The Kelowna Explorer's Guidebook
Sightseeing
This might be my top outdoor activity to recommend. This historic trail at Myra Canyon will take you over a dozen trestle bridges and through two old tunnels at a high elevation.
There is no elevation gain on this trail, making it perfect for people of all fitness levels. The entire trail is 11 km each way. You can do this on foot or by bike, and there are bike rentals available at Myra Canyon Bicycle Rentals, which is right at the trailhead. Reserve ahead and don't miss out!
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Myra Canyon Trestles - Myra Station
Myra Forest Service RoadThis might be my top outdoor activity to recommend. This historic trail at Myra Canyon will take you over a dozen trestle bridges and through two old tunnels at a high elevation.
There is no elevation gain on this trail, making it perfect for people of all fitness levels. The entire trail is 11 km each way. You can do this on foot or by bike, and there are bike rentals available at Myra Canyon Bicycle Rentals, which is right at the trailhead. Reserve ahead and don't miss out!
This place is a family hit! It's a petting zoo featuring emus, kangaroos, goats, sheep, and more! Do not miss out.
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Kangaroo Creek Farm
5932 Old Vernon RoadThis place is a family hit! It's a petting zoo featuring emus, kangaroos, goats, sheep, and more! Do not miss out.
The okanagan rail trail is a beautiful trail along Kalamalka lake connecting Lake Country and Vernon. Bring your bike, running shoes, or a stroller! This is an adventure that's good for the whole family. You can choose a section of the trail that's best for you, whether that's an urban area or a nature stroll.
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Okanagan Rail Trail
The okanagan rail trail is a beautiful trail along Kalamalka lake connecting Lake Country and Vernon. Bring your bike, running shoes, or a stroller! This is an adventure that's good for the whole family. You can choose a section of the trail that's best for you, whether that's an urban area or a nature stroll.
Kelowna cherries are the best. Here's where you can pick them yourself.
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Mike & Lizzy's Cherry U-Pick
4801 Lakeshore PlKelowna cherries are the best. Here's where you can pick them yourself.
Beaches
Different people like different beaches! Read below to see which one is right for you.
Boyce-Gryo beach is the best beach for families in Kelowna and my favorite beach overall. The beach is a perfect sand beach both out of the water and into the water past the point where you can walk. It also has a great mix of sun and shade. There are a ton of restaurants walking distance away, and parking is only a buck an hour.
What makes this beach family friendly is a) the great playground structure, pictured above; and b) the super gradual increase in the depth of the water. Other beaches have a steep dropoff, but Boyce-Gyro will let you walk for a long time before the water is too deep. Awesome for your peace of mind while watching kids.
Be forewarned that this beach is not a "hidden secret". It's super popular, but not to the extent where you can't get your own piece of the beach.
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Boyce-Gyro Beach Park
3400 Lakeshore RdBoyce-Gryo beach is the best beach for families in Kelowna and my favorite beach overall. The beach is a perfect sand beach both out of the water and into the water past the point where you can walk. It also has a great mix of sun and shade. There are a ton of restaurants walking distance away, and parking is only a buck an hour.
What makes this beach family friendly is a) the great playground structure, pictured above; and b) the super gradual increase in the depth of the water. Other beaches have a steep dropoff, but Boyce-Gyro will let you walk for a long time before the water is too deep. Awesome for your peace of mind while watching kids.
Be forewarned that this beach is not a "hidden secret". It's super popular, but not to the extent where you can't get your own piece of the beach.
City Park is a highly popular beach in downtown Kelowna and one of my favorites. It is a perfect sand beach both in and out of the water. It has beach volleyball, basketball courts, and open grassy areas for other sports like Frisbee or soccer. It's in the heart of downtown which means it's close to shopping, dining and entertainment.
It's also great for kids because there's a kid's waterpark at the beach. There are also usually giant inflatable structures set up in the water for kids to play on. These can be accessed for a fee. Only thing I'll note is that there's quite a quick drop-off in the water, so kids who aren't strong swimmers should be watched carefully.
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Kelowna City Park
1600 Abbott StCity Park is a highly popular beach in downtown Kelowna and one of my favorites. It is a perfect sand beach both in and out of the water. It has beach volleyball, basketball courts, and open grassy areas for other sports like Frisbee or soccer. It's in the heart of downtown which means it's close to shopping, dining and entertainment.
It's also great for kids because there's a kid's waterpark at the beach. There are also usually giant inflatable structures set up in the water for kids to play on. These can be accessed for a fee. Only thing I'll note is that there's quite a quick drop-off in the water, so kids who aren't strong swimmers should be watched carefully.
This is a beach for those who want a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere than the other two beaches I've listed in this Guide. It's in a quiet residential area in West Kelowna but still has a large grassy area for relaxing and playing sports.
The beach is a pebble beach, not a sand beach.
