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Taste Savour & Indulge
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Places to stay in
Okanagan Valley / Thompson
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Okanagan Valley / Thompson is known for
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Famous for its orchards, vineyards, skiing, golf, deserts, mountains, valleys and everything in between, the Thompson Okanagan beckons.
The history and culture of the Thompson Okanagan region is strongly tied to the land. Aboriginal peoples led a semi-nomadic life moving between hunting and fishing grounds in the summers and settling into pit houses for the winter. Europeans came at first to trade for furs and then to establish cattle ranches, farms and mining operations. The region is full of museums and heritage sites that bring this colourful past to life for visitors. Today, the Thompson Okanagan region is famous for its golf courses, orchards, ski resorts and vineyards as well as the wildly varied landscape. The highest mountain in the Canadian Rockies is here, as is a waterfall twice the height of Niagara Falls and Canada's only true desert environment. Each year, outdoor enthusiasts flock to the Thompson Okanagan to hike, cross-country ski, snowshoe, fish, kayak, canoe, camp and view wildlife. Source: Tourism British Columbia
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Surrounded by dry grasslands, working ranches, and dramatic desert scenery, Cache Creek (population: 1,037) is the crossroads to Cariboo Country and the Southern Interior of British Columbia. Because of its location at the junction of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 97N, the town is a major stop off and rest point for those driving north, east to Kamloops, or westward to Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. But Cache Creek is much more than just a place for gassing up and grabbing a quick bite. Sharing the region with its close neighbor community, Ashcroft, Cache Creek boasts semi-arid climate that begs for outdoor activity year round, including hiking, fishing, golfing, provincial parks camping, and fossil hunting.
Cache Creek is located in the Gold Country region of British Columbia, so named for the Gold Rush of the late 1800s. Visitors to Cache Creek today can kayak, raft, and canoe on the Thompson River, horseback ride, hike, and mountain bike various trails, or cross-country ski and snowshoe in winter. Digging for fossils or exploring First Nations culture are also options.
Cache Creek has a western ranching mystique with its stunning desert environment, open cattle-roamed ranges, and a horizon of sun-drenched hills. Because it is located on a plateau above one of the province's major waterways, the Thompson River, it's often home base for campers, hikers, and fishers. The gently rolling terrain that, surprising to some, has an abundance of trees clustered around small lakes in the surrounding hillsides, is a haven for a variety of mammals, birds, and flowering plants suited to survival in this semi-arid region.
Cache Creek embraces the fact that long before the Gold Rush and fur trade, and prior to settlers arriving, people of the Shuswap Nation lived a nomadic lifestyle here for thousands of years.
Source: Tourism British Columbia
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Kamloops blends energizing recreational opportunities with a culture of warm, welcoming, real people, allowing visitors to let loose and just play.
Kamloops is B.C.'s Friendliest City and has over 85,000 residents who call the city home, with many smaller rural communities in the surrounding area. As Canada's Tournament Capital, the city draws thousands of spectators and sporting participants each year to enjoy the world class sports facilities.
Kamloops' climate and weather are incredible. The city basks in over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, pretty much guaranteeing a sunny tee time for a golf getaway or great weather for any outdoor recreational pursuit.
The vast, rugged landscape of Kamloops showcases a variety of terrain, from silt bluffs to rolling hills, that attracts visitors from all over the world to enjoy mountain biking, wildlife viewing, rock hounding, and hiking . Check out the unbelievable panoramic views of mountain ranges, lush agriculture fields, Kamloops Lake and the meeting of the North and South Thompson Rivers right in the heart of the city.
Kamloops is Canada's hottest new golf destination. With a long golf season extending from mid-March through to the end of October, superb course conditioning and 13 remarkable courses, it's easy to spend a week or more golfing in Kamloops. ScoreGolf Magazine and Golf Digest named Tobiano Golf Course as Canada's Best New Golf Course for 2008.
Fishing is a year-round activity in Kamloops. From fly fishing in spring, summer and fall to ice fishing in the winter, the toughest decision most anglers have is deciding which of over 100+ lakes to try. The summer months mean water sports where the boats and watercraft come out to play on the rivers and lakes, plus whitewater rafting is available close to Kamloops.
