Search for vacation rental homes in Kelowna

Kelowna: Canada's Jewel in the Okanagan!

Kelowna is a vacation heaven plopped down in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, Canada. The town is surrounded by forested mountains, and sits perched on 82-mile long Okanagan Lake. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy themselves as they include hiking, cycling, fishing, swimming, golf, skiing, and even sun bathing in their day's itinerary. Kelowna is a thriving cultural center, complete with enough museums, performing arts venues, restaurants, and shops to make even the most traveled vacationer giddy with excitement.

As you drive into Kelowna, you can't help but notice the beautiful apple orchards and grape vines that line the countryside. These two crops have provided a boom for Kelowna's farmers and the surrounding area. This relationship can be seen in detail at The Wine Museum and The Orchard Museum, both housed inside the Laurel Packinghouse. One of the exhibits showcased in the Wine Museum is a collection of ancient wine vessels dating back to 1000 BC. The Orchard Museum details Kelowna's change from cattle ranches to apple orchards. The displays include examples of picking techniques, processing methods, and awards won by various local orchards.

Okanagan Lake offers visitors to Kelowna no end of outdoor fun. Anglers will enjoy trying their luck at catching a Kokanee salmon. Swimming, sailing, and working on your tan on a lakeside beach can also be a part of a day's adventure. Hikers and mountain bikers will love the wide variety of trails in the valley, particularly those around the Kettle Valley Railway, an abandoned rail line that was converted into a scenic play land.

Grapes and apples are the two biggest produce items grown around Kelowna. It is only fitting, then, that wine tasting is one of the most popular items on a vacation itinerary. The wines produced in the Okanagan Valley are gaining a world-wide reputation, rivaling those of the Napa Valley in California. To see where it all started, visit Calona Winery, the oldest winery in British Columbia. Calona also has the distinction of being the only winery in the region that is also a distillery. Quail's Gate Estate Winery sits nestled along the shores of Lake Okanagan, and has a wide reaching selection of wines for every palate and price range. All told, there are over 15 wineries in the area. So, whether you like a bold cabernet or a light chardonnay, there is a winery around Kelowna with you in mind.

The duffer or low-handicapper in your group will fall head over tees for Kelowna's golf courses. Kelowna Springs Golf Club, designed by Les Furber, is a flattish course carved into the Okanagan Valley. Seven spring-fed lakes come into play on 11 of the 18 holes. This is a visual wonder, as well as a strenuous test of golfing skill. Harvest Golf Club, designed by Graham Cooke, blends local commerce with golfing excellence. The course is situated on 287 acres, 87 of which are dedicated to a working orchard. The course is meticulously manicured, and offers incredible scenery to complement the challenging layout.

When winter's chill sets its sights on the Okanagan Valley, alpine enthusiasts come out in droves to enjoy a winter wonderland. Big White Ski Resort has 13 lifts serving over 7000 acres of skiable terrain. There are 112 designated trails serving skiers of all skill levels. The resort also offers snowboarders their own pipes, ranging from beginner to the Nintendo World Class Super Pipe, only the second super pipe in British Columbia. Crystal Mountain, close to Kelowna in Westbank, is great fun for the entire family. Primarily for beginner and intermediate skiers, Crystal has 24 trails spread out over 160 acres. Snowboarders will find some fun in their own pipe, and parents will love the ski school for the little ones.

Kelowna has charms to soothe the savage vacationer. For some peaceful reflection during your vacation, walk the calm landscape around the Kasugai Garden, a superb Japanese garden with a koi pond and little wooden bridges dotting the grounds. Visit the Pandosy Mission Heritage Site, and get a glimpse of how this peaceful valley must have looked to its first settlers. Take in a play at the Kelowna Actors Studio. For a better understanding of Canada's military history, visit the Okanagan Military Museum. Kelowna is a vacationing feast, waiting for those with huge appetites!