Things to do near
St James
*Distances are shown as the crow flies and not necessarily the actual travelling
distance.
Hiking Trail
in
Table Mountain National Park (0.3 km from St James) The path starts on Boyes Drive above St James – look for the Ou Kraal sign. Take the left-hand path and relish the sweeping views Kalk Bay, Seal Island and across False Bay to the Hottentots Holland mountains and Cape Hangklip. You should be able to see surfers at Kalk Bay Reef and fishing boats coming back to the harbour.
Once on the jeep track, keep following the signs marked “Amphitheatre via Spes Bona Forest”. After an hour of walking, you’d enter this enchanting forest of old Yellowood, Cape Beech and Assegai trees.
Keep walking up until you reach a four-way intersection and turn left towards the Amphitheatre. Choose a shady alcove here for a tea break. Continue across and turn left into Echo Valley and another magical forest, Amazon Forest, also called Kroon se Bos. After leaving the forest, head down to the little weir, Wandering Willy’s Weary Wait. Turn left here to reach the starting point.
Duration: 3 – 4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 6 km
Galleries and Museums
in
Kalk Bay (1.1 km from St James) Kalk Bay Theatre offers a unique evening of entertainment. The 78-seat theatre and restaurant is situated in the quaint Kalk Bay Dutch Reformed church. Built in 1876 and also a heritage protected building, the old church has been lovingly converted into an intimate theatre with the restaurant on the upper floor.
Dinner, theatre and quality time with friends is found under the same roof. Patrons arrive from 18:45 and are directed upstairs to the restaurant. The open-plan restaurant has been designed to give the customer a feel of eating in a warm, family kitchen. The wooden tables and chairs are set around a gallery, allowing customers to look down onto the stage below. There are usually two set menu choices of three course meals or diners can cherry-pick dishes off the menu.
If you choose a three course meal, the starter and the main course are served before the show and the desert and coffee is served after the performance. Patrons make their way down to the theatre after their main meal and return to the restaurant for their desert and coffee. Drinks may be taken into the theatre. The menu is vegetarian friendly. Specific dietary requirements will, wherever possible, be catered for provided advance warning is given. KBT is licensed. Corkage is charged at R20 per bottle.
The ground floor theatre has 78 comfortable seats crafted out of beech wood and modelled around the comfortable Morris chair. The theatre is a thrust stage with the audience on three sides. This allows for a very intimate theatrical experience. Shows usually run for four to eight weeks in the venue. Performances are from Wednesday to Saturday night (and sometimes Sundays as well) at 20:30. Shows are normally announced by email and on www.kbt.co.za.
Galleries and Museums
in
Muizenberg (1.4 km from St James) Built in 1929 to reflect the spirit of 18th century Venice, Casa Labia is the former Muizenberg residence of Count and Countess Natale Labia.
Following a complete two-year restoration by the family, Casa Labia is home to a contemporary South African art gallery, an uber-stylish Africanova boutique as well as a celebrated Italian café.
Shops
in
Kalk Bay (1.4 km from St James) Described as the book shop with the best view in the world, Kalk Bay Books is a gathering place for locals and visitors alike, who browse and buy books, share a glass of wine or two with visiting authors, and gather for new book launches or discussions. The leather sofa invites customers to spend some time considering the books on offer, and to catch up on international book news with the New York Review of Books and other reading matter provided for their interest.Today, instead of tall tales being told around the bar counter, tales are sold at a shop counter, which was specially designed with a nod to the history of the building. Kalk Bay Books occupies premises that have a varied and interesting history. As recorded by author and historian Michael Walker in Kalk Bay: An Historical Booklet and Walk (Kalk Bay Historical Society), the building that now houses the bookshop was originally known as Die Klipkantienjie and was designed by architect John Parker in 1913.'The saloon and public bar formed part of an overall extension to the Old Masonic Hotel. Beside die Klipkantientjie, this single-storey extension had seven bedrooms, a storeroom and a large billiard roon, and was in fact larger than the Masonic Hotel. After the Masonic Hotel was demolished in 1916 the extensions became knows as The Annex to the Kalk Bay Hotel, which was later renamed the Majestic Hotel. The external façade of The Annex has changed little since Parker’s design of 1913.’Need to know? Winter trading May - September: 9am to 5pmSummer trading October - April: Monday to Sunday 9am to 6pmPeak summer season 16 - 31 December: 8am to 7pmChristmas Eve: 8am to 9pm(Closed: 25 & 26 December, 1 January)If getting to the book shop is a problem, you can browse their online books selection, which includes hand-selected fiction and non-fiction books, and many book lists offering their suggestions on a wide range of themes in the Open Books section of the website.
Hiking Trail
in
Muizenberg (1.5 km from St James) This easy stroll is suitable for everyone, staying on the seaward side of the railway line. It starts at Muizenberg Station, hugging the coastline until St James and Danger Beach. The catwalk offers excellent opportunities for whale watching and spotting ocean birds. Kids love exploring in the rock pools at low tide.
Check the tide table before setting out. Muizenberg Catwalk is best done at low tide, unless you don't mind a dousing of sea spray.
On the other side of the line is an interesting urban walk, the Muizenberg Historical Mile. It’s worthwhile strolling back along this route to see many interesting old buildings rather than taking the train back.
