Strand and nearby Gordon's Bay, situated on the False Bay coastline are among South Africa and the Western Cape's most popular and oldest holiday destinations. Known for its long sandy beaches excellent for swimming and sunbathing, the Strand waters are ideal for sailing, fishing and wind surfing.
At the side of the Strand Pavilion, there is an indoor heated olympic sized swimming pool and along Beach Road is an entertainment area with putt putt and waterslides.
On Sundays the beachfront comes alive when traders and crafters set up their stalls at the flea market. For sports lovers there is an excellent 18 hole golf course in the Strand.
Most of the restaurants in the Strand are situated along the beach front Promenade where franchised restaurants, takeaways and little roadside eateries rub shoulders with elegant establishments – every mood is catered for.The Strand Pavilion Resort has a beautiful setting ; protruding over the sea, it has breathtaking views of False Bay. It is home to the "Surfside" restaurants (0218532748) comprising of :
- The Surfside Restaurant - an elegant venue with live music and dance floor
- The Bistro serves breakfast and lunches and opens at 7:30 for early birds
- The Fat Cats Cocktail Bar is a perfect spot for sundowners
Across the road from the Pavilion one finds one of South Africa's popular family restaurants :
Spur Steakhouse (0218562676).
Another family favourite: Wimpy, which specialises in lighter meals and hamburgers,
also opens at 7:30 in the mornings.
Debonairs Pizza (0218530303), Nandos Chicken (0218534435) and Kentucky Fried Chicken (0218535673) are some of the franchise restaurants/takeaways that can be found along, or just off Beach Road.
Kaapzicht restaurant is one of the oldest established restaurants in Beach Road and serves a wide variety of seafood dishes, steaks as well as cakes and deserts (0218537807).
Ben's on the Beach - emphasis on quality fresh ingredients, served in a colourful and relaxed atmosphere (Bookings 0218537977).
The sheltered Bikini Beach is a perfect swimming and sunbathing spot, popular with students from Stellenbosch University.
Miguels Alforno - Miguel hails from Italy and has brought his culinary expertise to South Africa many years ago , serving seafood ,
pizza ,pasta and meat dishes. 0218564021
Indigo – A festive atmosphere -inside and outside seating under umbrellas 0218562460
Spur Steakhouse – situated on the beach in Gordonsbay – position second to none –
kiddies play area and
a lively family atmosphere. 0218562676
Berties Mooring's Pub and restaurant is situated only 3 km from Greenways, along Gordonsbay road
in the Harbour Island Complex.
Stunning views across Harbour Island Moorings. Seating inside and out. Live music / Bands four times per week. 0218563343
Antonio's also at Harbour Island specializes in Pizzas and pastas. 0218563361
A scenic 15 km drive along the R44 takes one to the heart of Stellenbosch. - gateway to the winelands of the Western Cape. This historic university town , situated on the banks of the Eerste River and encircled by the Hottentots Holland mountains holds the honour of being the best known town in South Africa. Stellenbosch is also the second oldest town in South Africa and its history is reflected in the old buildings from Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture , set among the oak lined streets (from there the name Eikestad – Town of Oaks)
Stellenbosch became the first wine region in South Africa to establish a wine route in 1971. Today there are more than a 100 participating wineries , where tourists can experience the wine tasting in the natural beauty of some of the most impressive mountains in the Cape.
The Overberg : Land based whale watching is popular in this region and the beautiful coastal drive to Rooi Els, Betty's Bay and finally Kleinmond (all beautiful holiday destinations) offers many picnic and parking spots from which to view the whales ..
This is a spectacular coastal area with a scattering of small seaside towns - Rooiels, Pringle Bay, Bettys Bay, Kleinmond and
Hermanus (80km). The foothills of the Overberg are a showcase of unspoilt coastal mountain fynbos (over 1000 different species )
including the protea and disa.
To explore this beautiful stretch of coastline follow Clarence drive (R44)
through Gordons bay.
The road winds along rocky shores and there are many viewpoints from where one can look across
the wide expanse of False Bay. Kogelbay is just beyond the mouth of the Steenbras River Bridge and is
renowned for surfing and a popular film shoot venue.
Kogel Bay from Clarence Drive
Kleinmond's Harbour road is fast becoming a tourist destination with quaint little craft shops and restaurants overlooking the unspoilt harbour, where the crashing waves and rocky seaside creates a dramatic picture.
Just before the R44 joins the R43, the road passes by the Arrabella Golf Estate and Sheraton Hotel, home to the Nelson Mandela Invitational Golf Tournament.
About 15 km along from the junction with the R43 one arrives at Hermanus, the fastest growing town in the Overberg. and the 'Whale Capital' of South Africa – one of the twelve best whale viewing sites in the world.
Hermanus is a beautiful town set between mountains and sea, with a pretty, compact town centre
and a choice of restaurants with stunning views. Be sure to visit the New Harbour with a lovely
pub and restaurant with the sea at your feet and the whales a stone's throw away.
Leaving Hermanus one can either drive back along the coastal route or follow the N2 through the
Elgin Valley at Grabouw.
There are quite a few farm stalls on the way back.
The Houwhoek farmstall has a beautiful view overlooking the Houwhoek mountains
with fresh produce
available, a restaurant and wine shop.
The Houwhoek Inn across the road is the oldest Inn in South Africa , set amongst magnificent old Poplar trees and one of the biggest Blue Gums in the country.
Next along the N2 heading towards Cape Town one encounters the Paul Cluver wine estate, with restaurant and picnic spot at the rainbow trout - filled dam. During the summer months Sunset Concert's are held at the Estate (Tel : 0218440605)
Peregrine Farmstall further down the road produces lovely chelsea buns and other delectables.
The Orchards farmstall at the entrance to Grabouw is a short drive for Capetonians who are looking for a breath of country air and scrumptious treats from the bakery.
The view point from Sir Lowry Pass gives an impressive bird's eye view over the Helderberg area and False Bay.
