Things To Do
Welcome to our beautiful Sooke Cottage!
East Sooke is a pristine landscape which offers a natural haven for wildlife.
Year-round outdoor recreational opportunities abound as well, due to its mild
climate - Sooke is a wonderful
all-season coastal getaway! Click here to see photos of the
local scenery.
Hiking, walking, and cycling:
- East Sooke Regional Park
is located just a few minutes drive from the cottage. The
Pike Road entrance has
a lovely beach approximately 1/2 hour walk from the parking lot, along a wide well-groomed
trail. If you prefer a more rugged hike through the forest, visit the
Anderson Cove entrance.
The Aylard Farm entrance
is probably the most popular and well-known - it offers a combination of picnic
areas, easy walks to a beach, and hikes to scenic viewpoints. The strenuous, rugged,
and spectacularly scenic Coast Trail can be accessed at various points in the park.
There are also many other hiking trails in the park, including
Coppermine Trail, a trail
to the summit of Mt. Maguire, and
a trail to the Petroglyphs.
The Galloping Goose Regional Trail System
is located approximately 10 minutes drive from the cottage, on Gillespie Road. Look for the signs for
Roche Cove Park. This wide easy
trail through the forest is perfect for both walking and
biking. There is a small trail that
heads down to the cove which is absolutely beautiful (wear shoes with good traction). You can also
follow the main trail all the way to
Matheson Lake, a
popular recreation & swimming area. Matheson Lake is also accessible by
car from Metchosin Road.
- Whiffen Spit, accessible
via Quimper Park in Sooke (near Sooke Harbour House
- see Restaurants and Dining section below), is a scenic & easy walk with the
ocean on three sides! Very pretty. Can be windy sometimes so dress appropriately.
- Ed Macgregor Park is located
near the Sooke town core, about 20 minutes from the cottage. It features a
gorgeous waterfront boardwalk and is a popular place for locals and tourists
alike.
- Witty's Lagoon
is a beautiful area that's especially popular with bird-watchers.
It is located on Metchosin Road (from Gillespie, turn right onto Sooke Road and
look for signs to Metchosin). The Nature Centre entrance is the more popular of
the two entrances to Witty's Lagoon, as it has a gorgeous beach and picnic area.
There are three main hikes - the Lagoon Trail,
the Beach Trail, and
Tower Point.
Not far away is also the small but pretty Albert Head Lagoon Park.
Also in Metchosin is the beautifully sheltered Devonian
Regional Park. Thetis Lake Park is also very
popular with both locals and tourists, known for its picturesque lakes.
- Goldstream Provincial Park
is a true wonder. Giant trees, waterfalls, and the annual salmon spawn make the park
a favourite with both the locals and with tourists.
- In the mood for a little exploration? Drive up the
coast and visit the rugged beauty of French
Beach Provincial Park, China Beach, or Sombrio Beach. Accessible via
West Coast Road (head into Sooke and continue following the road. Sooke Road
turns into West Coast Road).
Day Trips:
explore southern Vancouver Island before coming back to relax in the serenity and privacy of
the cottage. Click here for a few great day
trips from Sooke.
Eagle and Wildlife Watching: the island is
blessed with an abundance of wildlife. There is a large variety of wildlife that
can be seen from the cottage, from eagles, heron, the tiny hummingbirds, fun
quail family, elusive otter, and the spectacular sight of seal fishing just
offshore! Visit between December and February for a chance to see the
"eagle extravaganza" at
Goldstream Park, when bald eagles feast on salmon.
Whale-Watching & Eco-Tours: West Coast Wildlife Adventures (tel: 250-880-1024)
and Sooke Coast Explorations (tel: 250-642-2343).
Bicycle Rentals: available from Sooke Cycle (tel: 250-642-3123).
Swimming: Visit the Sooke Potholes
Provincial Park, a popular area for swimming. You will see signage on Hwy 14
(Sooke Road) heading into the town of Sooke. Some guests also swim from the
private dock at the cottage; however please be aware that there are hazards
associated with swimming in the ocean. Note that the cottage does not
have a beach, and is a rocky shoreline. Here is more information about
beaches and swimming
on Vancouver Island and the Sooke area.
Fishing Charters: Mark Grant's Salmon Charters (tel: 250-642-3904);
Sooke Salmon Charters (tel: 250-380-7018);
Sea Wind Fishing Adventures (tel: 250-642-7444).
Kayaking and Boating: the Sooke Basin on which the cottage is located, is a wonderful
and protected place to kayak. The private dock offers an easy launching place. Kayak
rentals and equipment are available in the town of Sooke from
Rush Adventures (tel: 250-642-2159).
Pedder Bay Marina (tel: 250-478-1771)
rents out motor boats.
Golf: Royal Colwood Golf Club (tel: 250-478-8331),
the Metchosin Golf & Country Club (tel: 250-478-3266).
Wineries: Tugwell Creek Honey Farm & Meadery
(tel: 250-642-1956) offers tastings and self guided tours.
Zip-Line Adventure: For something different,
try Adrena Line Zipline Adventure Tours
(tel: 250-642-1933) where you can ride a zip-line through the West Coast forest.
They're located near 17 Mile Pub, approximately 10 minutes drive from the cottage.
Restaurants and Dining:
- Fine Dining: the ever-popular and famous
Sooke Harbour House (tel: 250-642-3421)
offers fine gourmet dining. Another popular spot is
Markus' Wharfside Restaurant (tel: 250-642-3596).
Both are approximately 20 minutes drive from the cottage in the town of Sooke. Reservations are recommended.
- Casual Dining: 17 Mile House Pub (tel: 250-642-5942)
is popular with the locals. You will have passed it on the way to the cottage, near the intersection of Gillespie
and Sooke Roads. Many people also enjoy Stonepipe (tel: 250-642-0566)
located across the street from PetroCanada in Sooke. Also in Sooke is the
Stickleback West Coast Eatery (tel: 778-425-4499),
located at 5449 Sooke Road next to Rush Adventures.
Mom's Cafe (tel: 250-642-3314) is popular for breakfasts and milkshakes.
Little Vienna Bakery (tel: 250-642-6833) offers fresh baked goods, sandwiches,
and light snacks. Heading the other way towards Victoria, there is a lovely
restaurant and one of our favourites, called My Chosen Cafe (tel: 250-474-2333)
on the corner of Metchosin Road and Happy Valley Road. You can get pizza from
My Chosen Café as well as from Sooke 2-for-1 Pizza (tel: 250-642-5451)
and Pizzability
in Sooke (tel: 250-642-7888).
- Fast Food: McDonald's and A&W are available in the town of Sooke.
Grocery Stores: the city of Langford and the town of Sooke
(both approximately 20 minutes from the cottage) have grocery stores. Langford
has a Superstore as well as several grocery stores, while Sooke has Village Foods
and Western Foods. We suggest shopping for groceries prior to heading to the cottage.
Convenience Store: Bill's Food & Feed is approximately 5 minutes drive
from the cottage at the intersection of Gillespie and East Sooke Roads.
Travel Information: please visit our
Travel Resources section for information
on ferries, passports, weather, etc.
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