Tuesday, November 5, 2024

A Guide to Penticton – Fraiche Living

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My guide for what to eat, where to stay, and what to do in Penticton, BC!

The name Penticton, from nsyilxcən snpintktn, translates to “a place where people have always been all year long.” After a visit, you’ll understand why. It has so much to offer, from beaches to lakes, restaurants, year-round outdoor activities, and let’s not forget the wineries and craft breweries. There’s a lot of ground to cover, so let’s get into it!

Penticton is located in the Southern Interior of British Columbia, nestled between two lakes (Skaha Lake and Okanagan Lake). It is also the heart of BC’s wine region, with well over 90 wineries in the area.

  1. Book a Wine Tour. Yes, this is #1 for a reason!
  2. Explore the Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) Trail: The KVR is one of the most iconic attractions in Penticton. It is a family-friendly trail that is very well maintained and ideal for riders and walkers of any ability. It stretches 660 km across BC and is actually a decommissioned rail trail with stunning views of the lake, and weaves through vineyards and orchards; don’t miss the iconic Little Tunnel lookout!
  3. Spend a Saturday at the Penticton Farmers Market (April – October). Every Saturday from April to October the streets of downtown Penticton are filled with various local vendors.
  4. Float the Channel: This is a right of passage to any summer visit to Penticton. Grab a floatie or rent from Coyote Cruises (they also offer shuttle transport!), and drift down a 7km lazy river from Riverside Drive (near Okanagan Beach) and slowly drift all the way down to Skaha Lake. It is perfect for a hot summer day. Tip: bring a cooler for snacks, drinks and lots of SPF! Depending on the water levels it can take 3-4 hours.
  5. Family Theme Park Loco Landing: It doesn’t get more family friendly than this place! Go carts, mini golf, rock climbing, bumper boats and more.
  6. Check out the SS Sicamous: Chances are this sternwheeler will be the first thing you see when you roll into town. It used to transport passengers and cargo to remote communities along the shores of Okanagan Lake. Today the ship is preserved right on the shore of Okanagan Lake, and is now a museum and heritage site.
  7. Head to the mountains and visit Apex Mountain Resort.
  8. Try rock climbing at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park.
  9. Golf at Penticton Golf & Country Club.
  10. Hit the beach! Okanagan Beach  and Skaha Lake Park & Beach are the two on either end of the city.
  11. Do the Munson Mountain Hike: Famous for its iconic PENTICTON sign, this hike known has breathtaking scenery of the valley and lake – perfect for photos!
  12. Take a walk through the Ikeda Japanese Garden.
  13. Catch a concert, event or game at the SOEC.
  14. Try your luck at the casino.
  15. Shop downtown and Front Street:
  • Cherry On Top: home to very insta-worthy shakes.
  • Lickity Splitz
  • Wayne & Freida: This place is so cute and the coffee is A+. Try their breakfast sandwiches, you won’t regret it. They have the cutest little home shop located beside it.
  • The Bench Market: A great patio to enjoy your coffee on a sunny day! They offer all-day breakfast, weekend brunch, baked goods, gourmet lunches, takeaway meals, and a selection of artisan grocery and retail items at the front.
  • Elma: A must-visit! Incredible Turkish food and a stunning atmosphere—the patio overlooks the beach! Be sure to try one of their Pide (Turkish flatbread pizza) and a cocktail.
  • The Restaurant at Poplar Grove: It doesn’t get more quintessential Okanagan than this—world-class wine, gourmet local food, and an incredible view to boot. Make sure this is on your list.
  • Pizzeria Tratto: This place offers amazing, authentic pizza, and in true Neapolitan style, the pizzas are brought to the table uncut, to be enjoyed with a knife and fork or eaten by hand.

Where do I even begin? With over 90 wineries in the surrounding area, there’s so much to explore. If you drive out of Penticton towards the Naramata Bench, you’ll quickly lose track of how many you’re passing! Here’s just a taste (pun intended) of some to try:

  • Poplar Grove: If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I ADORE this winery and the family that owns and operates it. The wines, views, and food are all world-class. Consider this a must-visit on your trip to Penticton!

For a full list of wineries, visit here.

Fun fact: Penticton is the Craft Beer Capital of Canada, with more breweries per capita than any other Canadian city.

Find a full list of breweries, cideries and distilleries here.



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