Kelowna, often known as Kelownafornia, brings in tourists from all over the world year round. Whether it's for the lake and warm weather in the summers, or the mountain and cooler (but still desirable) climate in the winters — Kelowna has a little something for everyone! Not to mention, it tends to be a hotspot for many young university students looking for a place to spend their study breaks and summer vacations with friends, and for families raising their children as well.
Winery Tours
Wineries are what Kelowna is built on. Between Kelowna, Penticton, and Vernon, you will surely find some of the best wineries on the west coast! Some of our favourites include:
CedarCreek Estate Winery (book in advance)
Quails’ Gate
Grey Monk Estate Winery
Indigenous World Winery
Kitsch Winery
Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery
The Hatch
Moccasin Trails
Dive into First Nations culture with Moccasin Trails. Here, you can learn all about the heritage of Canada’s Indigenous groups, by canoeing on the lake, indulging in traditional food, singing cultural songs, and hearing stories from their ancestors. A truly great experience for anyone looking to immerse themselves into a deeper connection with their history and the history behind Canada.
Big White Ski Resort
If you end up in Kelowna during the winter months and you're keen for skiing or snowboarding, check out Big White Ski Resort. In addition to over 100 kilometres of groomed trails for cross-country skiing, Big White features a wide range of amenities for downhill skiers and snowboarders alike.
Plus, if you get there and it looks way too packed with locals, just head on down the road to SilverStar Mountain Resort! That's right, Monashee Mountains boast two whole ski resorts for you to enjoy on your trip!
Lake Life and Downtown Marina
If summer is more your style, try soaking up some rays down on a boat on the water. The lake is a fairly popular place in Kelowna come summer time, with people from all over Canada flocking to the water with their boats. The surrounding beaches have rentals for water activities such as kayaking, paddle boarding and waterjets, and surrounding restaurants include the popular Cactus Club Cafe, OAK + CRU, and Earls.
Kelowna Farmer’s and Crafter’s Market
The Kelowna Farmer’s and Crafter’s market happens every Wednesday and Saturday from 8:00am to 1:00pm. The main market runs from April until October, and the satellite summer market runs on Sundays from 9:00am to 3:00pm from June until September. Kelowna also has a winter market that is indoors on Saturdays from 8:00am until 1:00pm.
All markets feature local artisan goods, in-season fruits and vegetables, wine and beer/ciders, as well as other featured products such as homemade baked goods. Stay tuned for next week’s Travel Tuesday feature! Also, be sure to follow TVL on social media and stay up to date with new travel recommendations, lifestyle content and business tips for all types of travelers.