Penticton & Wine Country Vacation Gude 2012

INSIDE

Free Maps

Beaches & Lakes

5 Winter Adventures

Itineraries

2012 OFFICIAL VACATION GUIDE

ADVENTURE LIVES HERE Explore Penticton’s Natural Surroundings

PLUS • Penticton’s Farmers’ Market • Winery Routes:

The Best of the Best

tourismpenticton.com

TOP 10

INTERNATIONAL DESTINATION FOR 2012 ACCORDING TO FACEBOOK

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

1

t r o s e R One f

o

u

r

s

e

a

s

o

n

s

‌

f

o

u

r

r

e

a

s

o

n

s

PENTICTON LAKESIDE RESORT Convention Centre & Casino 1.800.663.9400

250.493.8221

www.rpbhotels.com lakeside@rpbhotels.com

follow us on

2

join us on

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

PHOTO BY MELISSA BARNES

The Penticton Farmers' Market is more than fruits and veggies

5 WELCOME 50 MAPS 58 GETTING HERE 60 RESOURCES 8 WINE & FOOD

15

CONTENTS 26 SIGHTSEEING & ITINERARIES

There are so many ways to explore a city.

This section offers some great suggestions for experiencing Penticton & Wine Country.

We’re raising a glass (and following it with a prosciutto wrapped peach), to the valley’s burgeoning food and wine scene.

Some local experts will tell you why it’s not to be missed.

18 BEACHES & LAKES

These are two of our favourite things and the reason so many people visit. We have some suggestions on getting the most of our beaches and lakes.

22 OUTDOOR & NATURE

Penticton is quickly becoming an outdoor adventure mecca, with so much to offer people of all ages and abilities.

34

Our top 10 festivals and events not to be missed

30 EVENTS 38 CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

PHOTO BY JEFF PLANT

Ready for a rousing good time? We always are. Penticton is a hub for arts, culture and entertainment.

49

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OKANAGAN WINE FESTIVALS SOCIETY

44 REST & RELAXATION

Penticton is the epicentre of unwinding, any time of year. Finding ways to kick back are easy – from golf, to shopping, to spas, and more.

48 WINTER ACTIVITIES

Penticton’s a hidden gem when it comes to winter. Head to Apex Mountain for endless fun or stay in the city and get cozy with us.

Finding reasons to enjoy winter are easy.

We have five ways to beat the winter blues.

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

3

CHECK IN, BEFORE YOU CHECK OUT DOWNLOAD OUR PENTICTON & WINE COUNTRY VACATION GUIDE MOBILE APP

>

4

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

WELCOME The Official 2012 Penticton & Wine Country Vacation Guide is a Penticton & Wine Country Tourism publication. To obtain additional copies of the publication, go to www.tourismpenticton.com. Here you can order a hard copy or experience the new digital guide online, or download the app. Copies can also be picked up at the Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Centre and other visitor centres around the province.

Editorial: Tracy Clark Reis Cover photo: Chris Mason Stearns Printed in Canada. All rights reserved. Free distribution only. May not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without prior written permission from Penticton & Wine Country Tourism. Penticton & Wine Country Tourism has made every effort to ensure the information in the publication is accurate and will not be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Listings compiled as of January 2012.

GET THE SCOOP There’s always something going on in Penticton & Wine Country. We’d love to keep the conversation going with updates, information and special deals about our beautiful little part of the planet. Here’s a few ways to keep in touch:

2012 is going to be a great year IN 2012, PENTICTON IS MARKING SOME VERY SPECIAL OCCASIONS. One of our largest festivals, the Penticton Peach Festival, is celebrating its 65th anniversary, Ironman Canada celebrates its 30th year in our city, and the Meadowlark Nature Festival marks its 15th anniversary. We invite you to come and celebrate these special events with us and while you are here create your own special memories.

Penticton has a strong sense of community pride. Travel to the Okanagan and enjoy the pleasure of hiking and cycling many of the hillside trails around the city, enjoy the shops downtown, soak up the city’s beaches, visit our wineries, dine in the local restaurants, take in the arts, and more. Explore our fabulous city and experience the Okanagan region and its attributes. The friendly faces that welcome you at almost every stop will make spending time in Penticton & Wine Country very pleasurable.

As a visitor, we invite you to experience all that this vibrant city has to offer. In this guide, we will share with you some of our top attractions and activities but we also invite you explore on your own and uncover some of Penticton’s hidden gems. Please visit us and come see what makes this lakeside city so special.

Sincerely,

MAYOR DAN ASHTON

GO ONLINE Our website offers up-to-date travel specials and packages and a comprehensive calendar of events, as well as tips for booking your trip, maps, business listings, contests, videos and more.

GET THE E-NEWSLETTER Stay current with the latest happenings each month in Penticton & Wine Country. Like a bottle of chardonnay on ice, things are pretty chill here. So we promise not to bombard you.

FOLLOW US

@TravelPenticton

LIKE US

@PentictonTourism

JODIE LEMKE – Uncover Penticton photo contest winner I am the owner of Jodie Lemke Photography in Penticton. I love doing engagement sessions here because Penticton has so much beauty to offer, from the beaches to the gardens, to colourful Front Street and the many gorgeous wineries. I love capturing all the little details at the locations I shoot and these grapes were the perfect representation not only of the couple I was shooting, but of everything Penticton! See Jodie’s grape photo on page 12.

DANIELLE HONIG – Uncover Penticton photo contest winner Every year since I was 11, I have been going to Penticton on vacation with my family. Spring break was spent time at Apex, skiing. And every summer we played in the sun on Okanagan beach. For more on Danielle’s story and to see her beautiful beach shot, turn to page 36.

TRACY CLARK REIS – Writer Along with working as the Media & Marketing Specialist at Penticton & Wine Country Tourism, Tracy Clark Reis is a freelance journalist. Her work has appeared in several publications including Okanagan Life, Savour, Food & Wine Trails, the Penticton Western News and other Black Press papers across BC, the Thompson Okanagan Vacation Guide, as well as the Vancouver Sun.

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

5

Now Open!

950 Westminster Avenue West Penticton, BC V2A 1L2 Tel: (250) 492-0225

1.800.663.1144 www.coasthotels.com

You can have it all!

Homes starting at $164,500 Includes:

• Individual Detached Home • Dog Park • Attached Garage • Community Garden • 10 Year New Home Warranty • RV Parking

Showhome open 7 days a week Hwy 97, 20 minutes south of Penticton

www.gallagherlakevillagepark.com 6

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

ONE OKANAGAN VALLEY.

Five Award-Winning Wineries.

4.

1.

2.

3.

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

17403 Hwy 97, Summerland 250.494.0451 sumacridge.com

2575 Green Lake Road, Okanagan Falls 250.497.8267 sylranch.com

38691 Hwy 97, Oliver 250.498.4500 jacksontriggswinery.com

Road 11 West, Oliver 250.498.6663 inniskillin.com

5.

Please enjoy responsibly.

1400 Rancher Creek Rd, Osoyoos 250.495.2985 nkmipcellars.com

greatestatesokanagan.com Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

7

01

8

WINE & FOOD

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

If it grows together, it goes together. The best thing is that almost everything and anything grows in the burgeoning Okanagan food and wine region – from watermelons to asparagus and from Merlot to Zweigelt. While some of those things may not go together traditionally, Okanagan wine country is all about breaking the rules – or thinking outside the bottle, as we like to say.

A toast to great food and wine at the Hooded Merganser

W

PHOTO BY MELISSA BARNES

INE AND FOOD, IT SEEMS, tend to enjoy

the same places that people enjoy – where there is a mild climate, lots of sunshine and access to fresh water. In Penticton & Wine Country these elements come together, creating a special terroir (geography, geology, climate) for growing delicious food and producing award-winning wines.

“The Okanagan is a unique climate in the wine world,” says Master of Wine Rhys Pender, pointing to the region's hot summers, cool winters, dry desert conditions and copious amounts of sunshine.

While the area has long been known as a great growing area—mainly for fruit—it is the enjoyment and appreciation of the many things that are grown and produced here that has, in recent years, come into perfect balance.

“It has matured from a raw ingredient and food growing region to a dining and winery region with the food right at your doorstep,” says Jennifer Cockrall-King, a food and wine writer, author and educator.

The Okanagan wine industry is seen as the inspiration for the growing interest in food. As the Okanagan produces more and more world class wines, the food industry is seeing an opportunity to step up to the plate, so to speak.

Cockrall-King points out that the wine industry boom has motivated a number of high calibre chefs to move to the area.

“You get all of these chefs that have world class pedigree but live in the Okanagan.”

This marriage between the food and wine has simply added to the romance of the region.

“I don’t think you could have had just a really good food industry without the wine. It makes it special,” says Cockrall-King. “People love the experience of tasting something where it comes from. Being in the location surrounded by the vines and fruit trees enhances the experience so much more.”

With so much of this great food and wine located within close proximity to Penticton, it is the perfect place to start exploring wine country.

At last count, there were more than 50 wineries within a 20 minute drive. Or take an easy, one-hour drive and find nearly 125 wineries. The city is surrounded by a range of orchards and farms, cheese-makers, vinegar producers, top notch chefs and what Cockrall-King calls one of the best Farmers’ Markets in Canada (held Saturdays from May to October in downtown Penticton).

Heading out on the wine trail is one of the best ways to get a first taste of the valley.

Start at the BC VQA Wine Information Centre in Penticton. Along with more than 500 wines at winery prices, the helpful staff can assist with mapping out your day and more.

“We have all day complimentary tastings in a relaxed and fun atmosphere, where we can introduce the how-tos of wine tasting before you head to the wineries,” explains shop manager Laura Kowalchuk.

But with so many wineries, the choices can still be overwhelming. Pender suggests breaking it up before heading out.

“The best strategy is to divide the Okanagan into areas and spend a day touring each,” he says. “There are now many great tour companies that will drive you around, which means you don’t have to drive.”

There are two wine routes located right Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

9

01

WINE & FOOD

“THERE ARE A LOT OF SMALL WINERIES LOCATED IN A FAIRLY SMALL AREA SO LOTS OF TIME CAN BE SPENT VISITING DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE OKANAGAN AND TASTING A WIDE RANGE OF WINES.”

Alfresco Vineyard Dining with Joy Road Catering at God’s Mountain Estate

~ RHYS PENDER, MW

10

Official Vacation Client:2012 Burrowing OwlGuide

File: BOV006_Penticton Visitors Ad.indd Size: 7.25” x 4.75”

TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

Logos: HR/vector Res: 300ppi Proofed by: --

c

m

y

k

Wel l wo rth t

he

vis

it.

PHOTO BY JASON DZIVER

Wineshop open daily from May to Thanksgiving Summerland, BC.

on Penticton’s doorstep: the Naramata Bench and Corkscrew Drive, part of the Okanagan Falls Winery Association route.

Take Corkscrew Drive and travel around Skaha Lake visiting more than 10 boutique wineries that exist between Okanagan Falls and Penticton.

On the Naramata Bench, there are more than 25 wineries located within a 15 kilometre stretch. Choose from a mix of small and medium-sized wineries as well as two cheese producers and numerous great lunch stops.

