Suzanne grew up just outside the Okanagan Valley and spent many years visiting for sports tournaments and shopping. We have recently relocated from the Vancouver area back to the Okanagan. The Okanagan Valley is a region in British Columbia that is well known for its wine (sort of like the Napa Valley of BC). It is picturesque with many lakes and mountains. A big draw is also Okanagan fruit, which includes peaches, cherries, berries, and apples (which you can find at roadside stands and orchards in any of the towns listed).
Often, when people hear “Okanagan”, they think just means “Kelowna”. However, that is far from it! The Okanagan Valley also consists of Penticton, Peachland, Summerland, Oliver, Osoyoos, and Vernon. Some people will include Salmon Arm as well, which means the longest stretch of driving would be Salmon Arm to Osoyoos (or about 3.5 hours). Our guide will include things to do throughout the cities that are included in the Okanagan.
The Okanagan is big, so this is a long guide. Use this overview to help jump to what you’re looking for:
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When’s the best time to visit the Okanagan?
You can visit any time of the year and it’s beautiful! In the summer there is sunny, hot weather, with temperatures often over 35 C starting in June. You’ll find busy beaches, bustling wineries, and lots of water sports. The downfall to coming in the summer is that it is a popular place for tourists from the lower mainland (aka Vancouver) as well as Alberta. This means that hotels are much more expensive during the summer! August often brings forest fires, so keep your eye on the news in the event you may need to cancel your trip.
The fall is full of colour, the wineries are still open, and people will be biking and hiking everywhere. Temperatures will still be pleasant until November when it will start to get cooler.
In the winter, most people will be involved in winter sports such as skiing, snowshoeing, or snowmobiling. Prices will increase around the holidays, especially in popular New Year’s and Christmas destinations such as Silver Star and Big White (the two main ski hills).
The spring can bring rain, but for the most part you’ll find balmy days with flowers blooming. Bring a rain jacket for occasional showers.
How do I get to the Okanagan?
There are 3 main ways to get here: plane, bus, or car.
You can fly into Kelowna International Airport and go from there.
You can drive into the Okanagan from the Vancouver area by using highway 1 to Hope, and then either the Coquihalla (highway 5) if heading to Vernon or Salmon Arm first, or the Crow’s Nest (highway 3) if heading to Penticton, Summerland, or Osoyoos first. If you’re heading to Kelowna your quickest route is branch off the Coquihalla at Merritt and take highways 5A and 97C.
If you’re coming to the Okanagan from Alberta, you’ll take Highway 1 towards Banff, and pass through Golden and Revelstoke. In Sicamous, you’ll choose if you want to continue on Highway 1 to Salmon Arm or branch off onto highway 97A towards Vernon and on through to Kelowna and so on.
If you’re driving to the Okanagan from the US, you’ll likely drive through the Oroville-Osoyoos Border Crossing and then up through Osoyoos.
You can take an Ebus from the Vancouver area into Salmon Arm or Kelowna. If you want to bus from Calgary, you can to take a Rider Express bus to Salmon Arm. If you’re hoping to get to Kelowna from Calgary, you’ll need to bus to Salmon Arm first and then take a second bus from Salmon Arm to Kelowna.
How do I get around the Okanagan?
The best way to get around the Okanagan is by car. If you have chosen to fly into Kelowna International Airport, we suggest you rent a car there. Unless you just plan on visiting Kelowna, it will be next to impossible to get around without a car.
If you are driving to the Okanagan in the winter, please be aware that the highways can get very dangerous with many accidents. Drive with caution and make sure to have winter tires
Okanagan Accommodations
Where should you stay? This depends on which city you’re visiting. If you’re hoping to see the entire Okanagan and want to have some sort of a hub, we recommend Kelowna for this as it’s pretty central and you’ll have lots of hotel choices. The other towns in the Okanagan are small with limited accommodation choices. Here are some places we have stayed or had family stay at and feel comfortable recommending.
