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Kelowna Introduction

PRACTICALITIES

The bus terminal is at the east end of town at 2366 Leckie Rd on the corner of Harvey (Hwy 97), and sees off two buses daily to Calgary, Banff, Cache Creek and Kamloops respectively (tel 860-3835). The infocentre (daily: June-Aug 8am-8pm; Sept-May 8am-5pm; tel 861-1515 or 1-800/663-4345, www.kelownachamber.org ), five blocks back from the lake at 544 Harvey, has all the information you could possibly need. To rent a bike , try Sports Rent at 3000 Pandosy St.

As in Penticton, there’s an enormous number of motels and campsites in and around town. However, accommodation can still be a major headache in the height of summer unless you can get to one of the motels on northbound Hwy 97 early in the morning, but it’s a neon- and traffic-infested area well away from downtown and the lake (prices drop the further out you go). The HI-affiliated youth hostel , the SameSun International Motel-Hostel , is at 245 Harvey St (tel 763-9814 or 1-877/562-2783; up to $40) - from the bus station take bus #10 to Queensway. There’s also an unofficial hostel downtown, the Kelowna International Hostel , 2343 Pandosy St (tel 763-6024; up to $40): both hostels fill quickly in summer, in which case you may go for the Okanagan University College , 3180 College Way (tel 762-5445; $40-60), who let out their campus rooms from May through August. The most affordable central downtown hotel is the perfectly placed and very comfortable Willow Inn at 235 Queensway (tel 762-2122 or 1-800/268-1055; $60-80) - ring or book very early for summer vacancies, and don’t be deterred by the adjoining bar/strip-joint, which appears to be the headquarters of the Kelowna chapter of the Hell’s Angels. Another slightly more expensive option is the Royal-Anne at 348 Bernard Ave (tel 763-2277 or 1-888/811-3400; $80-100). As ever, the chain hotels also come up trumps: the reasonably central Sandman Hotel , 2130 Harvey Ave (tel 860-6409 or 1-800/726-3626, www.sandman.ca ; $60-80), is a good mid-range bet. More expensive are three highly rated B&Bs : the Casa Rio Lakeside , 485 Casa Rio Drive, turn off Hwy 97 at Campbell Road (tel 769-0076 or 1-800/313-1033; $125-175), which has a private sandy beach and hottub; the Cedars , 278 Beach Ave (tel 763-1208 or 1-800/822-7100; $125-175), in a beautiful house just outside Kelowna; or the outlying Grapevine , 2621 Longhill Rd (tel 860-5580; $60-80; phone for directions).

If you’re camping , all sites are pretty expensive, and in high season some places may only accept reservations for three days or more: mosquitoes can also be a problem. If you want to stay reasonably close to the action, two campsites conveniently back onto Lakeshore Road: the Willow Creek Family Campground , 3316 Lakeshore Rd (tel 762-6302; $18-22; year-round), which has free showers and a grassy tenting area flanking a sandy beach; and the Hiawatha RV Park , 3787 Lakeshore Rd, with separate tenting area, laundry, heated pool and free hot showers (tel 861-4837 or 1-888/784-7275; $29-39; March-Oct). To be sure of camping space, try the Bear Creek Provincial Park , 9km west of town on Westside Road off Hwy 97 on the west side of the lake (showers and most facilities; $15.50; March-Nov), or the new Fintry Provincial Park , once a working orchard, 34km north of town with similar facilities ($12; April-Oct) - reservations are accepted for both . Most of the other campsites are on the other side of the lake at Westbank, a left turn off Hwy 97 on Boucherie Road just over the pontoon bridge (but really only accessible by car) - try West Bay Beach , 3745 West Bay Rd (tel 768-3004; $24-28; March-Oct), with its adjoining alpaca and llama farm.

Most eating places are crammed into the small downtown area. The variety is large, and a short walk should offer something to suit most tastes and budgets. Many travellers and young locals head for Kelly O’Brian’s on Bernard Street, opposite the cinema, which has an “Irish” bar atmosphere and reasonable food. Despite its rather slick cocktail-lounge ambience, Earl’s Hollywood on Top , 211 Bernard Ave at the corner of Abbott (tel 763-2777), is good for ribs, seafood and steaks; go early to get a table on the upstairs patio. For pasta, Joey Tomato’s Kitchen in the shopping mall at the junction of hwys 97 and 33 is a fun and inexpensive option. At the top of the food tree you could splurge at De Montreuil , 368 Bernard Ave (tel 860-5508), widely considered the best restaurant in the Okanagan and serving local produce, beef from Alberta and Pacific salmon. A three-course meal costs around $35. Also excellent in the top range is the Williams Inn , 526 Laurence Ave (tel 763-5136), with an early evening set menu of salads and soups for $12.95 available 5-6.30pm and later an à la carte menu that includes Pacific salmon, weiner schnitzel, venison, quail and sometimes caribou and bison. Dinner for two, with drinks, will set you back about $75.

