Salt Spring Island

Canada

Salt Spring Island is in the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia in Canada. Salt Spring (sometimes spelled "Saltspring", one word) is the largest both in area and population of the Southern Gulf Islands. The population has grown from about 10,000 to 13,000 in the past five years with the influx of baby boomer retirees (many Canadian-American from California) and Alberta oil patch money. There are many more seasonal and part-time residents.

Salt Spring Island was first called Saltspring (one word) Island by Governor James Douglas in 1853. He believed that the Salt Springs in the North of the Island would bring great wealth to the Island. It was also known by a few other names during the early years: Klaathem (Cowichan Indian word for Salt), Chuam, Tuam, and Admiral Island. Saltspring was the official name as recorded by the Geographic Board of Canada in 1905. However, Canada Post and many locals used (and still use) the name Salt Spring (2 words) Island . It is frequently abbreviated as SSI.

Salt Spring Island was first settled in 1859, primarily by farmers. In the early years it was settled by many different groups including a number of African-Americans and then a number of Hawaiians and settled on Salt Spring and a number of other gulf islands. In the 1960s and 1970s there was a large influx of back to the landers who lived either in informal communes or squatted. Many of these people have settled and have become a large part of the culture of Salt Spring. Since the 1970s Salt Spring has attracted a large number of artists, and has become more and more of a tourist destination and retirement spot for the wealthy. This dichotomy of large developments for the hordes of people who want to get away from the development of the city has created a certain amount of conflict. However the island is still primarily characterized by the artists and farmers.

The main town, in the centre of the island, is Ganges. In the south of the island is a small cluster of shops around Fulford Harbour. To the north-west is a cluster, Vesuvius. To the east is the ferry dock at Long Harbour.

  • Tourist Information Centre, 121 Lower Ganges Rd, +1 250-537-5252. daily, 9AM – 5PM (July–August), 10AM – 4PM (April–June, September–October), 11AM – 3PM (November–March). Friendly and helpful volunteers can provide maps, give directions, answer questions, and give recommendations. Free parking in the shopping centre lot, plus many shops and restaurants within easy walking distance.
  • Look for the Salt Spring Studio Tour brochure on the ferry you take to the island, or at the Tourist Information Centre, or download it from their web site. Quite apart from the list of studios and wineries which you can visit, it has a quite serviceable map of the island.

Tourist Information Centre, 121 Lower Ganges Rd, +1 250-537-5252. daily, 9AM – 5PM (July–August), 10AM – 4PM (April–June, September–October), 11AM – 3PM (November–March). Friendly and helpful volunteers can provide maps, give directions, answer questions, and give recommendations. Free parking in the shopping centre lot, plus many shops and restaurants within easy walking distance.

Look for the Salt Spring Studio Tour brochure on the ferry you take to the island, or at the Tourist Information Centre, or download it from their web site. Quite apart from the list of studios and wineries which you can visit, it has a quite serviceable map of the island.

  • Artist Studio Tour, get the Salt Spring Studio Tour map on ferry. This is a self-guided tour of over 30 different artist studios. The hours and days vary from artist to artist. This is also a very good map of Salt Spring Island. Artists studios vary from painters, sculptures, potters to speciality cheese makers. Most artists studios are open May to September, some are available year around.
  • Sacred Mountain Lavender, 401 Musgrave Rd (5 min from Fulford Harbour, +1 250 653-2334. May-Sep Wed-Sun10-5. Sacred Mountain Lavender is a boutique lavender farm nestled on the foothills of sacred Mount Tuam on Salt Spring Island B.C. Enjoy a self-guided farm tour and indulge in the rich purple of 2 acres of organically-grown lavender, which blooms from June to September. free.

Artist Studio Tour, get the Salt Spring Studio Tour map on ferry. This is a self-guided tour of over 30 different artist studios. The hours and days vary from artist to artist. This is also a very good map of Salt Spring Island. Artists studios vary from painters, sculptures, potters to speciality cheese makers. Most artists studios are open May to September, some are available year around.

Sacred Mountain Lavender, 401 Musgrave Rd (5 min from Fulford Harbour, +1 250 653-2334. May-Sep Wed-Sun10-5. Sacred Mountain Lavender is a boutique lavender farm nestled on the foothills of sacred Mount Tuam on Salt Spring Island B.C. Enjoy a self-guided farm tour and indulge in the rich purple of 2 acres of organically-grown lavender, which blooms from June to September. free.

