Welcome to the Okanagan Area!

“A place to stay forever”, in British Columbia's South Okanagan Valley, Penticton is nestled between two beautiful lakes and is renowned the world over as one of the most pleasant areas in Canada to live. It offers all the amenities of larger urban centres yet maintains its small town charm and friendliness. It is a great place to work, live and invest in a new or existing business.

Penticton’s quality of life is enhanced by the most attractive climate in Canada, with long summers, short winters and early spring seasons. Numerous world-class wineries and golf courses, beautiful beaches, clean lakes, abundant fruit orchards and hiking and biking trails with breathtaking scenery are just some of the recreational opportunities that help Penticton’s residents to enjoy their lifestyle.

Penticton boasts community amenities such as small, friendly schools, excellent medical facilities, active senior's groups, and excellent community facilities. Penticton also has a wide variety of restaurants and many cultural and sporting programs for all ages. Low crime rates and clean air and water make this a healthy place to live.

A large assortment of affordable housing types and designs are available in Penticton in a variety of settings: amidst rolling hills, beside the lake or near shopping malls. A wide range of housing styles is offered; including many adult oriented housing developments and older stately properties.

Find out more about Penticton and its surrounding area from the links below.

HELPFUL LINKS

The City of Penticton
171 Main Street, Penticton
Tel: 250-490-2400

Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce
553 Railway Street, Penticton
Tel: 250-493-4103

Penticton Economic Development Services

Okanagan Explorer

Town of Oliver

The District of Summerland

Okanagan Falls Chamber of Commerce

Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen
101 Martin Street, Penticton
Tel: 250-492-0237 • Toll free: 1-877-610-3737

Parks, Recreation & Culture
Community Centre
325 Power Street, Penticton
Tel: 250-490-2426

OKANAGAN INFORMATION

• Accommodations
• Attractions
• Blossom and Harvest Dates
• Churches and Service
• Motor Vehicle Licensing
• Okanagan Hospitals
• Penticton Regional Airport
• Pre-School and Day Care
• Recreation and Recreational Facilities
• Schools and Colleges
• Social and Cultural Activities
• Theatre Groups
• Wineries

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ACCOMMODATIONS

Accommodation

The Ramada Courtyard Inn
The Days Inn, Penticton
The Sandman Penticton
The Best Western Inn at Penticton
The Penticton Lakeside

B&Bs

Bighorn Ridge Guest House
Deer Path Lookout, A Bed and Breakfast Inn

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ATTRACTIONS

Channel Surfing
Coyote Cruises
215 Riverside Drive, Penticton
Tel: 250-492-2115

Kettle Valley Steam Railway
Tel: 1-877-494-8424

Summerland’s Ornamental Garden

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BLOSSOM AND HARVEST DATES

From the first fragrant spring blossom to the ice wine grapes of winter, it’s harvest time in the Okanagan. There’s nothing healthier than fresh fruits and vegetables. You can get these at your local supermarket, or from the proliferation of summertime roadside stands. May is the time when the Penticton Farmers’ Market comes alive. Here are the dates for the more popular summer fruits and vegetables in the Okanagan:

Berries and Melons

Vegetables

Treefruit

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CHURCHES AND SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS

There are 30 churches and religious organizations here and 36 service clubs and lodges in Penticton. A complete listing is available in the telephone book yellow pages.

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MOTOR VEHICLE LICENSING AND INSURANCE

Service BC Government Agents Office
40 Calgary Avenue, Penticton BC  V2A 8S3
Tel: 250-487-4200

If you are new to BC and drive a vehicle you will need to obtain a BC driver’s license within 90 days after moving here. This can be done at the Service BC Government Agents Office.

For more information visit www.icbc.com/licensing/lic_renew_replace_new.asp

All motorists in BC must carry basic automobile insurance. For residents, it is provided through the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia’s (ICBC) Basic Autoplan.

