As far as urban development goes, Scarborough lags behind the rest of the Cape peninsula and that’s just the way residents like it.
Scarborough is not far from Simon’s Town and Fish Hoek but while they have grown from sleepy little villages to busy tourist meccas, Scarborough remains largely untouched and, as far as foreign tourists are concerned, undiscovered.
It used to be haven for artists and hippies, but over the past few years it’s been slowly invaded by townies wanting to get away from the bustle and experience real living.
That doesn’t mean it’s lost any of its character. It still boasts an eccentric population that includes professional surfers, environmental and baboon specialists, mountaineers, instrument makers, artists and those who prefer nature to people.
Fortunately for them, the council is dedicated to maintaining the rustic feel and won’t even allow street lamps to be erected in the conservation village. Nearby Misty Cliffs is equally determined to maintain its environment with strict guidelines including building guidelines and even guidelines for walking your dogs.
Scarborough and Witsands beaches are ideal for surfing, body boarding, fishing, kite surfing, wind surfing and kayaking. Crayfishing is also superb and there are plenty of mussels for seafood lovers. In fact, if you want a wonderfully prepared seafood dish you should try the Camel Rock Restaurant on Main Road, Scarborough.
The restaurant has been around for over 20 years and still serves the best seafood around. It is the perfect place to sit back and admire the spectacular views of the beach and mountains.
The restaurant is open daily from 12h00 to 21h30 (except Tuesdays). For more information call 021 780 1122.
Scarborough is next to the Cape Point Nature Reserve, which means that it is a nature lover’s paradise. Baskloof Nature Reserve is on the hills behind the village and the impressively towering Misty Cliffs are to the north.
Nearby are the Cape Point Vineyards, which don’t offer tastings but which sell their award winning chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and semillion wines to local restaurants.
The only downside to Scarborough, if it can be considered such, is that people may become too relaxed. In a letter on Roddy Bray’s Story-Letters from Southern Africa, one writer says that he’s met someone who had to move away from Scarborough because he’d relaxed to the point where he couldn’t be bothered to answer the phone.
Some people would call that heaven, how about you?
Jade Scully is a copywriter excited about writing copy and stories, blogging about the world and editing. She currently and regularly publishes her stories on a number of blogs. Jade loves animals and hopes to begin writing copy for the animal rescue charity TEARS as her contribution to the cause.
