Located in southern British Columbia, the Okanagan Valley is well known as one of the warmest regions in all of Canada. If you stop by for a visit while in search for some inspiring new real estate, you’ll find yourself offered countless sandy beaches, hot sun, and a variety of outdoor and water activities throughout the summer months.
Frommer’s Travel Experts recently named this lush region of British Columbia as one of their “Top Travel Destinations for 2007.” Their accolades went on to say that the region has been dubbed by some as "Napa North" or "the Tuscany of Canada” due to its vineyards which are a rapidly-growing industry. Today, there are more than 120 thriving vineyards in the region, making it an ideal place for wine tasting or for growing your own vineyard.
Okanagan Valley has a long chain of crystal-blue lakes, making it perfect spot for freshwater-sports enthusiasts searching for boating, water-skiing, sportfishing, and windsurfing. With its stretch of ranches and small towns intermingled with fruit orchards and vineyards, you will soon feel as if you've been transported to the Spanish countryside for a holiday. If you are visiting in the summer months, be sure to stop at one of the many fruit stands along Highway 97 for fresh cherries, homemade jams, and other goodies.
Lodging: Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Spas and Bed & Breakfasts
Kelowna Lakeshore Inn
Kelowna, BC
Tel. 1-877-657-5253
Summerland Waterfront Resort
Summerland, BC
Tel. (877) 494-8111
Penticton Lakeside Resort
Penticton, BC
Tel. (250) 493-8221
Lakeside Illahee Inn
Vernon, BC
Tel. 1-888-260-7896
Richmond House 1894, B&B
Vernon, BC
Tel. 1-866-267-4419
Skalake Paradise Resort
Okanagan Falls, BC
(250)497-6099
Mana Manor
Vernon, BC
Tel. (250) 545-1645
Sunny Trail Acres B&B
Vernon, BC
Phone (250) 545-9632Bayview Guest House B&B
Osoyoos, BC
Phone (250) 495-4424
Lindale Farm Guest House
Oliver, BC
Phone (250) 498-4196
Southwind Inn
Oliver, BC
800/661-9922
Rose Arbor B&B
Osoyoos, BC
Phone (250) 495-2558
Peachland Escape
Peachland, BC
Tel. 1-604-828-5827
Enchanted Palace Bed & Breakfast
Killiney Beach, BC
Phone (866) 231-2288
Augusta View B&B
Kelowna, BC
Phone (250) 763-0969
Apple Valley B&B
Kelowna, BC
Phone (250) 860-5784
A Pinetree Place Bed & Breakfast
Penticton, BC
Tel.(250) 492-0076
Inn Paradise Bed & Breakfast
Penticton, BC
Tel.(250) 486-0400
A & G Master Corker Bed & Breakfast
Okanagan Falls, BC
Tel.(250) 497-6686
Above the Beach Bed & Breakfast
Penticton, BC
Tel.(888) 493-7829
God's Mountain Crest Chalet
Penticton, BC
Tel.(250) 490-4800
Grape Arbour B&B
Kaleden, BC
Phone (250) 493-2144
Somerset Place B&B
Summerland, BC
Phone (250) 494-1644
Food – Restaurants, and Cafes
Bouchons Bistro Kelowna, BC
250/763-6595
Christopher's Steak & Seafood Kelowna, BC
250/861-3464
Fresco
Kelowna, BC
250/868-8805
Naramata Inn
Penticton, BC
250/496-5001
Cellar Door Bistro
Penticton, BC
250/494-3316
Earls
Kelowna, BC
Phone (250) 763-2777
Woodfire Restaurant
Kelowna, BC
Phone (250) 860-1231
Joey's Only Seafood
Penticton, BC
Phone (250) 770-3115
Mami's Pizza
Osoyoos, BC
Phone (250) 495-6838 Boa Thong
Vernon, BC
Phone (250) 542-1252
Vineyards and wine tasting
Bella Vista Vineyards
Vernon, BC
Phone (250) 558-0770
Gray Monk Estate Winery
Winfield, BC
Phone (250) 766-3168
Calona Vineyards
Kelowna, BC
Phone (250) 762-9144
Pinot Reach Cellars
Kelowna, BC
Phone (250) 764-0078
Summerhill Estate Winery
Kelowna, BC
(250) 764-8000
Mission Hill Winery
Westbank, BC
Phone (250) 768-7611
Wild Goose Vineyards & Winery
Okanagan Falls, BC
Phone (250) 497-8919
Recreation & Tourist Activities
The majority of valley's vineyards and wineries conduct free tours and tastings throughout the year. The climax of these wine activities comes in October during the annual Okanagan Wine Festival where both new and old wineries are able to share themselves.
A visit to the Father Pandosy Mission will educate you on how this first non-Native person to settle in the Kelowna area established a mission here to convert the Native Okanagans. You may also learn how Father Pandosy was one of the first in the area to begin planting vineyards, to use as sacraments for his services. The original site now shows a life-size replica of the log mission buildings which once stood. They are filled with period household items and the grounds contain a collection of horse-drawn wagons and carriages. A free brochure leads you on a self-guided tour. 250/860-8369
The Kettle Valley Railway was completed in 1914 and linked coastal communities to the mining camps in Kettle River valley. It became a tourist destination spot after it was converted into rails-to-trails pathways for hikers and mountain bikers. While a massive forest fire burned a number of the historic wooden trestles that bridged the route through steep Myra Canyon, the trail continues to be open via lengthy detours around the burned trestles (not for novice bikers). There is one section of the Kettle Valley Railway that remains intact today, on which original steam trains runs. The Kettle Valley Railway Society offers a 2-hour journey on a 16km (10 mile) section of this original track from June 28 to Labour Day. 250/494-8422