For more information visit www.icbc.com/insurance

For a list of local Autoplan brokers visit www.icbc.com/insurance/insura_broker_locator.asp

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OKANAGAN HOSPITALS AND HEALTH CENTRES

Health Care in British Columbia

Medical Services Plan of BC

Tel: 1-800-663-7100

Enrolment in the Medical Services Plan (MSP) is mandatory for all BC residents. MSP covers the cost of medically required services provided by physicians and supplementary health care practitioners, laboratory services and diagnostic procedures. For more information visit www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/msp/infoben/benefits.html

You should apply for MSP coverage upon arrival in BC to allow time for your application to be processed. New residents or persons reestablishing residence in BC are eligible for coverage after completing a waiting period that normally consists of the balance of the month of arrival plus two months. Applications for MSP can be done at the Service BC Government Agents Office, 40 Calgary Avenue, Penticton. Forms are also available online at www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/msp/forms.html

Penticton Regional Hospital

The Penticton Regional Hospital is operated by Interior Health with 129 acute care beds and directly serves a population of approximately 43,500 and is a referral hospital for the South Okanagan (85,000 people). A full range of services is provided with the exception of open heart surgery, neuro-surgery and recent spinal cord injury care.

Acute Services – Emergency; Obstetrics; ICU/CCU; General Medicine; Surgery (general & orthopaedic); Gynaecology; Maternity; Paediatrics; Psychiatry; Rehabilitation; Renal Program.

Out Patient Services – Integrated Health Center – Chronic Disease Management (diabetes, cardiac, renal health); Oncology Program; Day Surgery and Ambulatory Care Services; Rheumatoid Arthritis Program; Mental Health Rehabilitation – Physiotherapy; Occupational Therapy; Speech Pathology; Nutritional Counseling; Cardiology; Genetics; Neurology.

Diagnostic Services – Diagnostic Imaging – General X-Ray; Ultrasound; CT; Cardiac Ultrasound; MRI; Laboratory and Pathology Services; Respiratory Therapy.

Hospital Medical Staff
6 Anaesthesiology
2 Paediatrics
2 Oncology
1 Dermatology
4 Radiology
1 Otorhinolaryngology
10 Internal Medicine
3 General Surgery
4 Obstetrics/Gynaecology
2 Pathology
2 Psychiatry
2 Ophthalmology
57 Family Practice
1 Urology
4 Orthopaedics
2 Neurology

Source: Penticton Regional Hospital, November 2006

Hospitals

Health Centres – Okanagan Service Area

Walk-In Clinics

Apple Plaza Walk-In Clinic
162 – 1848 Main Street, Penticton
Tel: 250-493-5228

Peach City Medical & Urgent Care
3090 Skaha Lake Road, Penticton
Tel: 250-276-5050

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PENTICTON REGIONAL AIRPORT

Penticton Regional Airport offers daily scheduled service to and from Vancouver and Calgary. The Airport is a point of entry into Canada with on-site customs service.

Airport Services include Air Canada Jazz scheduled flights to Vancouver, Pacific Coastal Airlines scheduled flights to Vancouver and Calgary, 24-hour Flight Service Station, Customs, Car Rentals, Full Ground Transportation Services, Restaurant, Aircraft Parking & Maintenance Facilities, Car Parking - $3 per day.  For more information visit www.cyyf.ca

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PRE-SCHOOL AND DAY CARE CENTRES

There are many licensed group and family daycare facilities in Penticton, ranging in size, facilities, age limits and hours. For a list of child care facilities and requirements for licensing contact the Penticton Health Centre at 250-770-3434.

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RECREATION AND RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

Aquatic and Community Centre

The Community Centre has an L shaped 25 meter (82 feet) indoor pool with a capacity of 304 people, a training pool with a capacity of 17 people, a whirlpool spa with a capacity of 11 people and two saunas, and an indoor waterside. Also housed within the Community Centre are a gymnasium, fitness room, and dance studio. The Cleland Community Theatre has a capacity of 443 and has been acoustically designed to accommodate performing arts, speech, video and music performances.

