Salt Spring INFO, GETTING HERE, THINGS TO DO, PLACES TO EAT,

For the best information on Salt Spring Island, where to stay, places to eat and more visit Salt Spring Market.com

Please check all information out for yourself as these are my humble opinions and I cannot guarantee they will agree with yours or that it is 100% accurate.

Salt Spring Info and Getting Here:

Salt Spring Population: 10,500
Size:70 square miles/180 square kms. It takes 45-50 minutes to drive from top to bottom!
How to get here: You have the choice of 3 ferry terminals (www.bcferries.com)

1. Crofton on Vancouver Island to Vesuvius on Salt Spring (20 minutes)
2. Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island to Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring (35 minutes)
3. Tsawwassen in Vancouver to Long Harbour on Salt Spring (1 hour 15 mins to 3.5 hours depending on how many other island stops inbetween).

How to get here alternative:Saltspring Island’s own Sea plane company Saltspring Air. To and from Vancouver and Vancouver Island to Salt Spring, 3 times a day. Email: [email protected] or visit http://www.saltspringair.com

My Favourite Things to Do on Salt Spring:

• Visit the Saturday Market (from Easter until the end of October – check http://www.saltspringmarket.com for exact dates). Buy fruit/veg/bread/cakes/pies/fudge/jam, soap/natural beauty products, arts, crafts and much much more!!!) Only residents of Salt Spring allowed on the market. Downtown Ganges in Centennial Park. Go early to avoid crowds.
• Visit Salt Spring Winery for a tasting! (& Garry Oaks Winery next door) www.saltspringvineyards.com In the summer you get to try the wines paired with local cheese/chocolate etc! Lounge outside with a glass of wine and watch Happy the dog swimming in the pond. Check website for exact opening hours.
• Visit Salt Spring Cheese for a tastingof all the yummy goat and sheep cheeses (truffle, lemon, chilli, roasted garlic, basil and much more). http://www.saltspringcheese.com/farmshop.html Check website for exact opening hours.
• Have a massage – Salt Spring has many options for health and wellness. I have tried http://www.ayurvedarejuvenationsaltspring.comThe lovely Radhika can give you an Ayurvedic massage experience at her home/massage studio North of Ganges.
• Visit Salt Spring Natureworks in downtown Ganges (opposite Tourist Info) at 116 Lower Ganges Road to see a natural, vibrant grocery store that follows a strong set of values – if only all grocery stores were like this one. A mini, locally run and operated Whole Foods – only better!
• Visit Rainbow Road Trading. Personally imported stuff from Asia – fun for browsing and gifts. Now more centrally located, 2 doors up from Natureworks on Lower Ganges Road and kitty corner to the Tourism Office.
• Pick up a Salt Spring Studio Tour Map (also at www.saltspringstudiotour.com)from the Tourist Information on 121 Lower Ganges Road, and visit some of the artisan’s studios.
• THE GREAT OUTDOORS:
  – Go up Mount Maxwell for the fabulous views over Fulford Valley.
  – Visit the small but delightful Beddis Beach– at the end of Beddis Road.
  – Take a picnic to Ruckle Point Park and eat on the beach before taking a hike around this fabulous Park.
  – Partake of some of the produce/eggs/flowers to be found on the roadside honesty stands all over the island in the Summer/Fall.
  – Take kayaking lessons or a guided tour to some of the local mini-islands! http://www.islandescapades.com/
• Take in some Live music.Check The Driftwood (local newspaper) for what’s on (The Treehouse in downtown Ganges at 106 Purvis Lane is a good bet). Many amazing artists including Bill Henderson, Randy Bachman (from Bachman Turner Overdrive), I also like Soul Shakedown, any band with Brent Shindell in and the Flora Scott Trio for some live jazz… Also, El Zocalo (Gasoline Alley next to Centennial Park) has live Jazz on Friday nights – Derrick the owner is a whizz on the trumpet!
• If you like golf there are two 9-hole Golf Courses – Salt Spring Golf Course, a 3100 yard, par 36 at 805 Lower Ganges Road (http://www.saltspringgolf.com) or the ‘naturally preferred’ option of Blackburn Meadows – a 1608 yard, links-style course and Canada’s first organic golf-course, designed by Jeff Shaw (http://www.blackburnmeadows.com).
• Finally, assuming you’re not a vegetarian (and that you can actually find some) try our famous Salt Spring Lamb.
• And keep an eye out for our large deer population and other animals and creatures including eagles, owls, tree frogs, garter and the rare sharp-tailed snake (all harmless), otters and even beavers!

Eating Out on Salt Spring:

• Its definitely worth a visit to Fulford in the south of the island, and while you are there make sure to check out the compassionation eating at moringside organic bakery and bookstore – vegan and vegetarian food, books to get you thinking, live entertainment and more. If you are arriving on the island via Fulford maybe stop in on your way and grab a loaf of bread and some other treats to start of your trip.
• Go to Auntie Pestos for Spaghetti Carbonara (or any other dish!). In Grace Point Square downtown Ganges.
• Go to Barb’s Buns for brunch. Downtown Ganges at 1-121 McPhillips Avenue
• Posher dining: House Piccolo (http://www.housepiccolo.com at 108 Hereford Avenue)
• Super-posh dining: Hastings House (www.hastingshouse.com at 160 Upper Ganges Road)
• Go to Rock Salt Cafe for lunch or dinner in Fulford Harbour, and check out the few gift/alternative stores while you’re there!
• Grab yourself a latte at the famous “Salt Spring Coffee Company’s” Salt Spring Coffee Shop of course! McPhillips Avenue in downtown Ganges.
• Have a sorbetto or gelato at Harlan’s Chocolates in downtown Ganges, 100 Lower Ganges Road. I think they’re open until 9pm in the summer!
• Visit the Raven Street Market Cafe – up near the Fernwood dock you can enjoy a great pizza fresh from the wood fired oven…
• Try some Sushi at Sushi to go in Ganges – we like the dragon roll….