Okanagan Valley

Lush orchards and vineyards, fertile irrigated croplands, low rolling hills, and a string of beautiful lakes line the Okanagan Valley, where you’ll also find 40 golf courses, dozens of commercial attractions, and lots and lots of vacationers—especially in summer. The Okanagan Valley’s four main population centers are Osoyoos, Penticton, Kelowna, and Vernon. They are spread along a string of beautiful lakes and collectively hold the bulk of southern interior British Columbia’s population. Numerous smaller communities also ring the lakeshore, doubling or tripling in size in July and August when hordes of vacationers turn the valley into one ...

Lush orchards and vineyards, fertile irrigated croplands, low rolling hills, and a string of beautiful lakes line the Okanagan Valley, where you’ll also find 40 golf courses, dozens of commercial attractions, and lots and lots of vacationers—especially in summer. The Okanagan Valley’s four main population centers are Osoyoos, Penticton, Kelowna, and Vernon. They are spread along a string of beautiful lakes and collectively hold the bulk of southern interior British Columbia’s population. Numerous smaller communities also ring the lakeshore, doubling or tripling in size in July and August when hordes of vacationers turn the valley into one big resort. Most of these summer pilgrims are Canadians from cooler climes, who come in search of guaranteed sunshine, lazy days on a beach, and a take-away tan. In winter, the valley draws pilgrims of another sort: skiers and snowboarders on their way to the world-class slopes flanking the valley.

About the Expert

Over the last 20 years, Andrew Hempstead has authored and updated more than 60 guidebooks for Avalon Travel, Frommer’s, Michelin, Odyssey, Dorling Kindersley, Michelin, and Sasquatch Books, including many books on Canada.