Prestige Harbourfront Inn (Salmon Arm)
Right on Shuswap Lake, the Prestige has recently been renovated and redone. There are two newer restaurants in the hotel, and the outside has had a massive makeover. You can easily walk to the downtown core from here, as well as along the wharf and waterfront. We may be biased about the Prestige, as we got married here and had many family and friends stay here (as well as us).
Inn at the Ninth Hole Bed & Breakfast (Salmon Arm)
If you want somewhere more unique and charming, try Inn at the Ninth Hole, located near Salmon Arm Golf Club a little bit out of town. Family friends who stayed here said it was wonderful with great hosts.
Best Western Plus Hotel & Suites (Kelowna)
Near the east side of Kelowna, Best Western was clean with large rooms (at least ours was). It also has a pool and free breakfast. A great option for families. Have stayed here a couple times.
Delta Hotels (Kelowna)
Sitting in downtown Kelowna, Delta Hotels is one of the more luxury hotels in the city. There is a pool with poolside service, and it is convenient to walk into downtown for your pick of restaurant for dinner. It’s been a bit since staying there, but it still seems to get good reviews.
Accent Inn (Kelowna)
There isn’t anything special about the Accent Inn, but it’s clean and reasonably priced. It isn’t a bad option if you are on a budget and coming during peak season.
Four Points by Sheraton (Kelowna Airport)
A great location if you need something close to the airport. They have a shuttle, but it’s also only about a 10-15min walk. Restaurant in the hotel, with many fast food options nearby. Far from downtown, though, so not a good option if you’re staying many nights in Kelowna.
Explore Okanagan accommodations below:
THINGS TO DO in the OKANAGAN VALLEY:
These are all things we have personally done while in the Okanagan and recommend. At the end, we will also note some activities we haven’t tried (or haven’t done in a while) but are on many “what to do in the Okanagan” lists.
Salmon Arm & Area
1. Margaret Falls & Herald Provincial Park
About 30 minutes outside of Salmon Arm you’ll find both Margaret Falls and Herald Provincial Park. Margaret Falls is a quick walk through the forest, so make sure you have bug spray. Harold’s Provincial Park has two parts to it – the campground and the beach part. The campground entrance comes first (on the right-hand side of the road), followed by Margaret Falls (on the left), and then the Herald Park beach entrance (on the right). The campground weirdly never seems full in the summer, and the beach portion of the park will be packed on summer weekends.
We love visiting Herald Park beach in the summer because the water is clear, and the beach isn’t as crowded as other beaches in the area. Bring snacks with you, as the only concession is a “sometimes it’s there, sometimes it’s not” cart in the parking lot.
2. Houseboat on Shuswap Lake
Houseboating is a unique experience. Sicamous on the Shuswap Lake is the “houseboat capital of Canada” (yes, really). You can rent houseboats from in Salmon Arm, or head out to Sicamous where there are more rental companies. It’s best to do this in a group of people (that you like and can stand for more than a few hours), and more fun if you do it for longer than a day (ie. stay overnight). If you haven’t heard of houseboating before, it’s basically like a slow camper on the lake. The boats have bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, usually a rooftop deck, and the expensive ones have hot tubs and massive barbecues. Note that smoke is common in the summer due to wildfires (as you can see it was when we went).
3. Salmon Arm Wharf
The Salmon Arm Wharf is a favourite for locals to go for a stroll down, even as weather gets chilly in late fall. It is the longest wooden wharf in North America and can get pretty slippery once the frost and snow hit, so watch your step! If you fancy a longer walk, head down the walkway in front of the nearby waterfront hotel or past the houses into the marshy area along the foreshore (there’s an actual trail, and most times of the year you can walk out to a little island called “Christmas Island”).
On Wednesdays in the summer, you can catch free music for “Wednesdays on the Wharf” or WOW.