Look into the history of the city at the Kamloops Museum and Archives. Explore local arts and culture at one of the many art galleries or artisan exhibits. Explore the unique stores and coffee shops during the day, followed by an evening at the theatre or symphony.
Source: Tourism Kamloops
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Cradled within a glorious range of mountains, is a sanctuary filled with pristine lakes, pine forests, abundant gardens, orchards and vineyards, sandy beaches, and superb amenities. Stretching from north to south for approximately 110 kms (68 miles) is beautiful Okanagan Lake. The lake sustains several diverse communities along this corridor known as the Okanagan Valley. The Okanagan Valley is located at the northern most end of the Sonora Desert and hence has a semi-arid climate, boasting long warm summers and short mild winters. The city of Kelowna, is the largest community and is located midway through the valley. It has a population of 107,000 and is the transportation, business and service hub of the valley.
Relatively undiscovered, Kelowna, is never too crowded despite playing host to visitors the world over. The Kelowna International Airport, the 10th busiest in Canada, easily connects to major North American cities. With daily flights, it’s just a 60-minute flight from Calgary or Vancouver and 70 minutes from Seattle.
Kelowna has miles of beautiful parkland, and several sandy beaches which provide wonderful opportunities for boating, swimming, water-skiing, windsurfing and fishing. As well, you can hit the links at one of our many golf courses nine months out of the year. In cooler months, our snow-capped mountains and pine filled forests are a haven for skiers, boarders, snowmobilers and outdoor adventurists of all types and levels.
Orchards and vineyards thrive within a 10-minute drive from the downtown core and provide seasonal delights year round. You can pluck ripe cherries or juicy peaches from trees, or spend a delightful day sampling the award-winning wares of our internationally acclaimed wineries. The Spring, Summer and Fall Wine Festivals offer hundreds of activities focused on wine making, tasting and touring.
That’s not all. Kelowna’s growing Cultural District covers a six-block downtown area and features a concentration of galleries, museums, theatres, a casino, artists’ studios, fine dining, unique shops and a vibrant cultural life all year long. Prospera Place, a 6,000-seat multi-purpose facility that’s home to the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League, attracts major entertainers and events, and is also located in the heart of the city.
A trip to Kelowna would not be complete without taking the time to search for Ogopogo, the legendary lake monster that reputedly resides in Okanagan Lake. The myth dates back to the Interior Salish Native people who exchanged stories of a lake creature, or “N’ha-a-itk”, over 100 years ago. The creature later became known as Ogopogo and purported sightings over the years continue to strengthen the legend. To “see” Ogopogo for yourself, be sure to visit the statue of the creature found on Bernard Avenue near Kelowna’s City Park.
Source: Tourism Kelowna
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Naramata (population: 2,000) is a quiet community with no traffic lights. Ramble along tree-shaded streets and absorb lake and mountain vistas and extravagant sunsets. Unplug and rejuvenate by swimming from sandy beaches, fishing mountain lakes, sipping acclaimed vintages at the wineries and vineyards of the Naramata Bench, shopping for fresh produce at farms and orchards, browsing galleries for the works of local artists or hiking and mountain biking the forest trails.
The call of the outdoors is irresistible in Naramata. With Okanagan Lake framing the village to the west, sandy beaches beckon swimmers and sun-soakers. The rugged highland terrain to the north and east, with its secluded mountain lakes and forested trails, invites anglers, hikers and mountain bikers. The Trans Canada Trail passes above Naramata on the former Kettle Valley Railway line.
Nearby Okanagan Mountain Provincial Park is a wilderness area that hosts an array of wildlife from bald eagles to black bears, where hikers can trek historic trails, campers can pitch a tent in the backcountry and anglers can cast a line for trout.
Naramata was founded on agriculture. Savvy developer JM Robinson recognized the potential for cultivating soft fruit orchards on the sun-drenched clay bank terraces rising from Okanagan Lake and beginning in 1907, sold his idea to gentlemen farmers from Eastern Canada and Britain.
The tradition continues with the latest evolution to grape growing. The Naramata Bench is now recognized as a distinct wine region within the Okanagan Valley appellation.
Citizens of Naramata are determined to retain the slow, easy ambiance that makes their village a unique destination in the Okanagan. They have formalized their efforts with accreditation by Cittaslow, an international organization founded in Orvieto, Italy and born from the Slow Food movement.