  • Kayak to nearby Russell Island, located in the mouth of Fulford Harbour. Russell Island is part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and features gorgeous examples of second-growth Douglas fir, arbutus and Garry oak trees. A gentle loop trail hugs the island's shore, and takes you to the historic Mahoi House. Here, descendants of Maria Mahoi — one of the island's original Hawaiian (Kanaka) settlers — host an interpretive program for visitors. The Russell Island Host Program runs from early June until early September.
  • Island Escapades, 163 Fulford-Ganges Rd, +1 250-537-2553. Guided kayaking tours, lessons, rentals, sailing excursions. Plus they can connect you to other activities such as SCUBA diving. Also an outdoor gear shop. 2 hour kayak tour $55/person.
  • Swim
  • Hike
  • Fall Fair a traditional country fair with a Salt Spring flavor. Held around the last weekend of summer or the first weekend of fall. It is held at a very nice fair grounds that has a number of buildings and a few show areas. There are judging of entries in everything from baking, and vegetables to equestrian and livestock. The food and craft stands are quite good. There is also music all day long
  • Salt Spring market. Held every Saturday from May to October in Ganges.
  • Climbing — Salt Spring Island offers British Columbia's only cobble rock climbing area; that is, climbing on walls made of a dense matrix of smooth pebbles. Other climbing opportunities are found near the top of Mount Maxwell Park.
  • scenic plane ride. For that aerial perspective, try the floatplane scenic tour.
  • Yoga- Attend a yoga retreat, yoga teacher training program or other spiritual event at the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga. The Centre offers accommodation and meals for its residential programs, but also hosts short events for commuters.

Kayak to nearby Russell Island, located in the mouth of Fulford Harbour. Russell Island is part of Gulf Islands National Park Reserve and features gorgeous examples of second-growth Douglas fir, arbutus and Garry oak trees. A gentle loop trail hugs the island's shore, and takes you to the historic Mahoi House. Here, descendants of Maria Mahoi — one of the island's original Hawaiian (Kanaka) settlers — host an interpretive program for visitors. The Russell Island Host Program runs from early June until early September.

Island Escapades, 163 Fulford-Ganges Rd, +1 250-537-2553. Guided kayaking tours, lessons, rentals, sailing excursions. Plus they can connect you to other activities such as SCUBA diving. Also an outdoor gear shop. 2 hour kayak tour $55/person.

Swim

Hike

Fall Fair a traditional country fair with a Salt Spring flavor. Held around the last weekend of summer or the first weekend of fall. It is held at a very nice fair grounds that has a number of buildings and a few show areas. There are judging of entries in everything from baking, and vegetables to equestrian and livestock. The food and craft stands are quite good. There is also music all day long

Salt Spring market. Held every Saturday from May to October in [[Ganges]].

Climbing — Salt Spring Island offers British Columbia's only cobble [[rock climbing]] area; that is, climbing on walls made of a dense matrix of smooth pebbles. Other climbing opportunities are found near the top of Mount Maxwell Park.

scenic plane ride. For that aerial perspective, try the floatplane scenic tour.

Yoga- Attend a yoga retreat, yoga teacher training program or other spiritual event at the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga. The Centre offers accommodation and meals for its residential programs, but also hosts short events for commuters.

Most of the eateries on the island are in Ganges.

  • Embe Bakery, 174 Fulford-Ganges Rd, +1 250-537-5611. Mon - Sat: 4:30AM - 5:30PM, Sun: 6:30AM - 3PM. Delicious sweet buns, cookies, pies, as well as lunch sandwiches. They will happily pack baked goods to go.
  • Express Sushi2go, 120-170 Fulford Ganges Rd, +1 250 538-1688. A variety of well-executed Japanese food; teriyaki and tempura in addition to sushi. A few counter seats in the micro-shop if you want to eat right away.
  • House Piccolo, 108 Hereford Avenue (A short walk uphill (inland) from Lower Ganges Road, in a small blue house., +1 250-537-1844. Weds-Sun 5pm on, Mon-Tue closed.. This cozy 30-seat dining room delivers exquisite food with a combination of white-tablecloth service and friendly, laid-back island informality. The published menu is long on seafood and game, but the kitchen knows vegans and vegetarians exist, and will likely be able to accommodate if you ask. Reservations recommended, because many people know how good this place is. entrees $25-40, full meal $60-100 inc tax, tip.
  • Tree House Cafe, 106 Purvis Ln (Ganges, +1 250 537-5379.
  • Al's Gourmet Falafel & Fries, 151 Rainbow Rd, +1 250 538-7573. Mon-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm (at market), Sun closed. This red card offers falafel, pita, and poutine. Some vegan-friendly options. On Saturdays, the cart is at the community market in Centennial park. $5-12.
  • Saturday Market. Sat 8:30am-4pm (April-Oct). This community market includes, among the clothing and jewelry and art, various food vendors. You can get anything from a piece of fudge to a full helping of pasta or stir-fried noodles. various.

However there are a few restaurants in other parts of the island:

