Mobile Menu

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Hotel Zed Contest
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon
  • Menu
  • Skip to left header navigation
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon
  • Flickr Icon

West Coast Traveller

  • Destinations
    • Canada
      • British Columbia
        • Vancouver Island, B.C.
        • Okanagan
        • Lower Mainland, B.C.
        • Northern B.C.
        • Interior B.C.
        • Kootenays/Rockies
      • Alberta
      • Yukon
      • Northwest Territories
    • U.S.A.
      • Alaska
      • Washington
      • Oregon
      • California
    • West Coast Galleries
  • Experiences
    • Things To Do
    • Staycation Secrets
      • Canada
      • U.S.A.
    • Adventure
      • Adrenaline
      • Beaches
      • Biking
      • Camping
      • Fishing
      • Hiking
      • Hunting and Fishing
      • Rafting
      • Skiing
    • Sip & Savour
    • Family Activities
    • Indigenous Tourism
    • Accessible Travel
    • Travel Tips & Advisories
  • West Coast Galleries
    • Nature Photography
    • Wildlife Photography
    • Cityscapes
  • Contests
    • Hotel Zed Contest
    • It’s A Shore Thing Summer Getaway
    • Camel’s Hump Guest Ranch Getaway
    • Raft. Relax. Recharge
  • About
    • The Armchair Traveller Newsletter
    • Explore our travel guides
    • Impressive West Coast
    • West Coast Partners
    • West Coast Traveller Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Contact Us
    • Explore West Coast Traveller on TikTok
  • Search
You are here: Home / Travel / This Okanagan town has a bit of all-season everything

This Okanagan town has a bit of all-season everything

August 3, 2021 //  by Black Press Media Staff

Share this:

The largest city in the interior of British Columbia and along the shores of Okanagan Lake, Kelowna’s name originates from the Syilx/Okanagan peoples’ word for grizzly bear. Kelowna is cradled within a glorious range of mountains and is a sanctuary filled with pristine lakes, pine forests, abundant gardens, orchards and vineyards, sandy beaches and superb amenities.

Kelowna has miles of beautiful parkland and several sandy beaches that provide wonderful opportunities for boating, swimming, waterskiing, windsurfing and fishing in the summer. As well, you can hit the links at one of the many golf courses nine months out of the year. In cooler months, the snow-capped mountains and pine-filled forests are a haven for skiers, boarders, snowmobilers and outdoor adventurists of all types and levels.

Orchards and vineyards thrive within a 10-minute drive from the downtown core and provide year-round seasonal delights. You can pluck ripe cherries or juicy peaches from trees or spend a day sampling award-winning internationally acclaimed wines.

READ MORE: CNN names Tofino and Kelowna among the best places to visit post-pandemic

That’s not all. Kelowna’s growing Cultural District covers several blocks in the downtown area and features a concentration of galleries, museums, theatres, artists’ studios, fine dining, unique shops and a vibrant cultural life all year long.

Any time, any day, any season, Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley offer a world of things to do. The options are endless and there’s something for everyone.

Wine

Kelowna is the birthplace of winemaking in British Columbia; it’s known for its top-quality wines that regularly win national and international awards.

With more than 40 wineries within a 20-minute drive, you’ll find plenty of terroir to swirl, sip and savour. The area has five unique wine trails: Kelowna’s Southeast Bench, Lake Country’s Scenic Sip, Westside Wine Trail, Lakeshore Wine Route and Downtown Grapes & Grains. Explore the wine country where you’ll find an abundance of culinary experiences as well as unforgettable winery and vineyard events throughout the year.

READ MORE: Wine Events Return to the Okanagan Valley!

Golf

Averaging more than 2,000 hours of sun every year, Kelowna offers one of the longest, driest golf seasons in Canada. Vineyards, orchards, semi-desert terrain, rolling hills and expansive lakes make the golf courses in the area some of the most picturesque in the country. Many golf courses also offer amazing dining experiences that range from casual to gourmet.

With courses that range from easy-going to ego-shattering, there is something in Kelowna for every skill level. Build your own golf package, view sample golf packages or book tee-times to experience the mild weather, stunning scenery and more than 19 exceptional courses that make Kelowna a must-play destination on every golf enthusiast’s list!

Farms, Orchards & Markets

Kelowna’s agricultural roots go deep. You want fresh? You’ve come to the right place. Kelowna is internationally renowned for its locally grown fruit and produce.

Each season is celebrated with special festivals. Stop at a roadside fruit stand. Visit a farm or orchard. Gorge yourself on cherries, bob for apples and stomp grapes. The region’s micro-climate and predisposition for a long, hot growing season mean you can tour stunning floral gardens, take tractor tours of orchards, and stroll vineyards.

Farm to Table Dining

Here in Kelowna and the Okanagan Valley, farmers and chefs take pride in their commitment to quality and share a passion for locally grown food. Because the farms and restaurants are so close together, chefs can pick products at just the right moment to create tasty works of art, all in the same day. So go eat local and give it a taste.

READ MORE: Kelowna restaurant’s TV premiere shines spotlight on Okanagan

Lake Activities

Stunning Okanagan Lake spans 135 kilometres (84 miles) from the north (at Vernon) to the south (at Penticton). Kelowna sits just about half way, and the east and west sides of the lake are connected by the wondrous five-lane William R. Bennett Bridge, one of very few floating bridges in the world, suspended over the lake floor almost 200 feet below.

Okanagan Lake is known for its beaches with over 30 throughout the region. Many beaches are equipped with playgrounds, concessions and bathrooms.

Enjoy the lake from a stand-up paddleboard, wake boat, sailboat, pedal-boat, charter boat, flyboard, kayak, or canoe — boats are available for every kind of water enthusiast. Okanagan Lake’s water temperature in July averages 19°C to 23°C (69°F to 71°F).