Curling

The Curling Club building was completed in October of 1985 and has six sheets of ice, a viewing lounge with seating capacity of 184 people and a banquet area upstairs with locker and change room.

Arenas

There are two indoor arenas which offer public skating, organized hockey leagues, as well as Canada’s largest and oldest summer hockey school. Penticton Memorial Arena’s ice surface is 55 meters (180 feet) long by 24.4 meters (80 feet) wide. The arena can accommodate up to 3,000 persons and is used extensively for amateur and semi-professional hockey games. McLaren Park has the same ice size as the Memorial Arena and has a seating capacity of 200.

Fitness Centres

There are several private centres and one community fitness centre in Penticton. These facilities offer a wide range of services including aerobics, racquet courts, swimming pools and other amenities.

Golf Courses

The Okanagan is one of the most popular golfing areas in Canada with over 30 different courses in the area. The long season (in many years the courses do not close during the winter), picturesque setting and dry conditions make an ideal environment for golfers. There are also four driving ranges servicing the Penticton area.

South Okanagan Golf Courses

Cherry Grove Golf & Country Club
Oliver
498-2880

Desert Springs Golf Club
4217 45th St, Osoyoos
495-3110

Fairview Mountain Golf Club
Box 821 Oliver
498-6050

Osoyoos Golf & Country Club
12300 Golf Course Drive Osoyoos
495-3355

Penticton Golf & Country Club
Penticton
492-8727

Pine Hills Golf & Country Club
264 Westminister Ave Penticton
492-5731

Pleasant Valley Par 3
1701 Penticton Ave., Penticton
492-6988

Ponderosa Golf and Country Club
4000 Ponderosa Drive, Peachland
768-7839

Riverside Golf Par 3
Penticton
492-5847

Sage Mesa Golf Club
264 Westminster Avenue West, Penticton 492-8814

St. Andrews By The Lake
Kaleden (just south of Penticton)
497-5648

Sumac Ridge G&CC
Hwy 97 N., Summerland
494-3122

Summerland Golf & Country Club
Box 348 Summerland
494-9554

Twin Lakes Golf Resort
Site 26B, Comp 8, RR1 Kaleden
497-8377

Central Okanagan Golf Courses

19 Greens
2050 Campbell Rd.
769-0213

Gallagher's Canyon Golf & Country Club
4320 Gallagher's Drive West Kelowna
861-4240

Harvest Golf Club
2725 KLO Rd Kelowna
862-3103

Kelowna Golf and Country Club
1297 Glenmore Drive
762-2531

Kelowna Springs Golf Course
480 Penno Rd.
765-4653

Lake Okanagan Resort Golf
2751 Westside Road
769-3511

McCulloch Orchard Greens Golf Club
2777 K.L.O. Road East Kelowna
763-2447

Michaelbrook Ranch Golf Club
1085 Lexington Drive Kelowna
763-7888

Mission Creek Golf Club
1959 K.L.O. Road, Kelowna
860-3210

Okanagan Golf Club Bear Course
Kelowna
765-5955

Pinnacle
Kelowna
861-4240

Ponderosa Golf Club
Box 336, Peachland
768-7839

Quail Ridge Golf
3200 Via Centrale
765-5955

Shadow Ridge Golf Club
3770 Bulman Rd.
765-7777

Shannon Lake Golf Course
2649 Shannon Lake Road Westbank
768-4577

Sunset Ranch
4001 Anderson Road
765-7700

North Okanagan Golf Courses

Aspen Grove Golf Club
Box 41015 RPO South Winfield
766-3933

Birchdale Par 3
7023 Hwy 97 N. Grindrod
838-7740

Hillview Golf
1101 - 14th Ave Vernon
549-Golf

Lakers Golf Club
Vernon
260-1050

Predator Ridge Golf Resort
10 km south of Vernon off Hwy 97
360 Commonwage Road
542-3436

