Kelowna: where memorable meals meet lakeside adventure

This city is a hub for chefs, farmers, winemakers, and brewmasters. Fertile soil and ample sunshine make for ideal growing conditions, hence Kelowna’s designation at Canada’s first and only UNESCO City of Gastronomy. Translation: Kelowna is prime real estate for stellar culinary experiences, especially around the fall harvest. Visit Quails’ Gate where vintages, produced with respect for the land, pair nicely with local, sustainably sourced fare served at the winery’s Old Vines Restaurant.

Organic and biodynamic wines define Summerhill Pyramid Winery—that, and a pyramid-shaped cellar. When you visit, be sure to order a sparkling wine at their organic bistro, and ask about the star-aligned cellar’s invisible energy and its all-important life force.

In West Kelowna, Frind Estate Winery draws the faithful to its pretty lakefront location, while the reds and whites (and tasty food truck offerings) at Priest Creek Family Estate in South Kelowna are also worthy of a swirl and sip.

Linger longer with a reservation at the stunning CedarCreek Estate Winery, where guided tastings and wine-paired multi-course meals are just a sample of what’s on offer. For more local fare, Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery offers a toast-worthy dining experience on their wrap-around patio at The Modest Butcher, with views of the winery’s namesake mountain.

There are two priorities when in lake country: Decide which water activity appeals most, and slather on the sunscreen. Try stand-up paddleboarding along the Kelowna Paddle Trail that stretches 27 km (17 mi) from McKinley Beach to Bertram Creek Regional Park, skimming along beaches, parks, waterfront resorts, and a bird sanctuary. Other modes of transport? You can kayak and canoe, or rent a boat to motor along at a quicker pace.

On land, lace up for a hike at Knox Mountain Park, or pick up bikes at Myra Canyon Bike Rentals and pedal across 18 trestle bridges and through two tunnels, all with peek-a-boo views of downtown Kelowna and Okanagan Lake; in fall, the view is enhanced by vibrant foliage. If you prefer a more cosmopolitan scene, the city is home to nearly 300 km (185 mi) of bike lanes and pathways for safe urban exploration.

With more than 2,000 hours of sunshine every year, Kelowna is golfing nirvana. Practise or perfect your swing at a host of courses with views of the lake, vineyards, orchards, and surrounding mountains—landscapes so vast you’ll feel like you have the greens to yourself.

And if a casual stroll is just the thing, wander the city’s downtown core, once home to canneries, railways, a packinghouse, and a cigar factory; or walk or cycle along Kelowna’s boardwalk, a 2.2-km (1.4-mi) waterfront stretch that showcases the beauty of Okanagan Lake. A picture-perfect way to end your day.