I’ve moved to Cape Town 3 times, each time taking a leap further south. It’s a strange thing moving back to a city that you think you know, because you quickly find that Cape Town offers very different experiences with each suburb and stage of life. The most recent chapter in my Cape chronology has been staged on the South Peninsula – a region which I knew almost nothing about and had hardly stepped foot in before moving here.
While the South Pen is often referred to as the “Deep South”, because trekking anywhere further north of Tokai is considered a day outing, I’ve discovered so much beauty and so many wonderful family activities here that there’s really not all that much reason to leave. Here are 9 of my favourite spots that I never knew about until I moved here – some of which are a little more of a secret than others. So for those of you who live anywhere north of Tokai…this is for you!
1. Noordhoek Common
A large field wedged between horse paddocks, I had always mistaken the Noordhoek Common for private equestrian land. But the Common, across the road from the Noordhoek Farm Village, is open to the public to enjoy picnics and walks (many people ignore the “no dogs” sign), and on a sunny, windless day it’s the perfect spot to laze under the shady oak trees while the kids explore, feed horses, and splash about in the shallow stream.
2. Kleinplaas Dam
As much as I love Silvermine Dam, I prefer picnic spots without an entry fee. Klienplaas Dam is a great picnic and swimming spot at the top of Red Hill Road near Simon’s Town. There is a Kleinplaas Dam Trail that takes about 2 hours, but for families and people who prefer a short walk, just take the right turn towards the dam and park in the designated parking lot. From there it’s only a 2km walk along Kleinplaas Dam Road (which is dog-friendly if you have a Wild Card permit). The initial incline is quite steep, but it very soon levels out to a flat walking trail.
3. Jager Walk Rock Pool
Fish Hoek beach is a family-friendly beach where having fun takes priority over what you look like in a bikini. But one of the best spots is actually not on the beach itself. Take a stroll along Jagers Walk – the paved pathway easily identified by the brightly coloured, lego-like benches built into the rock – and you’ll soon come across wooden steps that lead down to a large rock pool. Depending on the tide you can either walk or swim across the pool to find star fish, sea anemones, and other interesting marine life on the other side.
4. Scarborough Beach
As much as I love Fish Hoek beach, there are those perfect days in the year when the entire peninsula population attempts to share the same sand. It’s even more extreme at Muizenberg beach on New Year’s Day. Scarborough beach is a quieter, cleaner, albeit colder alternative and the kids will have a blast exploring the rock pools and collecting mussels (which you can take home if you have a permit). If you love the sound of this, you’ll also enjoy Noordhoek beach.
5. Fisherman’s Kommetjie
If you miss the red Fisherman’s Kommetjie sign the first time, this restaurant and garden pub on Kommetjie Main Road is well worth the U-turn. The wood-fired pizzas are the best I’ve tasted, the juicy marinated ribs fall off the bone, and the kiddies’ burgers fill an adult appetite. Spend a beautiful day under the milkwood trees while the kids play on the jungle gym, or catch live sport on the screens in the indoor pub area.
6. Silvermine Wetlands
Blink and you may just miss it. As you drive into Fish Hoek, directly across from Clovelly beach, you’ll find the Silvermine Wetlands. It’s my favourite path from my home to the dog-friendly beach – a little haven where you can be still and enjoy the quiet rustling of wind through the wall of fynbos and tall reeds, and hear the many calls of the birds that have made this protected wetland their home. If you’re really lucky, you may even spot a clawless Cape otter. The pathways are open to walkers and cyclists, and I’m not sure whether my dog or kids love crossing the “secret” stepping stone path alongside the pond more.
7. Peers Cave
A sign points from Kommetjie Road to the Fish Hoek Sports Grounds and from there you’re left to kind of guess where to go next to find Peers Cave. It’s not really rocket science finding the trail – just cross the fields and head to the big rock on top of the mountain with a good chunk gorged out of it. Be prepared to wear sandpits in your shoes, because the first part of the hike is over dunes of soft beach sand – where I was pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful little pond. The hike is steep in some parts, but short and easy enough for little ones to do without any complaints. Once you reach Peers Cave, I recommend venturing further (turn right out of the cave) to a second set of caves.
8. Cape Point Vineyards
If you live on the eastern side of the South Peninsula, you eventually end up with an insatiable craving to see the sun set over the ocean. My top spot for sundowners is Cape Point Vineyards in Noordhoek, especially on a Thursday night when they host their popular food market. Vibey music, good food, great company, pretty vineyards, and grassy mountain slopes with elevated views over the valley and Atlantic Ocean add up to an evening well spent.
9. St James Walkway
The Main Road sidewalk from the colourful beach huts of St James to Muizenberg offers a lovely scenic walk, but there are many locals who choose to walk on the other side of the railway tracks. What I love about this walkway is that some creative person (or people) has taken it upon themselves to leave a trail of hearts and other spray painted icons along the way, turning the trail into a bit of a treasure hunt. It’s also a great walkway for the kids to practice their rock climbing and strandloper skills.
Which of these South Peninsula spots are new to you? Do you have any other secret spots to share?
