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About the CAMPS BAY
area of SOUTH AFRICA
Camps Bay has long been one of Cape Town's most popular holiday
destinations. Lined with palm trees on the beachfront, with white
sandy beaches, brilliant blue sea and majestic mountains in the
background, Camps Bay offers you the holiday of a lifetime. The
cosmopolitan beachfront with its restaurants and cafés is
busy throughout the year. The village is close to many other attractions,
yet Camps Bay displays a certain uniqueness which is enjoyed by
all its guests - come and experience it for yourself!
Camps Bay lies behind Table Mountain nestled between the Twelve
Apostles and Lion Head. Its stunning location and long, sandy white
beach lined with palm trees make it one of the most popular suburbs
in Cape Town. It is a short drive over Kloof Nek to the city centre
or along Victoria Road to Sea Point.
As well as being a popular residential suburb for locals
there is also a huge selection of luxury bed and breakfasts, self-catering
apartments and guest houses, most with fantastic views of the Atlantic
Ocean and mountain and within close proximity to the shops, bars
and restaurants which line the street across from the beach.
History
Jan van Riebeeck arrived at the Cape in 1652, sent by
the Dutch East India Company to erect a refreshment station for
the passing ships on their trade route to the East. Shortly after
arrival, he started exploring the surrounding area.
He soon ventured over the mountain and discovered a bay with a lovely
beach behind Table Mountain. Initially the area was of little interest
to the company, being unsuitable for shipping with its dangerous
breakers, yet attractive to farmers. By 1700 the area behind Table
Mountain was known as Roodekrantz (Red bank) due to the reddish
colour of the soil. The area was given to John Lodewyk Wernich,
the Mayor of Bismarck, who built a farmhouse and called it Ravensteyn.
After his death, his widow, Anna Koekemoer, married Fredrik Ernst
von Kamptz, who built a track along the coast from his house to
Cape Town. The farmhouse was later used by various British governors,
among them Lord Charles Somerset, as a holiday house.
General information
Camps Bay is home to around 5500 families, with one of the best
high schools in the country. It has some of the most prestigious
properties in Cape Town, with priceless views. The famous Clifton
beaches are situated nearby.
Camps Bay is probably second only to Table Mountain in its popularity
for photographs and postcards. The turquoise colour of the ocean,
together with the blue of the sky, the white sandy beach and the
famous palm fringed beachfront -it's just the perfect holiday paradise.
The view from Lion's Head is amazing, and the relatively short hike
is well worth the effort.
Attractions
The main attraction of Camps Bay is undoubtedly the unsurpassed
beauty of its lovely beaches. Swimming and tanning under a bright
blue sky, or taking a relaxing walk in the soft white sand are pastimes
enjoyed by tourists and locals alike. Gourmet restaurants and cafés
line the trendy beachfront, offering delicious refreshments and
superb views. The famous 'Theatre on the Bay' offers delightful
entertainment, and there are plenty of shopping opportunities.
A number of sporting clubs are also a source of fun and activity
- bowling, cricket, soccer, squash and tennis. The lifesaving club
is one of the most established clubs and acts swiftly in emergency
situations. Further from the beach, the magnificent mountain range
is ideal for walking and hiking, and the opportunities are near
endless.
Camps Bay has it all - the perfect setting for a perfect holiday,
coupled with first class dining, entertainment, accommodation and
recreation, as well as picture perfect sunsets. A popular place
to spend a sunny day with Capetonians, and a dream destination for
tourists, Camps Bay really does offer everything for everyone.
Camps Bay Shops
Most of Camps Bay’s shops are found in the Promenade shopping
centre. In here you’ll find Pick ‘n Pay, the largest convenience
store in the area where you can purchase most household and food
items. It is open from 08h00 to 22h00 daily. Tel (021) 438 2328/2049.
Also in the shopping centre you will find banks and ATMs, foreign
exchange outlets, a boutique, A Skin Care Institute and optometrist.
There is also a pharmacy with an in-house doctor. It is open weekdays
from 07h30 – 19h00 and weekends from 08h30 – 19h00. Tel
(021) 438 1468 . For those with a sweet tooth don’t miss out
on Sinful, an ice-cream parlour that sells a range of mouth watering
ice-creams. Tel (021) 438 3541 . Downstairs leading onto Victoria
Road there is a surf shop which sells a range of beach wear. On
Victoria Road itself, just below the Promenade shopping centre there
is a 24 hour petrol station with its own small convenience store
and take away.
A little way up Camps Bay Drive is another small shopping
complex. There is a 7-11 convenience store open from 07h00 –
23h00 daily, as well as a post office, and the Cattle Baron Steakhouse.
Tel (021) 438 3714.
Camps Bay Restaurants
Camps Bay’s beach promenade is lined with plenty of cafes,
bars and restaurants. Most of these have outdoor seating areas from
which you can enjoy a meal or sip a cocktail while savouring the
view before you.
Theo’s Grill serves superb steaks and seafood. It is located
in the Promenade shopping centre and is open from 09h30 – 23h00
every day. Tel (021) 438 0412.
Situated just behind Camps Bay's main strip, the Codfather is a
sophisticated restaurant offering a huge variety of fresh seafood.
There are no menus - patrons are invited to select their own cut
of fish which is then weighed and cooked to their preference. Adjoining
the main sit-down part of the restaurant is an ultra-trendy conveyor-belt
sushi bar which is an excellent option for starters. First Floor
Camps Bay Corner, Geneva Drive. Open 12h00 – late every day.
