With a population of just under 200,000 people, Kelowna is the third-largest metropolitan area in British Columbia. Her name derives from an Okanagan language term for “grizzly bear”.
Famous for hot, dry and sunny summers and mild-for-Canada winters, it is among the top places to visit in British Columbia for both Canadians and international visitors.
Popular for RV vacations, Kelowna is home to an abundance of family-friendly activities in both summer and winter. Big White and Silver Star Ski resorts are easily accessible from Kelowna for winter fun, while in summer they offer some of the best biking and hiking trails around.
The big draw in Kelowna is the lake itself - Lake Okanagan to be precise. Beautiful beaches, swimming, flyboarding, stand-up paddleboarding and boats of every kind - just some of the things to do in Kelowna that bring tourists to this stunning outdoor playground every summer.
Kelowna's climate and surrounding hillsides are ideal terrain for cultivating grapes, spawning a continuously growing industry in wine making. Wines from the region are acclaimed world-wide, taking home many awards. If you're a wine aficionado, a tour of some of the Kelowna wineries should definitely be on your bucket list.