Core values include celebrating and supporting cultural diversity and the individual specialties of the town while resisting the fast lane, homogenized world of large urban centres.
Naramata offers a little over a century of history to explore. Like other Okanagan communities such as Peachland and Summerland, Naramata was actually a planned community carefully designed by developer JM Robinson.
Artefacts and heritage photographs at the Naramata Heritage Museum chronicle village history, featuring tent houses of the first inhabitants, the Naramata Inn, the orchard industry, construction of the Kettle Valley Railway, regattas, theatrical performances and the tradition of the Maypole Dance.
Glimpse highlights of area history in murals at the museum and the packinghouse or experience it with stops at the Naramata Heritage Inn and Spa; the walking pier at Wharf Park, where sternwheelers docked when Okanagan Lake was Naramata's main transportation route; and the tunnels, trestles and rock ovens of the Kettle Valley Railway.
Naramata is attracting a growing colony of artists who often take inspiration from the surrounding landscape and incorporate grape and orchard motifs into their work. Paintings, sculpture, pottery, glasswork and jewelry are displayed in studios and unusual gallery settings such as wineries, B&Bs and sculpture gardens.
Source: Tourism British Columbia
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Oliver (population 4,370) is a small agricultural community known as the "Wine Capital of Canada." This unique town is actually the result of a government plan following the First World War to irrigate the semi-arid South Okanagan and turn it into a viable fruit-growing region. The plan worked and the orchards remain, but today, vineyards climb the dry hillsides and people throng to the area to visit its wineries. Restaurants and accommodations are catching up to the tastes of the new wine tourists, who are also interested in Oliver's arts scene. The area's natural attractions continue to draw people for bird watching, water activities, hiking, mountain biking, golf and winter activities. Oliver is ideally situated as a base for country drives through Okanagan wine country.
Fruit production has always been a driving force in Oliver's economy. Roadside stands, U-pick orchards and the Oliver Country Market continue to be favourite stops for locals and visitors. But the main attractions are now the award-winning reds, whites, fruit wines and Icewines of the burgeoning Okanagan wine industry. More than two dozen wineries are located within a 20-minute drive of Oliver, on the Golden Mile, Black Sage Bench, in Osoyoos and the Corkscrew Drive of Okanagan Falls.
Source: Tourism British Columbia
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Established as a customs point on the Canada-US border, Osoyoos (population 4,752) is a town of many faces. Its location on Osoyoos Lake, surrounded by grasslands, highlands and mountains ensures that outdoor recreation will always be a draw. People come to Osoyoos for water activities, golf, hiking and cycling in summer and downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. They also come for wine tasting and dining, to learn about the endangered desert ecology and the Okanagan First Nation.
The call of the outdoors is irresistible in Osoyoos. With Osoyoos Lake forming the heart of the town, beaches beckon swimmers and sun-soakers, thrill-seekers ride on or over the waves in every style from wakeboard to parasail and anglers ply the waters in search of lively bass.
Beyond the fertile agricultural lands of the valley floor and benches that border the town centre, the terrain rises steeply in dry grasslands and pine studded ridges with spectacular lookouts. Roads and trails like the International Hike & Bike Trail and the Testalinden Trails on Mount Kobau hold endless possibilities for hikers and cyclists while bird watchers add to their life lists at Haynes Point Provincial Park and the Osoyoos Oxbows.
One of the most important fruit-growing centres in Canada, Osoyoos produces irresistible soft fruits like peaches and cherries. Roadside stands, U-pick orchards and the Market on Main community market continue to be favourite stops for residents and visitors.
Restaurants make a point of buying local produce, including the award-winning reds, whites, fruit wines and Icewines of the burgeoning Okanagan wine industry. Over 20 wineries are located within a 20-minute drive of Osoyoos, in town, on the Black Sage Bench and the Golden Mile, with more wineries to the west in the Similkameen Valley.
Being located in Canada's only true desert and one of the most highly endangered ecosystems in the country, Osoyoos is a natural draw for visitors interested in learning more about the environment at places like the Desert Centre Osoyoos. And the Nk'Mip Desert and Cultural Centre of the Osoyoos Indian Band is not only the premier aboriginal attraction in the Okanagan Valley, it is also an important environmental interpretive centre.