  • Fernwood Road Cafe, 325 Fernwood Rd (On the east coast of northern Salt Spring Island, where Fernwood Road intersects Walter's Hook Road., +1 250 931-2233. (Sept-May) Mon-Tue 9am-5pm, Wed closed, Thu-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. Offering comfort food and a place for the community to meet. Breakfast includes oatmeal, french toast, and grilled potatoes. Lunch includes sandwiches, pizza, tuna melt, and salads. Vegetarian options available. $5-12.
  • Falconshead Grill & Lounge open to the public at the SSI Golf & Country Club (Central), 537-1760
  • Rendezvous French Patisserie, 126 Upper Ganges Rd (at Harbour's End Marina, +1 250 537-8400. Mon 9AM - 4:30PM, Tue-Fri: 9AM - 4:30PM. Breakfast and lunch. French macarons, cannelés de Bordeaux, crêpes, croissants. They also sell at the weekend market.
  • Rock Salt Cafe, 2921 Fulford-Ganges Road (In Fulford, +1 250 653-4833. Daily, Breakfast 8-11:30am, lunch 11:30am-4:30pm, dinner 4:30-9pm; cafe opens at 7:00am. Located near the ferry terminal at Fulford Harbour, this might be a good place to catch a bite when you first arrive on-island, or just before you leave. The eclectic menu has vegan-friendly options and kid menus, along the seafood, steak, and burgers. The café opens earlier than the restaurant, for coffee and pastries. entrées $15-25.
  • Morningside Organic Bakery and Café, 107 Morningside Rd (In Fulford, +1 250 653-4414.

Embe Bakery, 174 Fulford-Ganges Rd, +1 250-537-5611. Mon - Sat: 4:30AM - 5:30PM, Sun: 6:30AM - 3PM. Delicious sweet buns, cookies, pies, as well as lunch sandwiches. They will happily pack baked goods to go.

Express Sushi2go, 120-170 Fulford Ganges Rd, +1 250 538-1688. A variety of well-executed Japanese food; teriyaki and tempura in addition to sushi. A few counter seats in the micro-shop if you want to eat right away.

House Piccolo, 108 Hereford Avenue (A short walk uphill (inland) from Lower Ganges Road, in a small blue house., +1 250-537-1844. Weds-Sun 5pm on, Mon-Tue closed.. This cozy 30-seat dining room delivers exquisite food with a combination of white-tablecloth service and friendly, laid-back island informality. The published menu is long on seafood and game, but the kitchen knows vegans and vegetarians exist, and will likely be able to accommodate if you ask. Reservations recommended, because many people know how good this place is. entrees $25-40, full meal $60-100 inc tax, tip.

Tree House Cafe, 106 Purvis Ln (Ganges, +1 250 537-5379.

Al's Gourmet Falafel & Fries, 151 Rainbow Rd, +1 250 538-7573. Mon-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat 10am-4pm (at market), Sun closed. This red card offers falafel, pita, and poutine. Some vegan-friendly options. On Saturdays, the cart is at the community market in Centennial park. $5-12.

Saturday Market. Sat 8:30am-4pm (April-Oct). This community market includes, among the clothing and jewelry and art, various food vendors. You can get anything from a piece of fudge to a full helping of pasta or stir-fried noodles. various.

Fernwood Road Cafe, 325 Fernwood Rd (On the east coast of northern Salt Spring Island, where Fernwood Road intersects Walter's Hook Road., +1 250 931-2233. (Sept-May) Mon-Tue 9am-5pm, Wed closed, Thu-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. Offering comfort food and a place for the community to meet. Breakfast includes oatmeal, french toast, and grilled potatoes. Lunch includes sandwiches, pizza, tuna melt, and salads. Vegetarian options available. $5-12.

Falconshead Grill & Lounge open to the public at the SSI Golf & Country Club (Central), 537-1760

Rendezvous French Patisserie, 126 Upper Ganges Rd (at Harbour's End Marina, +1 250 537-8400. Mon 9AM - 4:30PM, Tue-Fri: 9AM - 4:30PM. Breakfast and lunch. French macarons, cannelés de Bordeaux, crêpes, croissants. They also sell at the weekend market.

Rock Salt Cafe, 2921 Fulford-Ganges Road (In Fulford, +1 250 653-4833. Daily, Breakfast 8-11:30am, lunch 11:30am-4:30pm, dinner 4:30-9pm; cafe opens at 7:00am. Located near the ferry terminal at Fulford Harbour, this might be a good place to catch a bite when you first arrive on-island, or just before you leave. The eclectic menu has vegan-friendly options and kid menus, along the seafood, steak, and burgers. The café opens earlier than the restaurant, for coffee and pastries. entrées $15-25.

Morningside Organic Bakery and Café, 107 Morningside Rd (In Fulford, +1 250 653-4414.

  • Falconshead Grill & Lounge at the SSI Golf & Country Club - one of the few licensed patios on the island that actually has sun all afternoon. A nice casual place with excellent food and great service - Open to the public - 7 days a week - all year long (no guarantees on the sunshine). Ask Jesse about the Special of the Day.

Falconshead Grill & Lounge at the SSI Golf & Country Club - one of the few licensed patios on the island that actually has sun all afternoon. A nice casual place with excellent food and great service - Open to the public - 7 days a week - all year long (no guarantees on the sunshine). Ask Jesse about the Special of the Day.

The area code for Salt Spring is (250) -- same as Vancouver Island. Cell phone coverage is spotty on the island. Telus provides the best coverage on the island. Rogers provides some coverage on their GSM network.

Hop aboard a BC Ferry and travel to nearby Mayne, Pender or Saturna Islands to explore Gulf Islands National Park Reserve (GINPR). Gulf Islands National Park Reserve offers incredible opportunities for boating, kayaking, hiking, wildlife viewing and picnicking, as well as for exploring these rural island communities.