Egils & Rachel’s guidebook
Nearest Amenities
Country Grocer
1400 Cowichan Bay RdCure Artisan Meat and Cheese
1400 Cowichan Bay RdDrumroaster Coffee
1400 Cowichan Bay RdPizzeria Prima Strada
14-1400 Cowichan Bay RdDragon Yuan Restaurant
1400 Cowichan Bay RdMill Bay Sushi
2720 Mill Bay RdCobble Hill Liquor Plus
1400 Cowichan Bay RdMonet Spa
1400 Cowichan Bay RdMirra Hair Lounge
1400 Cowichan Bay RdValley Health and Fitness
1400 Cowichan Bay RdOur neighbourhood park. Playground and picnic tables with lush views of the valley. 10 minute walk along Judge Drive.
William Shearing Park
Our neighbourhood park. Playground and picnic tables with lush views of the valley. 10 minute walk along Judge Drive.
Cherry Point Beach
800 Garnett RdOur favourite ocean spot.
Our closest swimming hole on the Koksilah River. Trail passes through forest and includes some steep inclines to the water with stairs in some sections. Rocky riverbank, no beach to sit. There is a picnic area in a clearing halfway down trail.
Kingburne Park
2386 Gray LnOur closest swimming hole on the Koksilah River. Trail passes through forest and includes some steep inclines to the water with stairs in some sections. Rocky riverbank, no beach to sit. There is a picnic area in a clearing halfway down trail.
A well-loved, forested park along the Koksilah River. Suspension bridge, swimming hole, playground, picnic tables and washrooms available.
30 locals recommend
Bright Angel Park
4528 Tigwell RdA well-loved, forested park along the Koksilah River. Suspension bridge, swimming hole, playground, picnic tables and washrooms available.
Sandy beach, trees for shade, trail system, playground - a perfect family friendly park located on Shawnigan Lake. Closer to our home than West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park.
10 locals recommend
Old Mill Park
Recreation RoadSandy beach, trees for shade, trail system, playground - a perfect family friendly park located on Shawnigan Lake. Closer to our home than West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park.
Wineries
There are fourteen wineries in the Valley. The few listed below are all under 8 km from our home.
Guest can walk 750m down the hill to Divino Winery. Take a longer stroll along Freeman Road, one of our favourite evening constitutionals. Tasting room is open Fridays and Saturdays, 1-5pm throughout the year.
10 locals recommend
Divino Estate Winery LTD
1500 Freeman RdGuest can walk 750m down the hill to Divino Winery. Take a longer stroll along Freeman Road, one of our favourite evening constitutionals. Tasting room is open Fridays and Saturdays, 1-5pm throughout the year.
Cross the highway to Glenterra Vineyards and Thistles Café, 2 km away. Open Friday to Monday, 12 to 5pm.
7 locals recommend
Glenterra Vineyards
3897 Cobble Hill RdCross the highway to Glenterra Vineyards and Thistles Café, 2 km away. Open Friday to Monday, 12 to 5pm.
5 km away, Rocky Creek is open April to September, Wednesdays to Sundays, 11-5 pm.
18 locals recommend
Rocky Creek Winery
1854 Myhrest Rd5 km away, Rocky Creek is open April to September, Wednesdays to Sundays, 11-5 pm.
6 km away is Blue Grouse Estate Winery, open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. An impressive charcuterie board and bucolic valley views from the upstairs gallery.
62 locals recommend
Blue Grouse Estate Winery and Vineyard
2182 Lakeside Rd6 km away is Blue Grouse Estate Winery, open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 am to 5 pm. An impressive charcuterie board and bucolic valley views from the upstairs gallery.
6 km away, follow signs along Telegraph Road to Cherry Point Estate Wines. The undulating countryside is worth the drive or cycle. Open everyday 10am-5pm for tastings or go for lunch at La Terraza Bistro, Thursday to Sunday starting at 11:30am.
Cherry Point Beach is close by - our favourite ocean spot.
45 locals recommend
Cherry Point Estate Wines
840 Cherry Point Rd6 km away, follow signs along Telegraph Road to Cherry Point Estate Wines. The undulating countryside is worth the drive or cycle. Open everyday 10am-5pm for tastings or go for lunch at La Terraza Bistro, Thursday to Sunday starting at 11:30am.
Cherry Point Beach is close by - our favourite ocean spot.
8 km along charming Telegraph Road is Damali Lavender and Winery. Open Thursday to Sunday, 11-4pm.
19 locals recommend
Damali Lavender & Winery
3500 Telegraph Rd8 km along charming Telegraph Road is Damali Lavender and Winery. Open Thursday to Sunday, 11-4pm.
9 km along charming Telegraph Road is Enrico Winery, open Wednesday to Sunday, 12 am to 5 pm.
54 locals recommend
Enrico Winery
3280 Telegraph Rd9 km along charming Telegraph Road is Enrico Winery, open Wednesday to Sunday, 12 am to 5 pm.
7 km away is Unsworth Vineyards. Tasting Room and Terrace are open Wednesday & Thursday, 11am to 5pm; Friday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm. Restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 8pm.