Royal York Golf Course
York Ave. off Okanagan Street, Armstrong
546-9700

Spallumcheen Golf & Country Club
9401 Hwy 97 North
545-5811

Vernon Golf & Country Club
800 23rd Street Vernon
545-5811

Okanagan Ski Hills and Resorts

Apex Mountain Resort
Voted “Canada’s No. 1 Small Destination Resort” by Ski Canada Magazine, 2000, this winter retreat has an elevation of 2,181 metres (7,200 feet) and a vertical drop of 606 metres (2,000 feet). Experts schuss down 56 black-diamond runs while beginners and intermediate skiers hone their skills on varied terrain. Enjoy the terrain park and half-pipe for skiers and boarders. Other activities include cross-country and backcountry skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and ice skating & tubing. Open during the summer for mountain biking.

The Nickel Plate Nordic Centre, just 8 km past Apex, has some of the best cross country and backcountry skiing in the Okanagan valley. There are 54 km of groomed and tracked cross country trails as well as trails for snowshoeing. The Centre is open 7 days a week during the season (November to March) and offers equipment rentals and coaching/lessons. They also operate a very active program to introduce elementary-age children from across the south Okanagan to the cross country skiing experience.

Big White Ski Resort
The largest ski resort in B.C.'s interior has won 10 Ski Canada Magazine awards including best resort features for kids, best grooming and terrain variety (1998/99). Get a free tour of the mountain's dry and light powder from a Snow Host. Cross country trails function as walking and mountain biking trails in summer. Three snowboard parks with international halfpipe. Night skiing and boarding, ski and board programs, teen centre, rentals. 9 lifts including four high-speed quads. Open during the summer for mountain biking.

Crystal Mountain
Ski and snowboard easy to difficult runs at this hill 15 minutes from downtown Westbank. Three ski lifts, lessons, rental packages, snowshoes, and aprés ski.

Harper Mountain
Harper Mountain is the ideal mountain for family skiing. In this high powered region of Mega mountains, here is something a little more personal. Harper is a privately owned family operated ski hill. The ski area was built by the Daburger Family, who have operated it for the past 27 years.

Mount Baldy Family Ski Area
Voted "Best Retro" for its '70s charm and ambience by Ski Canada Magazine (1999). Skating rink, lounge, original day lodge. Chairlift and T-bar. Open Dec.-Apr., Thu.-Sun. and holidays. Located 35 kilometres north of Oliver on Highway 97, 19 kilometres west of Osoyoos on Highway 3.

Phoenix Mountain
The hill has a vertical of 800 ft and the nine runs range from beginner to some expert. A T-bar services the main hill and a rope tow the beginner slope. Facilities include a day lodge, cafeteria and lounge, ski rental and a C.S.I.A. ski school.

Silver Star Mountain Resort
Get ready for 2,500 vertical feet of pure exhilaration. Brace yourself for epic runs through Silver Star’s dry Okanagan powder and bask in their legendary sunshine. Meet the two very different mountain faces – one friendly, one formidable. Silver Star offers over 2700 acres of varied terrain. The south facing Vance Creek area features gentle slopes and impeccably groomed cruisers, and will see a new six pack express chairlift (Comet Express) ready for skiers and boarders this winter. The Putnam Creek face is renowned for its deep powder and challenging black and double black diamond terrain. Silver Star also offers world-class cross-country skiing on their 105 km network of trackset trails, used by Olympic cross-country teams. The storybook charm of the Victorian inspired village comes straight from the pages of a Dickens’ novel with accommodations providing the comfort of ski-in/ski-out. Family activities and après-ski choices are endless, and their unique kids’ programs and daycare are first-rate. Late June to late September, ride, bike, walk or skate the mountain paths. Guided horseback rides, wildflower or all terrain vehicle tours, mountain bike rentals, accommodation packages. Lift tickets: day $56 +GST, youth (13-18) $48, child (6-12) $24.50, senior (65+) $48. Multi-day packages available.