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Pebble Beach
Whitworth RoadThis is a beach for those who want a quieter and more relaxed atmosphere than the other two beaches I've listed in this Guide. It's in a quiet residential area in West Kelowna but still has a large grassy area for relaxing and playing sports.
The beach is a pebble beach, not a sand beach.
Lakefront Sports Centre
1350B Water StYour go-to place for renting boats, jet skis, and more!
This is a lovely quiet beach here on the westside that's a full sand beach! It's not super close to businesses but that means it's quieter.
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Willow Beach
4111 Gellatly RdThis is a lovely quiet beach here on the westside that's a full sand beach! It's not super close to businesses but that means it's quieter.
This is probably the most pristine beach in the Okanagan. The sand is perfect and the water is exceptionally clean with no debris at all. There's a terrific ice cream and burger shop right on the water called "Tickleberry's Ice Cream". There's also a slide that goes into the lake for the kids.
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Skaha Lake Park
This is probably the most pristine beach in the Okanagan. The sand is perfect and the water is exceptionally clean with no debris at all. There's a terrific ice cream and burger shop right on the water called "Tickleberry's Ice Cream". There's also a slide that goes into the lake for the kids.
Food scene
This Indian restaurant is highly recommended for several reasons. Most importantly, the food is authentic Indian food. There are plenty of vegan and gluten free options for people on a special diet. It's very affordable. It's also in a wonderful area--you'll be steps from Boyce-Gyro beach and there is plenty of other shopping on this street. Don't miss this fantastic local establishment!
Good for a date, dinner with friends, and dinner with the family.
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Chutney Cuisine of India
3011 Pandosy StThis Indian restaurant is highly recommended for several reasons. Most importantly, the food is authentic Indian food. There are plenty of vegan and gluten free options for people on a special diet. It's very affordable. It's also in a wonderful area--you'll be steps from Boyce-Gyro beach and there is plenty of other shopping on this street. Don't miss this fantastic local establishment!
Good for a date, dinner with friends, and dinner with the family.
Excellent Thai food and an excellent location near the beach. Lots of shopping and attractions nearby.
Mon Thong Thai Food Restaurant
1620 Dickson AveExcellent Thai food and an excellent location near the beach. Lots of shopping and attractions nearby.
Kekuli Cafe is a unique place. It's one of the only places you'll find local indigenous cuisine! Aside from its terrific coffee and drinks, you'll find bannock, breakfast bannock, indigenous tacos, and more.
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Kekuli Café Coffee West Kelowna
3550 Carrington RdKekuli Cafe is a unique place. It's one of the only places you'll find local indigenous cuisine! Aside from its terrific coffee and drinks, you'll find bannock, breakfast bannock, indigenous tacos, and more.
BNA Brewing Co. & Eatery
1250 Ellis StA favorite local brewery with great food.
Vice & Virtue Brewing Co.
1033 Richter StA favorite local brewery with great food.
This is a more upscale Thai place that's right on the lake. Get ready for top notch Thai food and a beautiful walk right after dinner.
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Thai Terrace Kelowna
210 Lawrence AveThis is a more upscale Thai place that's right on the lake. Get ready for top notch Thai food and a beautiful walk right after dinner.
This is the best BBQ joint in Kelowna. Not only is the food top notch, but the design is so extensive and detailed it feels like you're on the set of an expensive western film. It might be my favorite restaurant in the area.
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The Hatching Post
2850 Boucherie RoadThis is the best BBQ joint in Kelowna. Not only is the food top notch, but the design is so extensive and detailed it feels like you're on the set of an expensive western film. It might be my favorite restaurant in the area.
Wineries
Mission Hill is arguably the most popular winery in West Kelowna. It boasts beautiful architecture, stunning views, and of course an incredible selection of wines.
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Mission Hill Family Estate Winery
1730 Mission Hill RdMission Hill is arguably the most popular winery in West Kelowna. It boasts beautiful architecture, stunning views, and of course an incredible selection of wines.
This is a small, family-owned winery in West Kelowna. There's nothing wrong with the big and popular wineries like Mission Hill, but this one is definitely a local treasure.
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Little Straw Vineyards
2815 Ourtoland RdThis is a small, family-owned winery in West Kelowna. There's nothing wrong with the big and popular wineries like Mission Hill, but this one is definitely a local treasure.
Great wine and great location. The tasting area is outside giving you fresh air and incredible views of the lake.
The wine here is terrific and the tasting fee is rebated if you buy a bottle.
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The Hatch
3225 Boucherie RdGreat wine and great location. The tasting area is outside giving you fresh air and incredible views of the lake.
The wine here is terrific and the tasting fee is rebated if you buy a bottle.
Worth attending specifically for the amazing rosé. Amazing view of the lake, possibly the best of any winery around. The tasting at the service is also really calm with no pressure to finish your tasting. You sit at a picnic table and get to take your time.