Another wine route that is worth a short 15 minute drive from Penticton is Bottleneck Drive, where 12 wineries and a vinegar maker (the Vinegar Works at Valentine Farm), have come together to offer a palate pleasing route.

For other great wine day trips from Penticton, head an hour north to the Westside Wine Trail and wine routes of the Kelowna area. Or take a trip south to the OliverOsoyoos wine region where you will find the famous Golden Mile Bench. Just 45 minutes to the west is the acclaimed wineries of the burgeoning Similkameen Valley.

“There are a lot of small wineries located in a fairly small area so lots of time can be spent visiting different areas of the Okanagan and tasting a wide range of wines,” says Pender.

A multitude of bus, coach and van companies can take you on extensive tours and cover a lot of ground in one day. A new hop-on hop-off bus tour offers the freedom to explore wine country at your own pace or try a luxury vehicle—like an SUV or limo tour—for an upscale experience. For something a little different, take in a cycling wine tour (guided or unguided). Freedom the Bike Shop and Fun City Rentals offer bicycle rentals for self-exploration. Hoodoo Adventures offers a range adventurous ways to explore wine country and will even customize your tour – from cycle tours to kayaking wine experiences.

Feel the wind in your hair as you travel from winery to winery in a chauffeured vintage convertible with Nixdorf Classic Cars.

Or enjoy the sites of wine country on a wine tasting cruise aboard the Casabella Princess paddlewheeler.

One of Cockrall-King’s favourite ways

8thGenerationVineyard.com

Have you been on the Bead Trail yet?

Where there’s a Bead, theres a story.

Get started on the Bead Trail with a map and a bracelet available at the Summerland and Penticton Visitor Info-centres and all participating businesses.

Discover Summerland and Naramata wineries, restaurants, boutiques, studios and other fantastic places.

Each business has its own signature bead for you to find and collect. A fun and affordable way to get yourself a beautiful and unique piece of jewelry.

Follow the Bead Trail and collect beads and stories as you go!

Tel. 250.488.2489

www.beadtrails.com Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

11

WINE & FOOD

30880 BLACK SAGE RD OLIVER, BC

Nota Bene 250.498.0666 Tasting Experience

Open daily May to October Book an Experience at info@blackhillswinery.com Join us for an exceptional tasting experience in our new vineyard lounge. Immerse yourself in our terroir while tasting a full flight of our hand-crafted wines. Your choice of three tasting experiences every day.

Full details on our website.

www.blackhillswinery.com

to enjoy wine country is to let the wine and food come to you.

“I like the seasonal food and wine festivals. They are like one-stop-shopping,” she says. “They bring the party together and you just have to show up. It’s brilliant.”

Among the top food and wine events is the spring, summer and fall wine festivals, and Feast of Fields in August. Weekly wine and food paired events are also becoming popular, with special five course dinners like those served at God’s Mountain Estate every Thursday and Sunday by Joy Road Catering.

A growing number of caterers are also willing to create customized wine paired dinners that can be served up in any setting you choose.

If wine is not your thing, there are some other delicious ways to get a taste of the Okanagan. Several breweries and distilleries also call Penticton home. Maple Leaf Spirits is a must-visit destination with a broad range of internationally acclaimed brandies, grappas and other liqueurs made from local fruit.

For a taste of a local brew, like TinWhistle, Cannery Brewing Company or the Barley Mill, go directly to the brewery or get a taste at a local pub, diner or restaurant.

PHOTO BY JODIE LEMKE PHOTOGRAPHY

01

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

For details and reservations, please contact (250) 498-0666 or visit

www.blackhillswinery.com

Wine Tour In Style Customized to make it your day, your way. Public or Private tours available.

Specializing in smaller intimate groups.

Grape Friends... Great Times!

Book your Grape Tour today! www.grapefriends.ca

12

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

The Okanagan Valley PresenTs The

Golden Mile Bench situated in the semi-arid desert just south of Oliver, this historic growing region of rolling terraces, intense sunlight and gravelly soil produces some of the most sought after (and awarded) wines in British Columbia. Discover the wineries of the south Okanagan’s prestigious “golden Mile”.

Tasting rooms Wine shops scenic Views award Winning VQa Wines

Fairview Cellars Old golf Course rd, Oliver, BC 250.498.2211 fairviewcellars.ca

road 8, Oliver, BC 250.498.3537 or 800.784.6304 gehringerwines.ca

road 8, Oliver, BC 250.498.4435 hestercreek.com

road 13, Oliver, BC 250.498.8330 road13vineyards.com

road 7, Oliver, BC 888.484.6467 tinhorn.com

R E S TAU R A N T

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

13

SOARING EAGLE ESTATE WINERY

1775 Naramata Road, Penticton BC V2A 8T8

250-490-4965

www.soaringeaglewines.com

• OVER 600 VQA WINES AT WINERY PRICES • LOCAL GOURMET FOODS • BOOKS, GIFTWARE, RIEDEL Daily Complimentary Tastings

Open 7 Days A Week 553 Railway Street

Corner Eckhardt Ave & Hwy 97

Penticton, BC 250-490-2006 www.pentictonwineinfo.com

WINE SHOP HOURS:

Under new ownership and operation of

11:00 am–5:00 pm May 18th thru October 8th, 2012 Private Appointments available upon request.

Find a range of formal and casual fare throughout Penticton – from upscale restaurants and funky delis to popular street food vendors.

The growing season offers some of the best times to get a taste of what the Okanagan has to offer. Both Pender and Cockrall-King say their absolute favourite time of year to take in the valley’s bounty is October, which also happens to coincide with the wine harvest.

“You get the feeling that it is harvest time,” says Cockrall-King. “There is a harvest buzz.”

But with festivals and events celebrating the Okanagan’s growing wine and food scene every season, new restaurants opening all the time and more wineries keeping their doors open throughout the year, you can find an excuse to experience wine country any time of year.

Organic Produce ● Gourmet Lunch ● Award Winning Wines

Market Open

June 1-Oct. 31 7 Days a Week 9am-5pm Phone: 250-498-2824 For more information on events, and great farm activities, go to: covertfarms.ca

The Vinegar Works

Winery Open

May 4 - Oct. 31 7 Days a Week 11am - 5pm Phone: 250-498-9463 For more information on our wines and wine club, go to: dunhamfroese.ca

Get off the Beaten Path....and onto the Okanagan’s Best Food and Wine Family Destination!

We are located 8 kms North of Oliver at the top of Seacrest Road, Off Hwy. 97 14

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

at Valentine Farm, produces innovative Certified Organic wine vinegars from grapes grown on our farm vineyard.

A unique wine country product!

Open from May through October (or by appointment anytime) Follow the Wine Trail signs to Dale Meadows Rd. at Gould Ave. in Summerland Ph. 250-494-7300 E. veggies@valentinefarm.com Web. www.valentinefarm.com

Red Wine of the Year

FROM THE EARTH TO YOUR PLATE Both food expert Jennifer Cockrall-King and Master of Wine Rhys Pender agree: Penticton’s Farmers’ Market is one of the best ways to spend a day in Penticton.

It’s not only the quality and variety of food available at the market, but the ambiance.

“It just has a buzz to it,” Cockrall-King says.

Taking place every Saturday morning from May to October in the 100 Block of Main Street, the market features small scale farmers and home crafters selling fresh and homemade goodies.

Colourful fruits and vegetables are sold alongside fresh honey, baked goods, locally roasted coffee (Backyard Beans), organic meat (the Bison dogs are to die for), fresh flowers and other edible regional delights. Spicing up the food offerings are local artisans showcasing their works and street performers adding a carnival flair.

CHURCH & STATE WINES 2009 Coyote Bowl Syrah “The final wine flight was intense and the voting was close, with three incredibly good, powerful syrahs against Painted Rock’s refined, Bordeaux-style Red Icon blend from B.C., and a delicious Thirty Bench Cabernet Franc from Niagara. Church & State’s Coyote Bowl Syrah is a spectacularly rich, powerful, yet elegant example of a genre from the South Okanagan that is overdue for international breakout.

Coyote Bowl is Church & State’s new showpiece winery just off Black Sage Road, centering 30 acres of vineyard.

A new star is born.”

- Wine Access, Canadian Wine Awards

OKANAGAN HARVEST GUIDE Asparagus........................................................May Cherries.............................................June to July Apricots........................................July to August Peaches & Cucumbers...... July to September Corn................................August to September Tomatoes..........................August to first frost Melons & Pears....mid-August to September Grapes & Squash...... September to October Apples.............................July to early October

www.churchandstatewines.com Available Exclusively at Church & State Wines Tasting Bar Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

15

PHOTO BY TOURISM BC/DON WEIXL

One of the most scenic wine regions in North America just 5 minutes from Penticton. Boutique wineries, award-winning wines, spectacular beauty, and a warm welcome.

A must visit destination for wine lovers.

www.naramatabench.com

• Bonitas • Dirty Laundry • 8th Generation • Greata Ranch • Heaven's Gate • Saxon • Sleeping Giant • Silkscarf • Sonoran • Sumac Ridge • Thornhaven • Vinegar Works

16

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

H AV E YO U S E E N T H E ON THE

A wine tasting and vineyard walk at Red Rooster Winery

BENCH?

ORCHARD WINES TASTING ✱ PICNICS ✱ FUN 2730 AIKINS LOOP ✱ NARAMATA BENCH ✱ 250.496.5522 www.elephantislandwine.com

Family Boutique Winery

Open: 10:00am - 5:30pm May - June, weekends July - October, daily

THE

DREAM CAFE

Delicious...

Live Music 250-490-9012

www.thedreamcafe.ca 67 Front St., Penticton, BC

250-494-7455 www.silkw.net

4917 Gartrell Road, Summerland

South Okanagan’s Only Public Wine Shuttle Enjoy the south Okanagan wineries without drinking and driving or paying the cost of a private tour – hop on and hop off our public shuttles all day for a $45 cash fare (includes HST). No pre-booking necessary.

Golfers, diners and private tours welcome.

For schedule and more info go to: www.okwineshuttle.ca or contact us at: info@okwineshuttle.ca

250-495-3278

Pick up points in Osoyoos and Oliver for the South Route - Black Sage Bench and the Golden Mile: • Spirit Ridge • Walnut Beach Resort • Holiday Inn • Watermark Beach Resort • Burrowing Owl • Oliver Visitor Centre Pick up points in Penticton for the North Route Naramata Bench: • Wine Country Visitor Centre • Lakeside Resort & Casino • Ramada Inn & Suites Hop off at any of your favourite wineries - you choose.

Hours of operation are from 9:30am until 6:00 pm.

Shuttles arrive every 30-40 minutes to take you to your next winery or to your point of origin.

SEVEN STONES WINERY 250.499.2144 Open 10:30am - 5:30pm Open Daily May 1st to October 31st

Located at 1143 Highway 3, Cawston a beautiful scenic drive 17 minutes west of Osoyoos and 7 minutes east of Cawston www.sevenstones.ca sevenstones@nethop.net

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

17

02

18

BEACHES & LAKES

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

Sinking into the sand and soaking up the sun on Okanagan Lake

There is nothing that says summer like sinking your toes into the warm golden sand along the shores of Okanagan and Skaha lakes. Simply close your eyes and inhale the scent of sage brush as it mingles with the sounds of children’s laughter on the warm summer breeze.

