A Guide to False Bay

A False Description?  The south of the Cape Peninsula is is called  'False Bay' by locals and is understood by Capetonians to include the False Bay coastal towns and villages from Marina da Gama and Muizenberg south to Cape Point and then back up the Atlantic till you get to Noordhoek.  It is thus somewhat confusing as visitor's logically, think it includes the areas on the other side of the False Bay coastline, such as the Strand and Gordon's Bay but these are usually referred to as the Helderberg area, where Somerset West is main town. 

The name comes from early navigators who used to think they could sail through the Bay to Cape Town and that the Peninsula was merely an island because of the Cape Flats that join the Peninsula to the rest of the Cape, or as some Capetonians may claim, "to Africa".

A certain truth however is that False Bay is an area of great geographic diversity and dramatic scenic beauty!  The Cape Peninsula has high mountains that give way to beautiful valleys, white sandy beaches and dramatic sea front cliffs.  While not the most southerly point, this is the tip of Africa with the Indian Ocean to the East and the Atlantic Ocean to the West. 

The Table Mountain Nature Reserve extends from the famous mountain that defines the Capetonian identity, all the way to Cape Point.  It is one of Mother Nature’s treasure troves and contains one of the world’s recognised floral kingdoms.  Home from late winter to early summer to increasing numbers of whales and all year round to the African penguins, to be found strutting their stuff at at the Boulders a beautiful area just passed historical Simonstown, the SA naval headquarters.  

The prevailing South Easterly wind is called the ' Cape Doctor ' as it keeps the air clean if not somewhat brisk.  Surrounded by chilly seas the Indian Ocean is considerably warmer and a good reason to choose a False Bay beach, and there are certainly many to choose from!  Muizenberg are a favourite with surfers but the family favourite is Fish Hoek but there are many coves and small virtually private sandy spots to choose from.  The False Bay area boasts many delightful secluded and scenic coastal delights and every local has their favourite!  

Property in False Bay is a delightful smorgasbord!  From exclusive mansions in St James, historic homes in Simonstown, beach cottages in Kommetjie or small holdings in Noordhoek, the choice is wide and delightful.  Apartments, townhouses and retirement villages are also available.  The area has a comprehensive and convenient local infrastructure including superb shopping at newly constructed malls and a local hospital. 

Travelling South Along the Coast (M4) from Lakeside
Lakeside is attractively positioned on the edge of the Sandvlei lake and is the closest of the suburbs to the City.  An easy commute to "Town", it is on the Cape Town side of the Muizenberg Mountains that largely divide the rest of the False Bay area from the Southern Suburbs and Constantiaberg area.  Travelling along the Main Road on the coast the Marina da Gama area offers waterside living and has an all year vacation feel, while the next stop Muizenberg is rich in art deco architecture and is one of South Africa's surfing Mecca's.  Much of Muizenberg has seen better days but a revival is already taking place and a lot can be expected from future development in the wings.  The olde money holiday homes of St James sits proudly on the False Bay coastline backed by the imposing Muizenberg mountains and then the delightful fishing village of Kalk Bay with its colourful commercial craft in the quaint harbour attracts attention as should its numerous outstanding restaurants and eclectic and somewhat bohemian shops and residents!  There are two roads that split at the start of lakeside and join again in Kalk Bay, being the Main Road (the coastal road as it were) and the higher road called Boyes Drive.  Boyes Drive is a must, bordering the Cape Peninsula National Park with guaranteed whale viewing from September through October and panoramic views all year round!  If you are travelling very early in the morning keep an eye out for Porcupines shuffling along on their early morning walks on the sidewalk!

As one drives into the Fish Hoek Valley on this coastal route (the M4 or Main Road as locals refer to it) a turnoff to the right takes you to the Clovelly area home to one of Cape Town's finest golf courses and just over 200 houses.  Fish Hoek, the largest of the suburbs in False Bay is also the commercial centre with a busy Main Road.  It also has one of the safest and most beautiful family orientated beaches in Cape Town.  Good restaurants and a selection of interesting shops of every description are offered.

"She'll be Coming Round the Mountain/s..."   -  If one enters the Valley over the Silvermine Mountains (part of the Cape Peninsula National Park) instead of the coastal drive (Main Road) then you would, at the southerly end of this pass which is called the Ou Kaapse Weg (Old Cape Road) see a road to the right to Noordhoek and Chapman's Peak.  This route through the leafy green and fortunately still largely rural village of Noordhoek is awesome!  Chapman's Peak drive, carved out of the mountainside by Italian prisoner's of war, is regarded by many well travelled visitors as one of the most scenic drive's in the world. It takes you through to Hout Bay.  The Chapman's Peak drive is, by the way, the third of only three routes that will bring you to the False Bay area by car.

If you don't turn right to Noordhoek at the base of Ou Kaapse Weg, you'll continue driving south towards Cape point between the suburbs of Sun Valley (on the left) and Sunnydale (on the right).  This is the middle of the Valley and home to one of Cape Town's newest shopping centres, Longbeach Mall which has a fine cinema complex.  Continuing on this southerly road you will reach 'the four way stop' where turning left would take you to Fish Hoek, turning right will take you to Kommetjie and going straight on will take you to Glencairn and Simon's Town.

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