Cowichan Valley, BC Homes for Sale & Real Estate

Entertainment, Restaurants, Cafes

The Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives in Duncan shares the area’s history through exhibits, artifacts, and events. Permanent exhibits at the museum give visitors insight into early pioneer life in the Cowichan Valley, including a general store, a hospital, recreational displays, and agricultural displays. The First Nations Gallery includes First Nations art, photographs, and artifacts. Temporary exhibits include topics like the history of electricity in the Cowichan Valley, which provides information about how the use of electricity changed the lives of people in the area. The Vancouver Island Motorsport Circuit, also in Duncan, is a year-round motorsport facility with a 2.3-kilometre road course, a dynamic driving area, an off-road course, and 1-kilometre off-road proving ground. The main circuit has seven different track configurations and is used by members for driving practices, as well as racing events.

Wild Poppy Bistro in Ladysmith specializes in gluten-free and peanut-free options such as desserts, breakfast plates, sandwiches, and salads. The quaint and relaxed atmosphere lends itself to enjoying a long chat with friends over beverages and a meal. The Shipyard Restaurant and Pub, located in Duncan, is a boat that has been converted into a restaurant. Customers can enjoy the cozy interior or patio area and look out over the water while they dine on seafood and pub food options. A new option in Duncan is The Big Scoop, an ice cream shop that also offers specialty hot dogs. The restaurant has more than 20 varieties of ice cream to choose from, with flavours such as black licorice, grape soda, honey berry cheesecake, mango, and Belgian hazelnut. A cute patio area allows customers to enjoy their sweet treats in the sun.

Pollution / Noise

Wildfires can sometimes cause air quality issues, but most of the air pollution in the neighbourhood stems from highways and local industry. Noise can be problematic near major roadways.

Crime Rate

The crime rate in Cowichan Valley is similar to that of many other communities in the province, and is not amongst the highest. Most of the crime committed in the neighbourhood is non-violent.

Family Life

Cowichan Valley has a number of parks of different sizes. Diana Princess of Wales Park, located in Saltair, features a walking trail that winds through over 12 hectares of beautiful forested areas near the Strait of Georgia. Cowichan River Provincial Park, located just outside of Duncan, is a popular place for fishing, hiking, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, camping, horseback riding, biking, and wildlife viewing. The park offers day-use and picnic areas, campsites, restrooms, a boat launch, drinking water, and campfire areas. Centennial Park in Duncan features greenspace, a spray park, a playground, tennis courts, a basketball court, exercise equipment, a lawn bowling green, a covered picnic area, a community garden, an outdoor wood oven, benches, treed areas, and a walking trail.

The Cowichan Aquatic Centre in Duncan has a wave pool, a lazy river, two waterslides, a large pool with lap lanes, a steam room, a sauna, a whirlpool, a fitness centre, and meeting spaces. Public swim times, swimming lessons, fitness classes, birthday parties, and meetings are all held at the centre. The Fuller Lake Arena in Chemainus includes a rink with spectator area, two meeting rooms, and a concession area. Hockey, ice skating, and other programs are available at the arena. Located in Shawnigan Lake, the Shawnigan Lake Community Centre offers summer camps, soccer, music, floor hockey, yoga, computer, food and first aid certification, fitness, dance, and general interest programs for people of all ages. The centre has a dance studio, a gymnasium, kitchen facilities, a lounge, and a multipurpose room. Several branches of the Vancouver Island Regional Library are located in Cowichan Valley and also offer community programs for people of all ages.