4. Canoe Beach
The only swimming beach in town is Canoe Beach. It is easily the most crowded beach in the area on a warm summer day, with soft sand and grassy areas. It isn’t our favourite beach as the water is kind of murky, and it’s always so busy, but it’s a favourite among locals and tourists. There are picnic tables, kayak and paddleboard rentals, a playground, and a sizeable concession.
Vernon & Area
5. Silver Star Mountain Resort
No matter the time of year, Silver Star is popular among locals. It is best known for its winter activities of downhill skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and tubing (so cold, but so fun). They also have cross-country skiing, but most locals would head to nearby Sovereign Lake for that. In the summer, Silver Star (like most BC ski hills) turns into a wonderland of hiking and downhill mountain biking.
6. Kalamalka Lake
Kalamalka Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes around. It turns a teal-green colour due to limestone deposits. You can visit Kal Beach if you’d like to swim, paddleboard, or kayak in the lake (keep swimming for late spring – early fall or it’ll be much too cold and potentially frozen over if it’s winter). To get a view of the lake, try stopping at one of the many pullouts along highway 97B.
7. Davison Orchards (open May – late fall)
Tractor rides, homemade pies and ice cream, a café, petting zoo, and more. You can come learn how the orchards operate, participate in U-Pick, or buy some local Okanagan fruit. This orchard is a local favourite, especially with families.
Kelowna & Area
8. Walk Kelowna’s Waterfront
Park in downtown Kelowna and make your way to the water. You can walk along the waterfront, enjoying the sights and sounds of summer. You will pass the marina, a waterpark, and local art installations. If you want, venture into downtown Kelowna as well (they block off one of the main roads during the summer to make it a giant pedestrian walkway).
9. Wineries
There are many wineries you can enjoy in Kelowna, most on the west side (across the bridge from the downtown core). You can take a wine tour where you are driven around to different wineries, do e-bike tours to the wineries, or just pick a few and go yourself. A few notable wineries we’ve enjoyed include Mission Hill Family Estate, Quail’s Gate Winery, and Cedar Creek Estate Winery. Check out the Top 10 Kelowna Wineries!
*A note that many wineries close during the winter. Check to see if the one you’d like to visit is open!
10. Take a tour of the skies
Take a float plane tour from downtown Kelowna. Depending on who you book with and how long of a flight you purchase, they’ll fly you over Kelowna, Okanagan Lake, Kalamalka Lake, and more. We booked the day of right off the board walk in front of the Delta Hotel in downtown Kelowna.
11. Boyce-Gyro Beach
One of the more popular beaches in Kelowna, Boyce-Gyro is bound to be busy during a hot summer afternoon. A great place to come with the family as you can find all sorts of outdoor activities, including a playground and beach volleyball courts. There is a concession here too, as well as public washrooms. If you get here and it’s too busy for your liking (it has gotten much busier through the years), try nearby Rotary Beach Park.
Peachland, Summerland, & Penticton
12. Explore Summerland & Peachland
These two towns are quite small, so the towns themselves won’t take much time to wander through the small shops and cafes. You can find some beautiful hikes, beaches, and scenery that can’t be beat. If it’s the summer, grab an ice cream and find a spot on a beach or take a hike up one of the many trails in the area (watch out for rattlesnakes!). If it’s the winter, the beach is so serene, but best enjoyed with a cup of hot chocolate or coffee while bundled up.
13. Visit Summerland Heritage Cider Co.
Great selection of ciders, and the staff does a great job of going through all of the flavours if you choose to do a tasting. We enjoyed them so much, we bought one of each!
14. Explore Downtown Penticton
Okay, there is not a ton to explore because Penticton is pretty small. However, it is such a charming small town. Wander through the downtown core, exploring the small boutiques, unique shops, and art galleries. Try to find a spot on along the waterfront for lunch or dinner. Visit the beach and the giant peach for an ice cream during the summer! If you’re in town on Saturday, check out the farmer’s market.
