Dreamy Weekend on Salt Spring Island, BC
This weekend was all about spending high quality time with an in depth pal that I hadn’t seen in fairly a while. We have now been mates for over 10 years, and between the 2 of us have lived in B.C., Ontario, and Quebec, visiting one another and exploring many stunning Canadian cities collectively. We spent the weekend catching up over lattes and pastries, discovering native outlets, strolling alongside serene trails, and having fun with some unbelievable farm-to-table meals.
Day 1 – Friday Afternoon & Night: Dive proper into some native gems
The Pottery
We took the ferry from Victoria to Fulford Harbour, and as quickly as we arrived on the island we went straight to The Pottery on SSI. Right here yow will discover some unbelievable pottery and exquisite items made by over 70 native artists from Salt Spring and throughout B.C. For those who like gathering particular keepsakes out of your travels like I do, you’ll positively discover one thing great to take residence with you.
After you’re carried out exploring right here you can too try the Salt Spring Mercantile – they’ve groceries, some nice native merchandise, recent baked items from Francis Bread (extra on that under), and different merchandise from across the island – you’ll be able to seize something it’s possible you’ll want earlier than heading to the place you’re staying (bathtub bombs and recent bread, anybody?).
Salt Spring Cheese Store
Subsequent, head to Salt Spring Island Cheese to pattern their scrumptious cheeses and to see how they’re domestically made utilizing the best substances. We sampled the chili chevre, smoked salmon and capers chevre, and the garlic chevre, which have been all completely paired with some native jams and spreads. Additionally they have a restaurant that’s open from July till Labour Day, so you should definitely examine that out if you happen to go to in the summertime. For cheese lovers, in addition they have a cheese membership the place they put together specialty cheese packing containers which can be found for supply throughout Canada.
Verify into your cozy Airbnb: Maple Tree Visitor Home
We have been completely blown away as quickly as we stepped into the Maple Tree Visitor Home. We might inform that it was a really particular place that was deliberately and thoughtfully designed.
It was a heat, and welcoming house, and an ideal base for us to discover the island. Our hosts, Marlene and Harry, have been very accommodating and even supplied some recent eggs and cream.
I’ve stayed at plenty of Airbnbs all around the world, and this was positively considered one of my favourites – I didn’t need to go away! We have been each blown away by how beautiful this place was. I might extremely suggest staying right here in your journey to Salt Spring Island.
Attempt the most effective hen burger on the town: Dinner at Casette
After you’ve spent a while unwinding and enjoyable, head to Casette Cafe & Dive Bar for dinner. We shared their Korean Nuggets to start out – get them, belief me! We additionally tried their mango and raspberry sodas which have been yummy and refreshing. The service was pleasant, the environment was laid again, and the meals was scrumptious. We each had their hen burger for dinner, and I can see why it is a crowd-pleaser! Though, all their burgers appeared actually good – you’ll be able to’t go flawed.
With our journey day and first little bit of exploring carried out, we have been prepared to move again to our cozy Airbnb and luxuriate in some lavender sizzling chocolate (from Salt Spring Cheese Store!) by the fireside.
Day 2 – Saturday, Discover some Salt Spring Island Favourites
Francis Bread
Is there a greater technique to begin your Saturday morning than catching up with an expensive pal over recent pastries and tea? Begin your morning off with some divine pastries at a small-town bakery. Head to Francis Bread to do exactly that. This spot is in style, and there may be restricted seating inside, so I might suggest getting there early if you wish to sit inside and luxuriate in your treats. We tried their basic croissant and the miso chocolate chip brown butter cookie – this was to die for! Be sure to attempt it 🙂
Woodshed
We then popped into Woodshed, which is conveniently proper subsequent to Francis Bread, so you could cease by if you’re within the space. They’ve scrumptious baked items as nicely, and many superb pre-made meals and treats to go. If you wish to have a comfortable night in, you can positively discover all the pieces you want right here. You possibly can additionally fill up earlier than leaving Salt Spring and luxuriate in a few of their yummy choices at residence. It’s simply an all-around stunning spot to take a look at – I beloved their floral preparations too.