37 The Drive. Tel (021) 438 0782.
Primi Piatti has an open industrial feel to the restaurant with
bright bottle stacks lining the walls and energetic staff. There
is a nice outdoor area overlooking Camps Bay Beach. It has a distinctly
Italian menu, specializing in pasta, pizza, focaccia, anti-pasta
and a variety of meat, fish and chicken specialty dishes. 18-21
Brighton Court, Victoria Road. Tel (021) 438 2923.
Blues Restaurant has been a Cape Town favorite
for many years. It has a classy yet relaxed atmosphere with a sunny
terrace with sweeping views of Camps Bay. It serves Californian,
Mediterranean and Cajun cuisine of outstanding quality. Located
upstairs in the Promenade. Open 12h00 – late, every day. Tel
(021) 438 2040.
Camps Bay Bars
If you’re after some somewhere to sip on cocktails or have
a few drinks and enjoy the sunset, or party on later into the night
there are plenty of trendy bars to choose from.
For sensational cocktails and a chilled atmosphere try Barazza next
door to Blues Restaurant. It has been done in a Zanzibar theme with
comfortable couches to lounge on and DJs spinning ambient African-influence
chill out sounds. They also serve some tasty food snacks. Open 12h00
– late. Promenade.Tel (0210 438 1758.
Caprice is one of the most popular establishments along the beachfront.
It is a stylish pavement café which attracts a trendy crowd
of sophisticated young professionals, international and local fashion
models and its share of celebrities. If you are not sipping cocktails
at one of the outside tables, there is a large lounge area where
a resident DJ plays every night in season and at weekend in the
winter months. There is also an upstairs restaurant area which has
a cosy fireplace for those chilly winter evenings. Open 09h00 –
late (kitchen closes at 22h00). 37 Victoria Road. Tel (021) 438
6444.
Ignite has taken over from where Eclipse left off. Improving on
the concept of chic bars, good tunes, excellent cocktails and unbeatable
views. This is an airy spacious bar set on the third story in the
promenade with large balcony overlooking the beach and palm trees.
Inside there are low slung couches and some private areas. Expect
to find gorgeous beach babes and their hunky hangers-on. Thursdays
nights are party night where the music is a mix of R&B and Hip
Hop turning into chilled House later in the evening. Open Monday
to Thursday 17h00 – late, Fridays and Saturday 14h00 –
late. Promenade. Tel (021) 438 0882.
The new and improved Sandbar is a highlight of the area. Ideal for
relaxed drinks and watching the world go by. It has a relaxed ambiance
and a good menu to pick from.
Dizzy Jazz Café is located just behind the Promenade. It
is a lively jazz bar with decent food and friendly staff. Try Tuesdays
for a bit of Karaoke. Open 11h30 – 03h00 every day. The Drive.
Tel (021) 438 2686.
Camps Bay Culture
For a bit of culture head to the theatre at Theatre on the Bay.
A variety of local and international drama, comedy, cabaret and
music shows are performed every evening. Situated on the first floor
of the complex is the Act 1 Theatre Café, where you can enjoy
a leisurely pre-show dinner. Your meal can be rounded off with desserts
during interval or after the show. All drinks can be taken into
the theatre, and after the show Dietrich’s Bar, in the main
foyer is open where you can enjoy a nightcap. 1 Link Street. Tel
(021) 438 3300/1 for theatre and restaurant bookings.
Camps Bay Beaches
The Camps Bay beach is perfect for sun bathing, walking and if you
can brave the cold water, a refreshing dip in the sea. There are
plenty of wide open spaces where you can play frisby or beach bats
and volley ball courts are often set up at the top of the beach
where events are organized. The wind does however tend to blow a
bit sometimes. If this is the case, head to one of the nearby Clifton
beaches where it is most likely to be considerably more sheltered.
The beach is bordered by a wide grassy area shaded by the palm trees.
If the sand is not for you, this is a perfect spot to relax or have
a picnic.
The beach does get very crowded in the tourist season and the road
running its length congested with traffic. If you are in walking
distance to the beach this is a better option than trying to park
your car close by.
If you’re wanting to surf, there is sometimes enough swell
at Glen Beach (at the end of Camps Bay beach towards Clifton) to
catch a ride. At the opposite end of Camps Bay beach is a salt water
swimming pool where you can have a dip.
Camps Bay Sports
If you’re keen to do a bit of hiking there are a number up
walks within close proximity to Camps Bay taking you to the top
of Lion’s Head or Table Mountain or a just an easy stroll along
a contour path half way up.
Tennis courts are available at the Camps Bay Lawn Club. Visitors
are welcome and cost for a game is R50. Located on The Drive, just
behind the Bay Hotel. Contact Mark on 083 269 1715 . If squash is
your game, courts are available at the Camps Bay Sports Club. Tel
(021) 438 8971.
Camps Bay Police
Camps Bay Police: Victoria Road, opposite the Camps Bay swimming
pool. Tel (021) 438 5804.
PROPERTY PRICES:
SOME OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS
CAMPS BAY, CLIFTON & BANTRY BAY PROPERTIES SOLD IN RECENT TIMES
THE ATLANTIC SEABOARD - WESTERN CAPE
The Bantry, Bantry Bay, Cape Town - (2006) - R 38.25 Million
603 The Bantry, Bantry Bay, Cape Town - (2006) - R 25 Million
1,4 & 9 The Clifton, Clifton, Cape Town - (2006) - R 23.5 Million
78, Fourth Beach, Clifton, Cape Town - (2006) - R 20 Million
101 Eventide, Clifton, Cape Town - (2006) - R 17.85 Million
4 Top Road, Fresnaye, Cape Town - (2006) - R 15.9 Million
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