111 locals recommend
Unsworth Vineyards
2915 Cameron Taggart Rd7 km away is Unsworth Vineyards. Tasting Room and Terrace are open Wednesday & Thursday, 11am to 5pm; Friday to Sunday, 11am to 6pm. Restaurant is open Wednesday to Sunday, 12pm to 8pm.
Cowichan Bay
Cowichan Bay Kayaking and Adventure Centre
1765 Cowichan Bay RdUdder Guys Ice Cream and Candy
1765 Cowichan Bay RdThe best ice cream on the Island.
True Grain - Cowichan Bay
1735 Cowichan Bay RdArthur Vickers Gallery
1719 Cowichan Bay RdOcean Ecoventures Whale Watching
1721 Cowichan Bay RdCowichan Estuary trail
Rob's Lighthouse Eatery
1751 Cowichan Bay RdRock Cod Cafe
1759 Cowichan Bay RdCow Cafe
1681 Cowichan Bay RdThe Masthead Restaurant
1701 Cowichan Bay RdThe Vine
1765 Cowichan Bay RdCobble Hill / Shawnigan
Cobble Hill Mountain Regional Recreation Area
Old Baldy Mtn
2329 Strathcona Heights RdCheck out the Cowichan Valley Trail by foot or by bike and traverse the 144–foot high Kinsol Trestle. The CVT is a multi-use trail that runs along former railway routes. Easy cycling and walking, suitable for families. The trail is also accessible from multiple points in Duncan. You can rent bikes at Cycle Therapy in Duncan.
168 locals recommend
Kinsol Trestle
2869 Glen Eagles RdCheck out the Cowichan Valley Trail by foot or by bike and traverse the 144–foot high Kinsol Trestle. The CVT is a multi-use trail that runs along former railway routes. Easy cycling and walking, suitable for families. The trail is also accessible from multiple points in Duncan. You can rent bikes at Cycle Therapy in Duncan.
West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park
West Shawnigan Lake RoadThe Lakehouse at Shawnigan
2460 Renfrew RdA great place to stop for food after hiking or swimming in the Shawnigan area. Go for a stroll in the orchard - take the family and look for the fairies. Open Monday to Thursday 11am - 6pm and Friday to Sunday, 11am - 8pm.
105 locals recommend
Merridale Cidery & Distillery
1230 Merridale RdA great place to stop for food after hiking or swimming in the Shawnigan area. Go for a stroll in the orchard - take the family and look for the fairies. Open Monday to Thursday 11am - 6pm and Friday to Sunday, 11am - 8pm.
Mill Bay / Brentwood Bay / Malahat
Travelling from Victoria or Vancouver? Try taking Vancouver Island's most beautiful shortcut. This 35 minute ferry crosses the Saanich Inlet between Brentwood Bay and Mill Bay daily.
13 locals recommend
Mill Bay Ferry Terminal
Ferry RoadTravelling from Victoria or Vancouver? Try taking Vancouver Island's most beautiful shortcut. This 35 minute ferry crosses the Saanich Inlet between Brentwood Bay and Mill Bay daily.
Malahat SkyWalk
901 Trans-Canada HwyBridgemans Bistro
740 Handy RdMill Bay Sushi
2720 Mill Bay RdBlue Dog Kayaking
740 Handy RdCross the Saanich Inlet by ferry from Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay for a day out at these world famous gardens. Butchart is only a 4 km drive from the Brentwood Bay Ferry Terminal on the Saanich Peninsula.
388 locals recommend
The Butchart Gardens
800 Benvenuto AveCross the Saanich Inlet by ferry from Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay for a day out at these world famous gardens. Butchart is only a 4 km drive from the Brentwood Bay Ferry Terminal on the Saanich Peninsula.
Maple Bay / Genoa Bay
Stoney Hill Regional Park
Genoa Bay Cafe
5000 Genoa Bay RdMaple Mountain
Maple Bay Beach Park
Beaumont AvenueHand of Man Museum
6759 Considine AveWilderness Kayaking Co
6683 Beaumont AveDuncan / North Cowichan
Duncan Farmer's Market
200 Craig StMount Tzouhalem Kaspa Rd Trailhead
Kaspa RoadB.C. Forest Discovery Centre
2892 Drinkwater RdPacific Northwest Raptors
1877 Herd RdWestholme Tea Farm
8350 Richards TrailEmandare Vineyard
6798 Norcross RdDeol Vineyard
6645 Somenos RdAverill Creek Vineyard
6552 N RdSmall Block Brewing Co
203-5301 Chaster RdStillhead Distillery
5301 Chaster RdRed Arrow Brewing Company
5255 Chaster RdAmpersand Distilling
4077 Lanchaster RoadThe Old Firehouse Wine & Cocktail Bar
40 Ingram StCowichan Valley Museum
130 Canada Ave