Sun Peaks Resort
Directed by Olympian Nancy Greene, the newest ski resort in the region is open year-round. Its compact village won Snow Country Magazine's Best Mountain Village Design award in 1998. Snowboard park, dog sledding, snowmobiling, skating, 40 kilometres of cross-country trails, 6 chairlifts. Summer activites: Shuswap First Nations Medicine Trail, hang gliding, chairlift rides, tennis, nature tours. Play 9-hole golf at 4,000 feet, late May-early Oct. daily, $19+GST, junior $10. Fifty kilometres north of Kamloops off the Yellowhead Highway. Ski lift day tickets, $45+GST, youth $40, child $26, senior $31, under six free. Open during the summer for hiking and mountain biking.

Parks & Beaches

The City boasts 22 parks which vary in size and facilities offered. Some of the facilities at the various parks include tennis, softball, playgrounds, football, picnic/BBQ area, BMX track, gardens, washrooms and change rooms, horseshoe pitch, skateboarding to simple open space.

The clear waters of Okanagan and Skaha Lake boasts over 3.5 km (2 miles) of sandy public beaches. On Okanagan Lake there are two municipal beaches which include 1.4 km (4,600 feet) of waterfront with fire pits, rafts, slides, water ski area, boat launching ramp, walking pier, the S.S. Sicamous historic sternwheeler, windsurfing, para-sailing, boat rentals, concessions and beachfront restaurants. Skaha Beach has 1.5 km (5,260 feet) of sandy waterfront with fire pits, rafts, slides, water ski area, concessions, bathhouses, windsurfing, boat rentals and a boat launching ramp.

Connecting Okanagan and Skaha Lakes is the Penticton River Channel. The Channel is used extensively for water recreation by both locals and visitors who have discovered floating down the channel to be a popular summertime activity. Adjacent to the channel is a 5 km paved bike and jogging/walking trail. There is also a 30 km bike and walking trail through the central part of the City along with walking and biking trails along Penticton Creek.

BC provincial parks of the Okanagan

BEAR CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK
The park is located 9 km west of Kelowna and provides the visitor with lakeside camping, beaches, a boat launch, angling oppurtunities and hiking trails. A canyon, carved by Bear Creek, winds its way through the park and its forest cover of ponderosa pine and cottonwood trees.

CATHEDRAL PROVINCIAL PARK
This beautiful 33,000 hectare park is located 30 km southwest of Keremeos. Alpine meadows and jagged peaks fill the parks vast area. The main attraction to the park is the spectacular Cathedral Lakes. There are two campgrounds located in Cathedral Park.

ELLISON PROVINCIAL PARK
Located 16 km (10 mi) south of Vernon on Okanagan Lake, Ellison Provincial Park provides the visitor with camping facilities, walking trails leading to scenic vantage points and an underwater diving park. Historical remains of Indian villages and homesteads are found in the nearby area.

HAYNES POINT PROVINCIAL PARK
The park encompasses 15 hectares, primarily made up of a narrow sandspit on Osoyoos Lake. This is Canada's only true desert area. The park is located 1 km off of Highway 97 near Osoyoos which is 2.5 km away from the park entrance. There are 41 campsites within the park, most of which are located on the beach.

INKANEEP PROVINCIAL CAMPGROUND
Located on Osoyoos Lake north of Osoyoos community on Highway 97, the campground provides the visitor with hook-ups, a sani-station, store, showers, play area and large beach. The surrounding area offers the visitor the chance to explore the unique desert landscape. Campground open June to September.

KALAMALKA LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK
This 890 hectare park conserves a rather significant and unique area of the Okanagan. The area is made up of rolling slopes and forested ridges of Douglas fir, ponderosa pine, black cottonwood and lodgepole pine making it a nature lovers paradise. The park is located on College Way off of Highway #97, 10 km south of Vernon. Day-use facilities - Juniper Bay is the perfect place for a day at the beach. Boat launch facilities are located on the west side of Kalamalka Lake at Kekuli Bay Provincial Park. There are over 10 km of trails which provide access to the parks interesting features, viewpoints and beaches.

