Your Neighbourhood Guide

World-renowned for its gorgeous crystal clear lakes, mild climate, breath-taking scenic views, and relaxed lifestyle, Kelowna and the entire Okanagan Valley are among the top places in Canada to call home. Thriving with over two hundred spectacular wineries, as well as farms, and orchards, endless hiking and biking trails, countless golf courses, and abundant dining options, the Central Okanagan is considered a four-season playground and offers something for everyone in every stage of life.

Vibrant, diverse, and naturally beautiful, come check out the lively Kelowna Waterfront Boardwalk, running from City Park to the Rotary Marsh Bird Sanctuary. City Park, including Hot Sands Beach, has a popular beach for swimming, and a Wibit Water Park, open throughout the summer months for kids of all ages. There are also various sporting fields where you can try your hand at basketball, soccer, lawn bowling, or beach volleyball.

The flourishing downtown is filled with quaint local businesses, such as boutiques selling everything from fashion to books, gifts, and home decor. The global dining scene in downtown Kelowna allows you to choose from many options, including Sushi, Thai, Indian, Italian, or more casual pub fare. Take in a live band or relax in an elegant lakeside lounge. A day downtown wouldn’t be complete without a delicious local coffee crafted by a barista or an ice cream or gelato enjoyed as you stroll and explore everything that this multi-cultural city has to offer.

If you are thinking of living in or near downtown Kelowna, you have numerous great options. New high-rise development projects such as Water Street by the Park, Ella, and Brooklyn offer modern urban condo living. There are also many newer infill townhomes, duplexes, and four-plexes. Waterfront living can be found at The Dolphins, Royal Kelowna, The Lagoons, and Sunset Waterfront. If you are a real estate investor looking for an income property, there are many great options that are explicitly zoned for nightly or short-term rentals, giving you the opportunity of generating income during the times when you are not able to enjoy your Kelowna home.

With Kelowna International Airport, YLW, connecting you to both Canadian and International destinations, it is easy to see why the Okanagan attracts people in business, the tech sector, retirees, and holidaymakers alike. Prospera Place is a great venue to take in a WHL Rockets Hockey game, a concert, or a craft market. Cultural offerings to enjoy include live theatre at The Rotary Centre for the Arts and Kelowna Community Theatre, and museums and the Kelowna Art Gallery, which brings in exhibits from local, national, and artists from all around the globe.

Often called the Napa Valley of the North, the Okanagan Valley features over 40 wineries within Kelowna itself and over 200 wineries found throughout the Valley. Rest assured, the wine connoisseur is sure to find something to delight their palate. Discover some of the hidden gems on a self-guided tour, or book a guided wine tour allowing you to relax and learn about the wine industry in BC. Don’t miss a visit to the BC Wine Museum or one of the many craft breweries, cideries, or distilleries. A few of the world-class iconic wineries not to be missed are Cedar Creek Estate, Mission Hill Family Estate, Quail’s Gate, and Summerhill Pyramid Organic Winery. Many of these vineyards also have fabulous restaurants where you can enjoy a farm-to-table meal created by the chef, paired with the perfect award-winning wine, overlooking an unforgettable view.

If you would like to get out and explore one of the many trails throughout the Central Okanagan by bike, be sure to visit the historic Myra Canyon Trestles. Here, you can bring your bicycles, or you have the option to rent as well, including the opportunity for a guided tour. There are 18 Trestles and two tunnels, and the primary part of the route is 12Km one way, which makes for a lovely round trip ride. The Okanagan Rail Trail is BC’s newest trail, running from Vernon, along the stunningly color-changing Kalamalka Lake, Duck Lake, Woods Lake, and Lake Okanagan. These beautiful trails are relatively flat and perfect for a day of cycling.

Perhaps you’d like to hike to the top of a mountain, or down to a waterfall in a deep canyon, and take in some spectacular views. Knox Mountain, Mount Boucherie, Kalamoir Park, Lebanon Creek Park, and Crawford Falls are some of the renowned routes that make Kelowna a hiker’s paradise. Pick up a copy of Popular Day Hikes for South Central Okanagan, and try something new and less well-known. There are hikes to choose from for every level of fitness and ability.

Kelowna beaches are golden natural beauties. Relax by the lake where you can picnic, read a book, socialize with friends, people watch, or keep an eye out for Ogopogo! Join your friends in a game of beach volleyball, or rent a stand-up paddleboard, enjoy boating, swimming, water-skiing, windsurfing, and fishing. Stop by Rotary Beach to watch the kite surfers on a windy day, or perhaps learn to kite surf yourself!

Boat rentals are available downtown, so if you don’t own your boat, you can still get out on the lake and enjoy a day of sightseeing, swimming, wakeboarding, or even just relaxing on the water. If you’ve never parasailed, it is a must-try over Okanagan Lake on a beautiful sunny summer day.

When you are out exploring the Okanagan countryside, stop and shop at an orchard fruit stand offering in-season fresh fruits such as cherries, apricots, peaches, and more. Don’t forget to visit the Kelowna Farmer’s Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, where you will find the freshest produce as well as hand-crafted soaps, artisanal bread and baking, as well as jewelry, crafts, and countless other goodies.

The Okanagan is truly a golf enthusiast’s paradise! Over 2,000 hours of sun each year makes this one of the longest and driest golf seasons across Canada. There is something here to suit everyone’s game and skill level, from several world-class championship and executive courses to par-three courses and state-of-the-art driving ranges. There are also several spectacular golf course communities, including the beautiful Gallagher’s Canyon, a gated, amenity-rich community surrounding two golf courses.

The Okanagan Valley’s snow-capped mountains and pine-filled forests are a haven for skiers, snowboarders, snowmobilers, and outdoor adventurists of all types and levels in the cooler months. Big White, Silver Star, Apex, and Mount Baldy ski resorts are all nearby. If getting out on snowshoes is more up your alley, visit Telemark Nordic Club or Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club.

Kelowna features a wide variety of communities and price points that will appeal to the many unique individuals looking to make Kelowna and the Okanagan their home. Many of the exclusive hillside neighborhoods, such as the Upper Mission, Wilden, and McKinley Landing, are known for their spectacular lake and valley views while maintaining privacy. Lakestone is a community development offering 28km of trails, 250 acres of preserved natural space, pool and fitness areas, and pickleball, tennis, and basketball courts. Excellent schools can be found in and around Kelowna, including French Immersion, Hockey, and sports schools, as well as private schools, along with parks and playgrounds, ensuring that families will find the right fit for them.

Quality of life, endless activities, great weather, and a four-season playground are all fantastic reasons to discover the Okanagan Lifestyle!

Connect with me to learn more about the amenities and incredible views available to you in the Okanagan Valley.