Deanna’s guide book
Places to visit.
Many facinating performances throughout the year. Perhaps during your visit there would be something to interest you.
7 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cowichan Performing Arts Centre
2687 James StMany facinating performances throughout the year. Perhaps during your visit there would be something to interest you.
While visiting Shawnigan Lake you may want to visit the Community Centre during special events such as the Easter eggs hunt or Christmas craft fair.
Shawnigan Lake Community Centre
2804 Shawnigan Lake RdWhile visiting Shawnigan Lake you may want to visit the Community Centre during special events such as the Easter eggs hunt or Christmas craft fair.
Great local history that may surprise you. The land that the Shawnigan Beach Resort resides on today was quite a happening hotel and community hot spot. The museum has lots of photos, memorabilia and even a little movie theatre.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Shawnigan Lake Museum
1775 Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay RdGreat local history that may surprise you. The land that the Shawnigan Beach Resort resides on today was quite a happening hotel and community hot spot. The museum has lots of photos, memorabilia and even a little movie theatre.
The most spectacular natural history private collection I have ever seen and it's right here in the Cowichan Vallley. Jim Shockey's legacy of travels around the world. Informative and beautifully curated with interaction ipads and touchy feely furs that keep all ages intrigued. This installation has everything from a reconstructed wooly mammoth skeleton to the art of first nations and relics from early days of exploration. I highly recommend this, give yourself a couple of hours to explore. Air conditioned and all contained within Maple Bays recommissioned elementary school. Minimal walking lots of places to sit and ponder. By donation.
32 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hand of Man Museum
6759 Considine AveThe most spectacular natural history private collection I have ever seen and it's right here in the Cowichan Vallley. Jim Shockey's legacy of travels around the world. Informative and beautifully curated with interaction ipads and touchy feely furs that keep all ages intrigued. This installation has everything from a reconstructed wooly mammoth skeleton to the art of first nations and relics from early days of exploration. I highly recommend this, give yourself a couple of hours to explore. Air conditioned and all contained within Maple Bays recommissioned elementary school. Minimal walking lots of places to sit and ponder. By donation.
Great history lesson of the area and there is a ride along working train on site. Lots of fun and outdoor space for kids to get all that energy out.
50 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
B.C. Forest Discovery Centre
2892 Drinkwater RdGreat history lesson of the area and there is a ride along working train on site. Lots of fun and outdoor space for kids to get all that energy out.
A relatively new adventure in the area run by the first nations tribes. Great view of the Saanich inlet, option of walking up and sliding down.
108 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Malahat SkyWalk
901 Trans-Canada HwyA relatively new adventure in the area run by the first nations tribes. Great view of the Saanich inlet, option of walking up and sliding down.
A gentle walk to the trestle where you can view the Koksiah river from the 44 meter high trestle. Great covered picnic area on the far side. Option maintained trail down to the river shore.
Easy for strollers and bikes.
I love this gentle walk because of the beautiful view at the end. V
168 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Viaducto Kinsol
2869 Glen Eagles RdA gentle walk to the trestle where you can view the Koksiah river from the 44 meter high trestle. Great covered picnic area on the far side. Option maintained trail down to the river shore.
Easy for strollers and bikes.
I love this gentle walk because of the beautiful view at the end. V
A unique adventure for those curious youngsters and adults alike.
My daughter was an honorary member for years and we have so many fun stories to tell from our adventures there.
80 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zoológico de insectos de Victoria
631 Courtney StA unique adventure for those curious youngsters and adults alike.
My daughter was an honorary member for years and we have so many fun stories to tell from our adventures there.
This beautiful adventure spot has many unique scenes during different seasons of the year, fireworks to ice skating. Be sure to explore the web site during the season you are visiting.
9 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Butchart Gardens
Butchart GardensThis beautiful adventure spot has many unique scenes during different seasons of the year, fireworks to ice skating. Be sure to explore the web site during the season you are visiting.
BC Aviation Museum
1910 Norseman RdGreat adventure for all ages.
You can buy fresh from the boats at Government Wharf during spot prawn season.
