Penticton, one of only two cities in the world situated between two lakes, might be hard for most people to pinpoint on a map. However, with award-winning wineries and stunning vistas at every turn, this Canadian gem deserves far more recognition.
Penticton, located in the South Okanagan Valley, is an hourlong flight west from Vancouver and a five-hour drive from Spokane, Washington. Its unique geography, between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, along with its mountain surroundings, offers an enviable climate with hot summers and mild winters. The city takes pride in its deep agricultural roots, award-winning wineries and craft breweries, and an outdoor culture that draws athletes and adventure seekers of all levels.
I explored this mid-sized Canadian city over a three-day weekend as any good adventurer should: by walking, cycling and paddling. Here’s how you can do the same.
Day 1
Courtesy of Visit Penticton
We checked into the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre, a sprawling accommodation tucked along the gorgeous Okanagan Lake. The resort is home to 273 deluxe guest rooms and suites and is great for couples, families, and even their pets. The resort offers a range of onsite amenities, such as a full-size gym, pool, three restaurants and (best of all) a private beach which transforms into a skating rink in the winter.
After settling in, we took a leisurely 15-minute walk to Salty’s Beach House along the lakeshore for dinner. This two-floor restaurant is a long-standing community favorite offering a large and diverse menu to suit all tastes and cravings, from hamburgers to sushi. We dined on the patio to people-watch and admire the sunset over the lake and mountains.
Day 2
Kimberly Lyn/Travel + Leisure
We fueled our bodies to ride the iconic Kettle Valley Rail (KVR) trail on e-bikes. Originally used for mining, the KVR was decommissioned and converted into a recreational trail network stretching through parts of British Columbia. We pedaled north from the city and onto the eastern ridge line of the Naramata Bench, passing countless local wineries and their lush vineyards. At the Little Tunnel lookout, we took in stunning views overlooking the landscape and met other bike enthusiasts who shared their adventures on the KVR and compared wheels, a few were envious of our e-bikes.
En route back to town, we visited local businesses to sample the region’s fresh food, wine and beer offerings. That included a stop at Lock & Worth wine and the award-winning Abandon Rail Brewery, a family-run farm operation that grows its own barley and serves legendary apple slushies.
Nathan Penner/Courtesy of Visit Penticton
In the evening, we had a delicious Turkish-inspired dinner at Elma, Penticton’s only Turkish restaurant. Inside is a vibrant space owned by locals Michael and Ayse Barluk, where guests will find two expansive floors with an open kitchen and a large stone oven. We sampled their meze flight, mouthwatering cheese pide and grilled octopus, all of which proved this to be a must-dine spot.
Day 3
We started with a guided kayak tour by Hoodoo Adventures on Vaseux Lake. The habitat surrounding the lake is protected, and it is a well-known stop for migratory birds. Windy conditions didn’t stop us from paddling through its wavy, aquamarine waters while snapping smiling selfies.
Jon Adrian/Courtesy of Visit Penticton
Back on shore, we headed to District Wine Village, the first wine collective in Canada, housing 16 regional artisanal producers of wines and beers. The circular format of the village allows for a perfect 360-degree view of the grounds. At its center is a large, multi-purpose, open air central plaza that transforms from a relaxed seating area to an amphitheater or community space.
Courtesy of Visit Penticton
Our last destination was dinner at the renowned Naramata Inn. Built in 1908, this historic and exclusive inn has only 12 rooms. Its on-site restaurant showcases the best locally sourced ingredients from the Okanagan. Our group ordered a variety of savory entrées and—at my insistence—all four desserts from the restaurant’s à la carte menu, the perfect sweet ending to an enchanting trip through picturesque Penticton.
