Make Kelowna Home
The name Kelowna is derived from an Okanagan word that means a male grizzly bear. This is a stunning city found in Okanagan Valley and on Okanagan Lake. It sits on the southern interior side of Canada’s British Columbia and serves as the regional head office of the Central Okanagan District.
Living in Kelowna BC
Kelowna’s key highlights include its world-class vineyards and a wide range of wineries. It’s the perfect spot for wine lovers who are keen on sampling and tasting different types of wines.
It’s also a favorite vacation spot that’s popular with tourists thanks to its attractive beaches, diverse food scene, and all-year-round activities. For years, Kelowna has carried the trophy of the ideal family vacation destination.
Parks
Kelowna and West Kelowna are beautiful places to live. Residents as well visitors have the best opportunity to bond with nature thanks to the numerous parks found here. They include:
The most popular parks in Kelowna include:
- Myra Canyon Park: it’s an adventure park that’s ideal for outdoor activities such as zip-lining and team-building games. The park also features climbing routes and tree-top courses.
- Waterfront Park: it’s found in the city Centre, next to the Grand Hotel.
- Knox Mountain Park: the biggest natural park in this city and its located immediately in the north downtown area.
Parks found in West Kelowna include:
- Anders Park- located centrally in Lakeview Heights Area
- Beachnut Park- ideal for picnics and relaxing
- Aspen Park – an undeveloped land space. Dogs on leash are also allowed.
Summer Activities
Summer is the perfect time for adventures in this city. It’s the perfect season to enjoy quality time outdoors while engaging in activities such as:
- Wine touring: June is one of the best times to sample and taste out wine in the local breweries. Note that there are always new releases to engage your taste buds.
- Cycling: the clear and well-paved boardwalks to natural parks provide ample space for you to enjoy cycling. There is also an extensive network of bike riders in Kelowna so you won’t miss a good company.
- Engage in water activities: apart from chasing waterfalls, this is the perfect season to engage in water activities. From boats to kayaks to swimming, enjoy the thrill of getting in contact with water in different settings.
- Take a scenic walk to Myra Canyon Trestles: this is one of the most fun things to do in summer while in British Columbia. It has decades of history as well as scenic views. It’s popularly used by locals and visitors who want to take nature walks or ride bikes.
Winter Activites and entertainment
Even as the snow falls in the Okanagan valley, this southern city found in the interior side of British Columbia still has multiple entertainment options to offer. Whether you are an indoor or outdoor type of entertainment.
- Outdoor ice skating in city park
- Snowshoeing or cross country skiing at Telemark in West Kelowna
- Downhill powder skiing at Big White
- The galleries, theaters, and studios are ideal for entertainment activities such as cultural events, festivals, and shows. They include:
- Ballet Kelowna
- Art galleries in Raymer Avenue, 1310 Water Street, the Lloyd Gallery, and Hambleton Galleries.
- Museums such as Okanagan Military museum, Okanagan Heritage Museum, and Okanagan Wine & Museum.
Popular Restaurants
Eating and dining in Kelowna is a fun experience thanks to the broad range of restaurants. These are places where you can experience enjoy casual and fine dining experiences.
- Raudz: it’s a trailblazer restaurant in Kelowna. Raudz, normally pronounced as “Rod’s“, features a comprehensive menu of delicious dishes such as chips, baked fries, and baked fish among others. Everything is made with organic and local ingredients. Besides that, the menu extends to drinks such as wines and cocktails.
- Waterfront Wines Restaurant and Bar: it’s popular in this city for its award-winning menu that features a premium list of cocktails and wines.
- Bouchons Bistro: located right in the cultural district of Kelowna, Bouchons Bistro servers an excellent Parisian cuisine that’s mainly inspired by nature. Its signature dish includes the fresh seafood bouillabaisse that’s served in a spicy and engaging saffron broth.
- Boxcar Kitchen: West Coast Grill and Oyster Bar: Its ambiance is greatly influenced by Vancouver Island. The restaurant mainly servers modern cuisine with locally sourced ingredients that are used to prepare fresh seafood and fish.
Wineries
The business of producing wine in this city is vibrant. Kelowna has some of the best wineries in Canada that feature outstanding architecture and cellar doors. It’s worth noting that these wineries have also featured among the best Okanagan wineries. So, it’s definitely the ultimate city for wine lovers.
The most popular wineries in Kelowna include:
- Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery- it’s found in West Kelowna and named after the already extinct Mt. Boucherie. Its location on the Westside trail as well as a wide range of wine varieties have made it popular with the locals as well as visitors.
- Summerhill Pyramid Winery: the Okanagan winery is renowned for its biodynamic vineyard in addition to the delicious organic wines. The Canadian ice, roses, whites, and reds are some of the wines that are available here for purchasing or tasting.
- Quail’s Gate: it’s renowned for wine tasting featuring indoor and outdoor tasting rooms with scenic views of the vineyard and the lake. It’s one of the best wineries in this area for lunch.
Winter Activities
While this south Canadian city has year-round activities, winters are exceptionally unique. The magic of the snow-white winter landscape significantly enhances the natural beauty of this city. Besides that, it provides multiple options to explore and enjoy it.
Some of the popular winter activities that you can engage in while here include:
- Snowshoeing i.e. trekking by using your snowshoes as you navigate through different logging roads and forests.
- Ice skating: this city has numerous ice parks including Stuart Park that’s usually open to the public.
- Cross country skiing at telemark in West Kelowna
- Downhill skiing at Crystal Mountain or Big White.
- Ballet activities: not everything in this city is normally done outside during winter. You can still enjoy this season by enjoying the beautiful and graceful movements of the ballet dancers.
Neighbourhoods
Kelowna’s location on the Okanagan Lake and in the Okanagan Valley means that it has a lot to offer all year round. As a result, most people are drawn to live in this location. If you are keen to reside here, the best neighborhoods are found in places such as:
Lower Mission: it offers the ultimate Kelowna lifestyle. This neighborhood offers the best shopping experience in addition to a wide range of dining options.
Upper Mission: its picturesque background offers stunning views. Upper Mission is a spectacular environment that features valleys, a lake, and city views.
Kelowna North: it’s a vibrant area that’s close to the city’s amenities. It’s a perfect spot for those who love to bond with nature as well thanks to the established farms and orchards.
Lakeview Heights: this gem is located on the western side of this city. Its scenic views and classic wineries have made it popular with those searching for serene and spacious neighborhoods.
Glenmore: it’s a serene and luxurious location that features premium single-family homes, townhomes, and condos. Glenmore is friendly thanks to its welcoming community.
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