No tasting fee if you buy a bottle, and you will buy a bottle!
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Black Swift Vineyards
2345 Boucherie RdWorth attending specifically for the amazing rosé. Amazing view of the lake, possibly the best of any winery around. The tasting at the service is also really calm with no pressure to finish your tasting. You sit at a picnic table and get to take your time.
No tasting fee if you buy a bottle, and you will buy a bottle!
This winery is notable for atmosphere and decor. They've done it up in 1920s style prohibition-era decor, making the atmosphere unique, beautiful, and fun. It's very non-pretentious and fun to do your tasting. They also have cocktails in the basement!
The fee for the tasting is very reasonable and waived if you buy a bottle.
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Crown & Thieves
3887C Brown RoadThis winery is notable for atmosphere and decor. They've done it up in 1920s style prohibition-era decor, making the atmosphere unique, beautiful, and fun. It's very non-pretentious and fun to do your tasting. They also have cocktails in the basement!
The fee for the tasting is very reasonable and waived if you buy a bottle.
This winery is a little bit more on the pricey side, but gorgeous. It's right on the beach with an incredible patio and full restaurant service. It's a little more prestigious than the more casual wineries.
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Frind Estate Winery
3725 Boucherie RdThis winery is a little bit more on the pricey side, but gorgeous. It's right on the beach with an incredible patio and full restaurant service. It's a little more prestigious than the more casual wineries.
Hiking
If you're a hiking fanatic, message me directly for recommendations! There are some trails on our mountain that I can't link to in the guidebook because the Guidebook won't recognize the trail. Specifically, the "City on the Edge of Forever" trail is absolutely incredible.
This park contains a massive hiking trail network and the trailhead is a block away from our suite (go to the "Starlight Entrance" on Google Maps). The trails can bring you to various mountain tops, or even down to the beautiful and secluded rosevalley lake. The best part of this area is that it won't be packed with tourists like Mount Knox. You'll come here and see a few other locals happily hiking and enjoying nature.
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Rose Valley Regional Park
1805 Westlake RoadThis park contains a massive hiking trail network and the trailhead is a block away from our suite (go to the "Starlight Entrance" on Google Maps). The trails can bring you to various mountain tops, or even down to the beautiful and secluded rosevalley lake. The best part of this area is that it won't be packed with tourists like Mount Knox. You'll come here and see a few other locals happily hiking and enjoying nature.
Mount Boucherie is a highly popular hike that takes you up the south side of the mountain. The views going up the mountain are spectacular, and the switchbacks going up make it so that the difficulty isn't too off-putting for kids and people who aren't avid hikers. The top features incredible views of Okanagan Lake and West Kelowna.
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Mount Boucherie
Mount Boucherie is a highly popular hike that takes you up the south side of the mountain. The views going up the mountain are spectacular, and the switchbacks going up make it so that the difficulty isn't too off-putting for kids and people who aren't avid hikers. The top features incredible views of Okanagan Lake and West Kelowna.
A great trail network just outside of Kelowna that is less heavily trafficked than Mount Knox and Mount Boucherie. Will give you great views of the valley.
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Spion Kop Hiking Trails-Upper Lakes Trailhead
A great trail network just outside of Kelowna that is less heavily trafficked than Mount Knox and Mount Boucherie. Will give you great views of the valley.
This hike is a grind. It's highly technical with significant elevation gain, but the views at the top are amazing. I do not recommend bringing young children or animals on this hike due to the technical nature.
Carrot Mountain
This hike is a grind. It's highly technical with significant elevation gain, but the views at the top are amazing. I do not recommend bringing young children or animals on this hike due to the technical nature.
This challenging trail (900+ meters elevation gain) will take you up the larger mountain that's just to the west of Rose Valley mountain (where our suite is located). The trail offers unparalleled double-lake views (Okanagan lake and Rose Valley lake). Probably not the best for small children, but dogs could handle it.
McDougall Rim Hiking Trail
McDougall Rim Hiking TrailThis challenging trail (900+ meters elevation gain) will take you up the larger mountain that's just to the west of Rose Valley mountain (where our suite is located). The trail offers unparalleled double-lake views (Okanagan lake and Rose Valley lake). Probably not the best for small children, but dogs could handle it.
Arts and Culture
Kelowna's best theatre comes from this establishment, including dinner theatre!
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Kelowna Actors Studio
1379 Ellis StKelowna's best theatre comes from this establishment, including dinner theatre!
Okanagan Symphony Society
865 Bernard AvenueThe Okanagan Symphony Orchestra plays at Kelowna Community Theatre.
The art gallery has cool exhibits that cycle throughout the year. Admission is free!
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Kelowna Art Gallery
1315 Water StThe art gallery has cool exhibits that cycle throughout the year. Admission is free!