KETTLE RIVER RECREATION AREA
Located on Highway 33 east of Osoyoos, the Kettle River Recreation Area provides the visitor with camping facilities, excellent swimming and fishing and hiking trails leading to abandoned pieces of the Kettle Valley section of the CPR. Forest cover consists of maninly ponderosa pine and bunchgrass.

MABEL LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK
The 182 hectare Mabel Lake Provincial Park is the ideal setting to relax, enjoy the beaches and the surrounding forests. The park is 60 km east of Vernon on Highway 6. Turn off at Lumby and follow the paved road 35 km to the park entrance. There are 81 campsites within the park. - A self-guiding nature trail leads through the park. Boat rentals are available at the marina.

OKANAGAN LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK
The park is located 11 km (7 mi) north of Summerland and provides the visitor with camping facilities, a boat launch and hiking trails. The once dry hillside is now home to a large variety of imported tree species. Angling and swimming in the lakes clear waters are just some of the parks attractions.

OKANAGAN FALLS PROVINCIAL PARK
Located on Highway 97 near its namesake community, Okanagan Falls Provincial Park is nestled into a forest cover of deciduous trees beside the river. Camping, fishing and trails leading to wildlife viewing stations and vantage points are just some of the parks attractions.

VASEUX LAKE PROVINCIAL PARK
Located 4 km (2.5 mi) south of Okanagan Falls community, this park provides the visitor with camping facilities, hiking trails and excellent swimming and fishing. A wildlife viewing station is located in the park and it is not uncommon to encounter California bighorn sheep in the winter and spring.

Click here for more information on BC Provincial Parks and Recreation

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SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES

Okanagan Skaha School District 67

Secondary Schools

Penticton Secondary
158 Eckhardt Ave E
Penticton BC V2A 1Z3
Tel: 250-770-7750
Fax: 250-770-7766
Web: Pen-High Lakers

Princess Margaret Secondary
120 Green Ave W
Penticton BC V2A 3T1
Tel: 250-7620
Fax: 250-492-7649
Web: Maggie Mustangs

Summerland Secondary
PO Drawer 2501
9518 Main Street
Summerland BC V0H 1Z0
Tel: 250-494-6581
Fax: 250-494-4390
Web: Summerland Rockets

Middle Schools

KVR Middle
300 Jermyn Avenue
Penticton BC V2A 2E1
Tel: 250-770-7800
Fax: 770-7610
Web: KVR Express

McNicoll Park Middle
1213 Debeck Street
Penticton BC V2A 3Z1
Tel: 250-770-7683
Fax: 250-492-5981
McNicoll Park Dragons

Skaha Lake Middle
110 Green Ave W
Penticton BC V2A 3T1
Tel: 250-770-8784
Fax: 250-492-6108

Summerland Middle
PO Drawer 3000
13611 Kelly Avenue
Summerland BC V0H 1Z0
Tel: 250-494-6511
Fax: 250-494-4314
Web: Summerland Wave

Elementary Schools

Carmi Elementary
400 Carmi Avenue
Penticton BC V2A 3G5
Tel: 250-770-7697
Fax: 250-492-0449
Web: Carmi Website

Columbia Elementary
1437 Allison Street
Penticton BC V2A 3X5
Tel: 250-770-7676
Fax: 250-492-6274
Web: Columbia Website

Giant’s Head Elementary
PO Drawer 3000
10503 Prairie Valley Rd
Summerland BC V0H 1Z0
Tel: 250-770-7671
Fax: 250-770-7672
Web: Giant’s Head Website

Kaleden Elementary
Box 350
152 Linden Avenue
Kaleden BC V0H 1K0
Tel: 250-497-5453
Fax: 250-497-6554
Web: Kaleden Website

Naramata Elementary
3660 8th Street
Naramata BC V0H 1N0
Tel: 250-496-5225
Fax: 250-496-5172
Web: Naramata Website

Parkway Elementary
225 Kinney Avenue
Penticton BC V2A 3P2
Tel: 250-770-7686
Fax: 250-492-7226