Duration: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 3 km
Popular Attractions
in
Kalk Bay (1.5 km from St James) Kalk Bay Harbouris a picturesque but thriving fishing harbour where members of the local fishing community are out daily in their traditional fishing boats earning their living.Take a stroll along the harbour wall to check out the colourful vessels.Bright blues, reds and yellows are the norm.Names like Star of the Sea, Amber Rose, Gold Pearl and Antoinette tell of the high regard with which these sailors hold their vessels. The majority are wooden creations.Learn how to fish from real fishermen – those who make a living by catching Cape fish.Apparently, there is still a loyal market for fresh fish.Witnessing this is a cultural experience.Kids love to look at the harbour seals waiting for scraps of fresh fish.Kalk Bay is also a hub of outdoor action – from sea fishing to harbour wall angling. Kalk Bay has one of the best reefs in Cape Town for surfing and the fascinating Kalk Bay caves for landlubber adventures.While out for a fishing boat tour you will have the opportunity to observe seals, dolphins, Great White Sharks and in season Southern Right Whales in their natural habitat.These giants come to calve in False Bay between June and October each year.It’s hard to believe that retro Kalk Bay is actually part of Cape Town. The pace differs – colourful folk stroll along the wharf and browse the quirky shops, others sip on superb Cape Wines and cold beers while surfers ride the breakers.Nestled between the mountains and the sea, is just a 30 minute drive from the centre of Cape Town yet a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city.For scuba divers the harbour wall offers an interesting dive, but there're plenty more spots in the area. Popular restaurants to suit all pockets are right on the water's edge.
Beaches
in
Muizenberg (1.7 km from St James) Surfer's Corners is one of the hottest spot for surfing in the world! It is also a perfect place to spots the whales in the water.
Bars Nightclubs
in
Muizenberg (2 km from St James) The Melting Pot is a cosy, colourful, vibrant live music venue and bar featuring the best of local South Peninsula original music. You can expect to listen to well-known local names from the Cape jazz, rock and folk scene - plus the odd visiting artist and stand-up comics. Jam sessions and open mics offer up-and-coming talent an outlet too. This is a real cultural and decidedly social experience not to be missed - in the heart of Muizenberg's "old village". A funky music studio built from recycled materials is right next door
Galleries and Museums
in
Muizenberg (2.1 km from St James) Considered a cultural gem in the heart of Muizenberg, the Masque Theatre is home to a handful of amateur dramatic societies in Cape Town.
The Masque regularly delivers diverse and well-performed theatre and dance shows at affordable prices. This popular institution in the South Peninsula staged its hundredth production in 2008 with Agatha Christie's courtroom drama "Witness for the Prosecution".
Booking office open Monday to Friday 09:00 – 16:00 and Saturday 08:30 – 11.30.
+27 (0) 21 788 1898
www.masquetheatre.co.za
Beaches
in
Muizenberg (2.2 km from St James) Situated in the corner where the rather wild northern shore meets the rocky but well populated eastern side of the peninsula, is a long family-friendly beach where almost every Cape Town surfer learned to catch a wave.
Recently awarded Blue Flag Beach status, Muizenberg Beach is one of the most popular Cape Town beaches and is a hit with kids. Muizenberg Station is conveniently situated right on Muizenberg Corner. The whole beachfront is pretty crowded with loads of kids, families, dogs and noise.
Muizenberg Beach has all the usual facilities, like showers, surf shos & schools, a couple of nice restaurants and coffee shops on the beachfront and close by. There is a useful walkway from Muizenberg to St James, just on the seaward side of the railway line.
Fun Parks
in
Muizenberg (2.2 km from St James) Planet Kids is a large indoor and outdoor play and activity centre featuring exciting custom-made play equipment.
Situated just behind False Bay railway station, Planet Kids is easily accessible either by foot, car or train. The venue also hosts great kids’ birthday parties and workshop programs during school holidays.
Planet Kids is eco-friendly and the first inclusive indoor play and activity centre in South Africa to cater and care for children with disabilities as well. Check out www.planetkids.co.za for more info.
Beaches
in
Clovelly (2.6 km from St James) The soft white sands of Clovelly Beach have been the starting point for relaxing morning and evening strolls around the Fish Hoek bay for generations. Fringed with ancient sand-dunes and washed by the 'Indian ocean', beach-goers enjoy a temperature that's often several degrees warmer than the Atlantic waters on the peninsula's west side.
A small offshore ridge gives junior surfers a perfect little practice wave, and hobie-cats and sea-kayaks launch into the ocean further down. Clovelly Beach provides a peaceful alternative to the busy Fish Hoek side of the bay. Whales frequently bask in the shallows from June to November, and dolphins provide great entertainment as they glide and bounce around in the surf.
Hiking Trail
in
Clovelly (3.1 km from St James) A wonderful example of restored wetlands in an urban setting, which is a haven for various forms of wildlife, most notably birds.
Enjoy a nice walk amongst this natural ecosystem, and for birders, this walk is even sweeter. Easy enough for beginners and kids, well marked and fun. Don't forget to bring your binoculars.
Racecourses
in
Muizenberg (3.1 km from St James) Experience a thrilling race of Blokart land sailing in Muizenberg.
A blokart is a light-weight and compact three-wheel buggy which is propelled by a sail. Unlike kite or wind-surfing, newcomers can be briefed and trained within minutes, all else you'll need is just some wind to set you off.
Instructors will ensure you'll be assigned a blokart suitable for you, then follow up with full tuition to get you started. Groups are more than welcome.
Be sure to phone ahead to find out if there is wind.
Helmets are supplied; visitors must bring closed shoes and gloves.
Popular Attractions
in
Fish Hoek (3.5 km from St James) Every second week on a Sunday, this majestic old steam train makes its way from Cape Town to Simon's Town and back again.
Scores of people gather along the route to watch or have their photograph taken with the train. This train stops (but doesn't collect passengers) at Fish Hoek Station - a great place to get up close and personal with this classic engine.