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Kelowna is the largest inland city in British Columbia, located in the heart of BC's wine country. It has a metropolitan population of about 165,000. Okanagan Lake is the main draw in the summer. This 135 km long jewel is a big draw for boaters (power and sail), swimmers and kite-boarders. In winter thousands of tourists come from all parts of the world to ski at Big White resort, located 55 km from the city. Tourists also come in the fall (mostly) to experience and taste the Okanagan's world class wines from various wineries throughout the valley.

  • Ski and Snowboard at Big White, [9] and Silver Star Resorts, [10].
  • Swimming - many sand beaches great beaches. Some feature swimming platforms (Gellatly bay aquatic park) and swing lines (Gyro park).
  • Bike and hike the local mountains
  • Golf on any of the many great Golf Courses
  • Play Tennis
  • Enjoy the Athletic Centers (Parkinson Recreation Center, Athens Recreation Center, Capital News Center[11]).
  • Sailing, Seadoo-ing and Boating on Okanagan Lake [12].
  • Windsurfing
  • Vespa and Scooter Rentals, [13].
  • Tour Mission Hill Winery[14] or Summerhill Winery[15].
  • Skateboarding/longboarding--the skateparks are average but lots of great hills
  • Or the best yet... just be lazy and lay at the beach... or in winter in a jacuzzi surrounded by snow.
  • Walk or Bike the Kettle Valley Railway Trestles, .[16]. Recently rebuilt after being burnt down - They provide a unique and beautiful view of the Kelowna area, as well as the uninhabited areas surrounding it. These are about an hour's drive outside of Kelowna - up a dirt road
  • Hangout in city park and walk along the boardwalk.
  • The Downtown City Park offers a great environment in the summer to sun tan play and enjoy yourself or with your family playgrounds as well as the water and skate board park offer for a great time in the sun.
  • Enjoy the half submerged playground at Gyro Beach; in summer you can let yourself slide along the rope into the lake within which you may come across our lake's resident the Ogopogo (we are not joking, Loch Ness isn't the only body of water with a lake monster [the term monster is used loosely]). If you see Ogopogo make sure to be friendly as it is his home your swimming in ;).
  • One of the best kept secrets of Kelowna is Bertram Park at the end of Lakeshore Road, with beautiful beaches and grassy areas to picnic on it is one of the most idyllic places in Kelowna, it offers BBQ's as well as change/wash rooms.
  • Kelowna Rockets hockey [4].
  • Okanagan Sun football [5].
  • Local wineries [6].
  • Mission Creek Greenway [7].
  • Knox Mountain (two viewpoints) - an annual hill climb is one of the highlights of this peak [8].

By plane

Kelowna has one international airport, with daily service to several cities including Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Prince George, and Seattle. Kelowna International Airport also offers flights to Puerto Vallarta,Victoria and Toronto.

Some of the Airlines utilizing Kelowna International Airport are:

  • Westjet
  • Air Canada
  • Jazz
  • Horizon Air
  • Skyservice Airlines

By train

There is currently no train service available to Kelowna however you can utilize the nearest train terminal in Kamloops (about 90 minutes north-west of Kelowna by car).

By car

Highway 97 is the major highway through Kelowna, with Merritt to the west. Highway 33 provides secondary access to points south and east.

By bus

Greyhound services Kelowna from Vancouver and Calgary and points in between.

Traffic can be quite heavy on major roads in Kelowna during the summer months, especially at the approaches to the floating bridge. A lack of advance left turn traffic lights contributes to accidents at major intersections.

  • Kelowna Regional Transit System, 763-6011, [1]. Best times to travel are early mornings and late afternoons, Monday to Friday. High traffic routes (such as Lakeshore #1, University #8, Rutland #10 are the most efficient and numerous routes). Bus drivers are generally courteous and will on request call ahead to your next bus to facilitate a timely transfer. When school is in session, expect to miss a bus (or two) due to over-filled buses. Check the user website for more details and schedules.
  • Kelowna has an extensive network of bike lanes. Cyclists are advised to use bike lanes (when not obstructed by parked vehicles) and intersections with caution. Cycling on local highways is not recommended. See the city of kelowna website for a detailed map.[2]
  • There are several boat launches along the lakeshore with parking facilities. Be prepared to queue in the summer months. As for the lake itself, it can get crowded out there, especially with small watercraft.
  • The downtown area is pedestrian-friendly, especially along the waterfront.

Vehicle Rentals

  • Budget Car Rentals
  • Enterprise Rent-a-Car
  • Avis Car Rentals
  • Discount Car and Truck Rentals
  • Hertz
  • Vespa and Scooter Rentals, [3].

Downtown

The Downtown Core is easily accessible with public transit as well as taxis and bicycles, once downtown you have two major Parkades to choose from if you decide to drive yourself one is of Pandosy Street (The Verve Restaurant is in the first level) or at the Library by the RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) Station, so parking shouldn't be a chore.

As in any city the Rush Hour (usually 4:30PM-6PM) can be a challenge in the downtown core as well as on the main transportation arteries: Highway 97C, Highway 33, Lakeshore Rd.

  • Orchard Park shopping centre
  • Bernard Avenue between Richter and Water Streets
  • Central Park shopping area, Hwy 97 and Banks Road
  • Pandosy St at/around KLO Road
  • Okanagan fruit tree co-operative, 816 Clement Avenue, Mon-Sat 9-5

Budget

  • Ken's Dim Sum, near Starbucks on Bernard.
  • Sub City Donair on Highway 33, and on Rutland road by McCurdy
  • Mad Mango's' cafe (try the curry and soups most under $7.00) across the street from the bargain shop on Bernard.

Mid-range

  • O-Zeki Japanese
  • Moxies
  • Bai Tong Thai food - On Water at Bernard, upstairs, one of Kelowna's best Thai food places!

Splurge

  • The Fixx, [17].
  • Mon Thong
  • Bouchons - High Quality French Bistro with a great kitchen (Near the Grand Hotel by Prospera Place)
  • The Rotten Grape
  • Ric's Grill
  • La Bussola Restaurant

Pubs are closing at 1 AM and clubs at 2 AM.

  • The Grateful Fed, Bernard Ave, the main strip downtown, and has live music in the later evenings, with pub/deli style eats and drinks, and a patio in the warmer months.
  • Roses Waterfront pub located by the Grand/Kelowna Yacht Club.
  • 'Flashbacks Nightclub on Ellis Street (Close to Prospera Place)
  • The Blue Gator A Blues Club located on Lawrence Street. Has an outdoor sidewalk patio where you can eat/drink.
  • 97 Street Pub At the intersection of Hwy 97 and Leckie Road (Beside the Best Western Hotel)
  • Doc Willoughby's Downtown Pub, 353 Bernard Ave
  • Sturgeon Hall, 1481 Water Street
  • Tonics Pub, Ellis Street. Good food, and great prices on drinks. Nice atmosphere and friendly, helpful staff.