15. Wineries
Yes, more wineries! There are tons of wineries in the Summerland, Penticton, and Naramata area. You can join a wine tour where they’ll drive you from winery to winery, and even a walking wine tour. Alternatively, designate someone in your group to drive and winery-hop on your own. If you drive down Naramata Bench, you’ll find more than 40 wineries along one stretch of road – check out the Top 10 in Penticton!
A few notable wineries to check out are Dirty Laundry Vineyard (Summerland), Sage Hills Estate Winery and Vineyards (Summerland), Black Widow Winery (Penticton), and See Ya Later Ranch (Okanagan Falls).
*A note that many wineries close during the winter. Check to see if the one you’d like to visit is open!
You may notice that we didn’t include anything in Osoyoos on our list. That isn’t because we have anything against Osoyoos, we just haven’t been yet! Find Osoyoos activities in the “Other Things to Do” list below.
Other Things to Do in the Okanagan
Here are some places to visit or things to do in the Okanagan that we haven’t personally checked out, or haven’t been to in a while, but are on many “what to do in the Okanagan” lists:
- Get out on the lake:
- Water sports on any of the lakes throughout the valley (Such as kayaking, water skiing, kite surfing, parasailing, fly boarding, snorkelling, paddleboarding, open water swimming).
- Rent a Boat (you can do this downtown Kelowna on Okanagan Lake, in Salmon Arm at the wharf, and in Penticton).
- Visit Spotted Lake (near Osoyoos, polka-dotted in appearance due to mineral deposits).
- Float down the Penticton River Channel (summer only)
- Golfing
- We are not golfers, but golfing is very popular in the Okanagan. Noteworthy courses include Shuswap National Golf Course, Salmon Arm Golf Club, and Fairview Mountain (there are many more – check out the top 10 in the Okanagan!). Keep in mind that golfing is a seasonal activity, so check to see if your chosen golf course is open.
- Sparking Hill Resort (Vernon)
- Adults only luxury resort focusing on health and wellness, it overlooks Okanagan Lake.
- Try some local hikes and outdoor activities.
- Trout Creek Trestle Bridge (Summerland)
- Hike Giant’s Head (Summerland)
- Kettle Valley Rail Trail (a recreational trail – walk, cycle, or ride)
- Knox Mountain (Kelowna)
- Big White Ski Resort
- Best enjoyed in the winter for skiing, Big White Ski Resort can be visited all year round. In the summer, you’ll find people hiking and dirt biking along the trails.
Other Okanagan Wineries
Here are some other noteworthy wineries that family and/or friends have raved about:
- Gray Monk Estate Winery (Lake Country)
- Summerhill Pyramid Winery (Kelowna)
- Blasted Church Vineyards (Okanagan Falls)
- Burrowing Owl Estate (Oliver)
- Church & State Wines (Oliver)
- NK’MIP Cellars (Osoyoos)
- Hester Creek Estate Winery (Osoyoos)
- Top 10 Oliver Wineries
- Top 10 Osoyoos Wineries
*A note that many wineries close during the winter. Check to see if the one you’d like to visit is open!
MAP of OKANAGAN PLACES & ACTIVITIES
HOW TO USE THE MAP: Click on the Wanderlog logo in the bottom right corner to open the full-size map up in a new tab. There, you can choose to just look at one town or area at a time or see all of the locations on the map at once (click the 3 squares in the top right to choose). You can also export the map to Google Maps, share the map with others, or save the map.
I spent a weekend I the Okanagan area when my son had a race in Penticton. I had a chance to bike past the orchards and enjoy a swim in the lake, but would love to return for a relaxed trip exploring the area.
I have always dreamed of staying on a houseboat when I vacation. This seems like a perfect opportunity at this resort town. I’d avoid the summer since it is high season,
Yes, shoulder season of June or September (though June is better for avoiding wildfire smoke)).
I grew up in Washington State and we often visited penticton. But it’s been a long time since I have been up in that area. Great post with very useful information.
British Columbia is an area I’d love to explore more one day! Great post, thanks for these great details especially about the wineries! 🙂
If you can’t go to California for wineries, come here!