Queen’s Park Elementary
330 Power Street
Penticton BC V2A 5X2
Tel: 250-770-7680
Fax: 250-492-7901
Web: QP Website

Trout Creek Elementary
PO Drawer 3000
5811 Nixon Road
Summerland BC V0H 1Z0
Tel: 250-494-7876
Fax: 250-494-8825
Web: Trout Creek Website

Uplands Elementary
145 Middle Bench Road South
Penticton BC V2A 8S7
Tel: 250-770-7678
Fax: 250-492-7093
Web: Uplands Elementary

West Bench Elementary
1604 West Bench Drive
Penticton BC V2A 8Z3
Tel: 250-492-6049
Fax: 250-493-4161
Web: West Bench Website

Wiltse Elementary
640 Wiltse Blvd
Penticton BC V2A 8J2
Tel: 250-770-7694
Fax: 250-490-0842
Web: Wiltse Website

Home Learner’s Program
225 Kinney Avenue
Penticton BC V2A 8J2
Tel: 250-770-7718
Fax: 250-770-7730
Web: HLP Website

Okanagan Similkameen School District 53

Elementary

Cawston Primary

Hedley Elementary

Oliver Elementary

Okanagan Falls Elementary

Osoyoos Elementary

Similkameen Elementary

Tuc-el-Nuit

Secondary

Osoyoos Secondary

Similkameen Secondary

Distributed Learning Outreach

Okanagan Similkameen Learning Centre

Penticton and Area Independent Schools

Concordia Lutheran School

The Glenfir School

Holy Cross School

Penticton Christian School

Penticton Adventist Christian

Summerland Montessori

Colleges

Okanagan College has a forty year history in the valley and has recently undergone a transformation from a 4-year university-college to a 2-year college with the authority to grant four year applied degrees. The College is currently serving approximately 4,700 students on all its campuses. The Penticton Campus facilities include classrooms, laboratories for computing and natural sciences, multi-disciplinary research space, natural habitat garden, a library connected to the most comprehensive of resources, a large lecture theatre, video-conferencing facilities, and community rooms with lounge, First Nations centre and attractive cafeteria with indoor courtyard.

For more information about the range of programs and courses offered at Okanagan College and the Penticton Campus, visit the links below or call 250-492-4305.

Okanagan College

South Okanagan Similkameen Region

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Social and Cultural Activities

The Art Gallery of the South Okanagan
Web: www.galleries.bc.ca/agso

Leir House Cultural Centre
For more info call 250-492-4061

The Okanagan School of Arts
Web: www.osarts.com

Music and The Okanagan Symphony
For more info call 250-493-7977

Library and Museums
For more info call 250-492-0024

Penticton Museum
For more info call 250-490-2451

Okanagan Inland Marine Heritage Park
For more info call 250-492-0403 or visit the S.S. Sicamous Restoration Society Web: www.sssicamous.com

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THEATRE GROUPS

Visitor Info Centre
Tel: 250-493-4055

Penticton and District Community Arts Council
Tel: 250-492-7997

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WINERIES

Penticton has a new 1.5 million dollar Wine Country Visitor Centre located on Hwy 97 and offers VQA wines from 50 BC wineries. The VQA seal reflects the dedication of our winemakers to create a world class product. Each wine bearing the seal has been carefully selected, tasted and approved by the British Columbia Wine Institute wine grading panel. This Centre also houses the Visitor Info Centre, Tourism Development, Economic Development and the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce.

The wine industry is strong and is home to several key industry leaders. The area is known for a bountiful agricultural industry and the rapid expansion in grape production has added diversity to this sector.

There are a number of medals domestically and at the international wine competitions. This reflects the increase in quality and signals that wine producers are keeping pace with international expectations for quality wines. There are now 10 wineries in the City and 7 wineries on the Naramata bench.

In 2006, there was approximately 6,000 acres planted to grapes in the Okanagan-Similkameen Valleys, an increase of 18% from 2004. The average winery-owned vineyard is 24.5 acres while the average independent grower vineyard is 7.2 acres.

