Penticton sits on a narrow strip of land between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake in the south Okanagan, which gives the city two waterfronts and two very different beach scenes. Add a dry, sunny climate, orchards, vineyards and a lively summer calendar, and it is easy to see why people return every year.
AT A GLANCE
Best time
Summer for beaches and festivals, September and October for harvest and wine.
How long
Two to four days covers the lakes, viewpoints and one wine area.
Getting there
Drive on Highway 97, fly into Penticton or Kelowna, or take a regional bus.
Why visit Penticton
The name comes from an Okanagan word, snpintktn, usually translated as "a place to stay forever."
Today Penticton is known as the Peach City. It has the mildest winter of any non-coastal city in Canada, hot summers, and a semi-arid landscape of benches and scrubland framed by hills.
It is also a practical base. Wine country, small lakeside villages and ski hills are all within a short drive, and the compact downtown is easy to explore on foot or by bike.
The lakefront and downtown
The Peach
This concession stand at the foot of Winnipeg Street is shaped and painted like a giant peach. It is one of the most photographed spots in town.
SS Sicamous
This paddlewheeler was built in 1914 for the Canadian Pacific Railway and retired in 1936. It is now a heritage museum on Lakeshore Drive West, beside the smaller SS Naramata.
Okanagan Beach
The beach follows most of Lakeshore Drive on Okanagan Lake and is generally the more family-oriented shore. Walk the path, rent a paddleboard, or simply find a patch of sand.
Penticton Art Gallery
On Marina Way, the gallery holds a modest permanent collection by local and regional artists, along with bone carvings by traditional Inuit artists and changing exhibitions. It is a good rainy-day stop and takes about an hour.
Penticton Museum and Archives
On Main Street, the museum shares a building with the library. It tells the story of pioneer days with artifacts, photographs and documents, and includes First Nations pieces.
Viewpoints and gardens
Leir House Cultural Centre
Built in 1927 as a nurses' residence, Leir House now serves as the home of the Penticton Arts Council. The grounds have vintage stone walls and a gazebo, which makes a peaceful short stop.
Munson Mountain
Head east on Vancouver Avenue and follow the signs to the lookout above town.
Skaha Beach
Skaha Lake lies at the south end of the city, and its beach has a livelier atmosphere than the one on Okanagan Lake. Sudbury Beach and Airport Beach are nearby on the same lake.
Outdoors and wine country
The River Channel
A shallow, slow river links Okanagan Lake to Skaha Lake, and floating down it is a local summer tradition. The trip takes between two and three and a half hours depending on water levels.
Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park
South of the city above Skaha Lake, the bluffs are a renowned rock climbing area with hundreds of established routes. Hikers can also walk the trails for views.
Kettle Valley Rail Trail and Naramata
The old railway grade runs from Penticton through the Naramata bench wineries, and it suits both cyclists and walkers. It is part of the Trans Canada Trail.
Planning a trip to Penticton?Compare hotels, flights and vacation rentals for Penticton on Expedia.Book nowFood and local flavors
Penticton is orchard country. Cherries ripen in early July, and apples and pears follow in early September. Roadside fruit stands sell fresh peaches, juices and other seasonal produce, and the city is proud of its Peach City nickname.
The south Okanagan is also a major wine region, with dozens of wineries in the surrounding hills. Look for ice wine, a dessert wine that the valley is known for, alongside crisp whites and reds.
Popular dishes to try in Penticton
Where to stay
Penticton is compact, so every area is close to the water, but each has a different feel.
Downtown Penticton suits travelers without a car who want to walk to restaurants, the art gallery and the Okanagan Lake shore. Lakeshore Drive runs along Okanagan Lake and works best for families and beach lovers who want sand outside their door, as well as visitors who like to be near the SS Sicamous.
Skaha Lake is the south side of the city, with a livelier beach scene and easy access to the climbing bluffs. It also suits people arriving by car.
Where to stay in Penticton
Best time to visit
Summer is peak season, with hot days, warm lakes and plenty of events. Average summer temperatures sit in the high twenties Celsius, and heat above thirty-five is possible.
September and October bring the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival and harvest colour, with fewer crowds. Winters are mild for Canada but often cloudy, and Apex Mountain Resort draws skiers to the hills west of the city.
Getting there and getting around
Most visitors arrive by car on Highway 97. The drive takes about four hours from Vancouver, five from Seattle or Spokane and eight from Calgary, and Kelowna is roughly forty minutes north.
BC Transit runs local buses, with routes to Naramata, Summerland, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos and Kelowna. Service is limited on Sundays and in the evening, so check schedules.
Downtown is compact, and cycling from lake to lake takes only around fifteen minutes. There are bike paths along both sides of the River Channel.
A suggested itinerary
First day
Start with a walk along Okanagan Beach, take a photo at the Peach, then tour the SS Sicamous.
Second day
Float the River Channel in the morning, then relax at Skaha Beach in the afternoon.
Third day
Cycle or drive the Kettle Valley Rail Trail toward Naramata and stop for a winery lunch.
Fourth day
Climb or hike at Skaha Bluffs, or drive to a nearby town such as Summerland or Osoyoos.
Practical tips
- Bring sunscreen and a hat, since summer sun is strong.
- Rent a car or book a tour if you plan to visit several wineries.
- Book summer lodging early, because the city is much busier in July and August.
- Check winery and museum hours before you travel, as they change by season.
- Carry water on trails and in the River Channel.
