Sooke B&B Guide
Sooke boasts Canada's southern most harbour. It is nestled among
the dramatic Sooke Hills and is surrounded by the pristine beauty
of the ocean, natural harbours, beaches, magical rainforests and
numerous hiking trails. Stay at these Sooke B&B accommodations and discover
this truly wonderful place with natural beauty steeped in heritage and history.
The Sooke region takes its name from the T'sou-ke (the "e"
is silent) native people, the first inhabitants of the area. T'sou-ke
was the name given to a species of stickleback fish that was once
quite numerous in the Sooke Basin.
In 1790, with the arrival of Spanish explorer Manuel Quimper, the
area was "discovered." The forest and the ocean provided
the resources for the region's development. Events such as the arrival
of the first European settler, Walter Colquhoun Grant, in 1849 and
the Leechtown gold rush in 1864 provided the colourful milestones
in this peaceful progress.
The Sooke Region Museum (open year round) houses much of this history
(and more) on its two hectare site.
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A forty minute drive will take you from the English quaintness
of Victoria to the tranquility and natural splendour of the Sooke
region.
The harbourside village of Sooke, where most of the region's 11,600
inhabitants live, is the gateway to miles of unspoiled beaches,
meandering rainforest trails and breathtaking views of Sooke Harbour,
the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Washington State's Olympic Mountains.
The Village of Sooke is the crossroads for you to go adventuring.
You can choose to travel around one of the most sheltered harbours
on southern Vancouver Island or venture to the extreme southwest
corner of Canada through the rural community of East Sooke. Or you
can wend your way along the scenic West Coast Road which follows
74 kilometres of coastline past a whole series of accessible beaches,
many of which are provincial parks.
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While visiting Sooke, combine other activities
with enjoyment of the area's cultural side. Sooke has long been
a haven for artists, artisans and craftspeople. Over the years,
the high quality and originality of the area's arts community have
become recognized.
The use of found and natural materials such as cedar and other
local woods, glass, felt, porcelain, seaweed, precious and base
metals are transformed into unique works of art. Explore the local
studios and workshops or visit the local gift shops to enjoy their
work.
Formal studio tours are offered during Spring, Fall and over the
Christmas Season. In the studios you can see the artists and artisans
creative layouts, talk to them about their work and learn about
the different mediums used for their creative expression. They may
even tell you why being in the area is important to them!
In Sooke, there is a small community theatre which is the home
of musicals, plays, and other local performances. Presentations
are given in this state-of-the-art facility that can seat an audience
of 350. Upcoming performances and events can be found in the calendar
of events.
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Dining during your visit to the area is an adventure whether you
are a 'day tripper' or planning a more extended visit. Sooke offers
a variety of dining establishments, ranging from casual eateries
to local pubs to fine dining at the world famous Sooke Harbour House.
Beach exploring, picnicking and other outdoor activities are becoming
increasingly popular. Catering to the "al fresco" visitor
is a growing business in the Sooke Region. Food for the road can
be found right in the village of Sooke. Picnic lunches and provisions
can easily be arranged locally. Ask your host for assistance in
planning a picnic lunch.
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