash, basketball, racquetball, volleyball and badminton. There’s a pool (with a water slide), a weight room, a teen lounge and a Kindergym for small children. There’s even a pottery studio!
Aside from being a hub for recreation, Panorama Rec Centre is also home to the Peninsula Panthers, a junior ice hockey team that competes in the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL). Bring the whole family and catch some exciting, fast-paced action. The Panthers’ season begins early September and carries through to February before the playoffs begin.
Dean Park Estates
Dean Park Estates is a highly desirable part of the neighbourhood that sits along the hillside of Mt. Newton. This development began in 1975, and is composed of 782 single-family lots with a minimum of one-third acre per zoned lot. Aside from the quiet, residential streets and luxury homes, part of what makes Dean Park Estates such a desirable place to live is the stunning ocean views from many of the properties, thanks to the elevation the development was built on. The community is a tight-knit one with their own Schedule of Restrictions, which places rules on vehicles, construction, pets, telecommunication lines and signage, among other things.
Coastal Living
Framed by ocean on either side of the Saanich Peninsula, Dean Park offers residents effortless access to the shoreline. Just minutes east, across the Pat Bay Highway, a collection of quiet beach parks and access points — including Cy Hampson Park, Bazan Bay Park, Wardle Beach, and Amity Drive — invite long walks, gentle hikes, and afternoons by the water.
Unlike more crowded destinations, these beaches remain peaceful year-round, providing the perfect setting for a reflective stroll, a seaside adventure with the dog, or simply breathing in the crisp salt air. It’s coastal living at its most relaxed, right at your doorstep.
