The
town of Strand is situated on the shores of False Bay
at the foot of the Hottentots Holland Mountains, an easy 40 minute drive
from Cape Town. It is a bustling metropolis of some 50 000 residents
and forms part of the picturesque Helderberg Basin, along with
Somerset West and Gordon's Bay.
Strand originated some 200 years ago as a holiday and fishing resort
and was founded in 1714. Strand's main attraction is "the
strand" - 5 kilometers of beautiful white sandy beach lapped by
the warm waters of False Bay.
The beach is known to be one of the best and safest bathing areas in
the country. Facilities on or nearby include Dune Park with a
supertube and mini-golf and Harmony Park which boasts a huge
tidal pool. Watersports may be conducted from various points along the
beach front.
For
the sporting enthusiast Strand offers a wide variety of organised
sport including a brand new golf course capable of hosting international
events; tennis, rugby, squash, jukskei, athletics, and watersports like
surfing, sailing, power boating, paddleskiing and boardsailing.
Strand also boasts an olympic sized, covered, centrally heated
swimming pool which is open all year round. The coast between the Lourens
river mouth and up to Rooi Els is very popular with beach fishermen
and rock anglers, whilst organised and social diving activities beckon
the more adventurous.
Strand forms an ideal base from which visitors can explore the
Cape Peninsula and its environs:
The majestic Peninsula with its renowned coastal drive from Muizemberg
to Cape Point to Hout Bay via the magnificent Chapmans
Peak to Sea Point;
Cape Town itself with Table Mountain brooding over the
city and the vibrant V&A Waterfront;
The West Coast and Swartland;
The scenic Boland with its pinotage of wine routes and with its
heart, Stellenbosch a mere 25km away;
The coastal road past Gordon's Bay to Betty's Bay and
Hermanus, one of the greatest sites for whale watching.
Strand
offers a wide variety of restaurants guaranteed to appease even the
most selective palate. The choice of shopping facilities is simalr -
from the comprehensive Somerset Mall situated just outside the
town to the local Dorpsmeent Centre, one would be hard pressed
to find a service which is not locally available.
Strand accomodates most requirements with three caravan and
camping sites, one with chalets, tent sites, numerous bed and breakfast
facilities and a top class RCI Timeshare and hotel an the beach front
with conference facilities, but not forgetting good honest family accomodation.
Newsletter:
10 February 2012 to 17 February 2012 - Boschenmeer, Paarl, Western Cape, South Africa