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Kelowna is the largest city in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, which is located in the south central region of the province. The city is easily accessible by car, bus and air, and is located only 150 km. (90 miles) north of the United States border and 395 km. (247 miles) east of Vancouver.

Spectacular Okanagan Valley scenery in the cradle of the nearby mountain range, pristine pine-fringed lakes, blossom-filled gardens, abundant orchards and vineyards, sandy beaches, and first-class amenities, all combine in the beautiful city of Kelowna. Although relatively undiscovered, Kelowna is easily accessible and ready to host visitors from throughout the world. The Kelowna International Airport connects visitors and residents alike to many major North American cities. Kelowna is a quick 60-minute flight from Calgary or Vancouver and just 70 minutes from Seattle. Direct flights to Toronto are also available year-round. With a host of attractions, sites to see, numerous dining options, and events taking place year round; it’s a great choice for the vacationer.

Orchards and vineyards surround the city. Visitors can pick juicy peaches from trees, or spend a delightful day sampling the award-winning wares of the internationally acclaimed wineries. The Spring, Summer, and Fall Wine Festivals offer hundreds of activities focused on wine making, tasting, and touring. There are 12 wineries in and around the city, and some 65 throughout the Okanagan Valley. Kelowna, located in the center of the Okanagan Valley, is the perfect “base camp” for all Okanagan explorations.

When golfing in Kelowna, visitors find themselves meandering through an orchard, over desert terrain and rolling hills, or past expansive lakes and canyons. There are numerous courses located in the Kelowna area, providing golfers of all ages and abilities premium golf experiences.

Kelowna is a city of 100,000 people where the arts thrive. The Canadian Heritage Cultural Spaces Program named the Cultural District as the best in Canada. Those who enjoy the arts will feel at home in this vibrant District that covers a six-block area in the city’s centre. A concentration of galleries, museums, theatres, and artist studios co-exist with an eclectic mix of dining opportunities. Lady Luck is said to be found in the Cultural District at Lake City Casino. Kelowna has an outstanding symphony orchestra and blues, jazz, folk, country and rock bands play in a number of festivals and downtown venues.

Kelowna has miles of beautiful parkland, much of which is located along sandy beaches. Grassy picnic areas, playgrounds, washrooms and concession stands are standard facilities at the many beaches. The Okanagan Lake and surrounding mountains provide the scenic backdrop for a wide range of family attractions and outdoor activities including golf, downhill skiing and snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, water-skiing, waterslides, cycling, hiking, camping, horseback riding, and fishing.

The Okanagan Valley also offers a comfortable climate year round. Summers are warm with hot days, boasting clear sunny skies and low humidity. Shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, and bathing suits are the best bet during the summer season. Winters are generally much milder than other areas east of the Valley. Although snow is abundant at the surrounding ski resorts, it rarely stays for long on the Valley roadways. Sweaters, vests and fleece clothing are popular during our fall and winter seasons. Kelowna is sunny, and umbrellas are seldom required. Dressing in layers is recommended for optimum comfort, especially in the spring and fall seasons, as temperatures can fluctuate between cool mornings and hot daytimes but return to cool evenings.

Play paintball, take a boat tour, ride a horse, play golf, relax, or take advantage of a host of activities is this tranquil yet vibrant city: the choice is yours.

Kelowna City Information

Population: Approximately 100,000

Elevation: 344 meters (1,129 feet) above sea level

Land Area: 262 square kilometers (107 square miles)

Location: Kelowna is the largest city in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley, which is located in the south central region of the province. Easily accessible by car, bus and air, Kelowna is 150 km. (90 miles) north of the United States border and 395 km. (247 miles) east of Vancouver

Time Zone: Kelowna is in the Pacific Time Zone. Daylight Savings Time is in effect from 0200 hr on the first Sunday in April until 0200 hr on the last Sunday in October

Average Monthly Temperatures

Month High Low

January 0 C /32 F -7 C/19 F

February 3 C/37 F -5 C/23 F

March 9 C/48 F -2 C/28 F

April 15 C/59 F 1 C/34 F

May 20 C/68 F 5 C/41 F

June 24 C/75 F 8 C/46 F

July 28 C/82F 10 C/50 F

August 27 C/81 F 10 C/50 F

September 21 C/70 F 5 C/41 F

October 14 C/57 F 1 C/34 F

November 5 C/41 F -2 C/28 F

December 0 C/32 F -6 C/21

Climate:

Kelowna’s climate is mild and one of the reasons why so many of its visitors become residents. Warm summers are characterized by low humidity, along with relatively mild winters.

Local Seasons:

Kelowna is truly a city of four distinct seasons. Summers do tend to be the busiest time of year as visitors come to the area to experience the many sites and attractions, as well as the near perfect weather. Winter also brings tourists to the area for the abundant skiing. With over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, anytime of year is wonderful for a visit to this magnificent and picturesque city