P

PHOTO BY DANNIELLE HAYES

ENTICTON IN THE SUMMER IS often a vivid

experience – one that sticks with you even on the coldest days of winter. So, it’s no wonder that for more than 100 years people have been flocking to Penticton to experience our beaches and lakes, and returning again and again with their own children and grandchildren. Visitors here made sure that everyone knew how great our beaches were in 2011, when Okanagan and Skaha lake beaches were named the second best beaches in Canada by TripAdvisor's Travellers’ Choice Awards.

Lori Mullin, a Penticton resident and the City’s recreation supervisor, has a strong sense of pride for the beaches and their distinct pull for residents and travellers alike.

“No other community can top Penticton’s beaches,” she says.

The city’s reputation as a mecca for beaches is natural since Penticton is uniquely located between two lakes – Skaha to the south and Okanagan to the north.

In the summer months the lakes become the hub of the community, with vibrant umbrellas and beach towels lined up like brightly coloured crayons along the sand.

Beach goers spend their days deciding whether it is best to simply let the warmth of the day wash over them as they relax on the beach or take in some of the many activities on the water or near the beaches.

Each of the lakes offer a slightly different experience, as Mullin explains.

“The range of amenities at Skaha beach like picnic areas, the water park, tennis courts, volleyball courts, sport courts, playgrounds, boat rentals and so much more, provides something for everyone,” she says.

Skaha offers three beaches to choose

from – the first and largest, Skaha Beach, commonly known as “Muscle Beach,” on the east and Sudbury Beach and Airport Beach on the west. Located just a one-block stroll from one to the other, all three offer plenty of sandy retreats.

Skaha Beach features the greatest range of amenities including one of the city’s most picturesque tree-lined parks, which can offer refuge from the summer sun or provide a perfect place for play. Join a game of Bocce, pick-up soccer or simply toss a Frisbee or football around with friends. More serious action can often be found on the tennis courts, where working up a sweat and then getting to cool down in the lake, just steps away, is half the fun. Across the way, a mix of league and just-for-fun games of volleyball can be played on the beach courts.

A splash park and huge playground area, with a turtle inhabited pond, and open picnic areas make Skaha an ideal spot for families. Children can spend hours careening down slides and jumping off platforms into the water.

Speed and power boats mix with kayakers, outrigger canoers and even stand-up paddle boarders who head out into the deeper water for fun.

On Sudbury Beach, a concession stand, boat and other aquatic rentals, a beach volleyball net and the perfect conditions for kite boarding exist (when the wind picks up). Just up the road, test your driving skills with go-karts or get wet on the bumper boats at Okanagan Amusements.

Located on the other end of town is Okanagan Lake.

“Okanagan Lake beaches have a quieter setting and features such as slides and rafts

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

19

02

BEACHES & LAKES

and options of shade or sun are especially appreciated by families,” says Mullin.

In the early days, Okanagan Lake was really the hub of activity. Sailing regattas, canoe races and the city’s water festival were all centered on the shores of Okanagan Lake.

It is also home to some of the city’s most notable landmarks including the Peach on the Beach concession stand and the S.S. Sicamous sternwheeler.

There are a range of small, medium and large sandy beach retreats lining Okanagan Lake from east to west. All provide lake access for swimming, kayaking, paddle sports or enjoying motorized water sports.

Just a few steps from the sand are restaurants, concession stands, community parks and playgrounds—like Lakawanna— mini golf and other adventures at LocoLanding Adventure Park, the rose gardens and the Penticton Youth Park.

Sailors and boaters can also take to the water on the east side of the lake near the yacht club and marina, where the boarding for the Casabella Princess paddlewheeler takes place. Enjoy a scenic cruise on the lake or take in one of the Casabella’s dinner or wine cruises.

One of the most quintessential Penticton beach experiences is floating the Penticton River Channel. Part-time Penticton resident Jennifer Cockrall-King says it’s her favourite way to spend at hot summer day in the city.

“I love the channel float. It is a classic Penticton experience,” she says.

Penticton’s museum curator, Peter Ord couldn’t agree more.

“The great thing about going down the channel is that it is slow,” he says. “It’s really what Penticton is all about, that laid back time.”

If you’ve never done it, there are just a few easy steps to floating the channel: Start

20

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

One of the most kidfriendly ways to cool off is at LocoLanding Adventure Park’s bumper boats

by lathering up with sunscreen and then head straight to Coyote Cruises to rent an inner tube. If you want to bring your own tube or other floatation device, Coyote Cruises will blow it up for just $2. Next

simply get in the water and relax. Once you reach your departure point, hop out and shuttle back to the start. Then, repeat.

The best part about Penticton is that you won’t be forced to choose between

STAY IN THE KNOW. SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR E-NEWSLETTER

FIVE UNIQUE WAYS TO ENJOY PENTICTON’S BEACHES 1. Rent a stand-up paddleboard

Every year more and more paddleboard rental companies open their doors.

Take a quick lesson from a local expert and then hit the water. Paddle in the calm morning waters of Skaha Lake for a peaceful experience or test your balance in the afternoon waves on Okanagan Lake.

2. Reach for the sun in a parachute behind a boat

One of the best ways to enjoy 360-degree views of the city. Parasailing is offered on Okanagan Lake every summer.

3. Stock up on fresh fruits, veggies and bread at the Penticton Farmers’ Market then have a picnic at the beach

The Penticton Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday from May to October.

Skaha Lake Park offers the perfect summer location for a picnic complete with picnic tables and numerous shady retreats.

4. Grab a kite board and surf on Skaha Lake when the wind picks up

A spectacle to behold at the very least, this sport takes on a combination of flying and surfing for some heart-pumping fun. Equipment is available for purchase in Penticton and locals can offer pointers for getting started.

5. Float the Okanagan River Channel

It isn’t Penticton in the summer unless you have floated the Okanagan River Channel. Coyote Cruises can help make the trip smooth sailing. Expect to take between one and four hours depending on time of year, wind conditions and length of your float (either 3.5 or 7 kilometres).

PHOTO BY MELISSA BARNES

Single Double Triple Rides

No Experience Necessary AGES 4 TO 84

castawayswatersports.com

250-490-2033 Free License

the beaches or the channel float. In this small city, you can do it all and probably also squeeze in a game of golf and visits to a few wineries.

• Parasail • Seadoos • Boat Rentals • Banana Boat Rides • Wakeboard Lessons

• Mini-golf • Go-Karts • Bumper Boats • Aeroball • Rock-climbing • Monkey Motion • Spider Mountain

PENTICTON LAKESIDE RESORT 21 Lakeshore Drive West, Penticton, BC

(Go thru hotel lobby, turn right, directly behind casino)

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

21

03

OUTDOOR & NATURE

Rock climbers converge on the area to scale the many walls at the Skaha Bluffs

22

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

When it comes to outdoor adventure, some might call Penticton a hidden gem. Others might call it a mecca.

Whatever you call it, this mountain-cradled, lakeaccented, sun-soaked paradise is ripe for outdoor adventure. And if you don’t find it, it will likely find you.

C

PHOTO BY DARRYL LENIUK

ITY OF PENTICTON RECREATION SUPERVISOR, Lori Mullin

says the city is absolutely perfect for adventurers.

"The vast outdoor adventure opportunities in Penticton create a four season playground which attracts outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world. We are fortunate, not only to be surrounded by outstanding natural assets, but we enjoy favorable yearround climates.”

The natural assets are many: from the desert grasslands and sagebrush that contrast with shimmering lakes in the valley bottoms, to the Ponderosa Pine forests that give way to the sub-alpine landscapes in the mountains.

There are few places with such a diversity of landscapes and wildlife thriving in such tight quarters.

“We have a lot crammed into a small area,” says Bob Handfield, a director with the South Okanagan Naturalists Society, who points to the more than 200 bird species that live in the area.

From the Yellow Breasted Chat on the valley bottom to the Ptarmigan high in the alpine of Apex Mountain – birders from around the world literally flock here to take in scads of winged species that thrive in the area.

“The birding is certainly one of the things the Okanagan is known for—the fact that the South Okanagan has such an incredible diversity of habitats in such a small area,” says Handfield. “We have water and grasslands and Ponderosa forests and really high mountain forests in such a small area. It is possible to see 100 species of birds in one day.”

Along with birds, the South Okanagan is

home to hoards of other interesting creatures—from the small (like beautiful butterflies) to the large (moose, deer and California Bighorn Sheep) to the elusive (bats, owls and rattlesnakes). Wildflowers, antelope and sagebrush, bunch grasses and tiny cactus also create fantastic natural eye candy in the outdoors. We only ask that you tread carefully while taking in these sites so they may be enjoyed for years to come.

Ask a local the best way to see Penticton & Wine Country’s natural environment and they may tell you to take a hike. Or a bike.

The ways to experience outdoor adventure here are just as varied as the landscape.

“Penticton is a mecca for outdoor adventure pursuits ranging from sensational hiking and biking trails to premier rock climbing opportunities to water sports on our warm lakes, and various winter adventures at Apex Mountain Resort,” says Mullin, who is passionate about Penticton’s outdoors.

In the summer water is king, with a range of motorized and self-propelled water sports to try. Whether you are looking to wind up with some adrenaline packed activities like wakesurfing or kiteboarding or wind down with more relaxing pursuits such as stand-up paddleboarding or kayaking, the opportunities and the fun are limited only by your imagination.

Back on shore, more adventure can be found in the mountains and hillsides that surround the city.

One of Penticton’s most gnarly experiences is the Skaha Bluffs. Here you are likely to run into intrepid climbers getting a grip on the 1,000 bolted routes that make up the spectacular north and south facing canyons.

Climbers, from beginners to advanced, can find a wall perfect for their skill level.

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

23

03

OUTDOOR & NATURE

36 Holes of Championship Golf in the Heart of Wine Country 2 BEAUTIFUL COURSES TO CHOOSE FROM For Reservations or Info call us: Toll Free 1-800-481-6665 or (250) 495-7003 www.golfosoyoos.com memberservice@golfosoyoos.com

We invite you to come play and stay

• Novice to advanced Rock Climbing courses • Specializing in Family & Group programs

Companies like Skaha Rock Adventures in Penticton offer climbing lessons for those looking to try the sport for the first time or hone their skills.

Rock climbing isn’t the only thing the Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park has to offer. It is also one of the best places to hike, according to Handfield.

Along with catching glimpses of rock climbers, you can also take in beautiful views of the valley from a variety of viewpoints throughout the park.

“There is quite an interesting diversity of plants because you go through several ecological zones,” says Handfield, cautioning that the terrain here is rocky, so good footwear for steady footing is essential.

For a more casual hike with a historic twist, try the Kettle Valley Railway Trail.

The railway was decommissioned in the 1960s and the tracks have since been pulled up to reveal a fantastic hiking, biking and walking trail that traverses some of the valley’s most beautiful countryside. Follow the trail, which goes on for hundreds of kilometres and forms part of the TransCanada Trail network, through orchards and vineyards or as it clings to hillsides and provides sweeping panoramic views.

