Going To The Okanagan This Summer
 

last time we went we pretty much stayed only in Kelowna, with a side trip to Peachland. this year, we are staying in Kelowna again for 2 weeks....we pretty much know what there is for a family to do there, but this year we are going to Penticton and Osoyoos, and hopefully, up to Vernon instead of just passing by on the way. i'll look the tourism sites up, but if anyone has any off beat or interesting stuff that a family can do together, specifically in Vernon, Penticton and Osoyoos and anything along the way and around the Lake Okanagan area, i'd like to hear about it. thanx everyone! :tup:

tickleberry's ice cream in okanagan falls has by far the best frozen treats. it's 15-20min south of penticton. also, swim in skaha lake. it's much warmer than okanagan lake.

Yeah, Skaha lake rocks, Osoyoos lake is often the warmest but it starts to get soupy around mid summer.

As for things to do, if you and your family is nerdy like me a trip up to the space radio observatory is pretty cool. It is open to the public and is located just outside of Penticton near White Lake (which is a small salt lake).

There is also an education centre outside of Osoyoos about the local areas biology, which I find really interesting. They usually have native snakes, lizards and other animals on display.

In Osoyoos they also have a small amusement park called Rattlesnake Canyon. It has some great go-carts and some decent mini golf.

cool stuff! i'll put it on my list.

I don't really know Kelowna too well off the main drag, but I'm somewhat familiar with Vernon.

I've never swam in Kal Lake, but it always looks amazing. There's a nice little (but usually busy) beach on Kalamalka Rd (by Alexander's Pub). There are probably other more private places along the lake as well. You say family, so I'm assuming you have kids that are fairly young? Atlantis (waterslides) is pretty cool, just North of Vernon. I haven't been there for years, but I enjoyed it when I was younger (and probably still would now).

There's probably some mountain biking to be done at Big White or Silver Star

This is great thing to do with the family - near Summerland:

http://www.kettlevalleyrail.org/

Kal beach. Eaven nicer is the beach at Cousens' Bay in Kal Provincial park. The short walk is well worth it.

Where is a good place for a couple twenty-somethings to stay at in Osoyoos? Thinking about heading down that way when I'm in Kelowna in a couple months.

If you like walking, there are a number of trails where the KVR used to run. The ones above Naramata provide an amazing view of Okanagan Lake.

These were taken on Jan 1 of 2012. It was a dull day but it will give you an idea of the view.


This is looking south towards Naramata and Penticton. Skaha Lake is just visible above Penticton which is between the 2 lakes.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e6.../IMG_9397a.jpg


This is looking north towards Peachland. Kelowna is around the bend in the lake to the right.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e6.../IMG_9413a.jpg

do what we are thinking of doing....stay at a bed and breakfast! they have 20 of them in Osoyoos and they look great and seem to be reasonably priced! :tup:

we are SO going there, thanx for the tip! :tup:

great pics, DLLB!! we will try to find this trail if we have time.

Thanks! I can't wait to get back as that was on Jan 1 and it's greening up here now.

I will see if I can get a map or directions for you.

Go towards to Naramata from Penticton on the Naramata Road. At Naramata it branches at a left turn into Robinson Ave (whicj goes into Naramata) and North Naramata Road. Stay on North Naramata Road for about 400 meters and turn right on Smethurst Road. Stay on Smethurst Road (very windy) and it will take you to a small parking lot at the Kettle Valey Rail Trail. It is about a 3 km walk to the tunnel where the pictures were taken. The grade is uphill but not steep at all. The view makes it worthwhile.

Interesting idea, not sure how they would like us coming back drunk at 2AM though. :cheers:

ah, they probably wouldn't! :haha: i would suggest a hotel in that case. :yes:

Leaving for the Okanagan this weekend, hoping for some sun but am expecting to be disappointed. Hopefully the #1 won't was out again and the 97b from Salmon Arm to Grindrod is open. Can't remember ever hearing about a June like this in BC...

Many towns in the interior have issued flood warnings, highway one in either sicamous or revelstoke is closed. I know that in Kamloops where I used to live they have (or may) cancel Canada Day in city park because it has flooded to dangerous levels. I can't remember when it was this bad either, usually BC interior is the driest in the country, now it's drowning...2012 I tell ya.

My dad has lived East of Vernon for about 13 years now. He can't remember anything like this spring.

Don't expect a good weekend, it is the coldest June in at least 60 years. Today, Osoyoos was a sweltering end of June 16 degrees! Only about 11 degrees below normal...