Oliver is home to 10% of Canada’s wineries and 20% to 25% of the fine grape growing acreages. In both cases, this is more than any other local jurisdiction in the country. In addition to that, we have internationally trained winemakers and more than our share of national awards for fine wine. The wine industry in Oliver is growing at an incredible rate.

You can visit many of these wineries on a single stretch of the road called “the Golden Mile”. This strip of land is considered to be the best place in which to grow grapes in the whole Okanagan Valley. Some people believe that our valley is the best place to grow wine grapes in the world.

South Okanagan Wineries

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Ltd.
RR1, S3, C4, Okanagan Falls
862-5758

Carriage House Wines
32764 Black Sage Road, RR1, Site 46, Comp. 19, Oliver
498-8818

Crowsnest Vineyards
Surprise Road, RR1, Site 18, Comp. 18, Cawston
499-5129

Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery
Road 8, R.R.I, Site 23, Comp. 4,
498-3537

Gersighel Wineberg
29690 Highway 97, RR1, Site 40, Comp 20, Oliver
498-3319

Golden Mile Cellars
13140 316A Ave., Road 13, RR1, Site 28A, Comp. 4, Oliver
498-8330

Hawthorne Mountain Vineyards
Green Lake Road, Box 480, Okanagan Falls
497-8267

Hester Creek Estate Winery
13163 326th Street, Box 1605, Oliver
498-4435

Inniskillin Okanagan Vineyards
Road II, West, RR1, Site 24, Comp 5, Oliver
498-6663 or 1-800-498-6211

Jackson Triggs Vintners
Highway 97, PO Box 1650, Oliver,
498-4981

Stag's Hollow Winery & Vineyard
Sun Valley Way, RR1, Site 3, Comp. 36, Okanagan Falls
497-6162

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
PO Box 2010 Oliver
498-3743 or 1-888-4-Tinhorn

Wild Goose Vineyards
Sun Valley Way, RR1, Site 3, Comp. II, Lot II, Okanagan Falls
497-8919

Central Okanagan Wineries

Calona Vineyards
1125 Richter Street, Kelowna BC,
V1Y 2K6
762-3332 or 1-800-663-5086

Cedarcreek Estate Winery
5445 Lakeshore Rd
764-8866 or 1-800-730-9463

Hainle Vineyards Estate Winery
5355 Trepanier Bench Rd. Box 650, Peachland
767-2525 or 1-800-767-3109

Hillside Estate
1350 Naramata Rd Penticton
493-4424

House of Rose
2270 Garner Road, Kelowna
765-0802

Kettle Valley Winery
2988 Hayman Road, RR1 Site 2, Comp. 39, Naramata
496-5898

Lake Breeze Vineyards
930 Sammet Road, Box 9, Naramata
496-5659

Lang Vineyard LTD.
2493 Gammon Road, RR1, Site 2, Comp 55, Naramata
496-5987

Little Straw Vineyards
2815 Ourtoland Road, Kelowna
769-0404

Mission Hill Winery
1730 Mission Hill Road, Westbank
768-7611

Nichol Vineyard
1285 Smethurst Road RR1, Site 14, Comp 13, Naramata
496-5962

Pinot Reach Cellars
1670 Dehart Road, Kelowna
764-0078

Poplar Grove Winery
1060 Poplar Grove Road Penticton
492-4575

Quails' Gate Estate Winery
3303 Boucherie Road, Kelowna
769-4451

Red Rooster Winery
891 Naramata Road, Penticton BC
492-2424

Scherzinger Vineyard
7311 Fiske Street, RR2, Site 68, Comp 13, Summerland
494-8815

St. Hubertus Estate Winery
5225 Lakeshore Road., Kelowna
764-7888 or 1-800-989-9463

Sumac Ridge Estate Winery
Highway 97, P.O. Box 307, Summerland
494-0451

Summerhill Estate Winery
Unit 1, Chute Lake Road, Kelowna
764-8000 or 1-800-667-3538

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