Penticton’s central location provides for several trail access points. Travel south on the trail to Okanagan Falls, as it delineates Skaha Lake. On the west side of Okanagan Lake, take the trail north to Summerland— crossing the breathtaking Trout Creek Trestle and the only portion of the trail where the original track has been preserved. On the east side of the lake follow the trail as it criss-crosses vineyards and orchards before

winding into the mountains toward Kelowna and the historic Myra Canyon Trestles.

The trail also offers access to some other more challenging terrain, including the Three Blind Mice – a network of single track trails frequented by mountain bikers.

Rugged natural trails and built up single and double track riding can be found all around Penticton – from Carmi to Campbell Mountain and points beyond. Penticton has a large mountain biking community that will happily provide advice on the best trails around. Or simply visit a local bike shop or the Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Centre for trail maps.

Guided mountain bike trips on the Kettle Valley Railway Trail and to other local hotspots are also a great way to experience Penticton’s outdoors. Hoodoo Adventures in Penticton even offers unique combinations like cycle and kayaking or cycling and rappelling. Other local walking and hiking guides or organizations like Monashee Adventure Tours based in Kelowna, and True North Adventures in Penticton can also provide guided hiking, biking or other adventurous trips. For details on the Meadowlark Nature Festival, which takes place in May every year and features nearly 100 guided nature hikes, walks, talks and more, turn to the Events section.

If you prefer to explore on your own, Handfield offers some of his favourite locales for experiencing Penticton’s outdoors.

A trip to Vaseux Lake, just 15 minutes south of Penticton, offers a serene location to explore nature. Launch your canoe into the calm lake for a paddle around the riparian habitats that exist on its shores. Vaseux

• Group Rates available • Professional ACMG Guides

• Programs use the world renowned Skaha Bluffs of Penticton

www.skaharockclimbing.com russ.turner@skaharockclimbing.com

250-493-1765 24

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

PHOTO BY DARRYL LENIUK

• Western Canada’s largest rock climbing school since 1993

VISIT TOURISMPENTICTON.COM FOR THE LATEST TRAVEL DEALS.

Lake Provincial Park has a boardwalk and a network of trails that are perfect for exploring the rare ecosystems that exist here.

For a little tranquility, Handfield suggests a trip up to the trails around Carmi Road.

“It is a good, peaceful hike,” he says, suggesting that hikers stop and listen for the mountain birds and take in the sub-alpine vegetation.

For even more of an alpine hike, head up to Apex Mountain Resort in the spring or summer, when wildflowers are in bloom.

He says it is an excellent day trip and a great way to escape the heat of the summer sun.

Several walking trails can also be found throughout the city. Munson Mountain on the east side of Okanagan Lake is an extinct volcano and home to Penticton’s version of the Hollywood sign. While it is just a short hike to the top, the views from Munson Mountain are breathtaking.

Casual walks along the Carmi and Ellis Creek, Penticton Creek and the Okanagan River Channel offer accessibility for people of all ages and fitness levels.

No matter what direction you go, Mullin says exploring the outdoors is an excellent way to experience Penticton & Wine Country. In fact, it’s one of her favourite ways to spend a day.

“My personal favourite outdoor adventure activity is just exploring the outdoors with my family,” she says. “Whether on our bikes, or by foot, there are always new trails and paths to discover. Not only do we reap the benefits of physical activity but my children’s creativity thrives with each new adventure.”

So go out and find your adventure. We dare you.

Ranch Vacation, Horseback Adventure and Bed & Breakfast in the heart of the Okanagan. Our log home with family atmosphere welcomes you.

Breathtaking views from our sundeck with hot tub. Hourly rides, long trails and lots more activities–Wildhorse Mountain Ranch has it all with the Okanagan Lake just minutes away.

25808 Wildhorse Rd., Summerland V0H 1Z3 250-494-0506 • wmranch@xplornet.ca

www.wildhorsemountainranch.com

our

focus

is your

ride

Stay . Play . Live

products & services

» Rentals » Repairs » Sales » Bike Routes » Trail Maps

We sell FREEDOM! …two wheeled freedom.

We provide for all types of Cyclists, road, off-road, families and casual lifestylers.

533 Main St. Penticton tel. 250-493-0686 www.freedombikeshop.com

We can service, repair and upgrade all makes and models.

The brands we sell are specially chosen for their integrity and commitment to their product, their dealers and their riders.

All our bikes are professionally assembled; we provide a personalized fit, free warranty tune ups and offer tradeins and upgrades.

18 Hole Championship Course Full Service RV

Come in and find some FREEDOM for yourself!

TwinLakesGolfResort.com Tee Time: 250.497.5359

Freedom Bike Shop 533 Main Street Penticton BC V2A 5C6 250-493-0686 Email: info@freedombikeshop.com Website: www.freedombikeshop.com We Recycle

1.877.362.3382

• Kayak • Hike • Bike • Rappel • Adventure Wine Tours • Snowshoe • Corporate Events • Youth Programming • Adventure Racing and Festivals Family friendly and tailored to your needs, Hoodoo Adventures is your one stop shop for Okanagan adventure!

Tours and Skills Courses Available!

team@hoodooadventures.ca 250 490 6084 Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

25

04

SIGHTSEEING & ITINERARIES

Climbing to the best views in the valley at Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park

26

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

With so many exciting things to see and do in Penticton & Wine Country, planning your trip can become overwhelming. Penticton’s central location and packed activity calendar make it the perfect place to base your trip, whether it’s a short getaway or a much needed vacation.

D

EPENDING ON THE TYPE OF traveller you

are, we have some itinerary suggestions to make your trip planning a cinch. Or simply get out and explore – whether you spend all of your days in Penticton or take in some of the neighbouring communities. Excursions to Naramata, Summerland, Okanagan Falls,

Oliver, Osoyoos, West Kelowna and the Similkameen, less than a one hour drive away, make for perfect day trips.

The lakes provide excellent circle tours, or ask at the Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Centre for circle tour maps, including historic and natural sites, as well as other suggested stops.

Here’s a few suggested itineraries to try out: WINE & FOOD LOVERS 4-DAY GETAWAY Day 1 • Check in to your hotel, motel or B&B and make dinner reservations. Enjoy dinner at one of our farm-to-table restaurants featuring a local wine list.

PHOTO BY DARRYL LENIUK

Day 2 • Start at the Penticton Farmers’ Market & Downtown Community Market (every Saturday from May to October from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.) for breakfast.

• Head to the BC VQA Wine Information Centre – get maps, wine touring tips, and have your first swirl, sniff and sip of the day! If you are doing a scheduled tour, you may be picked up here. See the Wine & Food section for touring ideas and wine route options.

• Visit two or three wineries before stopping for lunch.

• Enjoy lunch on a patio or in a lovely winery setting along one of the wine routes.

• Visit one or more wineries in the afternoon. Just for fun, a suggested stop is a food producer or grower located along the route (Penticton’s nearest routes, including Bottleneck Drive, the Naramata Bench and Okanagan Falls Wineries all feature great foodie stops).

• Take a late afternoon siesta or head out for a walk along one of the lakes.

• Enjoy a late dinner with live music at a wine bar or other lively venue in the city.

Intrigued? See www.tourismpenticton.com/content/itineraries for the rest of the Wine & Food Lovers 4-Day Getaway.

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

27

SIGHTSEEING & ITINERARIES

PHOTO BY DANNIELLE HAYES

04

FAMILY FUN! ONE WEEK VACATION

Don’t waste another moment. Start planning your trip today.

Day 1 • Arrive in Penticton and get settled into your accommodation or campground.

• The first night is perfect for a family bonfire with s’mores or a walk on the beach with ice cream after dinner to watch the sunset.

Day 2

D DeLong Studio St

• Enjoy breakfast at your accommodations and then pack up for a day at the beach.

• Head to Skaha Beach for the day to enjoy building sandcastles, swimming and unwinding on the beach. Don’t forget a volleyball or tennis racquets.

Ha Handcrafted Sterling S Silver JJewellery e

• Enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach or try lunch at one of the concession stands nearby.

• In the afternoon, gather everyone and head back to clean up for dinner with some down time.

• Walk or drive to one of many family friendly restaurants for an early dinner.

• Take in a live performance at a downtown park.

Day 3 • Breakfast at a local diner.

Open Daily:

• Head to the S.S. Sicamous sternwheeler to uncover its exciting history.

April through December 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Cr

ee

NIXON STONE ST.

WILLIAMS AVE.

DeLong Studio

S.

N

NIXO

m d 5. 9 k

To Peachland, Westbank & Kelowna

OKANAGAN LAKE

www.delongstudio.com 4420 Williams Avenue, Trout Creek, Summerland

250.494.5155 28

e r l an

Travel Land

k

JOHNSTON ST.

ut

WHARF ST.

o Tr

to

do

w

Y 97 H I G H WA

Sunoka Beach Provincial Park

n

To

Summerland Motel

mm

THORNBER ST

Pacific Agri-foods Research Centre

To Penticton 9.7 km

Su wn

• Pack up the car for a day trip to Summerland.

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

N GPS 49˚ 33’ 59 N 119˚ 37’ 31 N Elevation 338 meters

• Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or diner and walk around the quaint downtown.

• Ride the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Train.

• Head to Summerland Sweets for fruit leathers and other locally made sweet treats.

• Fit in one winery visit for mom and dad (there are many family-friendly wineries) on the way back to Penticton.

• Relax before a late dinner followed by a family walk.

Inspired? See www.tourismpenticton.com/content/itineraries for the rest of the Family Fun! One Week Vacation.

WE’RE MOBILE! DOWNLOAD THE 2012 VACATION GUIDE APP TODAY>

GETTING OUTDOORS IN PENTICTON IS EASY. THE CITY IS SURROUNDED BY MOUNTAINS, LAKES AND OTHER NATURAL ELEMENTS THAT ARE RIPE FOR EXPLORATION. THE PERFECT ADVENTURE AWAITS. ADVENTURERS 5-DAY EXCURSION Day 1 • Arrive in Penticton and check into your accommodations or campground.

• Grab burgers, deli sandwiches or fish and chips to go, then head to the beach to watch the sun set.

Day 2 • Enjoy a hearty breakfast at a local diner and pack a lunch for the day.

• Head to the Skaha Bluffs for a day of rock climbing (Never tried it? Take a lesson from Skaha Rock Adventures).

• Return to your accommodations to relax and get ready for dinner.

• Take in an indoor or outdoor concert at a live music venue like VooDoo’s or The Dream Café.

Excited? See www.tourismpenticton.com/content/itineraries for the rest of the Adventurers 5-Day Excursion.

HOW SWEET IT IS!

PHOTO BY MELISSA BARNES

With more than 60 stores and services Cherry Lane is the retail destination of choice in the south Okanagan Similkameen.

2111 Main St. Penticton

www.cherrylane.ca

niche marketing AD third pg sq 2012PenVacGuide.indd 1

250-492-6708 11/30/2011 2:36:51 PM

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

29

05

EVENTS

From rock concerts to ice hockey, the South Okanagan Events Centre is always buzzing with exciting events 30

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

Toothbrush? Check. Sunglasses? Check. PJs? Check. Party hat? Dancing shoes? Gusto? Absolutely. If you are planning a trip to Penticton, chances are we are on the verge (or in the midst) of celebrating something.

