Shopping near VI Cottage.

Sidney’s small-town vibe and waterfront setting make it an ideal place to wander and explore local shops. The town is known for its eclectic mix of boutique stores, bookstores, galleries, cafes, and seaside stops.

Sidney’s Booktown: Sidney is affectionately known as “Booktown” because of its concentration of independent bookstores. It is a good stop for book lovers looking for local authors, travel guides, novels, children’s books, and second-hand finds.

• Tanner’s Books and The Blue Heron Bookstore: Independent bookstores with a broad selection of titles.
• The Book Cottage: A cozy stop for second-hand books and casual browsing.
• Sidney Spit Gift Shop: Coastal-themed gifts, local crafts, and souvenir items.
• The Local General Store: Locally made goods, artisan foods, handmade jewelry, and regional items.
• Resthaven Park Mall: A small shopping plaza with local businesses, services, and casual dining options.

The Sidney Public Market is a popular stop for fresh local produce, handmade goods, crafts, food items, and seasonal finds.

• Local crafts and art: Handmade pottery, artwork, knitted items, jewelry, and other artisan goods.
• Fresh produce: Local fruit, vegetables, flowers, and regional farm items.
• Baked goods and preserves: Baked goods, jams, honey, and homemade treats from local vendors.

The market is a good place to discover local talent and pick up something unique to bring back from your trip.

The Saanich Peninsula offers a relaxed shopping experience with a focus on local and artisan goods. Explore nearby communities such as Sidney, Brentwood Bay, and Central Saanich for boutiques, specialty shops, markets, and regional food producers.

You’ll find handcrafted jewelry, local art, gourmet foods, natural products, and gifts made by artisans from the surrounding area. Shopping on the Saanich Peninsula has a slower-paced, local feel, which is apparently still legal despite the internet trying to ruin everything.

Downtown Victoria offers a larger shopping experience with historic streets, independent boutiques, artisan shops, well-known brands, restaurants, and waterfront areas.

Stroll around Government Street, Fort Street, Market Square, and nearby laneways for locally crafted jewelry, Indigenous art, fashion, gifts, specialty food, and seasonal market experiences.

It makes an easy day trip from VI Cottage if you want a bigger shopping day while still returning to a quiet North Saanich home base.