ABOUT KELOWNA

The small city that offers the world.

Cradled within a glorious range of mountains, is a sanctuary filled with pristine lakes, pine forests, abundant gardens, orchards and vineyards, sandy beaches, and superb amenities. Stretching from north to south for approximately 110 kms (68 miles) is beautiful Okanagan Lake .  The lake sustains several diverse communities along this corridor known as the Okanagan Valley . The Okanagan Valley is located at the northern most end of the Sonora Desert and hence has a semi-arid climate, boasting long warm summers and short mild winters. The city of Kelowna , is the largest community and is located midway through the valley. It has a population of 107,000 and is the transportation, business and service hub of the valley.

Relatively undiscovered, Kelowna , is never too crowded despite playing host to visitors the world over.  The Kelowna International Airport , the 10th busiest in Canada , easily connects to major North American cities. With daily flights, it's just a 60-minute flight from Calgary or Vancouver and 70 minutes from Seattle .  Daily direct flights to Toronto are also available. A variety of accommodations offer choices ranging from lakeside resorts to cozy B & B's.

Kelowna has miles of beautiful parkland, and several sandy beaches which provide wonderful opportunities for boating, swimming, water-skiing, windsurfing and fishing. As well, you can hit the links at one of our many golf courses nine months out of the year. In cooler months, our 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 seasonal delights year round.  You can pluck ripe cherries or juicy peaches from trees, or spend a delightful day sampling the award-winning wares of our internationally acclaimed wineries.   The Spring, Summer and Fall Wine Festivals offer hundreds of activities focused on wine making, tasting and touring. 

That's not all.  Kelowna's growing Cultural District covers a six-block downtown area and features a concentration of galleries, museums, theatres, a casino, artists' studios, fine dining, unique shops and a vibrant cultural life all year long.  Prospera Place , a 6,000-seat multi-purpose facility that's home to the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League, attracts major entertainers and events, and is also located in the heart of the city. 

A trip to Kelowna would not be complete without taking the time to search for Ogopogo, the legendary lake monster that reputedly resides in Okanagan Lake .  The myth dates back to the Interior Salish Native people who exchanged stories of a lake creature, or "N'ha-a-itk", over 100 years ago.   The creature later became known as Ogopogo and purported sightings over the years continue to strengthen the legend.  To "see" Ogopogo for yourself, be sure to visit the statue of the creature found on Bernard Avenue near Kelowna 's City Park .

Suddenly all the time in the world isn't enough.

 Any time, any day, any season, Kelowna , and the Okanagan Valley , offers a world of things to do.

There's hiking and biking through glorious pine-scented mountain forests.  You can also enjoy leisurely strolls and refreshing dips in our parks and beaches.  With all the luscious fruit in our thriving orchards, as well as the award-winning wines, you'll also want to treat yourself to the perfect picnic. Be sure to take in some great boating and water activities from swimming to windsurfing to fishing.  Thanks to the mild climate and day and days of sun, golf enthusiasts can indulge themselves with a long season on scenic fairways. Get your adrenaline up with scuba diving, rock climbing and other thrilling adventure activities . 

Warm months aren't the only time to visit Kelowna , BC . The winter activities are every bit as exciting, and boundless.  With its snow-capped mountains and awesome views, Kelowna , and the Okanagan Valley , is an exhilarating place for skiing and snowboarding. For those who love to explore lush, aromatic forests, just put on snowshoes or cross-country skis and prepare for miles of awe-inspiring trails.  You'll see wildlife, birds and amazing views all along the way.

All year-round, festivals and events abound.  To the delight of your family and kids, our many parks play host to musicians and entertainers.  There's indoor and outdoor theatre, symphonies, concerts and venues that provide a wide selection of the performing arts. Explore galleries and museums and enjoy the downtown cultural district. There are also harvest celebrations, as well as much-loved and very tasteful wine festivals.  Kelowna 's at the heart of B.C.'s Okanagan wine region. It boasts a number of wineries that offer tours, educational seminars and, of course, samplings of internationally-acclaimed wines. So buy a big calendar and fill it up .

Rutland
One of Kelowna's fastest growing areas -- there is a great mix of older and new neighbourhoods. With a location close to UBC Okanagan as well as many of our wonderful restaurants and stores, this area will continue to grow. Perfect for families with amenities like the Okanagan Gymnastics Club (what a facility), the YMCA pool and gym. There are also baseball diamonds & soccer fields.


Westside
West Kelowna is a town of it's own with great restaurants, grocery stores, a movie theatre and excellent shopping. There's no longer a need to go into Kelowna for the things you want. West Kelowna Estates features many west coast contempory homes and incredible lakeviews. Lakeview Heights has large property sizes and great views of the lake as well as acres of vineyards. Mission Hill Estates Winery is a must visit place! Glenrosa offers affordable homes in a quiet setting yet just minutes from downtown Westbank. Shannon Lake & Smith Creek creek are two areas with many newer homes and an incredible setting.


Glenmore
This beautiful Valley is comprised of several lovely neighbourhoods. Old Glenmore is known for mature trees, large lots and mostly older homes. North Glenmore has wonderful parks and walking trails throughout. Amenities also include a small shopping centre complete with a grocery store, bank and restaurtants. Magic Estates is full of beautiful newer homes and the area backs onto Knox Mountain Park with incredible vistas over our entire Okanagan Valley.

Downtown
Be where the action is! Kelowna's downtown has seen a recent surge in development and activity. The area consists of a great mix of older well maintained homes along with several new high-rise condo buildings. Explore the fabulous linear park from the base of Knox Mountain to the Kelowna General Hospital -- all along the lakeshore.