Kelowna

Summer Fun For All Ages: Part I

There is so much to see and do in Kelowna, that I am going break it up into two parts for you. This week I take a look at things to do in the and around the water, and a popular children's attraction.

Weather
Imagine the perfect weather for your summer vacation. Clear skies, a gentle breeze blowing off a large body of water, taking the edge off the blazing sun as you try to perfect your tan, or relax under beautiful large shade trees.

Just for balance, there is the occasional summer shower, which lasts for as long as 15 minutes, enough to cool down the air without making anything too wet.

Historically, this is the weather from mid June through mid September in Kelowna, but as with any area, you are best to check the local forecast as you pack for your vacation.

Things to Do Around The Lake
Kelowna is situated at about the mid point of Okanagan Lake, which is 70 kilometers long and up to 2 kilometers wide, so it is natural that there are a lot of things to do associated with the lake. In that the temperature easily gets up into the mid 30's (high 90's for my American friends) is another good reason that both locals and tourists like to get wet.

There are no less than six public beaches in Kelowna, one of which (Hot Sands) is in the downtown core, and forms the centre stage for many events. Besides the sandy shore line, five beach areas have grassy areas for picnics and playgrounds for children. Bertram Beach, located in the Okanagan Mission, also has Bar-B-Q pits to make your beach experience complete.

Although renowned as a "Meet Market", Gyro Beach which is located only a few blocks from one campus of the University, has a great play area for children with a rope swing which allows children and adults alike to be dripped into the lake. With the exception of Hot Sands Beach located in City Park, parking free, so you might want to prepare yourself for a bit of a walk if you arrive at the beach after 10am.

If you are near the water anyway, be sure to watch out for Ogopogo. He/she is the legendary creature who lives in Okanagan Lake and is seen every year by both tourists and locals. There are some who will tell you hat the number of sightings have a positive relation to the amount of alcohol consumed by the witnesses, but a local folk hero, Arlene Gaal has written excellent books on the reality of the existence of Ogopogo. When you get to Kelowna, you decide. There is a $2,000,000 dollar reward for proof of its' existence.

Other Water Sports
Besides the swimming, sailing, sail boarding, skiing, para-sailing and boating, there are two water slides in the immediate area, and a Children's Water Park in City Park. The Water Park is free while the waterslides charge a daily rate which is quite reasonable if you get to the slides before noon.

 

What to Bring
Things you should take with you:

Where to stay
Wherever you want to stay, please take note of two words of advice - MAKE RESERVATIONS!
Although there are literally thousands of rooms available in hotels, motels, bed & breakfasts, and campsites, every weekend there are so few rooms available, the local radio stations broadcast the names of the few facilities who can accommodate visitors. Try the Lake Country Chamber of Commerce for some amazing B&B's which is about 30 km. north of Kelowna.

How to get to Kelowna
Kelowna is located on Highway 97, 140 kilometers north of the US/Canadian Border. If you are coming from Vancouver, take Highway 1 to Hope, then either Highway 3 or Highway 5. Highway 3 (The Crow's Nest) takes you over the beautiful Hope-Princeton Highway to Penticton, then north to Kelowna. Highway 5 (The Coquihalla) is a toll highway, but it will bring you to Westbank, 15 kilometers west of Kelowna. If you are flying in, Kelowna has an International Airport where any size aircraft up to a 737 may land.