Sometimes you just want to get in the car and go. Pack a bag with enough clothes for a long weekend and hit the road for an adventure. But you’ve done Walla Walla and the Oregon coast. You’ve done Portland, Seattle and both Vancouvers. Now where?
Head north, my friend! Make your way up Interstate 5 and over the border to British Columbia, and continue east, largely along what’s known as the Crowsnest Highway, until you arrive in the beautiful South Okanagan region. Alternatively, take U.S. Route 97 to the Oroville-Osoyoos border crossing. About an hour north of the border, spanning 4 miles between Okanagan Lake and Skaha Lake, you’ll find the charming town of Penticton, British Columbia.
Penticton is fabulous for folks who are outdoorsy and just as wonderful for folks who are more “outsidey.” Nearly everything is within a 20-minute walk, bike ride or drive.
Known for its natural beauty, Penticton is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. World-class rock climbing at Skaha Bluffs, scenic cycling routes, boating, kayaking, kitesurfing and water skiing are just the beginning. Golfers can enjoy an almost year-round season, while winter brings opportunities for skiing and snowshoeing. Whether you’re chasing adrenaline or simply soaking in the scenery, there’s no shortage of ways to get outside.
One of the best ways to experience the area is along the Kettle Valley Rail Trail, or KVR. This scenic pathway winds through town and stretches along the Naramata Bench, passing vineyards, wineries and breweries along the way. It’s an easy, enjoyable route that invites you to slow down — and maybe stop for a tasting or two.
Start with bubbles, then a bite
Just a five-minute walk from town along the KVR, you’ll find the family-owned Evolve Sparkling House. Named Canada’s Top Sparkling Producer at the 2025 All Canadian Wine Championships, Evolve offers incredible views as well as several types of tasting experiences. Drop in for a quick 30-minute “splash and dash,” or enjoy a longer wine tasting with curated bites.
Further down the KVR, about a 20-minute bike ride from town, is Hillside Winery, in the heart of the Naramata Bench. Hillside has been a favorite of locals for decades and has won many awards at Pacific Northwest wine competitions. They offer a selection of tasting options, as well as gourmet seasonal meals at their winery bistro.
That’s just the beginning. There are more than 80 wineries ready to pour for you around Penticton. It’s easy: drive 20 minutes in any direction and you’ll hit a pocket of wineries. Plan out an itinerary, or just hop in with your designated driver and go!
If you head south, be sure to stop at the District Wine Village, Canada’s first wine village. Here, you’ll find eight wineries, a distillery, a brewery, book shop, coffee shop, bakehouse and restaurant with plenty of outdoor seating.
If you’d rather have a driver, the woman- and indigenous-owned Grape Savvy Trolley Co. offers “hop on and off” trolleys throughout Penticton and the Naramata Bench, private wine tours and even a horseback-riding experience.
When you’re ready for dinner (or brunch on the weekend), find a table at Elma Restaurant. This Turkish-inspired restaurant, with a gorgeous patio overlooking Okanagan Lake, showcases local ingredients and beverage options while distinctly grounded in Turkish traditions. Be sure to share the Shrimp Mücver, a shrimp and herb fritter topped with spiced hollandaise, and leave room for the Laz Börek Cannoli (they had me at “rose-cardamom syrup”).
Creative craft brewing and dinner options
Beyond wine, Penticton has earned another impressive title: Craft Beer Capital of Canada.
Penticton’s seven breweries, Cannery Brewing, Abandoned Rail Brewing, Yellow Dog Brewing, Neighbourhood Brewing, Highway 97 Brewing, Tin Whistle Brewing,and Barley Mill Brew Pub make up the Penticton Beer Blocks. Spread across town, with four located within a 10-minute walk in the downtown core, it’s the perfect set up for an afternoon beer crawl with your buddies. If you’ve brought the family, all the breweries are kid-friendly and offer dog-friendly seasonal spaces.
Each brewery offers something unique. Check out the seasonal collection at Cannery Brewing with its Sunblink Berry Sour and Birra Bellissima Italian-style pilsner. As of this writing, Neighbourhood Brewing was pouring an Amigos Salted Lime Crisp Lager and a Sunshine City Passion Fruit Wheat Ale in their tasting room. Choose your pour — 4 ounces, 12 or 20. Or, go for a flight!
For cider drinkers, rent an eBike and cruise 20 minutes down the KVR to Creek & Gully Cider where all ciders and sodas are made with certified organic fruit grown on their 55-acre Naramata farm.
Family-time fun
If you’re traveling with the family, spend a day at the LocoLanding Adventure Park, which opens for the season in early May. Challenge your kids to a game of mini golf, a bumper boat ride, go-karts or high-level ropes course. LocoLanding also boasts Badlands, the largest inflatables park in Canada. No wine or beer, but they do have soft serve!
Another family-friendly place to wander is in the historic Cannery Trade Centre, which hosts many shops and activities, including a Virtual Reality Studio suitable for all ages, and is home to one of the city’s breweries, Tin Whistle.
When you are ready to rest, there is a plethora of lodging options in Penticton. Are you a boutique hotel aficionado? B&B lover? VRBO devotee? You can even bring your big ol’ RV, if that’s your style.
And here’s a bonus: your dollar goes further. Thanks to the exchange rate, visitors from the U.S. enjoy extra value, so go ahead and stay another night.
Penticton is ready to welcome you! All you have to do is hit the road.
In partnership with Visit Penticton, find your adventure and follow @visitpenticton