P

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SOUTH OKANAGAN EVENTS CENTRE

ENTICTON LOVES TO PARTY AND we have more

than a few good reasons to do so.

With copious amounts of beautiful sunshine, outstanding scenery, fresh air, palate pleasing wine and food and more than a few friendly faces, getting in the mood to party is easy.

The thing is, we have been doing this for years. Penticton has a long history of throwing a great party – in fact festivals are what the city is built on.

“There are so many different festivals in Penticton,” said Penticton Museum & Archives curator Peter Ord. “It is quite amazing that a small community like ours has so many events.”

Today the centre of many of our celebrations is the new South Okanagan Events Centre and the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre. Ironically, this state-of-the-art facility was built exactly where our festivals and events took place in the city’s early days.

Exhibitions, horse races and rodeos, harvest festivals and dances were commonplace in the early part of the 20th century.

Even in those days, the city would attract travellers to participate in these exciting events. One of the most notable festivals was an aquatic festival that celebrated the abundance of water that surrounds Penticton. Starting in 2012, local historians will be commemorating this early event with a new aquatic festival to take place near the S.S. Sicamous and include 30-foot-long war canoes that are in the process of being restored.

Another historic festival that will be honouring its longevity is the Penticton Peach Festival, which in 2012 will celebrate its 65th anniversary, making it the city’s longest run-

ning festival. The 2012 festival will be a mix of contemporary and historic Peach Fest events.

Rick Riddall, who has been on the Peach Festival planning committee for more than 10 years, says one of the best things about this annual five day fair is its traditions.

“Generations have been coming to Peach Fest,” he said, pointing out that it is the largest free festival in Western Canada. “It’s just a good excuse to come to Penticton. It is really a family event.”

Nostalgia always runs high for events like the Miss Penticton pageant and the Grande Parade, which have been a mainstay at Peach Fest since its inception in 1947. While 2012 will include some extra special events, displays and shows, guests can still enjoy some of their favourite things about the festival, including fresh peaches which are traditionally handed out throughout the weekend.

Other highlights include the Kiddies Parade—Riddall’s favourite part of the event because of the high cute factor—the Aboriginal cultural events including a Pow Wow, the logging show, the high dive and, of course, the sandcastle competition.

The Peach Festival isn’t the only event that was started as a way to celebrate the harvest of our local bounty. Celebrate harvest every October at the Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, where excitement abounds.

This 30-year-old wine harvest celebration has expanded over the years and other wine festivals have now been created to celebrate everything about this venerable grape by-product. These include the Spring Wine Festival and even a new valley-wide Summer Wine Festival.

Finding ways to satiate our love of food and wine has made its way into many other events in and around Penticton & Wine

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

31

05

EVENTS

Country, from Feast of Fields in August, to Oktoberfest in October, to the annual Okanagan Fest-of-Ale in April. This beer extravaganza features two days of tasting some of the finest craft brews in the Pacific Northwest.

Penticton also loves to commemorate the past with events like the Peach City Beach Cruise and Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival, both of which take place in June.

Ord says these nostalgic events mesh perfectly with the city’s celebration of the “golden age” of the 1950s and ‘60s.

“We want authenticity again,” he said, adding that events like these go a long way to celebrating the optimism of that special time.

When it comes to inspiring optimism, there are few events that go as far as Ironman Canada. This event, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2012, is all about overcoming personal challenges, perseverance and the ultimate reward. More than 3,000 men and women spend years, months and days preparing for this one day event that will ultimately test their physical and mental strength and endurance. It is such a momentous event that Penticton has, not surprisingly, made it into a festival (we can’t help it).

For nearly five days, spandex-clad athletes and their families descend on the city to dance in the streets, run in their underwear and then finish with the final test – a 3.8 kilometre swim in Okanagan Lake, a 180 kilometre scenic bike ride through the South Okanagan and finally a 42.2 kilometre run.

It’s all in a day’s work for these triathletes who range from professionals to 80-something-year-old nuns.

Athletes abound in this fit community with other great events that are for everyone from kids to adults and amateurs to professionals. Newest among the events is the Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan, a

32

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

More than 2,500 athletes take to the water as part of the first leg of the Ironman Canada triathlon, celebrating 30 years in Penticton in 2012

cycling race that in its inaugural year in 2011 drew five-time Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx and his son Axel, along with nearly 2,000 other cyclists, for a picturesque one day ride in July. Expect this epic race to continue to grow. Getting in during its early days is all about bragging rights.

If that’s not for you, lace up your runners for the Peach City Marathon or some of the other competitive or fun events that provide unique ways to explore the Okanagan scenery while testing your mettle.

There is no better way to get up close

and personal with the valley’s natural surroundings than at the Meadowlark Nature Festival, which is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2012. The nature bash that began as a birding festival includes a range of activities that are sure to leave you with a better appreciation of the valley’s unique environment.

With an event or festival every month of the year, it’s nearly impossible to stay on top of it all. Visit www.tourismpenticton.com for event listings that can help you plan your holiday in advance.

VISIT TOURISMPENTICTON.COM FOR THE LATEST TRAVEL DEALS.

PHOTO BY RANDY KIRKOSKI

PHOTO BY JOANNE ELVES

WHEN IT COMES TO INSPIRING OPTIMISM, THERE ARE FEW EVENTS THAT GO AS FAR AS IRONMAN CANADA. THIS EVENT, WHICH IS CELEBRATING ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY IN 2012, IS ALL ABOUT OVERCOMING PERSONAL CHALLENGES, PERSEVERANCE AND THE ULTIMATE REWARD.

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

33

05

EVENTS

1. Penticton Peach Festival | August 8–12

As our oldest and one of our biggest signature festivals, this is a quintessentially Penticton experience. Activities include the Grande Parade, the crowning of Miss Penticton, live concerts and performances, a square dancing festival and the sandcastle competition.

This is the Peach Festival’s 65th anniversary so expect some extra special activities and events this year.

2. The Wine Festivals | Spring: May 4–13; Summer: July 7–15 and Fall: September 28 – October 7

There are three of these fabulous festivals to choose from in the Okanagan. With Penticton located right in the heart of wine country, this is the perfect place to base your wine festival adventure. The festivals each feature more than 100 events. Large consumer tastings and smaller winery-hosted events give visitors a range of activities to choose from.

3. Ironman Canada | August 26

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the Ironman Canada race makes this list because it is not just a one day event in Penticton but a multi-day festival. It includes a street dance, Ironkids race, a five kilometre fun run, an athletes village and an underwear run, along with the main event.

4. Meadowlark Nature Festival | May 17–21

Celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, the Meadowlark Nature Festival offers about 100 reasons to love our natural surroundings. The festival started as a way to celebrate the more than 200 bird species that inhabit the area but today features a range of environmental and nature events, from the Voyageur Canoe Tour, to the Owl Night Prowl to the Big Day Challenge. Explore on foot, by bike, by boat or even on horseback.

5. Penticton Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival | June 22–24

Get ‘all shook up’ for this three day homage to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2011. Elvis tribute artists take to the stage each day for a range of amateur and professional competitions. Headliners at the event will make you look twice and question if Elvis is really still alive and well. The Sunday morning gospel show is always one of the festival’s most popular events.

6. Peach City Beach Cruise | June 22–24

FESTIVALS & EVENTS YOU CAN’T MISS

34

Official 2012 Vacation Guide

TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

7. Okanagan Fest-of-Ale | April 13–14

Beer is a refreshing beverage that is perfect on a hot summer day, a day on the ski hill and everything in between. It’s the ability of this popular beverage to fit every occasion that the Fest-of-Ale celebrates. This 17-year-old festival features craft brews from across the Pacific Northwest for both beer aficionados and casual drinkers.

8. Pentastic Hot Jazz Festival | September 7–9

Get your dancing shoes on and get ready to cut a rug at the 2012 Pentastic Jazz Festival.

Join the best jazz party in the Pacific Northwest at various happening venues throughout Penticton. Music lovers of all ages will be excited by the variety of acoustic swing, big band and Cajun performers.

9. Oktoberfest | October 20

Penticton’s spirited German population has brought one of its most famous events to the city. Celebrating its third anniversary this year, the event includes traditional German food, music and, of course, more than a few varieties of beer. Prost!

10. Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan | July 8

One of the city’s newest events, the Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan received rave reviews in its inaugural year. Competitive and recreational cyclists come together in Penticton’s downtown core for what has been described as one of the most scenic rides around. Choose from the 55 kilometre Cortofondo, the 92 kilometre Mediofondo or the main event, a 160 kilometre Granfondo ride. Don’t go too fast, or you may miss some of the cycling celebrities that come out for this event, including five-time Tour de France winner Eddy Merckx and his professional athlete son (also a Tour de France competitor and Olympian) Axel Merckx.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE OKANAGAN WINE FESTIVALS SOCIETY

10

Three days of revved up action that is full of nostalgia. In addition to the more than 800 classic, antique and hotrod vehicles on display, this event features a wine tour, parade of cars, beverage gardens and live entertainment.

TOP 10 INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL DESTINATION FOR 2012 ACCORDING TO FACEBOOK

~ HUFFINGTON POST, JANUARY 2012

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

35

“I LOVE SUMMER TIME IN PENTICTON SO MUCH THAT I STARTED TO BRING MY FRIENDS, AND IT CONTINUES TO BE AN ANNUAL VACATION. THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN WHILE WALKING ALONG THE BEACH ONE EVENING IN 2010 EATING AN ICE CREAM CONE (ANOTHER PENTICTON TRADITION), AND I GUESS I WAS AT THE RIGHT PLACE AT THE RIGHT TIME AND I WAS ABLE TO GET THIS SHOT.” ~ DANIELLE HONIG, longtime Penticton vacationer and Uncover Penticton Photo Contest winner

36

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

Share your favourite things about Penticton

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

37

06

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

Penticton’s arts and culture scene is international with projects like InStill Life that work to connect children to food and to developing nations

Penticton is a cultural destination that honours its diversity. From beach culture to First Nations culture and from arts to sports and festivals – our culture is multifaceted. Some of our cultural attractions have small town charm that harkens back to our rural roots and others are sophisticated experiences that bring an urban flair to the community.

38

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

A

BORIGINAL PEOPLE WERE THE FIRST

settlers in the Okanagan Valley thousands of years ago. It’s no surprise these first settlers were attracted to the area for many of the same reasons that people are drawn to the valley today: the beautiful lakes and mountains, the mild weather and the ability to grow almost anything.

As European settlers, like Tom Ellis— considered Penticton’s first European pioneer—moved into the community and modern transportation came available, the area became a desirable destination in the west and grew quickly in the first half of the century, becoming a main hub in the Okanagan Valley.

By the 1950s and '60s, the community’s arts and culture scene took off. Peter Ord, curator at the Penticton Museum & Archives, says this was considered Penticton’s “golden era”. It was during that golden time that some iconic organizations began, namely the Okanagan Hockey School and Okanagan School of the Arts. Both of these institutions, which celebrate their 50th anniversaries this year, form part of the fabric of

the community as it is today.