Salt Spring Kitchen Co
Nextdoor one can find the notorious Salt Spring Kitchen Co. the place you’ll be able to see and pattern their in style gourmand jams, preserves and sizzling sauces. They’ve stunning merchandise, present packs, and cheeses. After visiting Woodshed and Salt Spring Kitchen Co, you’ll have all the pieces you want for an ideal evening.
Time to get outdoors
Sadly the climate wasn’t perfect once we visited in February (very wet), so we opted to remain indoors and have a comfortable and enjoyable weekend. Nevertheless, many locals beneficial Mount Maxwell Provincial Park for hikes with good views. Different hikes/spots which might be on my record for subsequent time are Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park, Mt. Erskine, and Vesuvius Seaside.
Salt Spring Wild Cider
Heat up with some cider and charcuterie at a favorite native hangout. Our subsequent cease was Salt Spring Wild Cider, the place we sampled some scrumptious ciders and shared a scrumptious charcuterie board. Their lined patio with warmth lamps was an superior spot to spend a wet afternoon. This might be an superior place to go to in the summertime as their outside house is gorgeous and fairly expansive. You possibly can additionally convey your canine to their outside house which is all the time a bonus!
Take pleasure in some fairly flowers and crops: Foxglove Retailer
We then noticed the Foxglove Retailer as we have been driving and determined to pop in. We’re so glad we did! That they had stunning flowers, crops, and homegoods. We had enjoyable searching and it’s a fast little cease fairly near the cidery. One in every of my favorite issues about Salt Spring is all the lovable native shops and small companies that you simply discover simply by exploring the island.
Don’t miss dinner at a brand new native restaurant: Off the Hook
We had an unbelievable dinner at a brand new restaurant on Salt Spring, Off the Hook. Once we went, they have been that includes a particular Carribean menu, as they have been providing various kinds of delicacies every week which was fairly neat. We shared just a few of their particular choices after which tried two of their basic sushi rolls as that’s what they’re identified for. The service was welcoming, attentive and really pleasant. It was a enjoyable place to attempt!
Day 3 – Sunday on Salt Spring Island
Drive to the north finish of the island for his or her well-known cinnamon buns and sourdough bread.
Begin your day at North Finish Farm and ensure you get there proper after they open if you happen to’d like an opportunity of choosing up considered one of their unbelievable cinnamon buns. We have been capable of get cinnamon buns and sourdough bread, and we additionally checked out their recent native produce. You may pay by money (honour system) or e-transfer. We then had enjoyable visiting their cute animals on the property earlier than heading to breakfast.
Have breakfast in a singular treehouse
We then visited Tree Home Cafe for a delicious and filling breakfast. It’s a fairly distinctive place because it’s constructed round a tree and the house actually displays that. It’s not each morning you get to eat breakfast in a spot like this! The parts are very beneficiant, the service was extraordinarily pleasant, and we beloved our London Fogs.
Discover Native Retailers
Discover some enjoyable souvenirs to take residence whereas supporting native. After breakfast we explored some superb native outlets together with Folks, Twang and Pearl, Black Sheep Books and Harlans – Salt Spring Chocolate Store earlier than heading to the ferry to move residence. I like searching and discovering particular items and souvenirs in small outlets at any time when I journey, it’s considered one of my favorite issues to do. Every of those locations had a lot to supply and I actually needed to train some self-restraint as I might have taken tons residence with me! I’m certain you’ll get pleasure from trying out these gems.
Subsequent Time on Salt Spring Island
I felt actually good about all the pieces we have been capable of see, go to and check out over our weekend. Nevertheless, there are some things that I have already got on my record for my subsequent go to, hopefully one summer time!
- Farm Stands: I might love to take a look at their well-known farm stands in the summertime as they’re identified to have superb fruit, veggies, eggs, and flowers (convey money!)
- Lavender: A go to to Lavender & Black simply to browse or to attend considered one of their workshops
- Flower College: Lastly, I might completely love to go to Bullock Lake Farm to attend a workshop at their farm-based Flower College – how cute is that!?
I hope you get pleasure from your time on Salt Spring Island as a lot as we did! I can’t wait to return. Glad exploring 🙂
Our go to was from Feb 21-23, 2025
