The History of St James
An area steeped in history, St James is on the doorstep of beautiful beaches and some of South Africa’s oldest monuments.
Roughly 26km south of Cape Town, St James is situated on the False Bay coast, between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay. It gets its name from the Church of St James, which was built in 1874. Most of the suburb was established after the railway line connecting Cape Town to False Bay was built, between 1910 and 1950.
The town is characterised by its many colonial-style buildings, which give the coastal hamlet its quaint charm. These include 19th-century huts constructed from stone, plaster, and limestone, with thatched roofs. One such house was owned by Abraham Auret who reportedly hid prisoners of war in his loft during the Anglo-Boer War.
Another well-known feature of St James is the colourful Victorian changing huts that line the beach, which make for a very Instagram-able pic.
Only about a 40-minute drive from the city, St James offers the perfect escape. Alternatively, you could take the train to Muizenberg or Kalk Bay station and walk to St James, which should take about 40 minutes and 10 minutes respectively — and there’s plenty to see and do along the way. You’ll pass artsy Kalk Bay with its laid-back bohemian atmosphere, and curio shops lining the busy main street with knick-knacks and bric-a-brac you never knew you needed.
St James is also the perfect place for a beach day. Situated on the warmer False Bay coast, when visiting the beach in St James you won’t be greeted with the icy waters that Cape Town locals have become accustomed to. There are also a number of rock pools along the coastline, making it ideal for families.
For those interested in a longer stay in this picturesque little town, St James offers a variety of accommodation options, from quaint guesthouses to five-star hotels. A great time to visit would be from June to November as that is when the southern right whales come to calf along the coast.
St James truly is a nature-lover’s paradise with its numerous hiking trails and coastal walks. And, being right on Muizenberg’s doorstep, a famous surfing spot, there are a number of surf schools in the area.
Some hiking trails in the area include the Kalk Bay to the Amphitheatre hike, which starts on Boyes Drive and winds all the way round to Kalk Bay — along this trail you can expect fantastic views of Seal Island, False Bay, and the Hottentots Holland Mountain Range. Or the Muizenberg Catwalk, which begins in Muizenberg and ends in St James. The catwalk is only 3km long, and is ideal for a nice easy stroll, or for the more energetic, a jog, to get the blood pumping.