While the hockey school continues to be at the heart of the community’s hockey culture, the Okanagan School of the Arts is a focal point in the creative community, offering a variety of classes to anyone who would like to flex their creative muscles. Through the summer months, arts programming for families, kids and adults offers an excellent complement to a Penticton vacation. The other artistic hub is the Penticton Art Gallery, located on the shores of Okanagan Lake and featuring bi-monthly exhibitions showcasing artists from across the country in their three spaces, as well as concerts at least twice a month, programs and special events (look out for the End of the World as We Know It in November and December).

“Penticton has had a long history in the arts,” says Paul Crawford, the curator at the Penticton Art Gallery, pointing to both the historic Leir House, which offers performances and artistic space, and the Shatford Centre, home of the Okanagan School of the Arts.

“It seems to be a fertile place for artists to create.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 40

STAY IN THE KNOW. SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR E-NEWSLETTER

PHOTO BY DANNIELLE HAYES

PHOTO BY DANNIELLE HAYES

WHILE PENTICTON OFFERS EXCELLENT INFRASTRUCTURE FOR CREATING, ORD POINTS TO THE LANDSCAPE ITSELF AS INSPIRATION FOR MANY ARTISTS — FROM PERFORMERS, TO PAINTERS, TO ACTORS AND SINGERS. FIVE ENRICHING EXPERIENCES TO TAKE IN 1. Studio Tour

3. Musical interlude

2. All aboard the paddlewheelers

4. Get your hands dirty

A self-guided tour that offers a range of private and public artists’ studios.

Painters, sculptors, jewellery makers and other creative arts are included in these tours. There are three Studio Tour routes to choose from – Lake-to-Lake, Summerland and Naramata.

Spend some time uncovering the S.S. Sicamous and the Casabella Princess.

Start your day exploring the S.S. Sicamous Inland Marine Museum, or head to the S.S. Sicamous night markets Tuesday and Thursday, (from 5 to 9 p.m. in the summer) featuring arts and crafts, food and a concert series and board the ship for just $2. Complement your day with an afternoon scenic cruise or evening dinner cruise aboard the Casabella Princess.

Feel like a local as you take in a performance at one of our top notch music venues. Find an internationally acclaimed blues artist or an up and coming rock band at the Dream Café or VooDoo’s or take in a chart-topping star at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

The Okanagan School of the Arts at the Shatford Centre and the Penticton Art Gallery offer a variety of ways to exercise your right brain with classes that are open to visitors. Classes range from one day to one week or longer for all ages.

5. Start Cruisin’ the Strip

Pick up your guide at the Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Centre or the Penticton Museum & Archives and then spend the day hunting down some of the city’s best cultural and historic attractions.

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

39

06

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

PHOTO BY MELISSA BARNES

While Penticton offers excellent infrastructure for creating, Ord points to the landscape itself as inspiration for many artists – from performers, to painters, to actors and singers.

“I have heard of artists really inspired by the valley’s beauty,” he says, specifically referencing the works of famed local artist Toni Onley, whose paintings feature Penticton’s winter landscapes.

Adding to the valley’s beauty is the range of performing artists who take centre stage in a variety of venues and mediums throughout Penticton & Wine Country.

Many Penticton festivals and ongoing events feature arts and cultural components.

The Penticton Farmers’ Market and Downtown Community Market, which run every Saturday from May to October, feature buskers interspersed with fruit stands for an arts and culture mix that is distinctly Penticton.

Just up the street from the markets are two of the city’s most popular music venues: the Dream Café—named the third best small music venue in Canada by CBC Radio—and VooDoo’s lounge. These two venues showcase a range of amateur and

40

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

professional musicians throughout the year in all styles of music. With internationally acclaimed artists like Penticton’s own Shane Koyczan taking the stage at these venues, it’s no surprise that show tickets often sell out quickly.

Free concerts can also be found around the city throughout the year. City parks are often home to musical acts, whether part of a festival or as a stand-alone concert. The Sunshine Cabaret, which runs during the summer, features live music every weekend to anyone who would like to take in a show.

For a more formal musical experience, take in a concert with the Okanagan Symphony Orchestra, which offers shows throughout the year.

Big name musical acts also take to the stage in Penticton at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Catch some of your favourite artists or bands, from Keith Urban to Rihanna, performing at this 5,500 seat venue through the year. And it’s is not just about music. Other top shows can also be experienced here, from Cirque du Soleil to the Harlem Globe Trotters, as well as other high calibre and amateur sport events, arts performances, festivals and more.

Explore the cultural landscape

Discovering the community’s arts, cultural and entertainment scene can be a distinctly personal experience. Ord suggests that simply wandering the city is a great way to uncover and understand Penticton’s cultural past and present.

“It’s often those serendipitous moments,” he says. “It’s those subtle instances when you walk by the art gallery and discover the Japanese gardens. Walk the back alleys downtown and you will see some incredible stuff. Go to a Many Hats Theatre production (located in the historic Cannery Trade Centre).”

Some of Ord’s favourite cultural stops include wandering the lakeshore area around Okanagan Lake. One of the most prominent features is the S.S. Sicamous sternwheeler, which operated as an extension of the railroad, bringing some of Penticton’s early residents to the area.

Today the ship has been completely restored and is permanently beached on the shores of the lake where it forms part of the CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

WE’RE MOBILE! DOWNLOAD THE 2012 VACATION GUIDE APP TODAY>

Eas m a r d a a t a n N A S r w a e o l v o u r Th e S D i s co v

y L i fe !

www.discovernaramata.com

Penticton Vacation Guide 2012 ad OUT.pdf 1 18/10/2011 5:44:44 PM

C

M

Y

” ! g n i z a “Am

Find Out More

T H E ART OF

T ERRY ISAAC

a

, Australi

erth - B.G., P

SEE The Ships

CM

MY

SEE The People

CY

G A L L E RY & F R A M I N G

CMY

K

TOUCH The History

Open 10-6 most days Cooks ca. 1900

Look for the ‘open/closed’ sign or call ahead to confirm your visit.

Crew of the S.S. Aberdeen ca. 1902

S.S. Sicamous Marine Heritage Museum Visit Us Online: www.sssicamous.com Okanagan Beach ■ Open Daily

Penticton’s “Must SEE!” Attraction

475 Upper Bench Rd N, Penticton, BC V2A 8T4

250.492.6590 www.terryisaacsart.com Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

41

CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT

We Sell Sleep

970 Lakeshore Drive, Penticton, BC

1-800-567-4904 250-493-1128 rochesterresort@shaw.ca

www.rochesterresort.penticton.com

S.S. Sicamous Inland Marine Museum. On board, learn about the people, communities and early vessels on Okanagan Lake, as well as the crew, technology and other workings of the ship. A model of the Kettle Valley Railway, which has since been decommissioned and now operates as a popular hiking and walking path in Penticton, is also on display on the S.S. Sicamous.

Along with the 98-year-old Sicamous, the marine park includes a totally restored 1914 steam tug and ice breaker known as the S.S. Naramata.

From the S.S. Sicamous, carry on to the Rose Garden and up the Okanagan River Channel to Eckhardt Avenue. Take in the pre- and post-war architecture that populate the area. A Cruisin’ the Strip Guide, available at the Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Centre or Penticton Museum & Archives, offers some great historic cultural walking routes of the city, from Munson Mountain’s ‘Penticton’ sign, to some of our most colourful locations.

PHOTO BY MELISSA BARNES

06

EXPLORE! PARTICIPATE! ATTEND! EXHIBITIONS, EVENTS, PROGRAMS

A stunning new First Nations cultural attraction with interactive and fun activities for the whole family.

Explore Okanagan culture and the unique plants and animals of the Osoyoos desert.

Penticton

Gallery

www.pentictonartgallery.com

250-493-2928 1000 Rancher Creek Road, Osoyoos, BC 250.495.7901 www.nkmipdesert.com 42

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

199 Marina Way, Penticton, BC V2A 1H3 FAX: 250-493-3992

STAY IN THE KNOW. SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR E-NEWSLETTER

art with its signature back alley mural competition employing the works of graffiti and traditional artists.

That’s right, we love the arts so much, we even decorate our back alleys. Visit www.tourismpenticton.com to see what we’re decorating next.

PHOTO BY DAINIELLE HAYES

A main feature of the Cruisin’ the Strip Guide is downtown Penticton, which is rich with arts and culture. Community art pieces are sprinkled throughout the downtown core, with large statues and murals that have formed part of the annual ReImagine Art Festival. Held in the last weekend of September, this festival celebrates alternative

All Aboard!

Take a 90 minute scenic ride on the historic Kettle Valley Railway.

Help Celebrate Engine 3716’s Centennial!

RIDE - MAY to OCTOBER Just 30 minutes north of Penticton in beautiful Summerland.

Reservations: 1-877-494-8424 www.kettlevalleyrail.org

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

43

07

REST & RELAXATION

There is nothing more relaxing than sitting poolside with your favourite beverage. Pictured here isOfficial the Ramada Inn &Guide Suites.

2012 Vacation 44 TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

Penticton & Wine Country’s mantra is ‘Time to Breathe’.

And it’s not just for show – when it comes to getting a little R&R this city is the perfect retreat. Turn off your smart phone and unplug yourself from the world, even if it’s just for a moment.

G

PHOTO BY MELISSA BARNES

ETAWAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR CAN see you

curled up with glass of local wine on a patio overlooking stunning Okanagan vistas. Whether you’re neatly tucked on a hillside, amongst the trees, finding romance in an orchard or vineyard or on a downtown city street, local accommodators can make you feel like you have truly stepped away from it all – almost any time of the year.

To up the ante on relaxation, simply step into one of our many day spas. Dotted throughout the city, and in neighbouring communities, there are all sorts of treatments to choose from. Enjoy a standard massage or relaxing facial or get a treatment Okanagan wine country-style with a vinotherapy massage (offered at Beyond Wrapture spas).

Enjoy personal friendly service in private spas or go for a more formal setting. You choose.

If moving means relaxation for you, find yourself in downward dog in more than a few awe-inspiring settings. Many yoga studios and instructors in Penticton make sure that locals and travellers alike can take advantage of the Okanagan’s sunshine from spring to late summer by taking you outdoors. Overlook the valley as you practice yoga among the grapevines, get Zen in the Japanese gardens or find that perfect pose as sand squishes between your toes on a Penticton beach.

In the cooler months, head indoors, where you can sip your favourite glass of Sauvignon Blanc or Merlot as you unwind with yoga in Perseus Winery’s tasting room.

Find time to breathe while lounging on a beach towel on one of our more remote beaches or taking part in the ultimate in relaxation: floating down the Okanagan River Channel.

Spending time outdoors is one of the best ways to relax and unwind. Stroll along the Kettle Valley Railway Trail, or go for a hike along some of our mountain trails (see Outdoor & Nature for more) and then reward yourself with a moment to take it all in as you reach the peak.

Bird watching and even rock climbing can also provide relaxing experiences – allowing you to divert your attention from your list of to-dos and focus on the task at hand.