Source: Tourism British Columbia
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In the Syilx native language, Penticton means “a place to visit every year” and the city really lives up to its name! Surrounded by rolling hillsides and snuggled between two of BC’s most spectacular fresh water lakes, Penticton & Wine Country, BC is an ultimate year round destination for every type of traveller.
From wineries to beaches, golf courses to ski hills, Penticton & Wine Country has something for everyone to do. There is never a dull moment in Penticton, British Columbia!
Penticton is located in the centre of Okanagan wine country, a short distance from Kelowna, Osoyoos, Summerland and Oliver BC, where wine lovers and fine dining aficionados can enjoy a leisure vacation filled with wine tours at award-winning wineries in and around Penticton, world-class dining, romantic bed and breakfasts, and waterfront hotels and resorts just a stones throw from Skaha Lake and Okanagan Lake. Penticton is indeed a superb destination for your next romantic and wine getaway.
In the mood for a little outdoor adventure? No problem. Penticton is a playground for outdoor activity for adventure seekers and families alike.
Known as one of Canada's most beautiful and scenic areas, the diverse landscape of the Okanagan Valley offers a little something for outdoor adventurers of all ages.
Penticton, BC, the “City of Festivals” offers year-round festivals and events from wine to ale, from arts to history, from entertainment to sports to traditional celebrations such as the Childrens Festival, the Jazz Festival, Elvis Festival and the Meadowlark Festival.
Source: Penticton & Wine Country Tourism
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Princeton (populaton 2,677) is a small town in a beautiful setting with a long and colourful heritage. Visitors are attracted to its natural sights, parks and wildlife. They come for hiking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing and are drawn to discover the town's rich historical and heritage sites.
Set at the forks of the Tulameen and Similkameen rivers, surrounded by dry grasslands and highland plateau country with the Cascade Mountains rising to the west, nature is such a close and constant presence that it's not uncommon to spot deer on residential streets.
Swimming, canoeing and kayaking, tubing and camping are all popular on waterways and in the region's six provincial parks. Trout wait to tease anglers in no fewer than 49 easily accessible fishing lakes. An 18-hole golf course is located minutes from downtown, while the Trans Canada Trail and a host of other trails appeal to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders.
In winter, the China Ridge Trails attract cross-country skiers and snowshoers, while Manning Park Resort in the Cascade Mountains 66.7km/41mi to the west is also a great venue for downhill skiers and snowboarders.
Drive into Princeton and immediately get the feeling of a western mining town with false-front buildings and covered sidewalks. A downtown walking tour that features heritage buildings and murals, wraps up at the excellent Princeton Museum. Beyond the town limits, visitors can discover the ghosts of once-booming mining towns and plunge into the cold, black tunnel of the Mascot Gold Mine.
A short distance from downtown, the brilliant red wall of Ochre Bluff rises above the Trans Canada Trail, testament to the ageless tradition of First Nations mining. Ochre was an important trade commodity and was used to paint pictographs on rock faces throughout the region. In nearby Hedley, the culture of the Similkameen people is further explored at the Snaza'ist Discovery Centre, base station for the Mascot Mine Tour.
Rock hounds find many interesting crystals and fossils in the Princeton area. For those who don't want to prospect in the field, the museum houses excellent exhibits of glow-in-the-dark crystals, lifelike fossils and the renowned Joe Pollard rock collection.
Source: Tourism British Columbia
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Summerland (population 10,828) is an agricultural community with a location that makes it a natural tourist destination. The town centre is situated in a flat area above Okanagan Lake with fertile valleys defined by forested ridges. Giant's Head Mountain, an extinct volcano, dominates the skyline. People come to Summerland to buy fruit from local farms, taste the vintages of Bottleneck Drive wineries, ride the Kettle Valley Steam Railway, see the work of artists in galleries and studios, play golf and to make the most of the town's gardens and parks with hiking, cycling, water activities and wildlife viewing.
Summerland's Tudor-revival town centre is compact and easily walkable, without a single traffic light. People are friendly and welcoming. Drivers stop for pedestrians and shop owners put out bowls of water for thirsty pooches on hot summer days. Everything from hardware to antiques, locally designed fashions to international collectibles is available at downtown shops along with some uptown dining choices. A five-minute drive in any direction leads to country lanes that thread among pastures, orchards and vineyards.
