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christmas craft fair itinerary

Craft Fair Island Itinerary

You can accomplish this itinerary in 1 day by focusing on visiting the 3 craft fairs or stay the entire weekend and enjoy some distractions along the way.  Note that many island artist studios, which are usually closed in the winter, reopen on craft fair weekend.  You can get a Studio Tour map at the Tourist Information Office located across the street from the Salt Spring Inn in Ganges.  If you need to be convinced to come in the first place read this.

9:00am Depart Swartz Bay for Fulford Harbour on Salt Spring Island.  Plan to arrive at the Swartz Bay terminal at 8:30 for assured boarding.  Always check ferry schedules before traveling.

9:45 am Arrive in Fulford Harbour.

Set your kilometer counter to 0.

As you exit the ferry terminal you will see Rock Salt Restaurant on your right.  If you need espresso, or want a decadent full breakfast, then turn right on Morningside Road (your first right when you exit the terminal) and park.  We serve brunch (including bennies) 9:00am to 3:00pm on weekends.

Coffee, tea, apple cider as well as a wide variety of sweet and savoury treats are available at the fairs.

Continue up the hill.  At the crest of the hill you will see a road sign for Ruckle Park.  Keep left and follow the road as it bends around the harbour.

.08 km – You are now be approaching the end of Fulford Harbour.  On your right is St. Paul’s Catholic church, the first of three beautiful heritage churches in the Fulford Valley.  Mass is at 8:00am on Sunday.  Many island pioneers are buried in the church yard cemeteries so if you have time stop to check out the gravestones.

1.2 km – The Fulford Inn is at the head of the harbour.  It is currently closed but the liquor store remains open.  Just past the Inn, turn right onto Fulford Ganges Road (follow the sign to Ganges).

1.5 km -  On your left is St. Mary’s Anglican church and on your right is Fulford Hall.  Park and enjoy the first craft show.

When you exit the hall parking lot turn right onto Fulford Ganegs Road and continue driving north through the Fulford Valley.  There are several quaint heritage pioneer homes on both sides of the road.

2.0 km - On your right is the eclectic homestead and log house museum owned by the Ackermans – one of the island’s original European pioneer families.

2.2 km – Notice Whitehouse Farm on your right, another beautiful heritage farm.   Strait ahead check out Mount Maxwell looming over the valley.  When the light is perfect or the moon full this is one of the best views on the island.

3.4 km- Check out Meg Buckley’s pottery studio and the Monster Lab on your right.   Diane Perry, owner of Monster Lab, creates one of a kind stuffies that will charm the socks off your kids.

3.8 km On your right is the United Burgoyne Bay Church.  It is worth stopping for a photo.

4.3 km Notice the sign to Burgoyne Bay.  The dirt road on your left takes you there.  The road itself is very scenic – dotted with heritage farm buildings – and the bay is very beautiful.  There are some very easy hiking trails around the water’s edge.

5.1km - You are now climbing Lee’s Hill.  Drive carefully as their are some sharp turns.  Lee’s Hill is unfortunately known locally as the site of more then one tragic car accident.   Half way up the hill you will see a sign for two of the island’s wineries.  Both are open for tasting and tours.  The first set of vines on your left belong to the Garry Oak Winery. Marcel and Elaine, the winery owners, live in the beautiful yellow house with black trim tucked behind the vines.

5.4 km At the peak of the hill (just before the sign warning you to slow down to 40km/hr) on your left, is a dirt road leading to Salt Spring Vineyards. You will see the vines just up ahead.  On a nice summer day their grounds are the best place on the island to enjoy a picnic lunch.

12 km On your left you will see Cranberry Road.  This road eventually leads (after many twists and turns) to the view point at the top of Mount Maxwell if you have an urge to look down on the Fulford Valley.  It is at least a 20 minute drive and the last few kilometers are on a very bumpy dirt road.  Cranberry road also marks the top of what locals refer to as ‘Ganges Hill’ which descends into the island’s main village.