The lake is welcoming and refreshing during the summer but it also has mysteries — creatures, hidden coves and tombs. Search for Ogopogo, hike Paul’s Tomb trail at Knox Mountain or snorkel in the crystal clear water of the quiet, secluded bays.

Where to stay

Want a budget-friendly vacation with the family or a couple’s getaway? Rest assured knowing that lodging in Kelowna will exceed your expectations, wants and needs. From outdoor camping at provincial and regional parks to cosy bed and breakfasts with lake and valley views, lakeside resorts along the shores of Okanagan Lake and family-friendly hotels with pools and waterslides, there are many options.

If easy beach and lake access is top of your list, consider the historic Eldorado Resort with its charming boutique hotel that is perfect for couples, or the more urban resort hotel that’s a fit for a family. The Delta Hotels by Marriot Grand Okanagan Resort is conveniently located downtown within easy walking distance to all amenities. The Cove Lakeside Resort located on the western shores of Okanagan Lake features all suites, making your stay feel like home away from home.

Hotels with pools and waterslides make for a perfect family-friendly stay. Try the Comfort Suites, newly built Hyatt Place Kelowna, Coast Capri or Prestige Beach House. All have great amenities including breakfast, parking and convenient locations to easily explore Kelowna and area.

– This story first appeared in SOAR Magazine, the in-flight magazine for Pacific Coastal Airline.

Plan your adventures throughout the West Coast at westcoasttraveller.com and follow us on Facebook and Instagram @thewestcoasttraveller. And for the top West Coast Travel stories of the week delivered right to your inbox, sign up for our weekly Armchair Traveller newsletter!

Share this:

Category: TravelTag: British Columbia Destinations, Canada, Food, Okanagan Getaways, Outdoors and Recreation, Things to do, Travel

Related Posts

You may be interested in these posts from the same category.

Life-sized sculptures bring ‘the wild’ to downtown Victoria

Things will get wild on the streets of Victoria this month with life-sized driftwood animal…

Life-sized sculptures bring ‘the wild’ to downtown VictoriaRead More

Travel on the Fly: Snowbirds, beautiful blooms + other spring delights

Spring’s arrival brings more than longer, sunnier days coaxing leaves from the trees. It’s the…

Travel on the Fly: Snowbirds, beautiful blooms + other spring delightsRead More

Where is California’s ‘hardest to book’ campground? Not in a famous park

California has one campground among the nation’s 10 most difficult to book, according to a…

Where is California’s ‘hardest to book’ campground? Not in a famous parkRead More

Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park to go cashless on entry fees and camping

By Jared Gendron, The News Tribune Beginning May 26, Mount Rainier National Park will only…

Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park to go cashless on entry fees and campingRead More

What to bring on a hike: WCT Travel Guide

Knowing what to bring on a hike can make all the difference between a wonderful…

What to bring on a hike: WCT Travel GuideRead More

You could spend a lifetime paddling here! Endless kayaking adventures await on southern Vancouver Island

Southern Vancouver Island is a world-class kayaking destination, with options along its endless, meandering coastline…

You could spend a lifetime paddling here! Endless kayaking adventures await on southern Vancouver IslandRead More

Travel on the Fly: A slushy good time spring skiing; Mountain-top beer festivities+ more!

From a Kootenay Beer Festival to a slushy end to a long, snowy spring ski…

Travel on the Fly: A slushy good time spring skiing; Mountain-top beer festivities+ more!Read More

Golden’s boy Boo boogies out of bed

The first day of spring isn’t officially until March 20, but for residents of Golden,…

Golden’s boy Boo boogies out of bedRead More

Take an Alberta roadtrip in the footsteps of ‘The Last of Us’

The HBO TV series The Last of Us has not only made many Albertans proud…

Take an Alberta roadtrip in the footsteps of ‘The Last of Us’Read More

Previous Post: « WATCH: Discover the beauty of Kitimat through the eyes of a local
Next Post: VIDEO: Seal gives birth on dock at Comox Marina »

Primary Sidebar

Things To Do

Life-sized sculptures bring ‘the wild’ to downtown Victoria

March 22, 2023

Travel on the Fly: Snowbirds, beautiful blooms + other spring delights

March 21, 2023

Where is California’s ‘hardest to book’ campground? Not in a famous park

March 21, 2023

Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park to go cashless on entry fees and camping

March 21, 2023

Recent Posts

Life-sized sculptures bring ‘the wild’ to downtown Victoria

March 22, 2023

Travel on the Fly: Snowbirds, beautiful blooms + other spring delights

March 21, 2023

Where is California’s ‘hardest to book’ campground? Not in a famous park

March 21, 2023

Washington’s Mount Rainier National Park to go cashless on entry fees and camping

March 21, 2023

Footer

The West Coast Traveller has an immense social media footprint, with eight social media sites and and 125,000+ social followers.

Join us on social media and Join Our Community by sharing your stuff!

Get Inspired

News Media Groups

Black Press Media
Sound Publishing
Oahu Media Group
Alaska
Boulevard Magazines
Used.ca

Let’s Get Social

West Coast Traveller
I Love British Columbia
I Love Alberta
I Love Yukon
I Love Northwest Territories
I Love Washington
I Love California
I Love Oregon
I Love Alaska

Visit Our Companion Sites

I Love Saskatchewan
I Love Manitoba
I Love Nunavut
I Love Ontario
I Love Quebec
I Love Newfoundland and Labrador
I Love Nova Scotia
I Love New Brunswick
I Love Prince Edward Island

Site Footer

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • TikTok Icon

Copyright © 2023 West Coast Traveller and · All Rights Reserved