Surrounding Communities:

Summerland, Naramata, Kaleden, Okanagan Falls, Apex Resort

Penticton (population: 30,985) is situated in the Okanagan Valley, between Okanagan Lake to the north and Skaha Lake to the south. It's a four-season destination city close by sandy beaches, fish-filled lakes (appropriate fishing license(s) required), ski hills, orchards, wineries and golf courses. It enjoys more than 2,000 hours of sunshine a year thanks to its semi-arid climate. The community is known for its long-running annual Peach Festival, world-class rock climbing on Skaha Bluffs and myriad, water-oriented recreational opportunities. 

There's a lot to see and do in Penticton. For starters, there are the fabulous beaches at the city's north and south ends. You can spend whole days sunbathing, swimming, paddle boating, Jet Skiing, parasailing and more.

These lakes also make wonderful canoeing and kayaking destinations. The world-famous Skaha Bluffs offer superb rock-climbing opportunities and the Kettle Valley Railway (KVR) Trail is one of the area's most popular hiking and cycling routes. There are several access points to the KVR from within the community. Penticton is handy to more than 40 local wineries that welcome visitors for tours and tastings. If you ski, you're just 35 minutes away from one of the region's biggest and best ski hills, Apex Mountain Resort. 

Penticton enjoys year-round sunny weather and is handy to mountains, 15 golf courses, hiking trails and the world-famous Skaha Bluffs. While the Bluffs are a draw for rock climbers in particular, paragliders, hikers and horseback riders also make frequent use of them. If you're hiking or biking and like a long, smooth path, you'll want to check out the Kettle Valley Railway Trail. It traces an old railway line through provincial parks, recreation areas and protected areas. It currently bypasses the Myra Canyon trestles, which were destroyed in a 2003 wildfire (reconstruction of the trestles is underway). Mountain bikers can use the Apex Mountain Resort's chairlift to get to some scenic, white-knuckle mountain trails in summer. Other options for outdoor fun include helicopter or floatplane sightseeing tours as well as touring the city on in-line skates or on a rented four-seater bicycle. 

Whatever your age or tastes, Penticton has attractions you won't want to miss. The S.S. Sicamous is the largest remaining steel-hulled sternwheeler in Canada. She was built in 1914 to accommodate passengers in luxurious style while also moving large amounts of cargo for, and providing daily mail service to, Penticton, Okanagan Landing and points in between. The Rose Garden next to the S.S. Sicamous is so beautiful it's an attraction in itself. 

Your whole family can have hours of fun on waterslides, city beaches or on Okanagan Amusements' go-carts, bumper boats and mini-golf course. And, of course, no visit to Penticton would be complete without a tour of the wineries. 

The city of Penticton is sandwiched between two warm-water lakes. At the city's north end are the soft, pale-brown sands of Okanagan Beach; at its south end, the firmer, red sands of Skaha Beach. Okanagan Beach features paddle boats, bicycle rentals, house-boat rentals, a busy promenade and a giant, peach-shaped concession stand. 

Quieter Skaha Beach features shade trees, concession stand, boat and Jet Ski rentals, a marina, an amusement centre, a children's water park as well as waterskiing and parasailing lessons. Rotary Park is the place to go for parasailing and waterskiing lessons in the north end. The best swimming weather occurs from June through September. 

Aside from the city beaches, there are between 80 and 100 lakes within a two-hour drive of Penticton. Some have facilities like U-catch fishing for children or waterslides, but most are tranquil and natural, making them wonderful canoeing or kayaking destinations. 

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