Most people will have to travel through Owen Sound to get to Sauble Beach. Owen Sound is a fairly large City and is the major center for the Bruce Peninsula. Owen sound has a major hospital and court houses. It also has movie theatres, major shopping outlets and a port. The Bruce trail travels through the western edge of Owen Sound. It also has beautiful Harrison Park. Downtown Owen Sound is a nice place to stroll and has several banks and restaurants.
Owen Sound was home to Billy Bishop and Tom Thomson of the group of seven. It was also one of the final destinations of the "underground railroad". There are museums and tributes to them.
Hepworth has a Tim Hortons and a gas station. Sauble beach also has several gas stations, but this is a nice place for a "pitstop".
Southampton has a nice beach (but not as nice as Sauble Beach). It has a hospital and a good assortment of stores. There are many good fishing spots around Southampton. Port Elgin and Saugeen shores are close by. There are many activities here that might make a day trip worthwhile; especially to get a chance to look at some different shops.
Home of Wiarton Willie, Wiarton has hiking and fishing. It doesn't have the selection of stores that Owen Sound or Southampton have.