Overview

Kelowna, British Columbia, is Canada’s natural wonderland. All roads lead to the sandy beach of the 68-mile-wide Okanagan Lake, surrounded by an expansive forested mountain range. Scuba dive into small caves, paddle board the placid surface, fish for Kokanee Salmon, kayak to isolated beaches or search for the legendary Ogopogo, British Colombia’s version of the Lock Ness Monster. As summer fades and snow begins to fall, skiing at the Big White resort is a popular draw. Another seasonal delight is fresh cherry, apple and peach picking.

Speaking of fruit, Kelowna has more varieties of grapes than most of the world’s wine-producing regions. Download the Kelowna Wine Trails App and find which wine tours entice you. Visit a farm-gate winery where each vintage is bottled by hand or an organic one where “hand-picked” and “natural” are taken seriously. Summerhill Pyramid Winery is the largest and has an organic restaurant to boot! It’s British Colombia’s most visited winery, with gorgeous lake views, award-winning vines and its own precision-crafted pyramid. Many wineries offer fruit platters, cheese sampling, tapas-style tasting and regional cuisine, so arrive hungry!

On the off chance you’re not lured by lakes and wine, you’ll still have a splendid time. With about 20 sloping courses and one of the longest golf seasons in Canada, tee time is easily within your reach. The Okanagan Heritage Museum and Father Pandosy Mission will give you insight into local history, and Kelowna Art Gallery will give you a feel for contemporary Canadian art. Spend an afternoon at a brewery or distillery or an evening at the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra or a local casino. Occupying your time will be easy, especially from a lakeside resort or friendly cabin.