About Us
The Beachcomber story as told by the Chew Family
You don't have to go far to feel far away.
In spring 1966, prominent Vancouver Island businessman John Chew, owner of one of the region's largest excavation firms had a vision. He purchased prime low bank waterfront land on Campion Road in Central Saanich with the intention to develop it into a campground. Locals soon affectionally dubbed the idyllic spot "Chew's Beach". The Chew family parked their trailer, the "Mayflower" and later the "Silver Hilton", on site. Each summer the property came alive as Chew's employees and their families arrived with tents, campers, trailers, and loaded station wagons. Boats anchored in the bay for waterskiing, games of horseshoes rang out on the sand, and the evenings flowed with campfires roasting hot dogs and marshmallows under the stars. In the end, it provided the Chew family, their company employees and families an opportunity to spend time with each other.
In 1980, Chew acquired two vintage 1940's motel units from one of his construction jobs, the Cadboro Bay Auto Court redevelopment. Saved from demolition, they were relocated and preserved on the property, adding cozy, nostalgic charm to the beachfront haven.
The site gained wider exposure in 1986, when Central Saanich sought a welcoming campground for Victoria bound tourists after Expo 86 in Vancouver. "Chew's Beach", officially opened as Beachcomber RV Park, blending cherished local tradition with warm seasonal hospitality for visitors drawn to Vancouver Island's natural beauty.
In recent years, the Chew family has chosen to retire, and are delighted to pass stewardship to the Kramer family, kindred spirits who have been guardians of similar land at their own beloved campground, Bradsdadsland, on Hornby Island since the early 1980's. Like Beachcomber, Bradsdadsland thrives as a gathering place on stunning waterfront, in a sought after destination. While others envisioned Beachcomber as an exclusive residential enclave or upscale resort, we the Kramers, immediately recognized it for what it truly is: a timeless, unpretentious retreat. Simple, deeply rustic, extraordinarily connected to nature, and joyfully apart from the modern world, evoking the simple pleasures of "Days gone by". We hope you cherish this special "Days gone by", place as much as the Chews always have, and as much as the Kramers do, pretty much the way it has always been.
See you on the beach!
The Chew and Kramer Families
The Next Chapter
Isaac and Heather Kramer are carrying Beachcomber forward.
After more than 45 years caring for Bradsdadsland Family Campground on Hornby Island, the Kramer family understands how much a simple coastal campground can mean to the people who return year after year.
Bradsdadsland has remained open across generations because it has been cared for gently. That same spirit guides Beachcomber: keeping the park natural, welcoming, and true to the uncomplicated, unpretentious days by the water from days gone by.
Isaac and Heather's vision is to honour what John Chew began while giving families a place to slow down, gather outside, and build new memories on the shoreline for generations to come.