109 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cowichan Bay
You can buy fresh from the boats at Government Wharf during spot prawn season.
Rentals
Here is a way to get up close and personal with the bountiful nature of the Cowichan Valley. Take a tour or just rent and travel at you own pace.
Coastal Bliss Adventures Ltd.
4865 Bench RdHere is a way to get up close and personal with the bountiful nature of the Cowichan Valley. Take a tour or just rent and travel at you own pace.
Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre
1765 Cowichan Bay RdFood scene
Lovely atmosphere and great eats! Menu changes seasonally always check for hour of operation and availability.
105 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
1230 Merridale RdLovely atmosphere and great eats! Menu changes seasonally always check for hour of operation and availability.
Some of the best dining and so close. only about a 10 minute drive, also accessible by boat.
Local chef and great menu. My favourite is the short ribs. Always mouth watering.
47 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Lakehouse at Shawnigan
2460 Renfrew RdSome of the best dining and so close. only about a 10 minute drive, also accessible by boat.
Local chef and great menu. My favourite is the short ribs. Always mouth watering.
Quaintly located in the village of Shawnigan lake this little bakery pumps out some pretty great comfort food. Morning treats or mid day pizza and sandwiches but you’ll want to get there no later than noon if your looking for a pizza they sell out fast.
15 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Omas Bakery
Quaintly located in the village of Shawnigan lake this little bakery pumps out some pretty great comfort food. Morning treats or mid day pizza and sandwiches but you’ll want to get there no later than noon if your looking for a pizza they sell out fast.
Mmmm coffee tea or home made chocolates your choice.
36 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Shawnigan House coffee and chocolate
1761 Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay RdMmmm coffee tea or home made chocolates your choice.
In the heart of beautiful Cowichan bay. Great shops and this little gem for fresh organic bread or my personal favourite the almond croissant.
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
True Grain - Cowichan Bay
1735 Cowichan Bay RdIn the heart of beautiful Cowichan bay. Great shops and this little gem for fresh organic bread or my personal favourite the almond croissant.
Montra Thai Eatery
1845 Renfrew RdNice take out option
Authentic Mexican food and it’s licensed right in our little village.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Compass Mexican Bistro
2750 Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay RdAuthentic Mexican food and it’s licensed right in our little village.
Great take out option. I love the Hawaiian roll.
10 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Hosuka Japanese restaurant
2740 Dundas RdGreat take out option. I love the Hawaiian roll.
A wide range of options from sushi to burgers.
20 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Shawnigan Jen
2750 Shawnigan Lake RdA wide range of options from sushi to burgers.
Yummy pub fair. My favourite…man fried oysters! Amazing table side vies both indoors and out of the marina and salt spring island.
25 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cow Bay Marine Pub Inc
1695 Cowichan Bay RdYummy pub fair. My favourite…man fried oysters! Amazing table side vies both indoors and out of the marina and salt spring island.
The greatest display of local farmer and artisan in the Cowichan valley. Grab all the fresh tasty locally mad fruits veggies and artisan meats for a perfect B.B.Q back at the Good Life House.
77 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Duncan Farmer's Market
200 Craig StThe greatest display of local farmer and artisan in the Cowichan valley. Grab all the fresh tasty locally mad fruits veggies and artisan meats for a perfect B.B.Q back at the Good Life House.
Amazing what comes out of this little food truck. Great burgers and onion rings, soups and a special every day. Located at the base of cobble hill mountain so you decide burn the calories before or after your hike.
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Little Corner Sandwich Shop
3541 Cobble Hill RdAmazing what comes out of this little food truck. Great burgers and onion rings, soups and a special every day. Located at the base of cobble hill mountain so you decide burn the calories before or after your hike.
Go for the meatball sandwich stay for the wood fired pizzeria vibe or gelato ice cream desert.
40 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Pizzeria Prima Strada
14-1400 Cowichan Bay RdGo for the meatball sandwich stay for the wood fired pizzeria vibe or gelato ice cream desert.
Great pub food and atmosphere. Locally owned and operated.