13.7 km You are now entering the main village.  Veer to your left instead of going strait towards Ganges Harbour and Mouats Hardware.  You will pass restaurants and Thrifty’s grocery store.  At the outer edge of town, across the street from The Fishery, you will see Mahon Hall.  Park and enjoy the 2nd craft show.

When you exit the hall set your kilometre reader to 0 again.

When you exit the hall parking lot, turn left and head south which is back the way you came.  Continue back hrough town and up Ganges Hill.

1.4 km - Before you get back to Cranberry Road, turn left on Beddis Road and to enjoy more bucolic island vistas on island back roads.

6.3 km – Turn right on Cusheon Lake Road.

7.3 km – Turn left on Stewart Road.  Note the hand crafted bus stop with an ‘Island Spirit’ sign.  This was erected by local families to keep their kids dry while they wait for the morning school bus.

At the end of Stewart Road on your right you will see signs for Solace Spa (Studio # 28).  The owner, Julie, will be selling her incredible hand made spa products at one of the fairs.

10.8 km Stewart Road dead ends at Beaver Point Road.  Turn left.  Just past the turn on your right you will see Reynolds Road and signs for studios 30 and 31.  This is the home of Salt Spring Cheese and nationally renowned goat cheese producer David Wood.  His cheese (and probably David himself) will be available at the fairs but the farm store is still worth a visit.  There is also a really great self-guided walking tour of the cheese making operations.  There are several other artist studios on Reynolds Road as well.

11.4 km You can now see Weston Lake on your right.  This is the home of Canadian folk legend Valdy.  It is also an amazing swimming lake in the summer.

14. km You will see Beaver Point Hall on your left.  Possibly the most charming of Salt Spring’s community halls.  Enjoy the third craft show.

Set your kilometer reader to 0 again.

When you exit the craft show, turn right and go back the way you came.  Check out Ambeldale Farms on your right.  They have a really nice farm and this time of year have beautiful Christmas wreathes for sale.  You will need cash as you have to pay in an honour box.

3.9km Pass Stewart Road (careful don’t go up Stewart, stay to your left) and continue down Beaver Point Road.

4.9km On your left is Stole Lake.  A very popular family swimming hole.

5.6 km On your left is one of the most beautiful heritage farms on the island.  Stop and take a picture of the scenic red and white farm buildings with a panoramic view of the San Juan Islands and Vancouver Island in the background.  Today the farm aptly grows Christmas trees.  Maybe you can take one home.

5.8 km As you round the corner you will start to glimpse Fulford Harbour.  If you drive slowly and look to  your right, at the end of a long dirt driveway you will see a large cream coloured house.  This is a straw bale house, one of the islands many successful experiments with alternative green building techniques.

6.0 km Notice Dancing Bears studio on your right.  You probably met Carolyn, the owner, at one of the craft fairs and maybe even purchased a piece of her stylish hemp clothing.

6.3 nkm You are now entering Fulford Village once again.  Turn left at the stop sign and proceed down the hill. Best to plan your trip so you arrive here at 6pm, just after the 5:50 ferry departs so you can drive right into the ferry parking lot and be first on the 7:50 ferry. No need to pay as you paid for a round trip on your way here.

Park and go enjoy one of the best burgers in the world at Rock Salt Restaurant.  If burgers aren’t your thing there is lots to choose from on our menu.  We are the number #1 restaurant on Salt Spring on Trip Advisor.  If it’s Saturday night you enjoy our Mexican night.  Our chefs are from Mexico City so you know it is going to be good.

If you didn’t get everything on your list at the fairs then you better browse through the great shops to browse in Fulford Village.  Check out Stuff & Nonsense for a very unique quality selection of housewares, children’s toys, clothing and so much more.  Seriously, there is something for everyone on your list in this store – even husbands and dads.  There are Christmas decorations that you will not find anywhere else. This store is worth coming to Salt Spring for.  It happens to be owned by my sister and she travels the world every year finding cool ‘stuff’.

Enjoy your visit and see you at the fair!