Located along beautiful Okanagan Lake, surrounded by illustrious mountain scenery and prestigious wineries, Kelowna tops the charts as one of Canada’s top tourist and vacation destinations. It’s especially popular in the summer months, offering beautiful beaches, plenty of boating opportunities, immaculately kept golf courses, and a plethora of five-star shops and restaurants.
If you’re wondering what to do on your trip out to Kelowna, we have you covered with 5 different activities that are an absolute ‘must’!
Spend the Day Lake Side
Stretching over 135km from one end to the other, Okanagan Lake is your one-stop-shop for outdoor fun! With over 30 beaches on offer, tons of sandy shores and green spaces, and family friendly parks and BBQ areas scattered all around, there’s no shortage of available activities when you choose to spend the day down by the water.
Okanagan Lake is where you’ll find tons of fun opportunities for sailing, house boating, powerboating, water skiing, tubing, and paddle-boarding. With equipment rentals nearby, it’s easy to get what you need at an affordable daily rate. Or, if you want to skip the watersports, bring along your frisbee or volleyball for some fun on the sand!
Even on a rainy day, the views from the shoreline alone are well worth the visit – so check it out! You won’t be disappointed.
Go on a Bike Tour
Kelowna is home to hundreds of amazing hiking and biking trails that are renowned for their stunning visuals and diverse terrains. Truly, there is a trail for everyone – especially if you book in with a guide who knows the area and can lead you through some of the most beautiful areas you’ll ever see.
From breathtaking lake views, to crashing waterfalls, to soft mossy steps in the forest, Kelowna offers great biking pathways for novice and expert riders alike.
One of our favorite routes is the Myra Canyon Trestles located a quick 40-minute drive from Trailhead at the Ponds. It makes up part of the Kettle Valley Railway, which is the longest rail-trail network in BC, traversing almost 650 kms! The trains have long since stopped running but it still offers stunning views and brilliant scenery for recreational hikers and cyclists of all ages.
Trestle Bridge on the Kettle Valley Railway
Sign up for a Wine Tour
Kelowna is a wine enthusiast’s dream with over 40 different wineries spread across the city. Whether you’re a wine lover or a casual sipper, spending a day touring the vineyards and tasting different vinos is a great way to unwind.
Sandhill Winery and Calona Vineyards are within walking distance of downtown Kelowna, making them two of the most popular destinations for those that want fabulous wine without having to worry about a long drive home later. CedarCreek, Mt.Boucherie, Mission Hill Estate, and Quails Gate are also local favorites though you’ll need reliable transport there and back if you’re planning to visit. For a unique experience, try Off the Grid, a sustainable winery with a menagerie of friendly animals!
If you want to make a complete day of it without having to worry about picking which wineries to visit and getting rides to and from each location, there are several touring companies available in Kelowna to make your wine-time adventure that much easier.
Hit the Golf Course
Whether you’re the king of the clubs or have barely graduated from the streets of mini golf, Kelowna has a golf course for you.
With over 20 immaculately kept golf courses in the area, each offering stunning scenic views, even golf skeptics will be able to find a reason to be happy out on the course.
A few of our personal picks are the Black Mountain Golf Club, an 18-hole course with beautiful mountain views and an incredible woodland backdrop, and the Shannon Lake Club which offers spectacular panoramic landscapes – especially from the 8th hole. Pine Hills Golf Club, offering 9 holes, wide fairways, and amazing views of Lake Okanagan, is also a tried-and-true family favorite.
Have a Beach Day
One of the best ways to enjoy the day and soak up some sunshine is to hit up one of Kelowna’s many available beaches. With over 30 to choose from, there’s no shortage of possibilities when it comes to where to dip your toes in the sand!
However, if you’re looking for a helping hand on where to go, we have a few favorites that we’d recommend!
Hot Sands Beach is a great option for those looking to do more than just sunbathe. It offers volleyball, basketball, and tennis courts, plenty of picnic tables and nearby pathways, and there’s even a waterpark for the little ones in your group!
Rotary Beach Park is another great spot, offering plenty of swimming areas, change rooms, and a playground for the kids. It also has on-site rentals available, which makes it a great option for those that want to participate in activities such as paddle-boarding or kite surfing!
Looking for a park that is Fido friendly? Check out Gellatly Dog Beach. It’s a stone’s throw away from Rotary Beach and is a popular hangout for both local and visiting canine companions.
Kelowna is a fantastic place to visit and an even more amazing place to live. Contact us about our available homes in Trailhead at the Ponds – we would love the opportunity to show you what makes this such a desirable community.