26 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cobblestone Inn
3566 Holland AvenueGreat pub food and atmosphere. Locally owned and operated.
The best ice cream and its made in house right in Shawnigan Lake.
So many interesting flavours. I haven't yet tried them all, I'm trying my best:)
Also Cowichan milk cream for your coffee is sold here, oh so sweet, the perfect addition to your morning coffee.
Market 1750
1750 Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay RoadThe best ice cream and its made in house right in Shawnigan Lake.
So many interesting flavours. I haven't yet tried them all, I'm trying my best:)
Also Cowichan milk cream for your coffee is sold here, oh so sweet, the perfect addition to your morning coffee.
Sarpino's Pizzeria
7143 W Saanich RdThey deliver.
This is a surprisingly authentic Indian food restaurant. Great flavour, reasonable prices. I would not recommend eating in but take out for a crowd is easy. Good portion sizes I always have leftovers and its really yummy!
Flavours Of India
305 Victoria Ave EThis is a surprisingly authentic Indian food restaurant. Great flavour, reasonable prices. I would not recommend eating in but take out for a crowd is easy. Good portion sizes I always have leftovers and its really yummy!
R-harn Thai restaurant
This is close right in the little village and the food is yummy.
Subway
1770 Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay RdQuick sandwiches for your beach or biking picnic.
Compass Mexican Bistro
2750 Shawnigan Lake-Mill Bay RdMomoville
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
1230 Merridale RdCowichan Station Creamery Ltd.
Neighbourhoods
A great walking tour for murals gift shops and boutique shopping.
67 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Chemainus
A great walking tour for murals gift shops and boutique shopping.
Great restaurants and boutique shopping. A great stop on any up island exploration trip.
34 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Ladysmith
Great restaurants and boutique shopping. A great stop on any up island exploration trip.
Only 15 minutes from The Good Life House but a whole new world on the oceanfront. Quaint boutique shopping, coffee shops, restaurants and whale watching tours.
109 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Cowichan Bay
Only 15 minutes from The Good Life House but a whole new world on the oceanfront. Quaint boutique shopping, coffee shops, restaurants and whale watching tours.
Duncan
Shopping
Souvenir shopping
Union 22
3556 Garland AveUnique vintage shopping amazingly curated.
Grocery
Grocery supplies within a 15 minute drive or less.
One stop shopping mall 2 liquor stores, coffee shop, deli, and banks.
194 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Thrifty Foods
1495 Admirals RdOne stop shopping mall 2 liquor stores, coffee shop, deli, and banks.
Country Grocer
1400 Cowichan Bay RdMy personal favourite place to shop for local, organic products that are fresh from the farmer. A great atmosphere with knowledgeable friendly staff that can help direct you if you have any health concerns and want to seek natural remedies.
23 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
The Community Farm Store
5380 Trans-Canada HwyMy personal favourite place to shop for local, organic products that are fresh from the farmer. A great atmosphere with knowledgeable friendly staff that can help direct you if you have any health concerns and want to seek natural remedies.
An open air market for fresh produce, baking, meats, gluten free products, flowers, fresh seasonal berries, and a small cafe with great coffee, soup sandwiches and gelato.
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Sweet Meadows Market
2957 Church WayAn open air market for fresh produce, baking, meats, gluten free products, flowers, fresh seasonal berries, and a small cafe with great coffee, soup sandwiches and gelato.
Wineries
All local wineries located within the Cowichan valley
Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Vineyard
2182 Lakeside RdCherry Point Estate Wines
840 Cherry Point Rdmerridale at the lake
2346 Shawnigan Lake RoadLocated just west of Duncan nestled in the the Glenora Valley you may think you have been transported to Tuscany Italy.
28 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Zanatta Vineyards
5039 Marshall RdLocated just west of Duncan nestled in the the Glenora Valley you may think you have been transported to Tuscany Italy.
Go for the wine tasting or the food. Only 10 minutes from the Good Life House it’s well worth the visit.
111 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Unsworth Vineyards
2915 Cameron Taggart RdGo for the wine tasting or the food. Only 10 minutes from the Good Life House it’s well worth the visit.
Rocky Creek Winery
1854 Myhrest Rd