Cedar, BC

Know the town

About Cedar

Cedar is a rural community just south of Nanaimo, a spread-out landscape of small farms, forest, acreages and quiet shoreline. Together with neighbouring Yellow Point, South Wellington and Cassidy, it makes up the countryside on Nanaimo’s doorstep — close enough for an easy trip into the city, but a world away in pace.

Farms and country roads

The roads around Cedar and Yellow Point wind past hobby farms, orchards, horse pastures and roadside stands selling eggs, honey, vegetables and flowers. It is a favourite area for a slow Sunday drive or bike ride, with the occasional pub, bakery or farm shop along the way.

Parks and history

Hemer Provincial Park, on Holden Lake, has easy, level trails through forest and around marshes, popular with walkers, riders and birdwatchers. Nearby, Morden Colliery Historic Provincial Park preserves the concrete headframe of an early twentieth-century coal mine, one of the last surviving reminders of the area’s mining past. The Nanaimo River estuary, at Cedar’s northern edge, is an important wetland for birds and salmon.

On the water

Cedar’s shoreline along Stuart Channel and the Strait of Georgia includes small beaches and coves, with views over to the Gulf Islands. Yellow Point in particular is known for its rocky, sun-warmed shore and peaceful waterfront getaways.

Getting here

Cedar is about fifteen minutes from downtown Nanaimo. The Duke Point ferry terminal, with sailings to Tsawwassen, and Nanaimo Airport are both close by, and Ladysmith is a short drive south.

Below you’ll find Cedar’s verified local businesses — growers, trades and more — with upcoming events nearby.

For council, permits, garbage and recycling, parks bookings and other local services, visit Regional District of Nanaimo — Area A.