Today tourism plays a growing role in the economy although the farming and fruit growing that gave Summerland its start continue to be the driving force, adapting to appeal to visitors. Grape growing and winemaking are taking their place alongside more traditional agriculture. But nature is still the biggest draw.
Okanagan Lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing, camping, kayaking, boating and water skiing. A multitude of hiking and cycling trails let visitors explore the town, discover bird habitat, see historic sites like the Trout Creek Bridge on the Kettle Valley Railway and take in the 360-degree views from the summit of Giant's Head Mountain. They also provide access to the highlands of the Thompson Plateau where small lakes are ideal for trout fishing and there are countless choices for rustic camping. Many of these same trails are great for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.
Source: Tourism British Columbia
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Sun Peaks, just 45 minutes from Kamloops, is a family-friendly and affordable year-round resort surrounded by Tod Mountain, Sundance Mountain, and Mount Morrisey. Striking a delicate balance between natural setting and convenient amenities, Sun Peaks Resort offers incredible access to downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing in winter, and hiking, golfing and mountain biking in summer. Sun Peaks also caters to foodies with a great selection of restaurants, and annual food and wine festivals.
Sun Peaks European-style village is nestled at the centre of the resort's three mountains. The village features shopping boutiques, restaurants, and accommodations, all within easy walking distance. As well, the village is just minutes from the resort's chairlifts and an endless array of winter and summer activities.
Very few weeks go by at Sun Peaks Resort without a festival or event: The Winter Wine Festival in mid-winter matches the finest wines of the Okanagan Valley with gourmet foods; the Alpine Blossom Festival in July offers nature tours and wildlife walks in the alpine; and the Autumn Bounty Festival in October celebrates the culinary offerings in the Thompson Okanagan region.
Source: Tourism British Columbia
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Vernon (population 38,400) rests at the north end of the Okanagan Valley in a landscape as welcoming as its people. Surrounded by rolling grasslands with rocky outcrops and stands of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir, its three lakes and mountain views in every direction command attention. Driving through Vernon on Highway 97, there might not appear to be much to this city. But turn right or left off the highway and the diversity of attractions is truly surprising. People come to Vernon for water and winter activities, hiking and skiing, golf and outdoor adventure, culture and history, family fun and or perusing the local shops.
Many who have recently settled here first sampled Vernon on vacation. They liked what they saw and came to stay. Now they're among the biggest cheerleaders for the activities that drew them. Together with residents whose ancestors pioneered the community, they donate countless volunteer hours. Without them, attractions like the Science Centre, Vernon Museum and O'Keefe Ranch couldn't function. Drop into any coffee shop or boutique, stop a Vernonite passing on the street, they'll go out of their way to answer questions and help you enjoy their city.
The Okanagan People, who have lived in the area for thousands of years, knew how to take advantage of their natural surroundings. Early European settlers got the message too. Vernon is the oldest city in the Okanagan Valley, incorporated in 1892. Historic brick buildings and an imposing courthouse in the downtown core, and leafy residential streets lined with heritage homes attest to prosperous beginnings fuelled by agriculture and transportation.
Today tourism plays a major role in the economy although the ranching and fruit growing that helped give Vernon its start continue and have even adapted to welcome visitors. Restaurants offer tremendous choice from steak to pasta and a world of ethnic flavours while the arts scene includes galleries, concerts by the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra and touring headliners at the Vernon Performing Arts Centre.
Nature remains Vernon's biggest asset. Famous champagne powder at Silver Star Mountain Resort, just 22km/13mi from downtown, attracts skiers, snowboarders, snowshoers and snowmobilers. In summer, myriad hiking and cycling trails explore every area from the historic Grey Canal within the city to the nearby provincial parks and the rugged Monashee Mountain Range. Mountain biking is also a big draw at Silver Star.
Okanagan, Kalamalka and Swan lakes provide a backdrop for summer activities including camping, canoeing, kayaking, waterskiing, scuba and fishing. And four area golf courses lay out a range of challenges with easy walks right through to the PGA championship tees of Predator Ridge.
Source: Tourism British Columbia
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