Golf is another way to unwind (for some). In Penticton it’s just like a walk in the park with stunning scenery and ideal weather. Forget about long drives and perfect putts and just have a little fun hitting the links with friends. With one of the longest golf seasons in Canada and nearly 30 courses to choose from, it will be easy to get into the swing of things.

They wouldn’t call it retail therapy if it didn’t work. Whether you are window shopping downtown Penticton at some of the quaint boutiques or gift shops, or picking through the racks at a larger department store – there is something truly cathartic about shopping.

Downtown Penticton is a mix of clothing and craft stores interspersed with cafés and restaurants. Get a cup of coffee and wander the streets. Tuck into Teas & Weaves to find the perfect relaxation blend or get lost amongst the shelves at The Book Shop – one of the largest used book stores in Canada.

Outside the downtown core, shopping continues with Cherry Lane Shopping Centre and a myriad of shopping plazas and centres where you are sure to find exactly what you need – stress not included.

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

45

REST & RELAXATION

PHOTO BY MELISSA BARNES

PHOTO BY MELISSA BARNES

07

V A L U E . L O C A T I O N . C O M F O R T.

So Many Reasons to Stay: Minutes from beaches, shopping & attractions I Complimentary high-speed internet I Kitchenettes & executive suites available I Indoor pool & hot tub I Complimentary guest parking I Bar One Urban Lounge I Denny’s 24 hour Restaurant with room service I ½ block from the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre

sandmanhotels.com 939 Burnaby Ave W | Penticton, BC V2A 1G7 | Tel: 250 493 7151 | 1 800 SANDMAN (726 3626)

46

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

VISIT TOURISMPENTICTON.COM FOR THE LATEST TRAVEL DEALS.

So nice to come home to.

Hitting the links is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in your vacation

Call Sharon at 250.404.4304 for more information or to schedule a personal visit.

12803 Atkinson Road, Summerland, BC summerlandseniorsvillage.com

HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL

penticton

BEST WESTERN PLUS Inn at Penticton • Complimentary Continental Breakfast • Free Parking • Free high speed internet access • Complimentary in room coffee/tea • Free Local Calls

AMENITIES • Indoor Pool • Hot Tub • Outdoor Pool • Sundeck • Children’s playground • BBQ pit • Mini-Suites FROM

$1

9

RESERVATIONS www.hihostels.ca/penticton

1-866-STAY-PEN

Our beautifully landscaped courtyard has something for everyone. Patio tables and chairs encircle a lovely grassed courtyard with outdoor pool, sundeck, hammocks and playground. The indoor pool and hot tub will entice you to its tropical setting on cool days and evenings. For our corporate travelers we have a full range of business services to help ensure your business trip is pleasant as well as productive. Junior meeting rooms and turret suites are available as well.

3180 Skaha Lake Road, Penticton, BC V2A 6G4 Telephone: (250) 493-0311 | Reservations: 1-800-668-6746

Email: info@bestwesternpenticton.com Visit: www.bestwesternpenticton.com Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

47

08

WINTER ACTIVITIES

Winter in Penticton means one thing – epic Okanagan powder. What you choose to do with it is your call.

F

OR THOSE WHO LOVE TO HAVE FUN in the snow,

Apex Mountain Resort is your winter playground. This mountain, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in the 2011/2012 ski season, has a reputation for being one of the friendliest hills around.

From the staff working the chair lifts to the person selling ski passes, this mountain is all about service with a smile.

These friendly faces will invite you to get in on the fun at some of Apex’s amenities.

A true skiers and snowboarders mountain, Apex offers a vertical drop of 2,000 feet, with a good mix of novice, intermediate and advanced terrain. Take on one of their 67 trails or show off your skills in one of the two terrain parks. For something truly special, try night skiing under the star blanketed sky. It’s a magical experience you won’t soon forget.

48

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

Don’t be surprised to find high flying athletes overhead. Apex has a world cup aerial site and mogul course used as a training ground for amateur and professional skiers.

For a sure-fire way to crack a smile or two, try the lift-accessed Tube Park. There is nothing more fun than careening down the mountain in an inner tube, then catching a ride back to the top to do it again.

And again.

Recreational fun can also be found on the one kilometre Adventure Ice Skating Loop (perfect for a romantic spin) or the regulation size outdoor hockey rink, where games of pick-up hockey will make you feel like a true Canadian.

Just up the hill at Nickel Plate Nordic Centre more winter fun can be found. The centre offers snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals. Spend the day exploring pristine wilderness areas while getting a great workout on 60 kilometres of cross-country ski trails or exploring the more than 25 kilometres of marked snowshoe trails. Guided snowshoe tours, taking place during the day or by moonlight, provide a fun and festive way to explore nature in the winter while making new friends.

Apex offers some of the best après ski

anywhere. Get a massage at a spa or relax your weary muscles in a hot tub. Then meet friends for a pint at the Gunbarrel Saloon or some of the other mountaintop eateries. And you can’t leave Apex without trying, or at least witnessing, the Gunbarrel Coffee being made. It’s legendary.

Apex is just a 35 minute drive from Penticton and makes for a perfect day trip during the winter. Vacation packages and stays at Penticton accommodations often include lift tickets for the resort. When you're not shredding fresh powder, winter is also a perfect time to explore wineries in the valley. Some are open year round and others by appointment. Local tour companies can create custom wine tours, where you won’t have to fight for elbow room at the tasting bar and will receive personal attention. Also look out for special events just before Christmas when wineries open their doors to make your Christmas buying a cinch.

For a bit of culture take in a performance, concert or other cultural experience, which take centre stage during the winter. Feel like a local as you dance the night away at a live music venue or take in a play. Or simply cuddle up with a warm cocoa in a local coffee shop and watch the flakes fall.

WE’RE MOBILE! DOWNLOAD THE 2012 VACATION GUIDE APP TODAY>

Apex’s deep Okanagan powder is legendary and makes carving fresh tracks a realistic goal.

PHOTO BY JEFF PLANT

SPEND THE DAY EXPLORING PRISTINE WILDERNESS AREAS WHILE GETTING A GREAT WORKOUT ON 60 KILOMETRES OF CROSS-COUNTRY SKI TRAILS OR EXPLORING THE MORE THAN 25 KILOMETRES OF MARKED SNOWSHOE TRAILS. FIVE WAYS TO BEAT THE WINTER BLUES Some wine tour companies are now open during the winter months and offer special wine tour packages. More and more wineries along the Naramata Bench keep their doors open through the winter, while others offer some temporary winter hours or tastings by appointment.

2. Winter under the stars Take a spin on Apex Mountain’s ice skating loop (open until 11 p.m. nightly) or hit the slopes for night skiing.

Christmas even offers a special night skiing experience with the torchlight parade on Christmas Eve.

3. Get friends together for a mountain-top snowshoe tour Snowshoe through the untouched snow covered forest and then top it all off

with a bonfire. Hoodoo Adventures also offers a delicious fire-side fondue dinner.

4. Have a heart for art Penticton’s arts scene seems to explode in the winter, with Many Hats Theatre offering performances. Get a hot chocolate and tour some local galleries downtown, including the Penticton Art Gallery, celebrating the “End of the World as We Know It” this winter.

Alternatively, head to an art opening, or take in a performer at the Dream Café, VooDoo’s or the South Okanagan Events Centre.

5. Get in on some hockey action Hit the ice at Apex Mountain, where the NHL-size outdoor rink offers space for organized or impromptu games. Or take in a Penticton Vees hockey game at the South Okanagan Events Centre.

PHOTO BY JEFF PLANT

1. Take a guided winter wine tour

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

49

50

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

51

52

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

53

54

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

Like us on

@TourismPenticton

JUST HAD THE MOST FABULOUS TIME IN PENTICTON THIS PAST WEEK. GREAT WINE, FOOD AND WEATHER :) CANNOT WAIT TO GO BACK AGAIN, AND CREATE MORE MEMORIES :) ~ KENDRA FLINT, September 11, 2011 at 1:37 p.m.

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

55

@TRAVELPENTICTON I LOVE PENTICTON! ~ DBRANDO11 Aug 24, 2011, 9:49pm via Twitter for iPhone

Follow us on 56

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

@TravelPenticton

Located 1 block to Okanagan Lake and 2 blocks to the Penticton Trade & Convention Centre.

• Family suites & Jacuzzi suites • Work Zone Business Rooms • Complimentary ADSL & wireless Internet • Fitness room • Indoor & Outdoor Pool & Hot Tub

• Children’s Splash Park • Complimentary Continental Breakfast • 5000 Sq.ft. of Full Service Meeting & Convention Space • In Room Coffee Makers & Fridges

• 5 Star Chriropractic Chiropractic Queen Queen && King Kingsize size beds AwardWinning WinningProperty Property- • Chairman’s Chairman’s Award 2002, 2003, 2004,2005, 2005, 2006, 2007 2002,2003,2004, 2006, 2007 & 2008.

2008, 2009 & 2010

For Hotel Reservations Call 1-888-999-6616 152 Riverside Drive, Penticton, B.C., Canada (250) 493-6616 www.daysinnpenticton.ca DaysInn_VGuidead_2009-10.indd 1

10/13/09 10:50:52 PM

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

57

Getting here can be half the fun Penticton can be accessed by major highways from every direction. Travelling from the west, we are a four-and-a-half hour drive from Vancouver. Highway 3 and Highway 97 are the main access routes from the west. If you are travelling from Alberta, Penticton is conveniently located a comfortable and scenic eight hour drive on Highway 97.

We are also just 45 minutes from the United States border, making us just five hours from Seattle and three-and-a-half hours from Spokane.

Penticton offers air travellers the opportunity to get here via the Penticton Regional Airport, with several daily 55 minute flights to and from Vancouver, connecting from other major destinations. The Kelowna International Airport, located just an hour’s drive north, also offers a range of national and international flights that make reaching Penticton a cinch.

PHOTO BY CHRIS MASON STEARNS

PHOTO BY AJ MAKEPEACE

GETTING HERE

The City of Penticton is located in the heart of wine country in the Okanagan Valley, in the southern interior of Canada’s westernmost province, beautiful British Columbia.

Getting to Penticton is easy and scenic, no matter which way you choose to travel.

GETTING HERE BY ROAD

TAXI & SHUTTLE

Lucky for us, Penticton is centrally located along Highway 97’s Wine Route. It has convenient access to the Trans-Canada Highway and other major BC roads and highways.

GETTING HERE BY AIR

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

The Penticton Regional Airport, located at the south end of Penticton, offers several daily scenic flights from Vancouver via Air Canada Jazz. A range of other carriers fly into Kelowna International Airport, which features flights from other major destinations.

MAPS

Penticton has a public transportation system that includes wheelchair and scooter accessible city transit buses that provide access to residential neighbourhoods and major city stops. The Greyhound and the Okanagan Similkameen Transit System offer transportation to points beyond Penticton.

CAR RENTALS Whether you are looking for directions to Penticton or navigating your way around, there are several handy maps that will simplify your process. Maps are available at www.tourismpenticton.com or by dropping by the Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Centre.

58

Penticton is home to several taxi companies, who can offer a safe ride home, transport from the airport, a pick up from your hotel or even a ride home following a float down the channel. Taxis range from cars to minivans that can carry larger groups.

