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Penticton
Penticton is located 60 km (37 miles) north of Osoyoos
and 68 km (42 miles) south of Kelowna
on Hwy 97. Penticton is situated in the lower half of the Okanagan
Valley between Skaha and Okanagan Lakes.
Exciting
Lifestyle
With a semi-arid climate providing more than 2,000 hours of sunshine,
two lakes bordering city limits and a landscape surrounded by mountains,
Penticton can offer you an exciting lifestyle throughout all four
seasons.
'A
Place to Stay Forever'
Translated from the native Salish First Nations, the name 'Penticton'
means 'a place to stay forever.' Once you drive in on Hwy 3 in either
direction this name becomes very apparent. Lush orchards, panoramic
vistas, crystal clear lakes and incredible-looking bluffs overlooking
Skaha or Okanagan Lakes will have you in complete awe.
Fantastic
Beaches at Skaha and Okanagan Lakes
For boating and water fun check out the beaches at both Skaha and
Okanagan Lakes. Both lakes have incredible beaches for sun tanning
or swimming. The water is very clean and warms up nicely during
the summer months. For those who require some shade try Skaha Lake
where there is a city park complete with trees, grass and a large
picnic area.
Fantastic
Recreational Activities
Penticton has a reputation for offering a great range of recreational
activities all year round. Whatever you desire to do or see, Penticton
can fill your activity needs.
Golfing
at Penticton
There are a number of golf courses for all level of play with a
season that starts in early April and can extend into late October.
There is a large choice of both executive-style courses to the full
18 holes for those who want to be challenged. For those who don't
mind a short 20-minute drive in either direction on Hwy 97 there
are courses at both Kaleden and Summerland.
Recreational
Trails
There is biking along the Trans Canada Trail that takes you to Kaleden,
Naramata or Summerland
following abandoned Kettle Valley Railway right-of-way. For hiking
there are trails at Ellis Ridge and the Ridgedale Trail along Penticton
Creek.
- Trail
Inventory of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
- Action
Quest DQ Classic - A weekend of biking action including cross-country
in Summerland and downhill race on Campbell Mountain
Apex
Mountain Resort
If you ski or snowboard there is a great mountain resort close by
called Apex Mountain Resort and, within a short drive south, there
is Mt Baldy near Oliver or, if you go north,
Big White in Kelowna.
Skaha
Bluffs a Natural Marvel
Just south of Penticton on the east side of Skaha Lake is Skaha
Bluffs one of British Columbia's premiere rock climbing areas. Even
if you don't climb have a look at the wonder of this landscape.
There are some incredible geological formations that form the Skaha
Bluffs with a loop trail throughout the rock areas. Make sure you
visit the City of Penticton for directions and parking restrictions.
Vineyards
and Wineries
For wine lovers Penticton makes a good base for touring quite a
few wineries in all directions. On the north-east side towards Naramata
are the wineries: Hillside Estate, Lang Vineyards and Red Rooster
Winery. Going south there are five wineries in the Okanagan
Falls in an area nicknamed Corkscrew Drive. Just a short ride
north on Hwy 97 at Summerland there
is Sumac Ridge and Scherzinger Vineyards.
Sampling
Tours
Most of the wineries offer sampling as well as tours of their sites.
If you can, a good time to visit is in the early part of October
when the grapes have ripened to the fullest extent.
Entertainment
and Action
Besides the wineries, fantastic beaches and great golf, Penticton
has so much more to offer you. There are numerous 'Show and Shines'
featuring incredible hot rods and specialty cars throughout the
summer. If you enjoy gaming, there a Lake City Casino located at
the Penticton Lakeside Resort. For museums and history fans there
is the S.S. Sicamous and R. N. Atkinson Museum and Archives.
Festivals
Peachfest, which first started in 1947, is a five-day celebration
that marks the start of the local Penticton peach harvest. If you
enjoy parades Peachfest usually has the largest display of floats
in British Columbia. Other festivals include: Pentastic Jazz Festival,
Penticton Elvis Festival, Okanagan Fest-of-Ale and Penticton Kiwanis
Music Festival.
Family
Entertainment
Plus
if you have kids let them take a Go Cart out at Okanagan Amusements
located near Skaha Lake.
Ironman
Canada
Penticton is also home to one of Canada's premiere athletic competitions
called Ironman Canada Triathlon. This event happens every year during
the month of August.
The
Course
If you get a chance, scope out the course and marvel at the challenge.
Swim 3.86 km (2.4 miles) in Okanagan Lake, bike a total of 180.2
km (112 miles) down to Osoyoos, up Richter
Pass then back to Penticton then, to top it off, run for a full
42.2 km (26.2 miles) down to Okanagan
Falls and back along the east side of Skaha Lake.
Penticton
Links
Accommodation
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