Kelowna, British Columbia

Part of the BC Adventure Network. Over 5 million web site visitors annually !

Accommodations & Adventures | City Information

An aerial view of Kelowna
Photo courtesy of the City of Kelowna

Kelowna, British Columbia, is the largest city in the Okanagan Valley and the first pioneer settlement, established in 1859.

The Okanagan Valley fruit industry began in Kelowna and still flourishes. Orchards, fruit processors and an orchard museum can be toured along with productive BC wineries.

Another important early industry was cattle ranching. While both are still important in the region, industry and tourism have become increasingly important with a growing population.

Room Reservations in:
Kelowna
Westbank
Big White Ski Resort

Kelowna offers all the amenities and conveniences of a larger destination but has all of the charm and warmth of a smaller town. While right on the shores of Okanagan Lake, other lakes, hills and accompanying recreational activities are within a 15 minute drive of downtown.

The community of Westbank is located across Okanagan Lake from Kelowna. Westbank enjoys all the charms of life in the Okanagan Valley, yet at a quieter, more relaxing pace. It has numerous orchards, wineries, golf courses, and is a twenty minute drive away from Crystal Mountain Ski Resort.

Accommodation/Adventure Providers

Beaver Lake Mountain Resort: Join us for family fun. They�re log cabins, campground, Coffee Corner, fishing, boats, canoes, kayak rentals, hiking & biking, & lots of kids fun. Just east of Lake Country (Winfield) on Hwy 97 there�s a wellness retreat, internet corner, & a grocery store. more

Central Mountain Air: Central Mountain Air currently offer scheduled and charter airline service to over 19 communities throughout BC and Alberta including Vancouver Internationals main terminal, Campbell River, Comox, Williams Lake, Quesnel, Prince George, Kelowna, Kamloops, Smith... more

Ideal Vacation Rentals: For vacation accommodations by owner world-wide, or here in BC, we�re the perfect choice. Condos, cottages, private villas, beach homes, ski cabins & chalets, golf course homes and more. Find your ideal home away from home, with Ideal Vacation Rentals. more

International Stage Lines: Charter group motorcoach operator for skiiers, schools, clubs, teams, tour operators. Vancouver Whistler Victoria Calgary AB, Seattle WA, Okanagan Valley. Licenced to travel to any BC Alberta USA destination. Types 56 47 28 20 seat cap. Professional safe court... more

Kelowna Truck and RV: It�s a fun & friendly RV lifestyle. Kelowna Truck & RV has the best quality newer model �C� Class motor homes with slide-outs available for rent; as well as sales / service for Damon Motor Coaches, Lance Campers, Forest River, Heartland RV, & Cruiser RV produ... more

Lake Okanagan Resort: The Okanagans true destination resort offers lakeview accommodations, fine casual dining, plenty of recreational activities and an abundance of natural wilderness. From the beach and marina to the horse stables and hiking trails its yours to enjoy. Look for ou... more

Okanagan ATV Tours: Experienced guides will take you on an Okanagan backcountry ATV tour down forest paths & mountain trails to one of many fishing lakes. Explore log cabins & a gold mine, irrigation flumes, & wildlife. Join us for half, full-day, overnight, and fishing tours. more

Postill Lake Lodge Fishing Resort: Bring the family for a vacation any time of year. There�s fabulous fly-fishing on a choice of 7 lakes, plus activities including swimming, boating, hiking, and more. In winter slide on that beautiful white stuff with x-country skiing and snowmobiling. more

REO Rafting Adventure Resort: Raft BCs best rivers near Vancouver, Kelowna & Whistler. Enjoy a hot tub, sauna, private beach, serene wilderness & hiking trails. REO adventure vacations include kayaking, fishing, hiking, canoeing, & more. Stay in your own tent, rivers edge cabin tent, or l... more

The Lodging Company: Get away, relax, unwind and indulge yourself � The Lodging Company will help you plan the perfect vacation. Chose from condos, hotels, chalets and resorts and enjoy a unique, extraordinary experience. Whether you're planning a ski holiday, a fabulous city esca... more

City Information

Waterfront lagoon
Photo courtesy of Jim Doak

Access: Kelowna, BC, is 60 km (37 mi.) north of Penticton on Highway 97 and 395 km (245 mi.) from Vancouver. The area is also serviced by national and regional airlines at Canada's 11th busiest airport, as well as local and national bus lines.

Population: 100,433

Main Industries: Service Centre, tourism, agriculture, wines, forestry

Elevation: 344 metres (1,129 ft.)

Climate: Kelowna is well known as one of British Columbia's most popular vacation destinations because of its hot summers and temperate winters with an average daytime high during July and August of 27.40 �C. The average daytime high during December and January is -0.30 �C. and the average low is -7.70 �C. Kelowna receives over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually and just over 11 inches of rain. Total annual precipitation is 366.4 mm. (280.7 mm. of rain and 105.5 cm. of snow).

Dragon Boat races
Photo courtesy of Jim Doak

Recreation Facilities & Activities: Skyreach Place multi-purpose facility (home to the WHL Kelowna Rockets), Rotary Centre for the Arts, golf courses, ski areas, Bear Creek Provincial Park, city parks and beaches, boating, swimming, houseboating, hiking, camping, biking, wildlife viewing, fishing, windsurfing, sightseeing

Local Attractions: Kelowna Museum & British Columbia Orchard Industry Museum, Father Pandosy Mission, Fintry Queen Sternwheeler, Rotary Centre for the Arts, forestry tours, industrial tours, winery tours, Okanagan Lake Bridge (built in 1958) is North America's Longest Floating Bridge, waterslide park, Knox Mountain, Woodhaven Nature Conservatory, Kasugai Gardens, Art Gallery, Stuart Park on the Waterfront Promenade

View the Points of Interest of the Okanagan

Waterfront Park and the Grand Hotel

Photo courtesy of the City of Kelowna

Annual Events:
April - Crafter's Gallery, Music Festival
May - Blossom Festival, CPRA Rodeo, Knox Mtn Hill Climb
June - 24 hour Relay, Slo-Pitch games
July - Canada Day Celebrations, Golf Tourney, Cherry Fair, Kelowna Regatta,
Kelowna Comedy Festival, Parks Alive (Music in the Parks)
August - Kelowna Comedy Festival, Mini Triathlon, Okanagan Family Days,
Okanagan Mozart Festival, Parks Alive (Music in the Parks)
September - Wine Festival, Fall Fair, Dragon Boat Festival
October - Okanagan Fall Wine Festival

Room Reservations in:
Kelowna
Westbank
Big White Ski Resort

Accommodations: Visitors can choose from first class hotel and motel accommodations to campsites and RV parks. There are private and provincial campsites close to Kelowna as well as resorts by the many close Okanagan lakes.

Visitor Information:
Tourism Kelowna ,
544 Harvey Avenue,
Kelowna, British Columbia, V1T 6C9
Telephone: (250) 861-1515 • Fax: (250) 861-3624