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

If you`ve just landed at the Penticton Airport or Greyhound depot rest easy knowing there are several car rental companies that offer a range of styles and sizes of vehicles. Travel in a sports car or convertible or pack the family into a practical minivan or sport utility vehicle.

The friendly staff will help you pick the perfect ride.

STAY IN THE KNOW. SIGN UP TO RECEIVE OUR E-NEWSLETTER

PHOTO BY TOURISM BC/DON WEIXL

11TH ANNUAL

2012 June 22, 23 & 24 Penticton, B.C.

Tickets and Information: www.pentictonelvisfestival.com

Summer isn`t truly over in Penticton until you have floated the Okanagan River Channel

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

59

PHOTO BY CHRIS MASON STEARNS

RESOURCES

Elephant Island Orchard Wines elephantislandwine.com 250.496.5522 Fairview Cellars fairviewcellars.ca 250.498.2211 Gehringer Brother’s Estate Winery gehringerwines.ca 250.498.3537 1.800.784.6304 Hester Creek Estate Winery hestercreek.com 250.498.4435 1.866.498.4435 Inniskillin Okanagan inniskillin.com 250.498.6663 1.800.498.6211 Jackson-Triggs Okanagan Estate jacksontriggswinery.com 250.498.4500

ACCOMMODATIONS Best Western Plus Inn at Penticton bestwesternpenticton.com 250.493.0311 1.800.668.6746 Days Inn & Conference Centre Penticton daysinnpenticton.ca 250.493.6616 1.888.999.6616 Hostelling International – Penticton hihostels.ca 250.492.3992 1.866.782.9736 Naramata Heritage Inn & Spa naramatainn.com 250.496.6808 1.866.617.1188

The Rochester Resort rochester-resort-motel.com 250.493.1128 1.800.576.4904 Wildhorse Mountain Ranch wildhorsemountainranch.com 250.494.0506

Ramada Inn & Suites pentictonramada.com 250.492.8926 1.800.665.4966

WINE & FOOD

Sandman Hotel Penticton sandmanhotels.ca 250.493.7151 1.800.SANDMAN (726.3626)

8th Generation Vineyard 8thgenerationvineyard.com 250.494.1783 BC VQA Wine Information Centre pentictonwineinfo.com 250.490.2006

Summerland Waterfront Resort & Spa summerlandresorthotel.com 250.494.8180 1.877.494.8111

Black Hills Estate Winery blackhillswinery.com 250.498.0666

The Coast Penticton Hotel coasthotels.com 250.492.0225 1.800.716.6199 1.800.663.1144

Bottleneck Drive bottleneckdrive.com 250.494.2686

PHOTO BY MELISSA BARNES

Penticton Vacation Home Rentals pentictonvacationhomerentals.com 250.486.3531

Penticton Lakeside Resort, Convention Centre & Casino rpbhotels.com 250.493.8221 1.800.663.9400

Burrowing Owl Estate Winery bovwine.ca 250.498.0620 1.877.498.0620 Buy the Sea buythesea.ca 250.492.3474 (FISH) Church & State Wines churchandstatewines.com 250.498.6200 Covert Farms Organics covertfarms.ca 250.498.2731 Dunham & Froese Estate Winery dunhamfroese.ca 250.498.9463

60

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

The Vinegar Works at Valentine Farm valentinefarm.com 250.494.7300

ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES The Bead Trails - Madam’s Jewels beadtrails.com 250.488.2489 Castaways Water Sports castawayswatersports.com 250.490.2033 Delong Studio delongstudio.com 250.494.5155 Discover Naramata discovernaramata.com Freedom The Bike Shop freedombikeshop.com 250-493-0686

Naramata Bench Wineries naramatabench.com

Hoodoo Adventures hoodooadventures.ca 250.490.6084

NK’MIP Cellars nkmipcellars.com 250.495.2985

Kettle Valley Steam Railway kettlevalleyrail.org 1.877.494.8424

Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country oliverosoyooswine.ca

Lake City Casinos at the Penticton Lakeside Resort lakecitycasinos.com 250.487.1280

Paradise Ranch Wines icewines.com 604.683.6040 Road 13 Vineyards road13vineyards.com 250.498.8330 1.866.498.8330 See Ya Later Ranch sylranch.com 250.497.8267 Seven Stones Winery sevenstones.ca 250.499.2144 Silkscarf Winery silkw.net 250.494.7455 Soaring Eagle Winery soaringeaglewines.com 250.490.4964 Sumac Ridge Estate Winery sumacridge.com 250.494.0451 The Dream Café thedreamcafe.ca 250.490.9012 Tinhorn Creek Vineyards tinhorn.com 250.498.3743 1.888.484.6467 Upper Bench Estate Winery upperbench.ca 250.770.1733

LocoLanding Adventure Park locolanding.com 250.770.1896 NK’MIP Desert Cultural Centre nkmipdesert.com 250.495.7901 1.888.495.8555 Osoyoos Golf & Country Club golfosoyoos.com 1.800.481.6665 Penticton Art Gallery pentictonartgallery.com 250.493.2928 Penticton Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival pentictonelvisfestival.com 250-492-4019 Penticton Trade & Convention Centre pentictonconventioncentre.com 250.490.2460 Skaha Rock Adventures skaharockclimbing.com 250.493.1765 South Okanagan Events Centre soec.ca or valleyfirsttix.com 250.490.2460 1.877.763.2849

VISIT TOURISMPENTICTON.COM FOR THE LATEST TRAVEL DEALS.

S.S. Sicamous Inland Marine Museum sssicamous.com 250.492.0403 Terry Isaac Gallery and Frame Shop terryisaacsart.com 250.492.6590

PHOTO BY DON WEIXL

SHOPPING Cherry Lane Shopping Centre cherrylane.ca 250.492.5908 Freedom the Bike Shop freedombikeshop.com 250.493.0686

Penticton & Wine Countryโ s website makes your trip planning a cinch and gives you options to save a few dollars along the way.

REAL ESTATE & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Twin Lakes Golf Course twinlakesgolfresort.com 250.497.5359 1.866.576.3672

Gallagher Lake Village Park gallagherlakevillagepark.com 1.855.289.4587

TOURS & TOUR OPERATORS Double Diamond Tours ddtours.ca 1.877.362.3382 Grape Escapes Wine Tours wine@grapeescapes.ca 1.877.362.3382 Grape Friends Lounge & Tours Inc. grapefriendsloungeandtours.com 250.328.2008 Hoodoo Adventures hoodooadventures.ca 250.490.6084 Monashee Adventure Tours monasheeadventuretours.com 1.888.76.CYCLE OK Wine Shuttle okwineshuttle.ca 250.495.3278

EVERYONE LOVES A DEAL.

Imagine Penticton Economic Development Services imaginepenticton.ca 250.493.3323 Pulse Group Media & Communications pulsegroup.ca 250.448.0088 1.877.377.0188 Royal Lepage Locations West royallepage.ca/penticton 250.493.2244 1.800.734.0457 Summerland Chamber of Economic Development and Tourism summerlandchamber.com 250.494.2686

attractions are offering some very special rates and packages. Celebrate springโ s arrival with a mini-holiday or get ready for the sun by booking your summer vacation. Looking for a quick weekend getaway this fall?

Or how about a winter escape to enjoy our fresh Okanagan powder?

Travel specials, packages and hot deals are updated regularly on our website.

PHOTO BY MELISSA BARNES

Summerland Seniors Village summerlandseniorsvillage.com 250.404.4400

A number of Pentictonโ s top hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, restaurants and

PENTICTON WEATHER JAN

FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL

HIGH 0.9ยบC 33ยบF

4.3ยบC 10.1ยบC 15.6ยบC 20.5ยบC 24.5ยบC 28.1ยบC 27.6ยบC 21.9ยบC 14.3ยบC 6.3ยบC 39ยบF 50ยบF 60ยบF 70ยบF 76ยบF 82ยบF 81ยบF 71ยบF 58ยบF 43ยบF

LOW

RAINFALL MILLIMETRES INCHES

AUG SEP

OCT NOV DEC 1.4ยบC 34ยบF

-4.3ยบC -3ยบC 24ยบF 26ยบF

-0.7ยบC 2.3ยบC 30ยบF 36ยบF

6.7ยบC 41ยบF

10.3ยบC 12.7ยบC 12.5ยบC 7.8ยบC 50ยบF 55ยบF 54ยบF 46ยบF

3ยบC 37ยบF

-0.2ยบC -3.7ยบC 31ยบF 25ยบF

26.8 1.06

22.3 0.88

37.3 1.47

38.9 1.53

19.7 0.78

27.1 1.07

22.5 0.89

26.6 1.05

27.9 1.10

30.7 1.21

24.7 0.97

28.4 1.12

ANY QUESTIONS? Our Visitor Centre is here to help.

The Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Centre is the best place to start planning or to simply enhance your trip to Penticton. Our friendly and knowledgeable certified Travel Counsellors will help you make the most of your visit by providing general information, lists of everything there is to see and do and a variety maps โ from city street maps to trail maps and more.

Drop-in, call, or email us for information on wineries, outdoor adventure, where to eat and what to see and do while you are here. The centre also sells tickets for a variety of events, as well as souvenirs, guide books and more.

START YOUR TRIP PLANNING TODAY: Penticton & Wine Country Visitor Centre 553 Railway Street Penticton, BC Canada (corner of Eckhardt Avenue West and Railway Street) Toll Free: 1-800-663-5052 visitors@penticton.ca

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

61

IMAGINE

YOUR BUSINESS IN PENTICTON

IMAGINE

An amazing climate, competitive costs, business tax incentives and an excellent quality of life;

Penticton has it all!

Contact us for details on our economic tax incentives 250.276.2160 david.arsenault@penticton.ca

pulsegroup.ca

62

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

Photos: Gord Wylie

Full Service Real Estate Company With over 60 Realtors Specialists in » Residential » Commercial » Farms » Orchards » Vineyards » Property Management » Mortgages » Relocation Serving the South Okanagan with Offices in Penticton, Okanagan Falls & Keremeos

Locations West Realty Ltd.

1-800-734-0457 www.royallepage.ca/penticton

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM

63

IN THE H HEART EART OF WINE C COUNTRY OUNTR RY Warm hospitality balanced with a welcoming feeling of casual elegance are what you will find in this 125 room resort style property.

Situated in Penticton; one of Canada’s premier holiday destinations and in the midst of Okanagan Wine Country. Penticton is famous for its two gorgeous crystal clear lakes and miles of sandy beaches.

Whether you are enjoying the beautifully appointed rooms and suites or our two-acre landscaped courtyard, you will be surrounded by many personal touches that are the hallmark of the Ramada Inn & Suites.

• Next door to great golf & close to skiing • Minutes to popular beaches & shopping • Winery or sightseeing tours available • Kettle Valley Station Pub onsite • Outdoor pool & hot tub

Toll Free: 1-800-665-4966 1050 Eckhardt Avenue West, Penticton, BC Ph: (250) 492-8926 Fax: (250) 492-2778 www.pentictonramada.com reservations@pentictonramada.com 64

Official 2012 Vacation Guide TOURISMPENTICTON.COM